My apologies if I'm posting this in the wrong place but it seems a lot of us visit here often so it gives me a good chance of the best response.

My question is: Anyone on here who has used/has experience of the MaxiEcu diagnostic package?

I've been messing about with VCDS (VAG-COM as it was when I bought it) and Multiecuscan for some time now. (several years). I've got a lot to learn still but I've also learned a lot and one of the big problems is that they are make specific (VAG and Fiat/Alfa) so not a lot of use on the Honda, Kia or Astra in the "family fleet". The generic OBD reader in VCDS works on the Astra but, being OBD, only on the engine.

MaxiEcu appeals because, once you've bought the appropriate makers module it functions similarly to Multecuscan. By which I mean it operates as a scanner on multiple ecus. so reads DTCs (and gives definitions like MES) and allows clearance but also allows actuators to be driven and you can graph sensor outputs etc etc. Initially I would buy the Honda Module - £155 for the whole package with multiplexing interface - and then £30 each time you want to add a module. I understand the updates are all for free too!

I also like the idea of it because it's PC based - like my VCDS and MES - and also because Gendan are offering it and my experience of that company has been that they sell quality gear.

So, how about it? anyone got anything to say which might help me decided?

Not come across it Jock..

Do you still need 'adaptor leads'?

Does it cover all basics...like MES does


Airbags. ABS. Sunroof.. steering et al

Key coding would be a big plus..!!



Charlie

varesecrazy said:

Not come across it Jock..

Do you still need 'adaptor leads'?

Does it cover all basics...like MES does


Airbags. ABS. Sunroof.. steering et al

Key coding would be a big plus..!!



Charlie

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Wow, that was quick Charlie! Happy new year!

You don't need multiple adaptor leads, its like my VCDS and Multiplexed MES. One plug does the lot! You can also get it as a blue tooth or wifi wireless connector but I prefer to stay with wired for reliability - wouldn't want it to "drop out" in the middle of something important.

Seems to cover all the sort of stuff MES does and talks to multiple ecus. If you go on their site you can explore the possibilities so I hooked up to the Panda provision and it seems to do nearly everything MES does - even lists "Phonic Wheel Relearn" and lots more. Don't think you can key code but I'm not sure - maybe some will and some won't as depth of coverage seems to vary with make.

I like the idea of this because it's probably functioning at about (or slightly beyond) my present level of comprehension and it gives a good depth - much better than the multi make options I've come across and much much better than an OBD scanner - and I can just add in another maker's module, for £30 at this time, if one of the kids goes off and buys something I don't have the means to communicate with.

All best wishes
Jock

I think I'd tread carefully thinking it'll be available for many makers. For example Volvo & Mercedes. From trying to learn about these systems while looking at cars both of these need a hardware box (Dice for Volvo & Star for Mercedes) and the manufacturers software to do anything at all useful. The MaxiEcu site seems to suggest it will work on these cars but if you look at what it actually offers it's little more than generic odb interrogation. And that's before we get to needing an internet connection to the factory on later cars!

Pugglt Auld Jock said:

Seems to cover all the sort of stuff MES does and talks to multiple ecus. If you go on their site you can explore the possibilities so I hooked up to the Panda provision and it seems to do nearly everything MES does - even lists "Phonic Wheel Relearn" and lots more. Don't think you can key code but I'm not sure - maybe some will and some won't as depth of coverage seems to vary with make.

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Looking at a 2007 Panda it shows it can read a number of things but doesn't show any interactions at all.

Maybemaybenot said:

Looking at a 2007 Panda it shows it can read a number of things but doesn't show any interactions at all.

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Thanks Maybemaybenot.

I've been rattling around on their website and I see what you mean. I've just tried it on a few different system controllers for that year and, for instance the 1.2 IAW 5NF shows no actuation of components available, whereas the 4AF, 4EF, 5AF seems to be comprehensively covered with many actuators available. This may improve with time as they do mention on their site that they are continually improving and expanding coverage. Won't be holding my breath though.

