Newbie posting....just got stung at the garage with 4 hours ' tracing wires' on abs...and the fault was broken abs ring front driveshaft....sooo..I'm going to sort my own laptop plug in. I've bought the modified ELM cable...and intend to then download multi ecu scan on my laptop...Mines a 2005 2.8 jtd. Am I going in the right direction? Or is there a better way of checking fault codes on my van?

Hi and welcome

MES is good.... and reasonably userfriendly

Is your build on the MES supported list?

Diesels were slow to get full OBD

Charlie

Houtbai said:

Newbie posting....just got stung at the garage with 4 hours ' tracing wires' on abs...and the fault was broken abs ring front driveshaft....sooo..I'm going to sort my own laptop plug in. I've bought the modified ELM cable...and intend to then download multi ecu scan on my laptop...Mines a 2005 2.8 jtd. Am I going in the right direction? Or is there a better way of checking fault codes on my van?

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Wow they spent 4 hours checking wiring before checking the abs ring?
That seems a bit sloppy

My vehicle is a 2006 x244 2,8JTD. I do not have anything other than a basic code reader for use on the Ducato. I have been considering following the approach suggested above, probably with the paid for version of the software. This has been suggested as a good route to follow by Ocwobio, among others on this forum. If I remember correctly, Ocwobio's vehicle is a 2005 2.8JTD.

chris3234 said:

Wow they spent 4 hours checking wiring before checking the abs ring?
That seems a bit sloppy

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I feel the same....4 hours..bit unbelievable the whole deal. They had my van for....2 months! Partly due to covid...but I had to order the parts..post them to the garage...tried 3 wrong reluctor/ abs rings before in 3xasperation ordering 2 different size cv joints (with abs rings fitted). One fitted....total cost for mot, fitting front cv joint and flexible brake hose.... £620. I think I was mugged. So b..y frustrating with no right (in effect) to reply.

Houtbai said:

I feel the same....4 hours..bit unbelievable the whole deal. They had my van for....2 months! Partly due to covid...but I had to order the parts..post them to the garage...tried 3 wrong reluctor/ abs rings before in 3xasperation ordering 2 different size cv joints (with abs rings fitted). One fitted....total cost for mot, fitting front cv joint and flexible brake hose.... £620. I think I was mugged. So b..y frustrating with no right (in effect) to reply.

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2 months! Where is this garage so I can avoid it?
Did they keep it so they had somewhere to self isolate?

I think you're going the right way. I have the paid version of MES, the free one will give a good evaluation if it's for you, has some runtime restrictions, and AFAIK can't connect to the ABS/ESR, you need the paid version for that. That said, it would not connect to my abs anyway, as there was indeed a broken cable (allegedly, an earth, acoording to the Fiat dealer). But I believe it was money well spent. Beware not all VAG/KKL cables are created equal! I bought a couple from ebay (switch selectable connection type) before buying decent one plus adaptor plugs from Gendan.co.uk. They are also agents for MES, and as it's the same price from them as MES website, I'd buy there as support is certain to be quicker, if not better- they will talk on the fone if needed if you buy from them, MES site is email/forum only, and can take a while to respond. Also, a lot of participents do not have English as a first languauge, it seems. Don't bother with a universal reader, most are not fluent Fiat speakers. Laptop configuration can be a bit finicky, but rocket science it ain't. Try not to use anything too fancy, a bargain bucket laptop should be OK as long as it's not prehistoric. BTW, I have used it on my 05 2.8 JTD, so you should be OK.

I use a Netbook.. as you can actually see past it while wedged in the drivers seat

Thanks both...ill be using my recently purchased acer laptop. What I didn't add in my post was that after shelling out and retrieving my van...as I left the garage I realised the engine management light was on...speedo not working (revs working fine) And the glow plug light stayed on for a while. So maybe they blew a fuse whilst learning their trade at my cost...

