Maserati Diagnostics

[voicey]

I spent a very enjoyable morning with Catmanv2 and his 2002 4200 Coupe. The purpose was to try out my diagnostic tool on a Maserati and to see what could be done.

The tool is a Texa TXC which connects to the car via the OBD socket. The TXC communicates with a laptop via bluetooth running Texa IDC4 Plus software. Crucially, I have the supercar extension.

I have worked with an SD3 on Ferraris - the Texa is about 90% of the SD3. However, the purchase price is a lot less and just within the reach of a home mechanic like myself.

Here's the car in question and a pic of the OBD socket (note not all the pins are used, which is common).

 

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Entering the 4200 model into the machine yields the following ECU options:

ABS
Gearbox
Alarm
Engine ECU

 

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We started with the engine ECU. Here are the parameters that the tool can read (engine was off).

 

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There was one stored error, relating to power loss (the car recently had the battery disconnected). We cleared the error with the tool.

One thing to note is that the error code is only stated if you print the codes off, they aren't displayed on the screen.

 

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Next we looked at the Engine ECU Status screens:

 

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Here are the activations that can be performed on the engine ECU:

 

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And finally, two maintenance options are available on the engine ECU:

 

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Gearbox TCU

Then we connected to the Gearbox. Although the tool connected to the TCU without issue, it was clear that the info returned was junk.....

 

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However, we tried connecting to the TCU using the Ferrari 360 protocols and it worked well. Here are the TCU parameters:

 

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No faults were recorded so we went straight to the status screens:

 

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Here are the TCU activations (includes clutch circuit bleeding).

 

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And here are the maintenance options, which include PIS setting, degradation index reset and self learning procedure.

 

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Onto the ABS unit. The tool can bleed the brakes using the ABS pump.

Here are the screens...

 

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And finally, we connected to the Alarm ECU. Here are the screens:

 

[allandwf]

Excellent, very comprehensive.

 

[voicey]

Conclusion

The Texa caters well for the 4200 and I think it'd help diagnose most problems. The tool can set the clutch up and do most maintenance operations.

I'd like to try it out on a QP and GT - if there's anyone in the London area with one of these cars and would like a diagnostics session send me a PM.

 

[2b1ask1]

Very impressive; sorry I couldn't get across to Chris' in time today but I didn't finish my works on the car till gone midday... I could really use a clutch reading before Italy if there is a possibility...

 

[CatmanV2]

Interesting that the OSF ABS sensor was throwing some anomalies. I'll have to keep an eye, and start saving for a new clutch

C

 

[BennyD]

Apparently, if the car wasn't initialised on a level floor it can show up odd readings if later interrogated on one. The sensors show loadings which were present due to the lean of the car and can, I'm lead to believe, throw out the suspension ECU calculations.

 

[Contigo]

Great stuff when can you come and give my 3200 a health check?