Unfortunately the Jazz - ours is a 2008 - one of the last of the 8 plug idsi engines - shows no activations available at all, although it does seem to display a useful number of live data feeds. (maybe not much more than OBD stuff though). This is a pity because I am thinking of it primarily to gain access to the jazz in the first instance. Mind you I think this lack of in depth cover is likely to be a general problem at the cheaper end of the market.

You briefly mention what I think is going to become a massive problem for us "amateur" mechanics which is the need to have a factory link in the system before you can do anything very much with these systems. I've been told this is already in place for some aspects of my VAG stuff but as I work with the cheaper end of the VAG group's products - and mostly older examples at that - I think it may be a while before I catch up with it. For sure it's coming though. - That Morris Traveler I've been fantasizing over for years is looking more and more attractive by the minute!

For your jazz I know the Honda software can be download. I’m not certain what leads are needed.
As I’m sure you’ve seen VAGCOM is a fabulous resource for that group of cars for relatively little. Most others are dodgy at best until some very serious money.

Yes.

The 'trade user only'

Licensing does seem to be a reality in the next couple of years..

So getting something in place that can deal with current spec vehicles could prove a sound investment.

Maybemaybenot said:

For your jazz I know the Honda software can be download. I’m not certain what leads are needed.
As I’m sure you’ve seen VAGCOM is a fabulous resource for that group of cars for relatively little. Most others are dodgy at best until some very serious money.

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That's very interesting about the Honda software. Can you point me to any websites etc where I might learn more or download it?

VAG-COM (VCDS) has been the most useful thing of it's sort which I've purchased. It's saved it's cost many times over especially on the two Fabia Diesels we've had. One was a PD which was quite reliable apart from the "standard" seizing up of the variable vane turbo! Successfully cleaned out with oven cleaner by the way! The other was a 1.6 CR and I really would not recommend one of these to anyone. In the end we gave up and my boy sold it and bought a Kia Rio to replace it. 2 years in with 5 years warranty still to go so I've hardly laid a finger on it yet.

The generic OBD program has also worked quite well but refuses to speak to our Panda for some reason? However as I have MES that's really not a problem. (especially now I've found out it's ecu doesn't display Long and Short term fuel trims in the acknowledged way, which was what I was trying to use the VAG-COM for. - Seems to show Long term only - with MES - and calls it a "Learned fuel correction" or something like that.)

VAG - COM has been my learning platform and it's taught me just so much about diagnostics. If asked what the biggest revelation has been though it's that all these "aids" really only give you "clues" as to what your problem might be. For instance, if it says the O2 sensor is caput don't just go and fit a new sensor. Ok it might be the sensor but it might also just be a connector or wiring break? You need to apply the "little grey cells" to the clues the computer is giving you. So far I haven't tried coding or other advanced functions, mind you I haven't had the need to!

I don’t have a link. I seem to remember it’s Honda Information System. If I’m right and you’ll google it you’ll find somewhere suitably disreputable offering a torrent download. I didn’t get much further than downloading and installing in a virtual machine on my Mac. I got the impression it didn’t need particularly special or expensive leads but I didn’t investigate much further.
I briefly looked at A8’s and VAGCOM looked great. Most of the VAG engines, diesel or petrol, looked like far too much trouble. Then I looked at Range Rovers until I remembered ones I’ve had before lol. Ended up with a Panda 4x4! Love it so far.

varesecrazy said:

Yes.

The 'trade user only'

Licensing does seem to be a reality in the next couple of years..

So getting something in place that can deal with current spec vehicles could prove a sound investment.

Click to expand...

My thoughts entirely Charlie!

I think we are "on the cusp" of these measures being introduced. The Ibiza (2016) is the newest vehicle I work on by a long way - the rest are all much older - and so far I haven't run into anything I couldn't access on it. My thinking is that I'll probably be able to source used replacement vehicles for the rest of my life which I'll still be able to work on. Then there's all this talk of banning IC engined vehicles entirely. And once I'm too old to drive and/or work on them I really don't care!

