Recommended diagnostics tool

[Harrythephot]

Just got my low mileage, 1 owner 2016 Partner.
I really like the car, but as the dealer was "economical*" with the truth, I'm paranoid about something going pop!

Had a new key cut and coded to the car today, but first drive afterwards, the "engine" light came on.
Next drive it wasn't lit, but it made me realise that I need to have a method of identifying the meaning of any error warnings.

Most of the Lexia clones I see, state that they are for cars up to 2015, so is there a particular one that owners would recommend?

Cheers.

*Service history, bluetooth and 1 owner do not quite mean what I thought they meant.
Caveat Emptor etc.

[Sol]

Yep, for some dealers that really means "one stamp at 10k, 1 careful owner and 9 reckless ones."

Anyway if you get a Lexia clone, with DiagBox or in your case Peugeot Planet, you would still be able to do the kind of dealer level diagnosis you expect with it, on any year. Most date related things are to do with configuration or new features not recognised yet. I'm not sure the sellers actually know anything themselves - and are generally not the manufacturer of the kit. Version 7.58 of DiagBox which has the most configuration options and I find easiest to use, goes up to 2016, yet you can update (not online, but using the included patches they supply) to 7.83 or higher if need be.

Remember the sellers online didn't write DiagBox or Peugeot Planet, they're just selling copies of it.

Here is a post to read up on regarding years, features, bug fixes etc of all the versions available and which year & vehicles they cover:

https://www.berlingoforum.com/thread-19848.html

[Harrythephot]

Thanks again Zion. Would you know the diferences between the A.1281 Z stamped version and the 9780.Z5?

Some listings come with a number of different leads and some, just the device itself and 1 obd plug.
I'm guessing that the only other lead absolutely required would be the device to usb lead to connect to a computer, or does it need the other power leads as well?

Edit. Just found a listing that explains that the A.1281.Z version is the newer, more compatible one.

[Sol]

As long as it is what's called the "full chip" version then it should have the maximum functionality and compatibility. A fair price is in the £45 to £75 range. I've seen some sellers lately asking £117 and more, but I wouldn't bother with them and just move on as there is nothing extra included except more money.

The big drawback of the non-full-chip version is they are rendered useless when you try to upgrade the software version above 7.58 as the less capable version of the interface doesn't have the proper chip to take the firmware upgrade that has to be done by the software to support later functions, and this will usually "brick" the interface and it stops working.

The full chip version can take the firmware update which is then backward compatible with the older software, if you downgrade. I would stick at 7.58 personally, it is much easier to use and has better access to the configuration stuff.

[Pedronicus]

I bought my complete Lexia/Diagbox kit from Easy Diagnostics  https://www.easydiagnostics.co.uk/produc...t-vehicles

Admittedly not the cheapest on the market at £118 but certainly, in my view, the best option.  Not only do you get the most current Lexia unit but the service offered by the chap who runs the company is second to none.  He spent a LOT of time on line and on the phone with me in getting everything up and running all at no extra cost.  Not the sort of service you will get from the cheaper units from eBay I fancy (even if the sellers can actually speak English!).  He specialises in vehicle diagnostics as you will see from his site.  Highly recommended.

[Sol]

Good point about backup there P, I didn't think of that and it would be useful to new users.

[cancunia]

Yep, I've seen the easydiagnostics people recommended elsewhere too. Installing Diagbox & Sedre / Servicebox can be a real faff. I bought an old Lexia unit that someone had broken by bending one of the pins in the round connector, fortunately the pin he'd broken was not actually used so I removed it and put everything back together. It won't run the latest Diagbox but I managed to get it working on my 2013 ex B9.

[Sol]

I installed ServiceBox and DiagBox on two different machines, as I was advised they don't play well together.