New owner looking for some diagnostics advice

[mareksio]

Hello all
So this week I finally picked up the 3200gt that I'd spent an age searching for. It's a 2001 manual Grigio touring, still advertised on The Supercar Rooms if you want to see pics.

First impressions... brutal.. I've not driven a car that feels so eager and lively and after the 4hour drive home from Worcester to Brighton, motorways and twisties, I genuinely struggled to separate myself from the car. Admittedly some of this was physical (I'm 6'5) but there was definitely an emotional element too.

However, true to form it wasn't completely without incident. It threw a couple of errors during the drive - firstly the ABS went out, and then later on ERROR appeared on the dash. Both of these went out (fixed themselves?) after stopping, but nevertheless I'd like to have the tools to investigate in future.

What do I need to purchase to run diagnostics? The car was registered end of July 2001, safe to assume it is OBD2 compatible (regardless I will check tonight)?

Also feel free to pass on any other advice that a new owner needs, must admit the forum has been a goldmine so far!

Thanks

Marek

 

[daverichardson]

Welcome along
A hand held Autel diagnostic tool (Amazon £15.00) is essential to look at and clear codes. Or anything similar!
Six foot Five!! is it a squeeze for you in there?

 

[zagatoes30]

A reader will be essential it will get a lot of use

Welcome to the forum

 

[Hexadex]

Welcome along
A hand held Autel diagnostic tool (Amazon £15.00) is essential to look at and clear codes. Or anything similar!
Six foot Five!! is it a squeeze for you in there?

I'm 6'6" in a Gransport 

 

[conaero]

ERROR lights are attributed to the Skyhook suspention system so it will be either a sticking shock, a shock actuator or the lateral accelerated meter under the near side headlight.

As the ABS is coming on too it would strongly point to the later sensor. The weight falls off the sensor and then shorts the PCB while its flopping around inside.

Another could be the rear ABS pickup rings. Where it's been stood they may be tarnished, worth giving them a clean but either way it needs to go on SD to be diagnosed. Go see Mike Roberts in Fareham he will diagnose it and repair then you can send the bill to the supplying dealer.

 

[highlander]

ERROR lights are attributed to the Skyhook suspention system so it will be either a sticking shock, a shock actuator or the lateral accelerated meter under the near side headlight.

As the ABS is coming on too it would strongly point to the later sensor. The weight falls off the sensor and then shorts the PCB while its flopping around inside.

Another could be the rear ABS pickup rings. Where it's been stood they may be tarnished, worth giving them a clean but either way it needs to go on SD to be diagnosed. Go see Mike Roberts in Fareham he will diagnose it and repair then you can send the bill to the supplying dealer.

will he not need to approach the dealer first Matt?

 

[CatmanV2]

will he not need to approach the dealer first Matt?

This is what I have been told....

C

 

[mareksio]

Thanks all for your replies. I'll get one of the diagnostic scanners on order for the next time it throws the error. If it occurs again I'll also get in contact with Mike Roberts to take a look.

I hadn't contacted my dealer yet but that's very useful to know about the potential of expensing local repairs.

 

[highlander]

Oh, forgot to say welcome along and good choice of wheels! Get some pics up of your own. The advice I have taken with me for the 32 is yes, it will throw the odd CEL etc but if it drives ok, just drive it, she is just checking you are paying attention

 

[StuartW]

Oh, forgot to say welcome along and good choice of wheels! Get some pics up of your own. The advice I have taken with me for the 32 is yes, it will throw the odd CEL etc but if it drives ok, just drive it, she is just checking you are paying attention

Yep, exactly what he said!

 

[highlander]

Before you buy the diagnostic tool suggested check yours has the updated SD. They were supposed to change in 2000 from the old Alfa style ones but if your car was built before then and sat waiting to go then it could have the old connections.

 

[philw696]

Contact the Supercar Rooms first they are good guys and will want to put the SD2 on to it rather than messing about with generic code readers.

 

[Contigo]

ERROR light is sticking actuator. Took ours out today and it flashed on for a few seconds and then off again, it's been stood for a month so that's why.

 

[RSM Masser]

Cut the exhausts off just after the pre-cats and fit straight throughs
Doesn't turn of the ERROR light but you can't hear anything else either

 

[mareksio]

A merciless thrashing this Saturday will help blow out the cobwebs, as it has done very little mileage of late. Thanks all!

 

[allandwf]

A generic code reader will read your engine codes ok, the socket is under the steering wheel, pointing forwards normally. As said ERROR is suspension related and could purely be lack of use. I've had this once on mine when it sat for 4 weeks, cleared after a run never to be seen again. ( tempting fate I know!)

 

[Jkulin]

Contact the Supercar Rooms first they are good guys and will want to put the SD2 on to it rather than messing about with generic code readers.

My cars just come back from them, lets say a two page complaint letter has been sent to the MD