Maybemaybenot said:

I don’t have a link. I seem to remember it’s Honda Information System. If I’m right and you’ll google it you’ll find somewhere suitably disreputable offering a torrent download. I didn’t get much further than downloading and installing in a virtual machine on my Mac. I got the impression it didn’t need particularly special or expensive leads but I didn’t investigate much further.
I briefly looked at A8’s and VAGCOM looked great. Most of the VAG engines, diesel or petrol, looked like far too much trouble. Then I looked at Range Rovers until I remembered ones I’ve had before lol. Ended up with a Panda 4x4! Love it so far.

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Thanks for coming back. There are two Honda indys in my area both of which are very friendly and approachable although I'm not well known to them. One in particular seems to attract the "Go Faster" crowd. The other is run by two older chaps whose clientele seems to be older people in the main. I think I may just call in on both of them and see if they have any particular recommendations.

Range Rovers? best avoided I think! I worked for quite some time back around the '70's for a country BL dealer. We did lots of farmers Landies (mostly series 3) and I grew to really appreciate them - still have a hankering to own a really old one, it would have to have the lights in the grille! Your Panda choice sounds great!

Oh, just remembered the other thing which went wrong with the PD which was very annoying but, kind of, supports what I was saying about using the "little grey cells". It developed an intermittent miss fire. VAG COM said it was an injector problem. That's fun on the PD as the injectors live inside the cam cover, under the camshaft so lots of stuff to dismantle and have ring seals to the fuel gallery which are best renewed as they are at rail pressure. They are also very sensitive to how they are installed or the fuel can spray in the "wrong" direction inside the cylinder. Anyway I removed them and took them along to our local diesel specialist for assessment/overhaul. When I picked them up he reported there really wasn't much wrong with them and had I checked the wiring as there's a known (but not to me at that time) connector problem. The connectors work loose and then either loose continuity or suffer intermittent contact (which was what had happened to us). The recommended cure is to fit a complete new loom? right! I crimped up the connectors so they gripped again and it ran fine until we sold it a couple of years later. What a "daft" idea that was though, the connectors are drenched in all the oil inside the cam cover - insane!

Your comment about VAG engines could be expanded to encompass most manufacturers now I think? I've completely given up on common rail diesels now. The fueling and control systems are now so complicated to say nothing of injector design making them extremely difficult to remove - have you seem how long some of the newer injectors are? guaranteed to seize in place with electrolytic corrosion problems etc, and the infamous DPF problems and seized up turbo vanes reported by many (it was a ruined DPF which finally called the curtain down on my boy's second Fabia 1.6CR and that car spent 90% of its life on the motorway!) have now just reached the point where I won't consider one. There's also the "ill informed" politicians who have decided to "kill" them so I think it's game over for diesel anyway. I'm actually very happy with port injected petrol engines but worry a bit about Direct Petrol Injection. The injectors are much more pricey and, I suspect, will be more problematic to change. Ultra high pressure fuel pumps too. The downsized engines they are fitted to are also much more highly stressed whilst at the same time the manufacturers are reducing component mass - My Ibiza con rods look pretty marginal - with new problems like Low Speed Pre Ignition raising their ugly heads. We are also seeing variable volume/delivery oil pumps and multiple water pumps (the Ibiza has an engine camshaft driven pump on the back of the head and an electric one "buried" low down on the front of the engine) In fact, after years of having almost nothing to do with "snake oil" (additives to you and me) I've started dosing the Ibiza with Archoil AR6900-P Max. You can read a bit more about it here:https://www.powerenhancer.co.uk/arc...g0LdaOcHAJCYFs87xOq3LbJppN66xZTQaApXoEALw_wcB Who knows if it'll do any good but even if it provided a bit of lubrication to the pump and injectors I'll be happy enough.

I would take a look at the Foxwell kit as well.

https://www.gendan.co.uk/category_153.html

I have an NT301 scanner and well as MES. The NT301 is a basic engine EOBD for get me out of most troubles and lives in the car. I've very happy with the Foxwell product and the NT301.

The Foxwell NT680 series are multi car, multi system and all very well priced. I've been tempted to update my NT301 with an NT680. Updates are all free.

Gendan are also very well respected and a quality company.

A CAUTIONARY COMMENT.

Investing larger amounts of money in diagnostic kit could be a risky business due to the increasing use of encryption systems. In Fiat's case for later models (assuming you don't bypass the Security Gateway SGW module) then one has to remotely connect to Fiat's servers to get the encryption key to do anything other that read a fault code. The cost is annual subscription and very expensive.

