Autel Diagnostic/Scanner Android Tablet/Device

rockits

Member
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9,167
Any got or used one?

Being in a tech industry & also reasonably hands on with my spanner I feel a decent investment in a device that could help diagnose/resolve issues going forward might be a useful, interesting & fun purchase.

It seems the Autel devices are well regarded for small generic independent shops that are brand agnostic. Read some reviews & good comments about their MaxiSys Pro MS908P. Seems to do quite a bit supporting many manufacturers & also doing ECU coding & programming & SCN key coding.

This is the baby:
https://www.autel.uk/products/pro-range/maxisys-ms908pro/

I hadn't used the Volvo V40 for a few weeks....went to start it...electrics OK but no attempt at cranking & 9 random errors from pretty much all various secondary ECU's/systems. Called AA out....they couldn't diagnose or fix. After a bit of research took main engine ECU out. Located out side inffont of N/S wheel in arch behind liner...I kid you not.

Stuck it on too of the RayBurn for a couple of days. A bit of contact cleaner sprayed on all connections & ECU reinstalled. Worked a treat...started & works fine now. I dare so many places would have charged a fair bit for diagnosing/troubleshooting that. Also a big risk you could ripped off when they say....sorry needs new ECU....barf a kidney please.

I need a 2nd key for the SL as previous owner lost it when I bought it which are 250 quid from Mercedes. If it can do Merc key coding then you can buy a 2nd hand key...get the bad cut from 1st key in most key cutting places...then code the key.

Any one got any thoughts on an scanners or diagnostic devices a but more advanced than the cheap few hundred quid stuff. This Autel is about 2k Inc VAT I think.

Just can see a few ways it would pay for itself over time.
 

rockits

Member
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9,167
It is not for Maserati use really but just generic use across many other manufacturers. I am sure for Maserati the SD is the best option. Same for Merc with Star really but it seems it could be useful for many different reason for many different tasks & manufacturers.
 

GeoffCapes

Member
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14,000
For Mercedes you need a Carsoft one.

The others just don't work. The one I bought was about £130.
 

rockits

Member
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9,167
The one I linked to will do Mercedes OK I believe. You can buy lots of 100-200 quid devices for brand specific work. The Autel one I posted & above seem to be the best brand agnostic devices to do 90% of stuff I'll need to under 10k.

I need to do more research as early stages yet. Problem is it is hard to find good people for each brand you can trust. I trust Voicey & Harvey so Maserati is covered but all the other stuff I have & will have becomes an issue.

Just noticed today the electrician I got in to add a new consumer unit to garage then wire in the lift has used the bigger cable for the 3a garage door circuit & smaller cable for 16a lift circuit. Wrong....they are even labelled right at consumer unit end! Swapped them over today. Can't anyone do anything right!
 

D Walker

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9,827
Just noticed today the electrician I got in to add a new consumer unit to garage then wire in the lift has used the bigger cable for the 3a garage door circuit & smaller cable for 16a lift circuit. Wrong....they are even labelled right at consumer unit end! Swapped them over today. Can't anyone do anything right!
You are f***ing 5hitting me!!!!
 

conaero

Forum Owner
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34,593
My local MOT station have a Snapon and the Autel 908 with the Maserati specific addon.

The Snapon didn’t work but the Autel was brilliant. It could check all systems on the Strad, worked via Bluetooth

Could reset the service light and put the EPB into service mode as well as the engine, ABS and suspension.

Thought about buying one, £1600 plus vat. Seemed well worth it.
 

rockits

Member
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9,167
My local MOT station have a Snapon and the Autel 908 with the Maserati specific addon.

The Snapon didn’t work but the Autel was brilliant. It could check all systems on the Strad, worked via Bluetooth

Could reset the service light and put the EPB into service mode as well as the engine, ABS and suspension.

Thought about buying one, £1600 plus vat. Seemed well worth it.
Thanks Matt. Seems like the Autel MaxiSys Pro aka MS908P is decent and pretty advanved/fully featured for the money.

Just trying to decipher if you need year 2 updates onwards as they are circa nearly 1k per year. Seems you don't but obviously you won't get latest updates. However as all my cars and likely ones I would buy would be older maybe less of an issue. It includes 12 months updates day one.

Seems you can lapse as many years updates after first year & drop back in with no penalty. Updates cost is killer for us hobby spanner turners as initial outlay would be OK.
 

conaero

Forum Owner
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34,593
Indeed Dean, that’s what the garage did. Bought the system then didn’t register it for about a year, then updated so they got the year updates from that point forward, so getting 2 years support.

TBH, this is only for new models so anything on the system at the point of your last update will remain and work.
 

rockits

Member
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9,167
Thanks Matt. Didn't think of that way actually as was thinking to register day one & get updates for first 12 months. Then leave lapsed for a year or two then maybe have updates for a year.

Your way is better as I won't need updates day one as most of my cars will be older anyway.

I wonder if you need to register day one to get it setup/working initially though or it will work out the box? I guess it must do if your garage did it this way.

Would be a good addition to a workshop rental with lift. I wonder how much anyone would pay for a workshop with lift & diagnostic device per hour or day?
 

conaero

Forum Owner
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34,593
Thanks Matt. Didn't think of that way actually as was thinking to register day one & get updates for first 12 months. Then leave lapsed for a year or two then maybe have updates for a year.

Your way is better as I won't need updates day one as most of my cars will be older anyway.

I wonder if you need to register day one to get it setup/working initially though or it will work out the box? I guess it must do if your garage did it this way.

Would be a good addition to a workshop rental with lift. I wonder how much anyone would pay for a workshop with lift & diagnostic device per hour or day?

Your issue is insurance...what happens if the person you rent it to drops the car and injures or kills themselves or damages their car by not using the lift correctly?

£80 a day would be a sensible price but feel it would not be worth the potential agro.
 

TimR

Member
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2,651
Jesus...2K for a code reader/service light reset device..?
The guys at McGrath said a cheap plug in from eBay would enlighten you as to ECU codes etc - perhaps this wouldn't be able to reset the dash lights but a 2006 GT Coupe is only OBD 1 I think, isnt it ?
I thought Id found one for under £40 that claimed to be able also to reset dash service lights and such...
I could handle £200-300 for one, but not £2K !

I'm new to these cars but have used a few simple code reading devices for home enthusiasts. I even have a couple wi-fi units that talk to my smart phone capable of resetting service intervals and giving live data streams of varying types, and restoring to default some features ( AFR trim tables and the like )...!

Anyone got any sensibly priced, proven options for a 4200 (2006) ?

Grtzzz....:smile:
 

rockits

Member
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9,167
I have a cheap chinese Bluetooth OBDII devices which reads & does some stuff.

You certainly don't need to spend 2k. This Autel 2k device does a whole load of stuff on a whole load of vehicles. It is a medium end small commercial shop tool.

It does ECU programming/coding and SCN key coding amongst many other things. There is nothing out there sub-2k that does what this Autel does that I have come across it seen yet.
 

conaero

Forum Owner
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34,593
Looks interesting it says Maserati so as long as it does the same as the Autel then it should be good.

You need to have it tested maybe by taking a car to them maybe?

Voicey maybe able to comment?
 

conaero

Forum Owner
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34,593
Mike that looks interesting. Will speak to them. If it covers the transmission then I’m in.