OBDKey Fault Code Reader Applications Windows PC

OBDKey is now shipped (since 2012) with the OBDKey Fault Code Reader application for Windows PC.

The OBDKey Fault Code Reader application for Windows PC has the following features:

• Read fault codes using standard OBD-II methods, and / or manufacturer specific methods
• Issue a reset command to the ECU to clear codes
• Diagnostic Trouble Codes, also known as fault codes, may be read and reset
• Covers all OBDII compliant vehicles
• Covers manufacturer specific pre - OBDII Ford (including some Mazda) using J1850 PWM / Ford SCP
• Covers manufacturer specific CAN based Ford (including Mazda) using CAN based Ford SCP
• Covers manufacturer specific pre - OBDII GM (including Vauxhall / Opel / Saab)
• Covers manufacturer specific VW Audi Group (VAG) (including Seat / Skoda) using KW1281 or KWP2000
• Covers manufacturer specific Fiat / Alfa Romeo using KWP2000
• Covers manufacturer specific Honda vehicles using CAN bus (29 bit)
• Covers manufacturer specific Subaru vehicles using the Subaru SSM Protocol
• Updated regularly
• Fault Codes read from the vehicle may be saved on the PC.
• Over 20,000 fault code descriptions in the built in database
• Look up fault code facility
• Current list of vehicle protocols supported by the OBDKey Fault Code Reader

Engine only at present, except for the VW Audi Group (VAG) option which may be used via KW1281 to read engines, airbags, instrument clusters etc.

OBDKey Fault Code Reader Fault codes may be Read and Reset

The OBDKey Fault Code Reader application can be used to read and reset fault codes of a vehicle ECU when necessary. The application is compliant with all OBD-II compliant vehicles and also supports their manufacturer specific protocols to read fault codes. Below are the list of diagnostics available with the OBDKey Fault Code Reader.

• OBDII
• Ford (J1850)
• Ford (CAN bus)
• VW (VAG)
• Audi (VAG)
• Skoda / Seat (VAG)
• Renault
• Fiat / Alfa
• Vauxhall (GM)
• Opel (GM)
• Saab (GM)
• Volvo
• Citroen
• Honda (CAN bus)
• Subaru (SSM)

Reading fault codes from the ECU gives you a better understanding of what has caused a problem and where you might perform some remedial work.  

Each vehicle protocol has a different reset method.  We can issue the reset using the OBD-II protocol on OBDII complaint vehicles and manufacturer protocol specific reset on vehicle we know conform to that particular protocol.

OBD-II Fault Code Reading Example

Resetting the vehicle ECU is a very useful feature that will instruct your vehicle ECU to conduct a full refresh process.  Effectively, this will reset the ECU to default settings such that the ECU will re-examine the entire system it controls.

Reset ECU warning message box

OBD-II Fault Code Reading Example - After Sending the Reset Command

 OBDKey Fault Code Reader Covers all OBD-II compliant vehicles

OBDKey software works with all OBD-II compliant vehicles.  This covers all petrol vehicles since 2001 and all diesel vehicles since 2004. For the USA vehicles since 1996 are OBD-II compliant.

Below is a screenshot of the Fault Code Reader program reading fault codes on a Ford Fiesta 2004 Engine ECU using the OBD-II protocol on the OBDKey Fault Code Reader application.

OBD-II Fault Code Reading Example - Ford Fiesta 2004

Below are the results displayed when testing for a Subaru WRX 2002 Engine ECU using OBDII diagnostics protocol on the OBDKey Fault Code Reader.

OBD-II Fault Code Reading Example - Subaru WRX 2002

OBDKey Fault Code Reader Covers pre - OBDII Ford (including some Mazda) using J1850 PWM / Ford SCP

As not all vehicles are OBD-II compliant we have added support for protocols for manufacturer specific systems, so you can try the OBDKey Fault Code Reader with your vehicles ECU.

The Ford Escort petrol engine ECU from 2000 is pre OBD-II so won't supply fault codes using the OBD-II methods.  But with the OBDKey Fault Code Reader application you can use the Ford (J1850) protocol instead.

The OBDKey Fault Code Reader application supports both Ford J1850 and Ford CAN bus protocol methods.

Reading fault codes read using the OBDKey Fault Code Reader on a Ford Escort 2000 (pre OBDII) using the Ford (J1850) option

OBDKey Fault Code Reader Covers CAN based Ford (including Mazda) using CAN bus based Ford Protocol

The manufacturer specific protocol for the Ford car group has two different diagnostics protocol options; either Ford (J1850) or Ford (CAN bus).

To identify which of the two Ford protocols is required depends on what year the car was manufactured. Vehicles that are from the year 2004 or newer tend to be compatible with CANbus whereas vehicles older vehicles are likely to be J1850 compatible.

The OBDKey Fault Code Reader application supports both Ford J1850 and Ford CAN bus protocol methods.

Reading fault codes read using the OBDKey Fault Code Reader on a Ford Fiesta 2004 engine ECU using the Ford (CAN bus) option. Note that we can *also* use the OBD-II protocol to read codes from this ECU.

OBDKey Fault Code Reader Covers pre - OBDII GM (including Vauxhall / Opel / Saab)

The OBDKey Fault Code Reader application supports both the GM protocol which is a K Line variant of the KWP2000 protocol.

If your Vauxhall, Opel, or Saab vehicle is pre-OBDII and not compliant with any OBD-II protocols, you can use the OBDKey Fault Code Reader to read fault codes for the vehicle with the Vauxhall(GM), Opel (GM) or Saab(GM) option.

Reading fault codes read using the OBDKey Fault Code Reader on a Vauxhall Vectra from 1998 engine ECU

OBDKey Fault Code Reader Covers VW Audi Group (VAG) (including Seat / Skoda) using KW1281 or KWP2000

The OBDKey Fault Code Reader application supports both the VW, Audi group (VAG) protocol which uses the K Line with either KW1281 or a variant of the KWP2000 protocol.

The OBDKey Fault Code Reader application supports KW1281 with the following car makes:

• Volkswagen
• Audi
• Seat
• Skoda
• Lamborghini

When testing with these vehicles the OBDKey Fault Code Reader application also allows you to use either of the two protocols available for VAG vehicles: KW1281 or KWP2000.

Module selection for the VW / Audi VAG KW1281 protocol when testing a VW Golf 2006 engine ECU.

OBDKey Fault Code Reader application resutls from testing using the KW1281 protocol on a VW Golf 2006 Engine ECU.

Module selection for the VW / Audi VAG KWP2000 protocol when testing a VW Golf 2006 engine ECU

OBDKey Fault Code Reader application results from testing with the KWP2000 protocol on a VW Golf 2006 engine ECU.

Module selection for the VW / Audi VAG KW1281 protocol when testing a VW Polo 1999 airbag ECU.

OBDKey Fault Code Reader application results from testing a VW Polo 1999 airbag ECU.

OBDKey Fault Code Reader Covers Fiat / Alfa Romeo using KWP2000

The OBDKey Fault Code Reader also supports the Fiat / Alfa user specific protocols to read manufacturer specific fault codes.

OBDKey Fault Code Reader application results from testing a Fiat Stilo 2003 engine ECU using the Fiat / Alfa option

OBDKey Fault Code Reader Covers Subaru vehicles with SSM

Manufacturer specific fault codes may also be read from the Subaru vehicles using the OBDKey Fault Code Reader application with the SSM protocol option.

OBDKey Fault Code Reader application results from testing a Subaru WRX 2002 petrol Engine ECU using the Subaru (SSM) option

The fault code reader is only provided to verified OBDKey customers.

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