ECU codes and paper clips

Has anyone ever tried the "getting ECU error codes with a paper clip"
trick? Is it all a jolly joke to get DIYers to self destruct the ECU?

I can't think of a reason why they would put it in the software of the
ECU, because it would harm the sales of the expensive diagnostic
computers they make, and lose vauxhall all those nice £60 for 2
minutes work jobs.

Does £60+vat sound a bit steep for plugging it into the diagnostic
computer? "It's somewhere else we take it, we don't charge that" is
the response to the raised eyebrow.

Bob

 

no the paperclip trick works fine.
but it will only tell u the fault code number,
'tech2' the vauxhall diagnostic system will tell u (them) a lot more than
just the code.

however, £60 is very steep, more like £15-£20 mark is usual.

do the paperclip bit though, the code number is normally all that is needed
to be known to start with.

mike