Citroen Ds3 Code Reader
Jacinda Saleeby
OBD stands for on-board diagnostics, and refers to a port that looks a little like an old-fashioned TV SCART socket. OBD ports have been fitted to all petrol passenger cars sold since 1 January 2001 and all diesels from 2004. This 16-pin socket is referred to as OBD2 outside of Europe and EOBD in Europe.
We settled for Car Scanner (free for iOS and Android, with in-app purchases), but other well-rated options include OBD Auto Doctor (free to download, with in-app purchases), Infocar (free for iOS and Android), ODB Mary and OBD Arny (both free, Android, with in-app purchases.
The Laser 7728 narrowly misses out on a Haynes Recommended award because of the number of features you get for your money. However, we'd shop around for it, because you can pay a fair bit less (but also more) than the RRP by doing a spot of Googling.
Interestingly, the packaging made it clear that the Streetwize code reader "is NOT compatible with hybrid or electric vehicles". We can understand why the latter isn't covered, but it's a shame that hybrids aren't.
Despite featuring an intuitive colour menu, the Sealey EOBD Code Reader required a lot of button-pushing to get from one category to another, with the up and down buttons also having to be used to go left and right.
Draper has a good reputation for making products that stand the test of time, and we have no reason to doubt this code reader's staying power; at the time of testing it was one of the pricier offerings here, but deserves its Haynes Recommended award.
This Clarke OBD scanner appears to be related to the Streetwize but adds live data to the freeze frame and VIN check functions, and provides some insight into the readiness of emissions control systems.
At the time of testing, the the Draper Fault Code Reader and Oil Reset Tool was nearly 20 times the price of the iCAR Bluetooth scanner in this test, and is a different beast aimed at a different audience. But we wanted to include it to demonstrate what code readers can do if you have the cash burning a hole in your pocket.
It also has permanent code retrieval, on-board monitor test (Mode 6, for additional component/system monitoring), reads fault code pending data, DTC code lookup function and lets you reset the oil change indicator.
This Citroen diagnostic scanner enables you to read and erase the fault codes that relate to the check engine light on your vehicle. The code reader is of the highest quality with a well designed display, most importantly providing a wealth of information on your Citroen's diagnostics
With the code reader, you can quickly find out trouble causes (troubleshooter) of electronically controlled systems on your car, by simply connecting the to the 16 PIN diagnostic socket in your vehicle, whilst reading the trouble code (DTC) shown on the device, and hence, identifying, locating and checking trouble causes.
Many of the ECUs in the XM can store and replay error codes when asked. Usually, they are read and cleared using the Lexia diagnostic system originally used by the dealer garages (copies of this system are available on the Net from Chinese vendors now).
Although the Lexia is much more capable than a simple error code reader (it has access to all vehicle susbsystems and can not only check stored errors but measure many parameters and actuate various parts), there are times when a simple code reader can also be of help. It's very easy to build such a code reader for Series 1 XMs and it's even easier on the Series 2 because all you need is a piece of wire. On both cars, you need to connect a specific pin of the diagnostic connector to the ground. However, Series 1 has the connectors inside the ECU box in the engine bay, Series 1 houses them nicely behind a flap under the steering wheel. On the Series 1, a LED with a series resistor will display the codes. On the Series 2 you don't even need the LED: the dashboard diagnostic light will do the same.
There are four ECUs to read out: engine, suspension, air conditioning and ABS. The process is always the same: turn the ignition on. Within three seonds, connected the appropriate connector pin to the ground for 3 to 5 seconds. The LED or warning light will display the start code 12 (by flashing once, pausng a little and flashing twice).. Now proceed with the wire, connect it to ground again for 3 to 5 seconds, and the error codes will appear one after the other, always using the same pattern: flashing for the tens, pausing, flasing for the ones. You reach the end when the end code 11 is displayed.
Easy. But the connector is deep down, you have to locate the pin, the warning light is up on the dashboard and you have relative tight timings to ensure. So, if you plan more than trying out once for the fun of it. it pays off to build a little tool to help with the testing.
As above I have a 2014 citroen relay with airbag light on (no reason just appeared) and wonder if anyone has a recommendation for a scanner (up to 150) to check the codes (although reading online it sounds like I will have to send it to crashdata for a reset). Also have an Octavia (2020) so if it compatible with that then all the better.