Houtbai said:

Thanks both...ill be using my recently purchased acer laptop. What I didn't add in my post was that after shelling out and retrieving my van...as I left the garage I realised the engine management light was on...speedo not working (revs working fine) And the glow plug light stayed on for a while. So maybe they blew a fuse whilst learning their trade at my cost...

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F11 in the engine bay fusebox would be a good place to start.

A cause of this fuse blowing can be the oil vapour heater(s), which tee into the underside of a rubber vapour hose towards the front LHS of the engine bay (RHS as you look at it.) The hose ia associated with the oil vapour separator which is a roughly cuboid box mounted on the engine in the same area. For identification the hose in question is marked 3 on the RHS of attached Iveco manual page. The heater(s) are visible from underneath. If the heaters are causing a short circuit, the simple remedy is to disconnect.

Hi Houtbai.

I have the 2006 x244 2.8JTD Fiat Ducato VAN with 4 speed Auto.

I have have had good help on this forum.

I purchased MES and used a bluetooth dongle and a cable version.
Both worked well and ABS worked also with the paid version.

Note. I bought a Switchable VAGCom cable which was effectively 4 cables in one.
This allowed the engine, gearbox and ABS reading for the paid version of MES.
But it interfaced and worked!
OBDII works with correct cable or dongle and software.

Also, i am an IT guy so understood serial comms.

I bit the bullet and bought it before taking to garage and getting the mechanics bill.
MES gives all kinds of good info.

Funny thing was....it really didn't help me fix my problem at the time.
But, I now have a baseline of a working engine with normal values.


In terms of parts./delays..I share the same experience.
...but my vehicle was jacked up on my driveway for months!

I believe garages will experience the same delays? Unsure?

I ordered parts ...even supplying ViN to still get incorrect parts from auto suppliers.
With Covid19...I ordered/paid for a part in Jan 2020 and only just received it 4 months later.

I changed out my outer CV joint...after 2 incorrect part supplies first.
First incorrect part was sort of my fault.
...but the second was not my fault.
Lengthy delays result....

There is a part confusion from suppliers brought on by variance in models.
eg. Maxi or Automatic gearbox.

I am finding it essential to take the part off first and measure before ordering.

I have never had to do that with any other vehicle that I have owned!

Anyway...the supplier part confusion has lead to massive delays in time to repair.
I don't know how they can get it wrong once they have the Vin?

The vehicle seems fine when the correct part is installed.

Fiat do not have a good reputation here.
...but it is probably just the part confusion issue from suppliers causing the huge delays.
The van is very good once the correct part arrives.
I love the VAN.

I don't think Covid19 is to blame for the supplier part confusion?

Hope that gives a bit of info and perspective!?

Can any of you learned people help me. My purchased version of MES will not talk to the ecu. Keep getting communication fail message. There is power to the obd. The lead is on com3 and software can see it but despite obviously trying to connect I keep getting a comm fail error. Have mailed Gendan to see what they say - could it be a faulty lead?? They supplied a VAG-Com lead rather than an ELM lead which the instructions says should work but could it be that??

rceddie123 said:

Can any of you learned people help me. My purchased version of MES will not talk to the ecu. Keep getting communication fail message. There is power to the obd. The lead is on com3 and software can see it but despite obviously trying to connect I keep getting a comm fail error. Have mailed Gendan to see what they say - could it be a faulty lead?? They supplied a VAG-Com lead rather than an ELM lead which the instructions says should work but could it be that??

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Hi

Look on the 'supported vehicle list'

Find your build

It will show which cables for which modules

Then use the F9 SETUP

will show the connection

Let us know what you find

According to the supported vehicles list the Vag cable supplied should work - it doesn't! The only thing I can connect to is the Siemens airbag module. I have all the converter dongles for brakes etc but none will connect to the Bosch ecu.

Eventually got this working by using green dongle and dropping latency setting to 5mbs.

rceddie123 said:

Eventually got this working by using green dongle and dropping latency setting to 5mbs.

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Glad you got it to work..

So VAG.COM cable and Green adaptor lead??

Yes. 5mbps also seems critical.