EASYMAS Diagnostic - Beta

[philw696]

Reading with Great interest here in New Zealand albeit for not much longer.

 

[FIFTY]

Actually, Voicey might be the best person to test this, I think the angle of a domestic and professional to test is a good one.

Agree I think @voicey would be a great to be involved as he has experience with the other third party solutions, access to various model variants, MY and transmission.

 

[davy83]

are you planning to look at the 3200 at some point? would be great to get access to the suspension, immobiliser, and air bag systems, and the full auto box diagnostics. Happy to be a test subject if it helps.

 

[Steve4200]

Sorry 3200 owners , we started from 4200 MY02 as the diagnostic connections on 3200 GT seem to be seperate and not all via a 16 pin OBDII connector. Also early 3200 GT may not be OBDII compliant. We never say never and could look at this after testing 4200 MY02 >

Regards
Steve

 

[masertel]

Actually, Voicey might be the best person to test this, I think the angle of a domestic and professional to test is a good one.

Grea

Thanks for the fast up take on this guys , Conaero we will contact you in due course.
Others - this post may get busy so we will give it a few days before selecting a second tester.

Great to learn of the work you are doing on this Steve- wish you every success bringing it to market. Have to agree with Conaero that testing at least one of the diagnostic tools with a Professional Maserati Specialist should reap reward. With Conaero knowledge of Maserati and work on the Forum I would second him for the job.

In the meantime if you are looking for a third Guinea Pig I'm happy to throw my hat in. Have a 2005 manual 4200, 2003 manual Spyder 4200 and a 2005 CC 4200 that is off the road at the moment as throwing the F1 gearbox fault light on the dash. Over the years have had to address many of the issues that affect these cars so not afraid to get my hand dirty!!

All the best,

Terry

 

[Wanderer]

Will this be able to set parameters and write to prom or is it read only?

 

[Steve4200]

Read Only for now , working on possible Write functions.

Any Write functions that spring to mind ?

 

[Wanderer]

Read Only for now , working on possible Write functions.

Any Write functions that spring to mind ?

For me the F1 clutch PIS etc, means my trusty local could fit it or even myself, done a lot of mech stuff in the past, just no time now.

I think for us that use our Maserati’s as DD’s local quick turnaround locally is important, especially as mine is my only car.

Otherwise it’s booking a slot, transporter if it’s let go totally, 60 miles each way for me and I guess that’s closer than most.

Something like this would put my mine at rest, since I suffer from clutchophobia!

 

[CatmanV2]

My understanding is that write = dangerous. Unless you really know what you're doing. How easy it is to get there, though, is another question entirely.

I think Voicey has fried a couple of EPBs using non-standard diagnostics, but I could be wrong.

C

 

[conaero]

My understanding is that write = dangerous. Unless you really know what you're doing. How easy it is to get there, though, is another question entirely.

I think Voicey has fried a couple of EPBs using non-standard diagnostics, but I could be wrong.

C

I must admit, this did cross my mind.....hence why Ill only be doing it on other peoples cars

 

[Wanderer]

ECU is basically a computer, embedded but....

If you can save it off before writing, surely danger is minimised? Just need some backup/restore protocol which may well be a step too far.

Worked with embedded VAX/ELN back in the day, if you bricked it, you could always get it back. And that was on a nuclear power station....

 

[Wanderer]

And another write requirement, can it reset the annoying service light?

 

[Moz1000]

A possible write function for the 4200CC TCU would be to load previous versions of the TCU software. This because once it's been updated as part of a past Maserati campaign, it can't be reversed, and the new shift map may not be preferred.
Moz

 

[CatmanV2]

I must admit, this did cross my mind.....hence why Ill only be doing it on other peoples cars

LOL

ECU is basically a computer, embedded but....

If you can save it off before writing, surely danger is minimised? Just need some backup/restore protocol which may well be a step too far.

Worked with embedded VAX/ELN back in the day, if you bricked it, you could always get it back. And that was on a nuclear power station....

Umm, yes. But not when it's broken a piece of hardware. Again, my understanding may not be 100% accurate, but I suspect there are values you could write the ECU to use which could (random example) lock the EPB shoes on until they destruct, or pump enough fuel into the cylinders to destroy the cats.

And another write requirement, can it reset the annoying service light?

I *may* have a solution for that tomorrow.....

A possible write function for the 4200CC TCU would be to load previous versions of the TCU software. This because once it's been updated as part of a past Maserati campaign, it can't be reversed, and the new shift map may not be preferred.
Moz

That may simply not be possible for all sorts of reasons. There was a discussion as to why it may not be some years ago and I can't recall the details but I could come up with some (maybe) plausible reasons why it may be so.

C

 

[miket]

Actually, Voicey might be the best person to test this, I think the angle of a domestic and professional to test is a good one.

Top Idea, Voicey can compare it to his current diagnostic kit for accuracy!

 

[davy83]

Sorry 3200 owners , we started from 4200 MY02 as the diagnostic connections on 3200 GT seem to be seperate and not all via a 16 pin OBDII connector. Also early 3200 GT may not be OBDII compliant. We never say never and could look at this after testing 4200 MY02 >

Regards
Steve

I have a 2001 3200 and the can bus is all integrated into the ODBII port. So selfishly I was thinking of my car I guess since this would only work for the last two years of production it would only work on a limited number of cars. I would be interested though!

 

[Wanderer]

I’m mega interested, I really can see this extending the life of older Masers that might otherwise be facing a £5k bill on a £10k car and just junking it, parting it or running into the ground.

 

[Steve4200]

Before we get too excited about "ECU Write" lets clear up a few things.

If anyone wishes to remap etc that is "Firmware ECU Write" - this is the same for all ECU's .The world is full of systems that solely do this and yes you could brick the ECU. Dealers also use this to update vehicle firmware if required. We assume the SD machines are capable of this update function.

But "Diagnostic ECU Write" is a function within the ECU to carry out pre programmed tasks. For this you must follow the vehicle manufacturer workshop / service procedure to prevent unwanted results. It cannot damage the ECU.

If we include any "ECU Write" it will only be the "Diagnostic" type with a warning to follow the manufacturers procedures.

Regards
Steve

 

[Steve4200]

Diagnostic ECU Write example :-

Clutch Bleed - ECU command will open EV for the clutch and run the pump for a preset period.

But not following the Manufacturer Procedure ( another person to open and close the clutch bleed point during the pump run ) you could give yourself a problem or at least no actual clutch bleed.

Saying that the risk is the same for any work you undertake.

 

[philgarner]

Not much to add other than to say this looks great and I think its really important for long-term ownership of these cars as they age.