Prior to the introduction of mandatory OBD2 systems in Europe, which were introduced in the early 2000s (compared with 1996 for the USA). There were many differing methods of logging and retrieving onboard diagnostic and performance information depending on manufacturer and model of car.
Peugeot Citroen Group PSA used a 2-pin DLC connector for many of their models up until around 1997 and a 30-pin DLC connector until the early 2000's. All 2-pin DLCs allowed reading of 2 digit flash codes, whereas only some 30-pin DLCs allowed reading of 2 digit flash codes.
Flash codes give the operator a reading of the code by turning on and off voltage to a test device such as a lamp, oscilloscope or fault code reader. They are not very sophisticated and quite slow, however they can be read by anyone with very basic equipment and by taking basic precautions.
In this instructable I will show how to read the stored codes from a 1996 model, left-hand drive Peugeot 306. This car has a Bosch Motronic MP5.1 engine management computer and a 1.6 litre TU5 JP (NFZ) engine. This will be demonstrated using three methods. These methods are: fault code reader (specifically the Haynes PFCR), LED test lamp and oscilloscope.
The methods shown here will work for some other models of Citroen and Peugeot up until the introduction of OBD2. However certain details can vary and this information should be checked before proceeding. I have provided links at the end of this instructable to aid in information finding.
Be careful with automotive electronics, simple mistakes can lead to expensive repairs. I am not responsible for anyone bricking their engine management computer. Be careful and don't do anything if you don't fully understand what it is you're doing.
The codes these cars generate are 2 digits long and manifest as a series of on and off pulses given through a green 2-pin data link connector (DLC) shown in the figures 1 & 2. On the specific car under test in this instructable this code also gets flashed through the check engine light, although this is not always the case. Some models have a 30-pin DLC, these models are not specifically covered in this instructable, although the code sequence is given in the same format.
When reading a sequence of codes there will always be at least two codes indicated. These are codes 12 and 11, in that order. If these codes appear alone then no actual fault codes have been logged. If actual fault codes have been logged they will appear between code 12 and 11.
In figure 3 is an example of how code 12 followed by 11 appears as an idealised voltage trace (this sequence indicates a start and end code, with no faults present). Figure 4 shows an example code 41 as an idealised voltage trace.
In figure 5 it can be seen that (in the car under test) the DLC, engine management unit and check engine light are all connected to each other in the same circuit. As such, care must be taken when performing any tests.
With some engine computers it is possible to induce a test of various actuators in the vehicle. This is done in a similar way to the fault code reading. They are not available on all models. Below is a list of actuators that potentially could be tested depending on model.
The most important caveat to any fault code reading is that the fault code (along with other more noticeable condition such as driveability, rough idle, lack of power, etc.) are just symptoms of a problem. Just because a MAP sensor code pops up doesn't mean the MAP sensor needs replacing, instead it makes sense to check the sensor, voltages, wiring, manifold itself, engine computer terminals (carefully) etc. before making any changes or replacing any parts.
The Haynes PFCR (Professional fault code reader) was a consumer fault code reader for early onboard diagnostic featured cars, prior to the introduction of OBD2. The reader was introduced in the late 90s and a starter kit cost just over 400. An overview of all components for the specific car under test are shown in figure 1.
This device consists of a handheld unit with buttons and a screen (figure 2). In the back of this unit is a cartridge slot (figure 3 & 4) into which are inserted "pods" (figure 5 & 6) which contain the software to read the codes of various makes and models of car. There is also an 8-pin mini-DIN socket on the top of the unit (figures 7 & 8) into which plugs the desired cable for the model car under test.
Power is provided by the diagnostic port or battery crocodile cables (figure 1 shows all of these cables together and figures 9 & 10 show the PSA specific connector), depending on the model under test. Various views of the PFCR are shown in the figures.
Each manufacturer had a pod that would be purchased separately (along with the correct cables and manual pages) which would fit into the PFCR to allow it to read codes for that particular manufacturer's vehicles. Along with manufacturer specific pods, there were available "MegaPods" with multiple manufacturer's software on them. Without a pod the device will not switch on.
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