EOBD probems,

[andy15]

Hi

I have an issue with connecting my ELM 327 to the ECU. My 3200 is 2001 model and it's EOBD compliant. I did use the ELM 327 before, was able to see and clear the errors. At some point (1 day after driving in heavy rain) I had big "F" on the display where the gears are shown and could not start the engine. At that point the battery was also pretty low on voltage (c.a. 10,5V). I tried to connect the code reader to see any info, but it did not connect.
After a week with fully charged battery I tried to start the engine and it started, but couldn't rev to more than 1000rpm. With second or third attempt it just started and run normally. Let it run for a while to warm up, everything looked good, than took k her for a run, made 2 short runs and the CEL went off again. So for now everything looks ok, no CEL, but the ELM 327 still doesn't work. I tried another one via USB cable and doesn't connect either.
Both of them did work before. settings are same as well.
Any ideas on that? I can't find any logic explanation...

 

[mistaminista]

You should distinguish between "CEL" and "F in Display": The former is an error message from your engine ECU, the latter is triggered by the ECU of your automatic gearbox.
Maybe you could try turning off main battery switch (should be installed if your car was built in 2001) over night and try OBD-reading the next day.

 

[davy83]

have you tried checking all your fuses are ok? if the ODB port is not working then maybe some thing on the CANBUS internally is not running and pulling it down? perhaps related to the water? the ODB port is quite slow and can be a little quirky to connect to, but if you have hardware that worked before it should work now.
i would agree, to the previous comment, an "F" in the gear display is not a CEL, the error light is a little orange engine symbol that lights up in the dash. The "F" i am not sure about it may be gearbox related. there is a gear selector detection switch on the outside of the gearbox (if its an Auto?) which may have got wet, and could cause that i suppose. Can you describe the errors more clearly? also if your battery is not good then this is a well know source of grief, and a new battery may save you a lot of investigations into red-herrings.

 

[andy15]

Thanks for your comments guys. I wasn't quite clear indeed. I didn't mention that I had both CEL and "F". The "F" went off first and CEL was gone after i drove the car.
I will check the fuses now, great suggestion, thanks davy83.
Turning off the battery I tried as well - many times. My battery gets drained in a week if stays connected, so until I sort it out I turn it off after every drive.
Will revert about the fuses. I'm ken to go and start checking them now..., but better leave it for tomorrow.

 

[davy83]

For what its worth my battery goes flat in about 3-4 weeks, so i think your battery drain is a little to fast? i use a C-TEK battery conditioner or just disconnect the battery altogether, when i leave it sitting.

 

[andy15]

I have the C-Tek charger/conditioner too. nice tool, but I don't have mains in my garrage, so every time the battery is dead I need to remove it and charge at home. I'm getting well practiced in the removal and installation ...
Fuses checked. The only one burned was No 18 which is not connected to anything. I think my next step will be to check voltage inside the EOBD plug. Does any body have a schematic drawing for the EOBD version? I have Workshop manual but only for non-EOBD ECU. The right one would be very useful.

 

[davy83]

how can a fuse be burned (or blown) if its not connected to anything? the fact it was blown would suggest its connected to some thing? just because it does not appear in the user manual does not mean its doing nothing, it is Italian after all!

 

[allandwf]

Is fuse 18 not for the airbag?

 

[andy15]

You're right davy. I've inserted new fuse and will try once again with new interface. I don't want to put any of the old ones, as one of them could cause this fuse to blow - if that's the one.
Airbag is No 16. 18, as per the service manual, is not connected, but the manual I have is for the earlier models so may not be 100%

 

[andy15]

I did look again for a manual for my model and found this: . No. 18 - Unified diagnostic socket.
I should have new interface tomorrow and will check.
Then will look into the parasitic current draw.

 

[davy83]

well that's a happy coincidence, fuse 18 is the diagnostic socket. hope its as simple as a fuse, and it was your interface that's popped and not some part of the car! good luck with it sir

 

[andy15]

Good news. All works as it should (I mean the socket). Thanks davy83 for the suggestion to check the fuses.

 

[davy83]

great news sir, the power of the forum!!!

 

[safrane]

great news sir, the power of the forum!!!

And the OBD socket!

 

[davy83]

And the OBD socket!

ha ha, been a long day perhaps?