AU EEC-V self test

[javelin57]

G'day all, I was wondering if it is possible for the home mechanic, to run a self test on the factory computer.
I have recently perchased my au11 5 litre ute, and just want to see if there are any codes stored.
If there were any problems, would the spanner be flashing?
I have a Max Ellery's manual, which is next to useless.
It makes reference to running a KOEO or KOER test "as described in diagnostics section"
The only problem is that they forgot to include the test:togo:
Does the au have a OBD11 plug? or has it changed to something else?
I have found a couple of "code readers"
on the net, but don't know if they will do the job, as they suit the OBD11 plug type.

[bodes-sh]

it has an obd2 plug, but a normal obd2 scantool won't connect to it, for them to connect it needs "can bus" which in only in ba onwards....you can get code readers for them, but they are very expensive, i have actually been looking for something myself lately....

[javelin57]

Cheers bodes-sh, The tool I found is a Actron 9135, from the US only about $50.
I wonder if there is an adapter, or if this is done deliberatly because the tool won't work on Falcons?
It's suposed to work on most post 98 model cars in the US.
How have au owners been reading codes in the past?
Here is the link

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00...cm_rdp_product

[JC]

Originally Posted by javelin57

G'day all, I was wondering if it is possible for the home mechanic, to run a self test on the factory computer.
I have recently perchased my au11 5 litre ute, and just want to see if there are any codes stored.
If there were any problems, would the spanner be flashing?
I have a Max Ellery's manual, which is next to useless.
It makes reference to running a KOEO or KOER test "as described in diagnostics section"
The only problem is that they forgot to include the test:togo:
Does the au have a OBD11 plug? or has it changed to something else?
I have found a couple of "code readers"
on the net, but don't know if they will do the job, as they suit the OBD11 plug type.

As bodes says, they are not quite "normal" obd2 compliant. I have an obd2 scan tool, which works on the truck, and even though the plug is the same on AUs and BAs, it doesn't work on them.

[JC]

Originally Posted by javelin57

Cheers bodes-sh, The tool I found is a Actron 9135, from the US only about $50.
I wonder if there is an adapter, or if this is done deliberatly because the tool won't work on Falcons?
It's suposed to work on most post 98 model cars in the US.
How have au owners been reading codes in the past?
Here is the link

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00...cm_rdp_product

That's pretty much what I have - the connection is physically the same, but it must be a software difference, as mine just won't read AUs or BAs.

[javelin57]

Ok, well that's that sorted, how do people read codes?
Take the vehicle to a dealer?
Every time I take my Ford to a dealer it comes back with something they have stuffed up, like pressure cleaning all of the factory stickers off from under the bonnet, or my 2 litre water bottle tiped over in the carpet under the seat, obviously a result of hooning in my car. :

[javelin57]

Am I chasing ghostes, the reason I wanted to check the codes is I think I can do better than 10.9 litres per 100 on the highway at 100 kmh.
I wanted to see if there were any problems with the computer, like HO2S for instance.
Will the spanner be flashing if there is a code stored?

[NC1183]

Hi, i might be wrong but i didn't think the AUII's had the spanner icon on the dash. I took my ute to my local mechanic, as i've had enough of the crap the ford dealer here puts me through, he has a scan tool and he didn't even charge me to look at my ute with my air bag code.

[JC]

Originally Posted by NC1183

Hi, i might be wrong but i didn't think the AUII's had the spanner icon on the dash. I took my ute to my local mechanic, as i've had enough of the crap the ford dealer here puts me through, he has a scan tool and he didn't even charge me to look at my ute with my air bag code.

Yes, you might be wrong. No, actually, you are. The spanner only indicates that a service is due, and comes up at 15,000 km intervals in AU2 +.

javellin57 - 10.9 is not too bad at all. From Canberra to Sydney, you could expect around 10.5 or maybe even 10, cos it's a pretty flat straight drive.

Around town, you should be getting around 15l/100km.

You can buy the correct scanner for the AUs, but given that they seem to be rather specialised, the cost per unit will be a lot more than $50. You could try the Haltech system from Stingray - at around $800, it may give you what you need.

[ronwest]

Originally Posted by javelin57

Ok, well that's that sorted, how do people read codes?

