General diagnostics....

[paul stilo]

engine management light came on in my stilo a week after joining the RAC. When joining up i was promised by the bloke that all attendants had the diagnostic equipment in their vans. That hasnt been the case on two occasions in two days! Anyone know of a breakdown company that guarantee to have the facilities to check diagnostic computer on my car to tell me the problem?

my only other option is to be charged #50 a time by a local garage, which it happens too often to pay #50 a time!

Cheers

 

[Stu DemonD]

I have had AA come out twice to me on the Stilo!

First time, a patrol van, and had diagnostics - faulty ignition coil pack [which was pretty obvious anywa]

Second time, a massive pick up truck - guy didn't bother with diagnostics, I was blocking a major town roundabout - BUT even when we moved it, I can't recall whether there was any equipment in the truck, or not :chin:

 

[ian stilo 1.6]

AA always had it on my previous car but never used them on the stilo
arghhhhhhhh why did i write that cant wait for my drive to college in the morning lol

 

[paul stilo]

AA always had it on my previous car but never used them on the stilo
arghhhhhhhh why did i write that cant wait for my drive to college in the morning lol

well stick with the AA mate, because if its anything like the monkeys, for RAC, up in sunderland then if they have it, it's broken! i was told by some retard on the phone that 'no RAC trucks in my area have one on, but try in the morning. One MIGHT (???!!!) then.' So now i have to call on the off chance that they have the equipment i was promised all of them had

Rant over....sorry!

 

[NumanR]

Silly question but, why dont you pay the £50 and then get the fault corrected. Then you wont have to pay again, because it will be fixed.

 

[paul stilo]

Silly question but, why dont you pay the £50 and then get the fault corrected. Then you wont have to pay again, because it will be fixed.

Not a silly question, but when it had warranty fiat fixed it 3/4 times. Now it doesnt have warranty ive forked out just over #200. im reluctant to keep paying it when all that happens is im told there wasnt a problem and all they did was clear the codes.

 

[NumanR]

Well if you check back through your diagnostics history then the codes should be recorded, if they are the same codes repeated then that points to certain area to be looked at. Clearing codes is no good as the codes register for a reason. Deleting them just makes it more difficult to cure the fault.

 

[paul stilo]

Well if you check back through your diagnostics history then the codes should be recorded, if they are the same codes repeated then that points to certain area to be looked at. Clearing codes is no good as the codes register for a reason. Deleting them just makes it more difficult to cure the fault.

Yep, i feel a bit like the little bloke at the bottom of your threads now!

 

[NumanR]

NEVER EVER let the AA /RAC or any one else except the dealer or a trained technician delete error codes. The codes are very rarely caused by anything else but a legitimate fault. The error codes have important information recorded with them that a dealer can get but the AA cant. If your AA guy deletes the error EVEN IF HE RECORDS IT FIRST, he still deletes all that vital information. Then he tells you to get it looked at by a dealer, gee thanks mate.

 

[Deckchair5]

I recently obtained my own OBD2 diagnostic software and cabling. Now my car talks to me when it's not well! Least I could do!

Quite amazing to see just what your engine is doing on your laptop from all the engine sensors as well as being able to check fault codes etc in the event of a problem

I reckon it might save me a few trips to the garage just for them to tell me that there are "no faults recorded"

I agree, don't clear fault codes unnecessarily. It's your engine's history record

 

[billie coben]

I recently obtained my own OBD2 diagnostic software and cabling. Now my car talks to me when it's not well! Least I could do!

Hey,

Where do you get this software from and how much it cost? I have been looking for ages but not luck as yet!

