Ducato Hi there, actually could so with some help too.

[DD18]

Owned our van from new (2018), converted it to a motorhome in 2019 and have been traveling ever since.

Recently in Morocco a "Check Engine Light" came on (amber). Went to a desert garage where the fault was cleared with what looked like to be a proper garage code reader but we weren't told what the code was. The warning light came on again a few hundred miles later, and a friend I was traveling with at the time cleared the fault again with a cheap £10-20 Code Reader this time. This time I paid attention to the code: The OBD reader got the code P053C, "positive crankcase ventilation heater control circuit high". Anyway, it was cleared again, that was Jan 31st and it stayed off for a long time. Today it's March 20th and it came back on again, 1974 miles later, this time on the French/Spanish border. The van had an oil change before going into Morocco and a full service (filters being changed) and another quality (Castrol) oil change when we got back into Spain 2 months later. We are heading home so will deal with this we get back as France isn't cheap but I wanted to know what the best Code Reader is for us. I have heard cheap ones really aren't reliable or the best, we don't mind spending some money on a decent set up.

If anyone can help we'd really appreciate it.

 

[Communicator]

I cannot say what is best, but Multiecuscan (MES) running on a Windows computer is often reccommended on this forum. A reccomended supplier is Gendan, who also reported as giving sound advice regarding adaptor cables. Alfa OBD software is also mentioned, and Ibelieve that it can initiate more commands than MES. MES has been described as "speaking fluent Fiat.

 

[theoneandonly]

What software/ hardware do i need to read OBD2 Codes

This a much bigger question than first appears. If we limit it to what is a cost effective DIY solution to "read my Fiat and simple maintenance issues eg change the oil in my euro 6 or add a new MAF sensor" then the answer for me reduces to...

www.fiatforum.com

Just had a quick look at the code P053C. Beware there are abiguous meanings for this code old models refered to PCV post 2017 do not and could be a aircon problem. Do a search on the site and have a read

 

[DD18]

Thanks for the replies.

1. We do not own a laptop or a windows desktop computer as we are on the road all the time so is there anything phone based or at a push Chromebook based or neither of those two. Do I have to have a windows computer or laptop for something to work?

2. I did have the aircon on this morning as it was rainy and cold and I wanted the windscreen to clear quicker. I can't remember if I had the aircon on in Morocco when it first happened or the second time as it wasn't overly hot and it takes a lot of heat for me to run aircon.

Will our van will be okay until we get back to the UK?

 

[theoneandonly]

Alfaobd will run on a decent android phone but still needs a obd2 port dongle. I have a copy but rarely use it as i now have 2 laptops with mes on. An old slow fuji just for mes. There is littlle support for it in comparison to mes but i can help if you go down this route.

 

[MSjoberg]

Thanks for the replies.

1. We do not own a laptop or a windows desktop computer as we are on the road all the time so is there anything phone based or at a push Chromebook based or neither of those two. Do I have to have a windows computer or laptop for something to work?

2. I did have the aircon on this morning as it was rainy and cold and I wanted the windscreen to clear quicker. I can't remember if I had the aircon on in Morocco when it first happened or the second time as it wasn't overly hot and it takes a lot of heat for me to run aircon.

Will our van will be okay until we get back to the UK?

MES is available in iOS App Store also. But perhaps you prefer Android since you mention Chromebook? If so, maybe AlfaOBD is the way to go.

 

[DD18]

MES is available in iOS App Store also. But perhaps you prefer Android since you mention Chromebook? If so, maybe AlfaOBD is the way to go.

Thankyou

 

[DD18]

Alfaobd will run on a decent android phone but still needs a obd2 port dongle. I have a copy but rarely use it as i now have 2 laptops with mes on. An old slow fuji just for mes. There is littlle support for it in comparison to mes but i can help if you go down this route.

Thank you