I got my neighbour cracked Vag-Com software for his Mk3 Golf.
Connected to a laptop via a $20 OBD2-USB the codes were there for all to see - turns out he needed a trans solenoid.

During the hunt for the software/hardware for the VW I also pursued info re Ford AU's.

It was all bad news. From what I remember Ford Aust use proprietory software for pulling codes. Not only is it not available on the internet it is also not OBD2 compliant (which I think means that Ford Aust are the only ones using that particular software).
In the hunt I came across an electronics boffin at Branxton? NSW who was heavily into trying to sort out the AU but had no real success.

I'm sorry this is all a bit vague but if you hunt through forums and newsgroups you'll find the info.
I had a quick hunt around prior to posting this but I haven't the time to hunt it all again.
I've since replaced that computer so can't even offer links :(

[Mechan1k]

No spanner icon in AUII that I have seen ... unless its a V8-only thing.

As JC mentioned ... 10.9L/100km on highway is fairly decent really.

If you can find a good mechanic they should be able to read the codes through their own scan-tool. My mechanic uses a Snap-on scantool that reads the codes off my AUII.

[GK]

Originally Posted by Mechan1k

No spanner icon in AUII that I have seen ... unless its a V8-only thing.

Spanner only appears in AUI. It's a hangover from the E-series. It appears Every 10,000 kays, never seen it once in the AUII.

I just checked my AUI and AUII-III manuals. The AUI manual mentions the spanner on p16, the AUII-III manual doesn't. In fact on p16 the spot where it appeared in the AUI manual is left blank.

GK

[FGII-XR6]

Originally Posted by JC

Yes, you might be wrong. No, actually, you are. The spanner only indicates that a service is due, and comes up at 15,000 km intervals in AU2 +.
.

there is no spanner at all from the series 2 on only the series one had this feature ( and the EF /EL)

[JC]

Originally Posted by au3xr6

there is no spanner at all from the series 2 on only the series one had this feature ( and the EF /EL)

That's funny - I could have sworn I've had to "remove" the spanner at least once on my parents AU2. It's a mid 2000 model, so maybe the first lot of AU2s had it and then they dropped it? Weird.

[javelin57]

I'm not "unhappy with 10.9 l p100km on the highway, and 14-15 around town, but just want to make sure everything is working as it should.
If there is a problem with say, the oxegen senser, would some sort of a warning device be triggered, or would it just store the code, and continue on an average fuel setting?

[FGII-XR6]

Originally Posted by JC

That's funny - I could have sworn I've had to "remove" the spanner at least once on my parents AU2. It's a mid 2000 model, so maybe the first lot of AU2s had it and then they dropped it? Weird.

the cluster with the orange odometer was the only one with spanner these were S1

[5.0 ED]

Yeah i've been chassing a tester for ages too.

We've been spending a bit of time lately on an AUII xr8 thats now only getting 600km to a tank, which he used to get 750-800 out of, we have replaced both o2 sensors and didn't fix, but later found that the intake air sensor was faulty. and now he's getting good km's again. But this car was obvious something was wrong as it had a slight hunt at idle etc. and would stall easily.

We have several AU's between us all and we get on a long trip

AU2 Failane ghia v8 600km's but has a faulty maf
AU1 Fairmont Ghia v8 last long trip i got 900km's out of, but has tuner/cam/mods etc.
AU1 fairmont ghia i6 700km's

your 14-15 around town is about right but you freeway sounds a little high to me, but how long a trip was it?. if i hope on freeway and look at it i get around 10 on the dash.

Also the AU's have a lean cruise mode which i believe doesn't use the o2 sensors instead tunes at a preset lean mode of about 17:1 ratio between 80-120km's an hour. I have no idea how long you have to be cruising at 100 before that kicks in but find with mine i dont get good km's until i've been on a freeway for about 30minutes?

[JC]

Originally Posted by javelin57

I'm not "unhappy with 10.9 l p100km on the highway, and 14-15 around town, but just want to make sure everything is working as it should.
If there is a problem with say, the oxygen sensor, would some sort of a warning device be triggered, or would it just store the code, and continue on an average fuel setting?

With a lot of these sensors, even if one sensor fails, the ECU/programming has a lot of redundancy built in, so will compensate for quite a while. It usually logs a total fault code when more than one sensor goes haywire, and then you will end up with 2 or 3 - ie the car has got to the point that it can't compensate enough for multiple failed sensors so then starts error logging.

