Technical Selecting and modifying an interface for Panda Diagnostics with MES - HOW TO

[captainslarty]

Ok, heres a how to -
How to select and modify an interface for use with the only diagnostic software worth buying for a Panda. Multiecuscan. ! - you will not need extra adapter cables - just the single interface. All ecus apart from Airbag.

First, search for ELM327 on ebay or amazon - wherever - ! .
There will be many - but look VERY closely at this image - notice the position of the 5 leds ??? (the small circles) .... if one looks like that (different label / colour etc) it IS this interface... so buy the cheapest. !!!..

Also, you MUST buy the USB leaded one - NOT bluetooth. You do not want ot be using bluetooth on any logging function or ANY setup or learning function - ALWAYS go cable or pay a LOT of money for a first class interface like CantieCar.
This type of interface -suitably modified ! - is fine.

Check the image, buy one that looks the same regardless of label, DONT BUY BT !!.. also ignore and BS about win 7 only etc - they are talking about the totally crap software that comes with it - you will be throwing that away - the only thing to use is the usb serial driver - all win versions support - running 8.1 64 here.

Heres the type to go for.. (continued in next post)

 

[captainslarty]

Ok, so now we have the interface - we need to open it up to modify it...

Here are two, there are 4 small cross head screws under the label - either remove label or punch trough it as here.....

 

[captainslarty]

Now the case can be taken apart, the usb lead will unplug if you want to to make it easier, I didnt bother.

What we need to do first is remove a 120 Ohm resistor between the CanBus pins - pins 14 and 6 ... (the pin numbers are even on the back of the socket for you)

Trace with a meter - or, check out the image for the location.
With a very small screwdriver or preferably fine side cutters, crunch the resistor - destroy it .... or use the soldering iron to heat it and flick it out of the way ! -it is only a few mm long so be very careful....

Check the markings first as well, it is surface mount, and will have the number 121 on it...
First a shot of the unit opened up,
Then, the resistor in question - that should not be there !!.
next shot with it gone !.

to be continued..

 

[captainslarty]

Ok, now we have made the interface work properly.. - we need to add a couple of connections to the diagnostic plug. This will give you the same as a Base ELM327, and also ELM327 with green adapter lead,
This will now work on ALL ecu's on our Panda's apart from the airbag.
No adapter leads needed...
WHat you need to do is solder two small wires from Pin 7 to pins 1 and 9..
here is a picture, but that is all it is... the pin numbers are marked on the back of the plug.

It should look something like this... (the blue wires are the new ones !)

 

[captainslarty]

Now the usual warnings ...

DO read them....

DO NOT USE MODIFIED INTERFACES WITH SHORT CIRCUIT BETWEEN PINS 1 AND 9 ON GRANDE PUNTO, PUNTO EVO, 500, DOBLO(152), DOBLO(263), ALFA MITO, GIULIETTA, YPSILON 2011!

For your specific vehicle - see this link.

http://www.multiecuscan.net/SupportedVehiclesList.aspx

Check the requirements to be happy..
What you have if you complete this mod is an ELM, an ELM1 and an ELM9

Look at the panda for example - there ya go.

Enjoy. Works superbly.

I can do one for you if you really do not want to attempt it.

Cap.

 

[captainslarty]

Understanding what you can do and what you need from MES site.

Ok, I posted a link to the MES site - lets look at a single example of what it all means.
Here is an example of the supported ecu's for just one model of the Panda (in this case - 1.2 8V petrol Van from 2003 > ! (ALL MODELS ARE SUPORTED! - ALL Diesels and 16V, 100 HP the lot. !) see MES list.

Ok, I have added a red dot next to each ECU that is supported via our new modified interface - any that say ELM - ELM1 or ELM9 are supported.

 

[captainslarty]

Now, lets take one example - the auto gearbox - selespeed -

If we 'read' the description - we can see we need an interface of type ELM (which we have), or KL, or OBDKEY, which we havent got - but thats ok - any of them will work...

Then the orange colours... they tell us what features / actions are supported on this ECU (there are MANY ecus - not just one !)
(See the orange list for details)
(See the green ELM list for the interface types - as said - we have ELM ELM1 and ELM9...)

Hope that makes some sense.. ?
Check with your own car - but all pandas are supported.

 

[AB100]

Hope that makes some sense.. ?
Check with your own car - but all pandas are supported.

Nice work, but lacks drama.


A humorous, 1970's Professionals-style wah-wah soundtracked video of you sweating whilst cutting the resistor would have been better. Maybe stick an LED stopwatch at the side of it for authenticity - ensuring that it stops at 00:01.

 

[captainslarty]

Nice work, but lacks drama.


A humorous, 1970's Professionals-style wah-wah soundtracked video of you sweating whilst cutting the resistor would have been better. Maybe stick an LED stopwatch at the side of it for authenticity - ensuring that it stops at 00:01.

Naw, it would have to be a red wire - with someone screaming
"NOooooooooooooOOO !!!! NOT THE RED ONE AGHHHHH !!"

 

[landie9]

Hi,
Would this interface work on the euro 5 Panda engine, 2012 169 engine old shape Panda.
Thanks.

 

[captainslarty]

Yes, sure.

 

[landie9]

Hi,
Many thanks for quick reply, will get and modify unit as per instructions.
Thanks.

 

[Gavv8]

Worth noting that you can read and reset fault codes with multiscan but not service lights etc, for this you'll need to pay for the full function version.

 

[captainslarty]

Worth noting that you can read and reset fault codes with multiscan but not service lights etc, for this you'll need to pay for the full function version.

Absolutely, I presumed it would be read as that, but I did not make that clear !

It needs full registered version - currently 19 -the free version is really nothing more than a demo.
The price is only 50 Euros though. Incredible value.
Thanks for pointing out my omission.

There are many area that cannot be investigated or even seen in the free version. In the support list, anything in red is not available in the free version.