OBD reader

JonH

JonH

Junior Member
Messages
390
So given that I get a few electrical gremlins which are difficult to find a cause for, such us unable to get reverse, auto switching itself on mid-'giving it wellie', unable to change gear just when i need to etc. Rare but infuriating I figured it would be good to document and find out what the problem is.
Would an OBD II reader help?
If so can someone recommend one that might do the job?

Cheers

Jon
 
voicey

voicey

Member
Messages
660
It sounds like you have gearbox problems. An OBD reader will only give you a small window into the engine ECU and I doubt it'll help you at all. That's not to say they're not worthwhile having. If you have an iPhone/iPad then buy a cheap ELM WiFi OBD reader (£10 off eBay) and download one of the many free apps to get yourself going.

To diagnose your gearbox issues I suspect you'll need to find someone with a factory diagnostic tool or similar.
 
Maser Sod

Maser Sod

Member
Messages
1,965
voicey said:
To diagnose your gearbox issues I suspect you'll need to find someone with a factory diagnostic tool or similar.
Click to expand...

+1

ODBII is unlikely to give you info on the sort of problems you are experiencing.

SD2/3 should tell you more, including clutch wear which might be a factor here.

I think the CC has its own controller chip, so if there is nothing physical wrong with the gearbox/clutch then swapping this out for a new one might be an option (not sure of cost, etc, tho').
 
voicey

voicey

Member
Messages
660
Maser Sod said:
+1

ODBII is unlikely to give you info on the sort of problems you are experiencing.

SD2/3 should tell you more, including clutch wear which might be a factor here.

I think the CC has its own controller chip, so if there is nothing physical wrong with the gearbox/clutch then swapping this out for a new one might be an option (not sure of cost, etc, tho').
Click to expand...

The CC system does have it's own ECU, sometimes referred to as a TCU (Transmission Control Unit). They can be swapped out but care must be taken to transfer the parameters over from the old unit.
 
Steve GS

Steve GS

Member
Messages
1,526
voicey said:
The CC system does have it's own ECU, sometimes referred to as a TCU (Transmission Control Unit). They can be swapped out but care must be taken to transfer the parameters over from the old unit.
Click to expand...

Would this unit have anything to do with my reverse not working
 
voicey

voicey

Member
Messages
660
Steve GS said:
Would this unit have anything to do with my reverse not working
Click to expand...

Possibly. Does it happen more when it is hot? Will it engage reverse from being in 1st gear? If the answer is yes to either of these questions then you may have an issue with the clutch dragging on the flywheel. The TCU wont allow reverse to be engaged if it senses movement on the input shaft.
 
Steve GS

Steve GS

Member
Messages
1,526
voicey said:
Possibly. Does it happen more when it is hot? Will it engage reverse from being in 1st gear? If the answer is yes to either of these questions then you may have an issue with the clutch dragging on the flywheel. The TCU wont allow reverse to be engaged if it senses movement on the input shaft.
Click to expand...

No reverse what so ever will go forward in all gears at high speeds with no problems.
 
voicey

voicey

Member
Messages
660
Steve GS said:
No reverse what so ever will go forward in all gears at high speeds with no problems.
Click to expand...

I'm not sure I phrase my question correctly. Have you tried putting it into first gear (at a standstill) and then selecting reverse? ie: without selecting neutral
 
voicey

voicey

Member
Messages
660
In any case I may be able to help you. My tool can see all the parameters in the TCU, including if reverse has been selected. I can also force engagement of any gear. I see you are in Watford - I'm in SE3 so not a million miles away.
 
Steve GS

Steve GS

Member
Messages
1,526
voicey said:
I'm not sure I phrase my question correctly. Have you tried putting it into first gear (at a standstill) and then selecting reverse? ie: without selecting neutral
Click to expand...

Yes I have tried this but still no reverse. I have done this before my reverse started playing up by accident. When getting used to the new driving style. And it did select reverse then. Interested in you liking your gadget up to my car. would like to arrange for me to drive over to you or if your driving north anytime I'm in no rush as its not exactly maserati driving weather.
 
voicey

voicey

Member
Messages
660
Steve GS said:
Yes I have tried this but still no reverse. I have done this before my reverse started playing up by accident. When getting used to the new driving style. And it did select reverse then. Interested in you liking your gadget up to my car. would like to arrange for me to drive over to you or if your driving north anytime I'm in no rush as its not exactly maserati driving weather.
Click to expand...

No problem. I have a real job so car stuff is limited to evenings and weekends - lets catch up after Christmas.

karatemaserati said:
What tool is this you speak of?
Click to expand...

I have a Texa TXC with the supercar extension. More details here: http://www.sportsmaserati.com/showthread.php/15045-Maserati-Diagnostics
 
K

karatemaserati

Member
Messages
493
ah right a little out of my price range...
zep mentioned this in another post and it might be my problem...

'If you can select a gear but it goes back to neutral when you go to move off this is most likely a clutch actuator position fault code I believe. A friends QP had a fault with its pump the relay overheated. Once the relay was replaced it primed and selected a gear. When he went to move off it went back to neutral. It threw a "clutch position sensor fault" on the AA mans diag machine. Once reset off it went. Could be the same thing.'

im not very familiar with these machines i take it they are all different. does anyone know what diagnostic machines AA use?? im with RAC would their machine do the same?? or failing that there is a joe blogs garrage across the road or would i be wasting my time
 
Zep

Zep

Moderator
Messages
9,299
The AA man had a laptop, I imagine it only does generic codes but he couldn't tell me more than that. I imagine the RAC and others would have something similar. I have got hold one of those ELM obd things, I'm going to give it a try later one, I'll see what it can see.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 
voicey

voicey

Member
Messages
660
I'm yet to come across a generic OBD reader/software that will connect to the TCU. Please let us know if you succeed though as it'd be a major breakthrough for owners.
 
Zep

Zep

Moderator
Messages
9,299
I tried the ELM327 today with the scan master software. It connected to the car and gave me the choice of two ECUs, engine and transmission. For transmission I couldn't find any parameters but I could read faults (or at least I think so, there weren't any). For the engine I could see speed, fuel trims etc plus fault codes (none here either). Seems like it might be useful if not the full package.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 
Zep

Zep

Moderator
Messages
9,299
A disc comes with the module, it has several different options. I'd be interested to see if someone else has a fault that can be reset...


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 
You must log in or register to reply here.