 

[Deckchair5]

There's loads of different software from all over the world
It depends whether you intend to have serial port or usb connection to your laptop as to which you will need
See http://www.ross-tech.com/vag-com/usb/usb-config.html

This explains what's happening if you're a bit techhy inclined
http://obddiagnostics.com/DataSheet.pdf

Here's what the codes mean
http://www.troublecodes.net/OBD2/

Here's the low down on O2 sensors
http://www.picotech.com/auto/lambda_sensor.html

info on your OBD2 connector
http://www.scantool.net/support/?_a...=3&PHPSESSID=9dff12d74e23cd0eb256a56af6e563ac

More software here
http://www.espautomotive.com/trolleyed/index.htm

Useful forum here
http://www.ilexa.co.uk/forum/index.php

Check also Scanmaster Pro
http://www.onboarddiagnostics.co.uk/eobd/scanmasterpro.html

You can pick up the interface and connectors on Ebay

I even seem to have acquired some programs which reset the mileage to whatever you want! Now what possible use is that? Why on earth would anyone want to.........ah I see

 

[T14086]

NEVER EVER let the AA /RAC or any one else except the dealer or a trained technician delete error codes. The codes are very rarely caused by anything else but a legitimate fault. The error codes have important information recorded with them that a dealer can get but the AA cant. If your AA guy deletes the error EVEN IF HE RECORDS IT FIRST, he still deletes all that vital information. Then he tells you to get it looked at by a dealer, gee thanks mate.

Oh and by the way no breakdown service is allowed to touch airbags(public liability)so if your airbag light comes on its a tow job.....sounds a bit like b**w job doesn't it

 

[blahmartinblah]

I recently obtained my own OBD2 diagnostic software and cabling. Now my car talks to me when it's not well! Least I could do!

Deckchair5,
Can you give details of the exact interface that you got? I see there are a lot on ebay but are mostly advertised for Audi/VW/Skoda etc. I see these are also ISO so perhaps that work on Stilo's/Punto's also. Can you comment?

Also, A cable for the Ross-Tech VAG-COM software won't always work with other programs, true? Have you experienced this using the different programs you mention?

FYI, I've got a Sep 2003 MK2b Punto. (sorry for jumping into this forum!) I want to reset the airbag lights primarily and also monitor the engine out of general interest. My laptop has USB but can use a serial adapter if pushed.

Martin.

 

[T14086]

Why reset the airbags lights? Why not get it fixed and possibly save your & others lives?

 

[blahmartinblah]

Why reset the airbags lights? Why not get it fixed and possibly save your & others lives?

Thanks for your comment and concern for my life. Even after the airbag system has been fixed, I believe it still needs to be reset to clear the old error code before the error light will dissapear and the system enabled. If its not true, please let me know.

Either way, I need the diagnostic tool to find the fault. Can you tell me what I need to know?

Martin.

 

[TDF]

Why reset the airbags lights? Why not get it fixed and possibly save your & others lives?

Because not everyone has your check everything three times, can I take out the 25 year extended warrenty on this toaster, did I leave the gas on mentality.

 

[T14086]

Thanks for your comment and concern for my life. Even after the airbag system has been fixed, I believe it still needs to be reset to clear the old error code before the error light will dissapear and the system enabled. If its not true, please let me know.

Either way, I need the diagnostic tool to find the fault. Can you tell me what I need to know?

Martin.

Martin if fixed the light will be extinguished by dealer.Only DET's/approved technicians are allowed to work on airbags,even the AA/RAC are not allowed to touch them.It's not just a case of pulling a connector apart & back together(short term measure only)certain work must be carried out,i'm sure you understand what i'm trying to say,not trying to be awkward you understand.

TDK...I honestly hope that was in jest? Airbags are fitted for a reason,your safety & the safety of others.Oh no there is actually,letting kids jump around the back seats/parcel shelf/between front seats without seat belts on!

 

[Deckchair5]

You won't find diagnostic software that will turn off air bag lights as that's a different system and different ball game as others are saying. I've never had an air bag warning on the Stilo (yet) but I understand the warning light self extinguishes when the fault is cured. Techies here can put me right on that if need be

As regards NORMAL engine diagnostics then the Stilo isn't that weird, it's just not listed on many of the Ebay OBD2 connectors. Most "Buy it now" suppliers will give you a refund if it doesn't work or fit. I've found almost all diagnostics software, even the free stuff will give you a readout of engine fault codes, most will clear the codes if you want to and others have much more fancy stuff with a virtual dashboard showing things happening whilst you drive

There's a load of stuff out there as I put in an earlier post, you just gotta take a deep breath and try it

Angel tuning can sort out Bravo and probably Punto air bag warning lights that need resetting, they'll also let you know if there's a fault that needs fixing

 

[T14086]

Examiner needed to put out light.