What Code Reader

[fudgemuffin]

Can any one tell me what type of fault code reader I need for my 2 litre petrol N reg 1995 Galaxy as I cant seem to find out which one I need as it might be VAG ,post 1996 or a ford ECU .As the revs at tick over are all over the shop and I don,t want to fork out paying some one to tell me whats wrong for the price that I could buy a fault code reader for.Thanks

[kester]

i THINK this is just a normal mark 1 galaxy, which I thought was VW made - you should be able to see VAG on some of the parts, in which case its VAG-COM. A cable can be purchased cheaply of ebay £15 and then download of VAG shareware should be able to confirm.

 

I've relied on VAG countless times for my 99 alhambra!

[sparky Paul]

The 2 litre Galaxy has a Ford engine, and VAG-COM will not talk to it. It should, however, connect all other system on the car. For the Ford engine, you would normally need a generic ELM327-based ODBII/EOBD cable and suitable software, see this thread. The only thing I'm not sure about is whether the early engines are OBDII compliant, perhaps someone else can confirm this.

 

Do you have the engine management light (MIL) illuminated? If not, a code reader is unlikely to throw up any relevant fault codes.

 

Assuming the car drives normally otherwise, unstable tickover could be the Idle Control Valve which may require cleaning, I would start there.

Edited September 16, 2012 by sparky Paul

[fudgemuffin]

Thanks .I will try to clean the air control valve.Any tips on what to do much appreciated unless it is pretty obvious, I've located it in the Haynes manual and will tackle it later.The rear box has disintegrated internally and I have had trouble before with the cat falling apart internally and messing up the lambda sensor so I'll sort out the rear box and see how it goes.Revs from virtually stalling to just over 2000rpm at tick over and cruising ,smelly exhaust, unburnt fuel probably or could be cat not working. Will no doubt discover.

[sparky Paul]

Clean the ICV with carburettor cleaner, or at a pinch, a bit of petrol, make sure the actuator inside can move freely. Also check for any inlet manifold leaks, and/or any leaks on the vacuum pipework to the brake servo.

 

Cat shouldn't affect the engine running unless it's blocked, but it will give a bad emissions reading. If you are getting unburnt fuel in the exhaust, do not run the engine unnecessarily as this will destroy the cat.

 

If there is unburnt fuel in the exhaust, the engine management should be on as the lambda sensor should see high oxygen. Is the engine management warning light on?

Edited September 16, 2012 by sparky Paul

[fudgemuffin]

Thanks.The engine management light isn't on.This may seem a little dense but I have never seen it on the dash.Should it light up when I switch on the ignition as does the oil light etc.Thank you for your advice if I can face it after tea I will fiddle with the ICV and check the vacuum pipes.

[sparky Paul]

Assuming the engine light is present on the early cars, it should light up during the self test, then extinguish.

 

Perhaps someone with an early car could confirm.

[fudgemuffin]

Hello I have dug out the owners handbook and there is only a engine management light on the diesel version.Thanks

[fudgemuffin]

Thanks for the tips .I have checked ICV and changed a suspect vacuum hose.ICV seemed OK the pin was moving freely but alas the problem still remains.So I have posted new Topic under erratic idle as I dont think I can get a fault code reader as I have emailed supplier and they have also told me one is not available

[sparky Paul]

Interesting, I wonder when OBDII compliance appeared on the Ford engined models... perhaps it arrived with the '98-on revised electrical systems.

 

FWIW, my '99 mk.I does have the engine MIL, and connects to the OBDII interface.

 

Have you had a good listen to see (hear?) if there are any vacuum leaks around the inlet manifold? Also note that even if the ICV appears to be clean, it still may be faulty.

Edited September 21, 2012 by sparky Paul

[fudgemuffin]

Thanks ,I will have a good listen this weekend.Any way of checking that the ICV is working properly?

[fudgemuffin]

Finally succumbed to the man in overalls with deep pockets for other peoples cash.Turns out it was the crankcase breather pipe.Charged me £26 for this, supposedly a genuine ford part, upon inspection it looks like three inches of washing machine hose.Have I been ripped off?Probably which is why I hate taking cars to garages.

[sparky Paul]

Just seen your follow up post, been a bit busy here. Not always easy to find vacuum leaks, you need to have a listen and good feel around the pipework to and from the inlet manifold. Not easy to determine if the ICV is functioning correctly, but the most common problems are sticking, and less common, complete failure with the coil measuring open circuit.

 

At least it's all sorted now, and 26 quid isn't the end of the world.