A tip for buying a second hand car.

[Saltex]

So I am not quite sure if this regarded as a tip or maybe some people know of it, but I only discovered it yesterday while googling to see what is wrong with my Opel.

Anyway, if you push down the break and accelerator of the car and then place the key in the ignition and turn it to the second click, you don't wanna start the car,just so all displays come on etc.

After this you will see ECN error codes that get displayed where your mileage meter is (in my opel that is)

The codes will look like this as an example, there are many different ones, so if you get a code of say 1145, this would then translate to error code P0011.

This is something I wish I had before making secondhand purchases to see if there was any faults with the engine, so I could have written the down the codes and then later have gone home to see what all is wrong with the car.

Luckily in my case I don't have such a serious problem, but I thought this could probably help when making a secondhand purchase.

 

[rutger25]

Thank you!!!

 

[ScottulusMaximus]

Or you know take the car to a mechanic to get a once over like a normal human being... Instead of having to google the specific sequence for the particular car(doubtful many cars even do this), trawling through error codes to match up only to see the error you have makes no sense to you and then having to go to a mechanic anyway.

 

[Dolby]

I think that's pretty cool, Saltex - won't help me as I'll probably never have an Opel - but will help some

 

[Dolby]

Or you know take the car to a mechanic to get a once over like a normal human being... Instead of having to google the specific sequence for the particular car(doubtful many cars even do this), trawling through error codes to match up only to see the error you have makes no sense to you and then having to go to a mechanic anyway.

You put too much faith in mechanics - I'd definatley do both

I bought my Toyota from a Toyota dealership and took it to AA - no one reported anything strange. However when I traded it they picked up an accident and even my uncle picked up respray in the front.

My Audi went through a pre-owned 80 point check - needed engine oil the first night

 

[mr_norris]

I bought my Toyota from a Toyota dealership and took it to AA - no one reported anything strange. However when I traded it they picked up an accident and even my uncle picked up respray in the front.

I find the AA inspection rather useless. To the point where I just can't justify the cost. The inspection is purely visual. They never picked up any of the then current issues with my car.

I'd rather pay that to a mechanic and have a proper inspection done.

Useless bunch :/

 

[kianm]

Or you know take the car to a mechanic to get a once over like a normal human being... Instead of having to google the specific sequence for the particular car(doubtful many cars even do this), trawling through error codes to match up only to see the error you have makes no sense to you and then having to go to a mechanic anyway.

I think OP means to say this could help one make a yes/no decision when considering getting a 2nd hand car. This could just be a deal breaker for someone in such a situation, only things is how many cars have the functionality?

 

[Dolby]

I find the AA inspection rather useless. To the point where I just can't justify the cost

Well after that, so do I

But my take is that dealer took the car (not me) and he knew the dealer/salesperson. It may have been different if his friend didn't take the car

 

[Zukat]

Thank you for advice, but does this only work on an Opel?

 

[Saltex]

Thank you for advice, but does this only work on an Opel?

From what I have read this works with many different cars as the all cars seem to work off the same codes.

 

[Saltex]

Think you'd have to google your car and see how you can do it, but I am pretty sure many cars from early 2000's have this "feature", there is maybe just a different way to access it, but give it a try.

It also makes me wonder if your car is actually going for a diagnostic test, but instead all they are doing is something like this, checking the codes and then making changes from there etc.

 

[mwill]

I have a 2006 Ford Bantam bakkie so just had a look in the Workshop Manual. I couldn't believe all the tests it does. I had no idea I had a *modern* vehicle

Start the test by holding in the trip button and turn the ignition switch to the 2nd position. Release the trip switch when 'TEST' is displayed in the odometer (as I hope the attachment shows)

The Ford Bantam Workshop Manual.pdf is 47.3MB and the tests are under "instrument cluster".

 

[Rouxenator]

For a few hundred rand you can get yourself one of these :


They work on all cars and not only can you scan and clear error codes, you can also monitor a lot of sensors in the car. Best of all is you can do it right on your smartphone/tablet/laptop. I have one and it really does work in all OBD2 cars.

For older cars you might have to buy a special scantool, like for my old Astra that is still OBD1 I use a OPCOM USB adaptor.

P0011 could be pretty bad, I think it has to do with your camshaft.

 

[ahoudet]

For a few hundred rand you can get yourself one of these :
View attachment 124109

They work on all cars and not only can you scan and clear error codes, you can also monitor a lot of sensors in the car. Best of all is you can do it right on your smartphone/tablet/laptop. I have one and it really does work in all OBD2 cars.

For older cars you might have to buy a special scantool, like for my old Astra that is still OBD1 I use a OPCOM USB adaptor.

P0011 could be pretty bad, I think it has to do with your camshaft.

+1

 

[Ocali]

what car is it OP?
P0011 could be serious or could just be you timing is a bit off probably best to check it out,

this test is called the pedal test btw. older opel's have the paperclip test.. a good way for self diagnoses is joining a opel forum. there are:
opel owners forum
opc and coupe forum
opel club capetown


all very helpful.

 

[Saltex]

That was just a random number i gave out as an example mine just has to do with crankshaft sensor

 

[Rouxenator]

I have a pesky fuel evaporation valve error on my Astra. Nothing serious, just annoying...