VPCUK codereader for loan

[Al115]

Hello fellow VPCUK-ers,

I was thinking of a way to give a little something back to the VPCUK community, which has been so helpful to me over the last few years - particularly recently with my troubleshooting woes!

The best idea I came up with was to donate a EOBD diagnostic troublecode reader, which will aid troubleshooting on the vast majority of our vehicles (what's always the first thing to check when your car breaks? "read the codes, Luke...!") However not everyone has a basic code reader available, or the inclination to buy one, so now we have a VPCUK Code Reader that is available for loan to members:



The loan system will work entirely on trust:

• I've started a new thread to track "who's got the code reader" here.
• If you need to borrow the reader, look at the thread and send a PM the member last listed there with your address. They will send it to you.
• In return for borrowing it, gratis, you have to undertake to look after it (and the instruction manual!), send it on by first class post, recorded delivery, to the next member who requests it, and update the thread with who's got it.

I can't undertake to replace it if it gets lost, but hopefully it will be around for some time and help out as many members as possible.

Other notes:

• Members must be resident in UK, Highland and Islands & Ireland only (sorry other European-ers, but the risk of losing the thing in cheapy unrecorded EU mail is too great)
• Neither I nor VPCUK accept any liability for any diagnosis made with the code reader, or indeed damage resulting from use of the code reader (if such is possible!)
• Members must have a post-count of 20 or more to request the code reader (else, you could be JohnnyBoyRacer and we might never see it again... )

Any questions or other suggestions, post up here and I will answer!

UPDATE: the instruction manual is available here.

[jdavis]

what a really good idea!

[AlanG]

Is it easier to smash your windscreen with this as opposed to a rattle??........

Seriously Al,brilliant idea.......Top man..

[Tomcat]

Not to pee on your idea Al, but I had the same idea a long time ago and lent out my service light reset tool, the first person used it and returned it, but somewhere along the way it went walkies and I've never had it back..... Just a little food for thought.

[claymore]

I think it might be a good idea to stipulate recorded delivery, that way there is always a paper trail.

[Gramayr]

Originally Posted by claymore

I think it might be a good idea to stipulate recorded delivery, that way there is always a paper trail.

Aye, and it's a small cost to pay.. and it's insured IIRC.

[uzyg]

brilliant idea. Tis what makes this forum great!

[LeeT5]

I agree. Brilliant idea...but we should all insist on recorded delivery. Its only a couple of quid!!

[Al115]

Good suggestions guys. Recorded Delivery it is then!

Already got the first loan requested :-)

[AlanG]

[quote=Al115;260026]Good suggestions guys. Recorded Delivery it is then!

Took that as read,can't trust the postal service at the best of times..

[wellsy]

what a very generous great idea
i also think recorded delivery is a must ,like already said only a couple of quid and insured and tracable .

im afraid i will be requesting the use of the reader very soon as mycheck engine light has been on for a week or 2..

a huge thanks to alistair for this cheers wellsy

[JelT5]

Members must be resident in UK, Highland and Islands & Ireland only (sorry other European-ers, but the risk of losing the thing in cheapy unrecorded EU mail is too great)

We do have recorded mail here in the third world, honestly!

Just pulling your leg mate, it's pigeon post all the way

[Rufe]

a quality idea!

can i add though that in my opinion if this reader is worth more than £36 (the max covered by recorded delivery), which i would guess it is, i would recommend only using royal mail special delivery. its £6.70 for a next day 'signed for' service up to 1Kg (unsure of the weight of this it may be less than 500g boxed if so £5.40 special delivery). you cant really beat special delivery, as its a next day by 1pm service and insured up to £500. just my 2 penny worth.

Simon

[Alan M]

Does this code reader work with the 4.3 motronic system?

[Niles]

will this work on my 850 T5 1996? If so can i borrow it?

[Al115]

Alan M / Niles - find out if your cars are EOBD compliant. If so you can request the code reader by PMing whoever has it, here:
http://www.vpcuk.org/forums/showthread.php?p=259787

Cheers.

[streaky744]

fantastic idea.

may i add for the reader to be passed from member to member using a site called parcel monkey. this is an online courier service which for the size and weight of this item would cost you no more than £6.00 to send it door to door next working day.

this site is basically a way for dhl / fedex and the like to get extra work but at a great saving to jo public. very easy to use and i have used them many a time with no problems and is a lot safer than royal mail as parcel are tracked at all times from collection.

just an idea for the future users maybe

http://www.parcelmonkey.co.uk/

for the code reader or any other things you want to post