[x300] OBD readers, laptop

I’m considering purchasing an OBD II reader for my 1998 XJ8 but
unsure which model to go for. Also wondering whether I’d be as well
just buying the kit which allows me to plug either a laptop or PC
into the OBD socket. Have seen a few on e-bay for as little as �30.
Are there risks with this? Can a virus get into the car computers?
Has anyone else got such a set up and what do they think of it? It
would be great to see exactly how the vehicle is running in real
time and pick up any issues early before they become expensive. Or
am I as well with a stand alone reader which will just highlight
any prior problems and allow any prior codes to be reset?–
andd1ee
–Posted using Jag-lovers JagFORUM [forums.jag-lovers.org]–

In reply to a message from andd1ee sent Wed 19 Sep 2007:

Hi,

I have a PC-based OBDII reader which works fine with the laptop on
the X300. I THINK it’s a Gendan one, but I’ll check at home
tonight! When I got it, although they listed a USB one, it wasn’t
available, so I got an RS232 version which they supplied complete
with the USB to Serial adapter. This means a bit more ‘stuff’ in
the leads but it’s all OK.

The interface consists of a small box with some LEDs inside which
show communications etc. The PC software allows codes to be read
and cleared as well as monitoring of real-time data.

The cost was about �70.

I hope this helps.

Cheers, Mike.–
The original message included these comments:

I’m considering purchasing an OBD II reader for my 1998 XJ8 but
unsure which model to go for. Also wondering whether I’d be as well
just buying the kit which allows me to plug either a laptop or PC
into the OBD socket. Have seen a few on e-bay for as little as �30.
Are there risks with this? Can a virus get into the car computers?
Has anyone else got such a set up and what do they think of it? It
would be great to see exactly how the vehicle is running in real
time and pick up any issues early before they become expensive. Or
am I as well with a stand alone reader which will just highlight
any prior problems and allow any prior codes to be reset?


Mike Stevens, 1996 X300 4.0 Sovereign
Oxfordshire, United Kingdom
–Posted using Jag-lovers JagFORUM [forums.jag-lovers.org]–
–Support Jag-lovers - Donate at http://www.jag-lovers.org/donate04.php

In reply to a message from G8CUL sent Thu 20 Sep 2007:

I also want to buy a code reader, but on UK eBay there are a lot of
different readers… I don’t know what to choose, can you give my a
tip?

One more question, can I connected the car to a PC? Like what
happen in VW and Audi with the Vagcom?

My best regards,
Miguel–
migueldefender
–Posted using Jag-lovers JagFORUM [forums.jag-lovers.org]–
–Support Jag-lovers - Donate at http://www.jag-lovers.org/donate04.php

In reply to a message from migueldefend sent Mon 5 Nov 2007:

Hi Miguel,

Mine came from Gendan (http://www.gendan.co.uk/, no affiliation
etc) and does what I want it to do. It communicates with the
protocol used by Jaguar. This may not be the same protocol as used
by other manufacturers, but there is some information about the
different protocol uses on their website.

I hope this helps,

Cheers, Mike.–
The original message included these comments:

I also want to buy a code reader, but on UK eBay there are a lot of
different readers… I don’t know what to choose, can you give my a
tip?
One more question, can I connected the car to a PC? Like what
happen in VW and Audi with the Vagcom?


Mike Stevens, 1996 X300 4.0 Sovereign
Oxfordshire, United Kingdom
–Posted using Jag-lovers JagFORUM [forums.jag-lovers.org]–
–Support Jag-lovers - Donate at http://www.jag-lovers.org/donate04.php

In reply to a message from G8CUL sent Tue 6 Nov 2007:

Many thanks Mike about your help. :wink:

My best regards,
Miguel–
migueldefender
–Posted using Jag-lovers JagFORUM [forums.jag-lovers.org]–
–Support Jag-lovers - Donate at http://www.jag-lovers.org/donate04.php