Recommend an ECU code reader for Pug 306 1998 (UK)

Can anyone recommend a suitable fault code reader for a Peugeot 306 1.4l
petrol (Equinox badge), originally purchased in 1998, August I think.
It's a UK model and is the new style.

It has the 'standard' OBD connector behind the internal fuse box (in the
driver's footwell) - but I've yet to find any confirmation whether the
car actually uses OBDII etc.

Ideally I'd like something which could give extended information (not
just fault codes, but engine parameters etc), or the more detailed fault
codes (letter + 4 digit), rather than just the more basic slow code
flashing light ones.

However, I don't know whether this car supports any of these more
advanced reporting - hence my request for a recommendation of a reader
which is known to work with this model era.

Thanks

David

 

The UifTech U581 (£60 eBay) I've just bought is supposed to be tested as OK
with the 306. I have no way of checking this out though. Was your car on
sale in the U.S.A in '98? That would make it extremely likely to be OBD2
compatible. There's supposed to be an emissions sticker under the bonnet
stating OBD2 or EOBD but my daughter's '02 Megane doesn't have one and it
works OK with the U581. The U581 does generic and manufacturer's codes with
text descriptions, no idea how extensive the coverage of OEM codes is
though, and seems to be the cheapest hand OBD2 EOBD CAN scanner with live
data functions and is the reason I bought it. It's also internet
updateable. To do better I think you're talking £120 and upwards.

 

The issue I seem to have is that there are 2 sorts of readers for
Peuegots - ones which connect onto a connector on the ECU box in the
engine bay (remove 2 pin connector - insert reader connector into 1 pin,
other connector to an earth) and these are the flashing light versions.
However, this connector is not present on my 1998 306. The
documentation for one of these readers suggests that these work with 306
models up to 1993 - but I certainly don't have the required connector.

The other connector type is an OBD connector next to the steering wheel
in the fuse box - which this 1998 model 306 has. However, searching
around on the internet it suggests that it was actually from 2001 that
this connector was OBD compliant. Apparently, when people have tried
standard OBD readers in my era of car, they've found that they don't
work. Typical Peugeot way of doing things - put a standard plug on
there, but don't implement the actual software interface to that
standard! As yet, looking at the documentation for all the OBD readers,
Peugeots are only listed from 2001. The EU required all new model
petrol cars sold in the EU to implement OBD, but existing models got an
extension to 2001, which might explain why 2001 is listed everywhere.

So I'm in a bit of a black hole. Older reader's won't work (wrong
connector), and newer OBD readers won't work as the software interface
is wrong. There doesn't seem to be an reader for the interim models.

The only possible thing I can think of is that one of the pins on the
'slightly OBD' connector exposes the same pin that the old on-ECU
connector did - but unfortunately I've not yet found any information
about that.

I believe my old garage which did MOTs (not a Peugeot dealer or
specialist) used to include the exact RPM + temp during the emissions
test. My current one (council depot) overrides this and does it
manually ensuring it's up to temp etc. Does anyone know anything about
these emissions testers, and how they read the temp/RPM for these
machines? Because it they use OBD2, then it may give me some hope.

Thanks

D

 

My MoT place has a gadget that plugs into the cigarette lighter to send the
rpm to the emissions machine, it can also use a standard HT lead pickup if
needed, oil temp is usually just interpreted as OK by visual inspection, but
there is also a probe that can be put down the dip stick hole if in doubt
that confirms the exact temperature of the oil to the machine.

He also has a Launch code reader that reads everything imaginable, but it
was several thousand pounds worth !

Mrcheerful

 

Certainly true for my '98 406 which is fitted with the OBD connector
apparently wired for
ISO 9141-2 but the (Bosch) ECU does not support OBD.

Chris K