Just saw that my old (2016) Jag scanner thread had been reawakened here recently...

So - here's an update: The Foxwell scanner I bought 3+ years ago has worked out well. It covers pretty much everything I've needed to keep my lovely old 2007 XJR in the fast lane.
Also - on the air suspension problems which initiated my search for a scanner: I finally binned the air struts and retrofitted with Arnott coil overs, and have had zero problems since.

"Nanny" (because she has so many buzzers and beepers) has proven herself a superlative traveling car. I've added about 50K miles since buying in March 2016, including three West Coast trips. Great looking, and fun to drive!

(Also, purchased the BMW module for my Foxwell, and it works fine with my E46 M3 as well)

 

it seems there is such a wide range of options for a scanner for my '04 XJ8 but if I understand correctly, they range in capabilities for two types of users: owners that want to read what the error is and those that want to manipulate, reflash or communicate back to the ECM in the car. Not being extremely tech savvy, I want a unit that can tell me what is wrong so I can fix the problem. I will be the owner who takes the car to a repair shop to reflash of needed.

Since there are some very tech-savvy owners and technicians active in the forum, can you tell me if I am looking at this correctly? If so, is a unit like the iCarsoft LRII a viable option for discovery and clearing?

FYI, I am getting nostalgic for the complex electronics on my Austin Healey 100-4 consisting of one fuse box.....

 

Yes and yes to both your questions. Note, the drawback of the handhelds is that they only give the first 5 digits of a code, not the last 2. Download the service manual here and between the two, you should be able to isolate your issues when you have them. It should suffice for the DIY.

Assuming from you handle you have the 04 XJ, you can download it free here:

http://www.jagrepair.com/JaguarXJ8%2...OBDIIcodes.htm