The are also pushing forward with mandatory Encrypted EOBD in new vehicles!

s130 said:

I would take a look at the Foxwell kit as well.

https://www.gendan.co.uk/category_153.html

I have an NT301 scanner and well as MES. The NT301 is a basic engine EOBD for get me out of most troubles and lives in the car. I've very happy with the Foxwell product and the NT301.

The Foxwell NT680 series are multi car, multi system and all very well priced. I've been tempted to update my NT301 with an NT680. Updates are all free.

Gendan are also very well respected and a quality company.

A CAUTIONARY COMMENT.

Investing larger amounts of money in diagnostic kit could be a risky business due to the increasing use of encryption systems. In Fiat's case for later models (assuming you don't bypass the Security Gateway SGW module) then one has to remotely connect to Fiat's servers to get the encryption key to do anything other that read a fault code. The cost is annual subscription and very expensive.

The are also pushing forward with mandatory Encrypted EOBD in new vehicles!

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Thanks s130. In fact Grant at Gendan has recommended the 680 to me as well as the MaxiEcu. I initially preferred the idea of the MaxiEcu because of it's being PC based, like all my other stuff and I like the idea of being able to display graphed outputs on a large scale. Think I'll be having a closer look at the Foxwell product though, they do seem to have a good reputation - as do Gendan with whom I've had a lot of contact and respect greatly.

I've been aware of the encryption problem ever since my Ibiza's Turbo packed in (only 18 months old but it was done under warranty and the new one is a modified unit so, hopefully won't give a repeat performance) I had a great conversation with the attending SEAT factory breakdown man during his diagnostic procedure at the roadside and during the recovery process. I learned quite a few very interesting things I was not previously aware of and amongst it all was info about encryption.

So, it's well on it's way already and I don't think there is going to be any easy work around for most of us. I prefer working on older vehicles anyway and I find most to give a better, less insulated, driving experience which I prefer.

Pugglt Auld Jock said:

Thanks s130. In fact Grant at Gendan has recommended the 680 to me as well as the MaxiEcu. I initially preferred the idea of the MaxiEcu because of it's being PC based, like all my other stuff and I like the idea of being able to display graphed outputs on a large scale. Think I'll be having a closer look at the Foxwell product though, they do seem to have a good reputation - as do Gendan with whom I've had a lot of contact and respect greatly.

I've been aware of the encryption problem ever since my Ibiza's Turbo packed in (only 18 months old but it was done under warranty and the new one is a modified unit so, hopefully won't give a repeat performance) I had a great conversation with the attending SEAT factory breakdown man during his diagnostic procedure at the roadside and during the recovery process. I learned quite a few very interesting things I was not previously aware of and amongst it all was info about encryption.

So, it's well on it's way already and I don't think there is going to be any easy work around for most of us. I prefer working on older vehicles anyway and I find most to give a better, less insulated, driving experience which I prefer.

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Sure I remember reading at least with the 500 x the encryption could be by passed by rewiring the obd socket to by pass the sgw module

Aye chris I remember someone on our forum talking about this too. No idea how difficult it is to do though or whether it can be applied to all vehicles.

Just been looking at the Foxwell tool. I've seen them on the Gendan site before but as I'm mainly interested in PC based stuff I've just skipped over them. Looks like a good piece of kit but I can't find anywhere that confirms it can drive actuators? whereas the Maxi does for quite a number of applications. (under the "test" function)

Of course, compared with the MaxiEcu, it does a vast array of vehicles all in the one tool whereas you have to buy the manufacturer specific module - at £30 a pop - for the Maxi. But I don't think this should be a limiting factor for me as I intend to only really concentrate on "the family fleet".

I'm still very undecided and not a little confused but I think the MaxiEcu is still slightly ahead at this time. Above all, as has been said above - s130, I don't want to spend "big money" on something like this which might be of limited use. I just thought too that I should hook up the VCDS generic OBD scanner to the Honda, which I've never done, and see just what, if anything, it gives me access to.

