Review: Gendan Engine Check 1.4 car maintenance software

Engine Check is the latest in a growing range of PC-based car diagnostic packages aimed at the home enthusiast. They are all designed around the standard onboard data interfaces now installed in all European cars.

In order to comply with strict emissions regulations, modern engines are managed by a bevy of electronic probes and sensors; great for the environment but a pain in the neck for DIY enthusiasts when something goes wrong.

The dreaded Malfunction Indicator Light (MIL or Check Engine Light) is the bane of motorists. It's a cryptic dashboard light that comes on to tell you simply that a fault has been detected, which could be anything from a loose fuel filler cap to an imminent major component failure.

This means a trip to the garage for it to be checked and reset, which costs you whether or not there's any real problem. Engine Check allows you to check any fault codes that the car's electronics have reported, clear the fault codes and reset the MIL.

The European diagnostic standard, known as EOBD (European On-Board Diagnostics), was introduced in January 2001.

Engine Check works with all EOBD-compliant cars (petrol models from 2001, diesel models from 2004), and the sensor module can be ordered with a serial (£67.95) or USB1.1 (£69.95) connector.

The sensor and 1.8m-long USB cable are shipped by post, but the software is download-only (it's less than 2MB) and comes with a basic but clear pdf manual (420KB).

Installation of the driver and software caused no problems, although you need to manually specify the COM port used by the USB interface and the model of sensor you're using - the documentation with the interface cable explains how to do this.

We tested the ELM323 Iso protocol interface module that supports the vast majority of cars, but an ELM327 multiprotocol model is also available for £104.95.

One gripe is the lack of information on where to find the connector on the car (the regulations state it has to be accessible without tools and within a 1m radius of the steering wheel), but Gendan is working on adding this information to its website.

The application uses a simple tabbed interface with self-explanatory headings. On connecting to the car, any stored or pending fault codes are read and downloaded and displayed together with a brief text description.

The codes stored in the program are generic. If a model-specific code is displayed, Gendan has an online database with free access (registration is required) that you can use to find out its meaning.

The program only reads codes pertaining to the engine, powertrain and emissions of the car. It lets you clear the fault codes but not change any of the car's settings, apart from resetting the MIL.

This makes it a very safe tool to use as it's simply displaying information, not changing anything. If a fault is genuine, the fault code will eventually reappear, but at least you're prepared for the inevitable trip to the garage.

As well as displaying fault codes, the program lets you monitor up to four engine parameters in real time, such as engine RPM, oxygen sensor voltages, vehicle speed and so on.

These can be displayed as live numerical values or on twin line graphs. You can also record these values, save them in a spreadsheet file (csv format) and play them back as graphs.

Our only minor complaints are that the graphs are a little small and cluttered, and the application window isn't resizeable.

It's hardly 'hours of endless fun', but it is a useful, easy to use, affordable package that could save you some unnecessary and expensive trips to the service department.

With dealerships charging £100 per hour or more for labour it might not take long to recoup your outlay.

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