In my efforts to better understand how things work by playing around with them, I've theorised that the new Bravo's check control system has a much better method of fault diagnosis than it's predecessor, at least for simple non-critical faults, so I thought I'd share the comparisons if anyone's interested:

Stilo
The way the Stilo managed it's fault diagnostics was, and still is, very advanced, but also prone to problems. It sent very small voltages to the component it was testing (here, we shall use the drivers front indicator for the comparison), and would expect a predetermined voltage back. This meant that the system had instantanous fault diagnostics - i.e. as soon as the "Checking" process began, any component with a fault would be flagged up if it failed it's initial test (e.g. the bulb would generate a "Bulb Failure" message immediately).
Problems? Well, as anyone who's ever owned a Stilo knows, error messages were sometimes a common occurance. Also, modifiers would note that some mods (e.g. LED bulbs) could not be done, as the small test voltages/currents would light up the low-current LEDs (as it did when I tried it).

Bravo
Now, if anything, the Bravo has taken a step back - as far as simple diagnostics are concerned. If a bulb fails (our example here), the system will not automatically flag it up upon ignition on. Indeed, there is no "Checking" message. Therefore, one can surmise that no small voltage is being transmitted, or else a failure message would appear.
However, once the component in question comes to be used (e.g. you want to turn), the failure message will appear, telling you to, in our example, "Check RHS Front Indicator Bulb".
Now, what is interesting is that the fault clearing method is different too. The fault doesn't automatically clear, e.g. replacing the bulb will not clear the message. The Body Computer must store the error and recheck everytime the action is, erm, actioned, e.g. you go to turn, and if the component is now working, the message will clear then.

I tried this out on my Bravo by disconnecting the headlight, and then going to use sidelights and indicators. Both messages only appeared once I went to use the bulbs. Plugged them back in, errors still there, until I went to use the bulbs, and now they were working, messages gone.

God, I need a life!

That's great Rich! Coming from a Marea where I only had little lights to tell me if something had died... the Bravo's system check sounds very advanced. I do like that it will clear the fault once it's working again. Hope I don't get an intermittent fault that keeps clearing itself on the way to the garage

Hellcat said:

That's great Rich! Coming from a Marea where I only had little lights to tell me if something had died... the Bravo's system check sounds very advanced. I do like that it will clear the fault once it's working again. Hope I don't get an intermittent fault that keeps clearing itself on the way to the garage

Click to expand...

Lol, I remember my Brava and it's little "STOP" lamps light . I think "proper" faults will get logged (i.e. engine bay, airbag) - just thinks like bulbs and hopefully duff voltage alerts that the Stilo suffered from will be far more reliable.

Already taking things out to see what happens eh Rich?
That's a weird system you're describing then. Are you saying that you could suddenly run into some fog, you switch the fog lights on and THEN it tells you they don't work?

When the Stilo flagged a "bulb failure" it was always dead right (although a lot of people didn't think so at the time)
"The bulb still works" they say
"Yes but there IS a fault in the bulb circuit. Go check it out"
But at least it told you straightaway- before you started your journey

I like the way the Bravo turns the fault off though as soon as you test it. Good sense. Never could understand the "3 clean starts" of the Stilo. It works- it don't work. How many times do you have to be told?

Got used to those indicators yet?

Suggestion. Maybe a good time to change the forum title to NEW BRAVO to prevent confusions?

Hey Decks

Well you know what I'm like . I see you're point about the lights, only telling you they're dead when you come to use them, but maybe the theory is saying "How many times does a bulb blow when the car is parked doing nothing?", i.e., it would only blow when it comes to be used, hence there is no need to send current down it to continuosly monitor it.

Indicators - what the lane change? Yeah, they're great .