It is a tough call (if not now soon will be) for us bods that like to maintain and service our own vehicles as to what, how and at what expense we are going to have to endure to carry on as we do.

Fortunately our 130TC is old school with no diagnostics or computers at all, and Barchetta and 500X are EOBD with no encryption. However time will be the killer as these will not last forever and even if they do we may find in the future that clean air zones bar them from useful/quality/pratical use. But that is in the future and not quite around the corner yet thank goodness. Besides for us old farts (60+) our ability to take on big jobs is declining. I remember the days when a 185/60 R13 was considered a large tyre and were dead easy to handle. The 500X is 225/45 R18 and they are heavy wheels to handle so just bleeding the brakes without a vehicle hoist is a hard task on old bodies.

I suspect the motor industry can't wait to get all this encryption into their vehicles as it will become a real money spinner for them.

Slightly of topic but yet again politicians, insurance companies, have gone overboard. I have no problem with encryption for security functions (locks/keys, immobilisers, forced engine starting etc. and they could have limited/ring fenced in just those functions. Instead the whole blinking EOBD system has been targeted.

The EU have a report/paper on "Access to In-Vehicle Data and Resources"

https://ec.europa.eu/transport/sites/transport/files/2017-05-access-to-in-vehicle-data-and-resources.pdf

And here is some information about CAN encryption

https://www.cancrypt.eu/index.php/en/

s130 said:

Besides for us old farts (60+) our ability to take on big jobs is declining. I remember the days when a 185/60 R13 was considered a large tyre and were dead easy to handle. The 500X is 225/45 R18 and they are heavy wheels to handle so just bleeding the brakes without a vehicle hoist is a hard task on old bodies.[/URL]

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Funny you should specifically mention wheels/tyres. Just a couple of days ago (and just as I was feeling the first effects of this monster of a cold I'm now laid low with) a good friend, who lives round the corner in the next street, knocked on our front door. He has a fairly new Honda CRV/SUV thing. He's ex gas board and pretty handy on the tools so I was surprised when he asked me to help him remove a wheel as it was punctured.

His problem was that he couldn't get the security nut/adapter thingy to engage with the wheel bolt. It was the first time he'd tried to undo one of it's wheels since he bought it. It's the sort of "scroll" type in common use by many these days. He thought the wrong adapter had been supplied. In fact it just needed a bit of delicate "fiddling" with to get it to engage. Funnily enough of all the cars I work on the Jazz has by far the most awkward adapter to use for the same reason. Maybe it's a Honda thing?

The nuts were tight but not overly so and I've noticed I've not had anyone ask me to slacken wheel nuts for them for quite a while, used to be a common ask. Wonder if the dealers/tyre stores are tending to use torque wrenches now? Anyway the big surprise came once he'd removed the lug bolts. I was steadying the wheel and went to lift it off the hub, my word it was heavy! A big wheel/tyre though like yours. Unfortunately there's a large pozi screw through the inside shoulder so I warned him to expect it to be condemned as unrepairable.

You're absolutely right too about the limitations of getting old. I'm 73 now and still think I can do what I did in my 30's but in the last 18 months or so I've handed off doing the clutches in both our own Panda and my older boy's Punto - arthritis in the shoulders! However I've worked for so long with axle stands in my driveway that I must confess I quite like to work this way. I'm a bit slow these days though, wouldn't earn much bonus!

Pugglt Auld Jock said:

Just been looking at the Foxwell tool. I've seen them on the Gendan site before but as I'm mainly interested in PC based stuff I've just skipped over them. Looks like a good piece of kit but I can't find anywhere that confirms it can drive actuators? whereas the Maxi does for quite a number of applications. (under the "test" function)

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There is the Fiat/Alfa specific Foxwell NT520 https://www.gendan.co.uk/product_FXNT520F.html which does some actuator testing and module coding but more detailed listing of "what actuators/modules" I guess will require more detailed searching/questions.

http://www.foxwelltech.com/product/item-340.html

The 520 is cheap and come with just the one basic manufacturer ability. e.g. Fiat/Alfa/Abarth... but up to 8 others can be added at extra cost.


Could be that the 680 does actuator tests as well but I guess this is a question for Gendan.