You could change the HEGOs if you want, and you may notice an improvement - even if you don't, at roughly $150 for 2 (eBay is your friend), at least it's a cheapish investment in knowing that the HEGOs will be good for the next 100,000km (approx).

[JC]

Originally Posted by au3xr6

the cluster with the orange odometer was the only one with spanner these were S1

So how do series 2/3 folk know when a service is due? I'm going to have check the olds' car now!!

[javelin57]

[QUOTE=5.i6
your 14-15 around town is about right but you freeway sounds a little high to me, but how long a trip was it?. [/QUOTE]

It was a 500km round trip, all highway, and mostly flat, I thought I should be able to crack the 10 lp100km.
My old 4.2 carbie V8 Bommadore use to get that.

How does the car tell you when there is a problem stored.
For example the older au's had the spanner, what do the later ones have to let you know?

[FGII-XR6]

Originally Posted by JC

So how do series 2/3 folk know when a service is due? I'm going to have check the olds' car now!!

a little sticker on the windscreen old school i know but thats all there is as for the original topic the series 2 of the capa flash tuner has a datalogger and also will reset fault codes they work on AU and B series

[FTe_XR8]

i've scanned my car prob different cos it's a series one but the bloke selling the scan tool to my bro also scanned his commondoor 06 i think, i didnt have anything of interest in mine a couple of codes but he cleared them then said it's best to scan again and see if they do show up later on cos they could just be ones from disconecting a sensor. also this scanner gave a description of the code and how to fix it! will have to speak to the bro to find out wat it is....

[Foggy]

Just a quick note on the spanner symbol it is service interval only not to indicate faults.
I confirmed this today as I managed to borrow a Launchtech x431 and found I had 6 codes on my AU but no spanner.

[javelin57]

This is like trying to get info from the government. So the KOEO & KOER tests are only achivable with a EEC-V tester?
There are references to them everywhere, in the tech info sections, but nowhere does it tell you how it's done.
Maybe we are supposed to be born with this information in our D.N.A.

[Peuty]

I will confirm that AU2's definately DO NOT have a spanner icon whatsoever on the cluster.

[Foggy]

There are aftermarket tools out there to do these tests BUT the prices are high eg the launch unit I borrwed is $4K. I have heard that Haltek have one for about $800 but have not heard of anyone using it. Its a right pain that fraud made it so hard with the AUs.

[FGII-XR6]

as i said the new flash tuners have these functions although they are also about 800 you get flash tuning with it

[javelin57]

Originally Posted by javelin57

This is like trying to get info from the government. So the KOEO & KOER tests are only achivable with a EEC-V tester?
There are references to them everywhere, in the tech info sections, but nowhere does it tell you how it's done.
Maybe we are supposed to be born with this information in our D.N.A.

Seing as nobody seem to be willing to be specefic, I can only assume that the instructions come with the code reading machine.
You must plug the code reader in at the diagnostics plug, and it tells you what to do????
It's all well and good to say "perform a KOEO test" even if one has the appropriate tool, it's useless without instructions.

[Foggy]

I wasnt meaning to be vague but every tool has a differnt set of instructions on how to run tests. The only way we can give you more information is if we know a specific tool being used i.e. with the X431 you have to specify make model year etc then turn the key on/off as prompted.
All the machines will plugin to the plug in the fuse box if they are meant for code reading and reseting.

[javelin57]

Originally Posted by Foggy

I wasnt meaning to be vague but every tool has a differnt set of instructions on how to run tests. The only way we can give you more information is if we know a specific tool being used i.e. with the X431 you have to specify make model year etc then turn the key on/off as prompted.
All the machines will plugin to the plug in the fuse box if they are meant for code reading and reseting.

Thanks for that, only 29 posts to get some help with my original question.
I think everyone was missing the point, and asuming that it was common knoledge that the code reader is needed to enitiate the test.
In a lot of other cars, you can perform the test by useing a "patch cord" between certain wires in the diagnostics plug, and you only need the code reader if you want to identify the codes.
Useless Max Ellerie's strikes again.
Today I inquired at a reputable service centre, specialising in engine management, and computer problems, and they offered to check for codes for $15-$20, can't knock that back.
Thanks for your input to all who responded.