Software Diagnosis

I know you can get software and cables to connect a laptop to my 156 and
read information about faults etc. I have found plenty on eBay, but what
exactly is required and how much should I be paying?? Obviously I need the
following:

Laptop
Cable
Software

I have the laptop, but what connectors are required on each end of the
cable. Are they old fashioned serial cables, or 'trendy' USB devices? What
operating system is best etc etc???

Thanks guys
GT

"GT" > wrote in message
eb.com...
>I know you can get software and cables to connect a laptop to my 156 and
>read information about faults etc. I have found plenty on eBay, but what
>exactly is required and how much should I be paying?? Obviously I need the
>following:
>
> Laptop
> Cable
> Software
>
> I have the laptop, but what connectors are required on each end of the
> cable. Are they old fashioned serial cables, or 'trendy' USB devices? What
> operating system is best etc etc???
>
> Thanks guys
> GT

Actually, before I bother to buy one, will it actually give me more
information than just "motor control failure...", or am I wasting my money??

On 25/07/2011 20:49, SteveH wrote:
> > wrote:
>
>> Actually, before I bother to buy one, will it actually give me more
>> information than just "motor control failure...", or am I wasting my money??
>
> Does it do that all the time, or just randomly?
>
> Ours does it randomly.

My 2.0 JTS did it for the first time the other day. Lasted for a few
seconds and then 'went away'.

--
Halmyre

Ceci, n'est pas un signature.

--- Posted via news://freenews.netfront.net/ - Complaints to ---

"SteveH" > wrote in message
.. .
> GT > wrote:
>
>> Actually, before I bother to buy one, will it actually give me more
>> information than just "motor control failure...", or am I wasting my
>> money??
>
> Does it do that all the time, or just randomly?

All the time - usually under load at low revs. Engine splutter like a
missfire or bad fuel, MCF message, then off we go again! Catman said several
times that its the throttle sensor at the pedal (its not a direct throttle
cable) and he tends to know what he is talking about, but the MCF message
makes me wonder if its something else - electrics, ECU, lambda sensor or
even spark plugs or something else...

On 26/07/2011 10:04, GT wrote:
> > wrote in message
> .. .
>> > wrote:
>>
>>> Actually, before I bother to buy one, will it actually give me more
>>> information than just "motor control failure...", or am I wasting my
>>> money??
>>
>> Does it do that all the time, or just randomly?
>
> All the time - usually under load at low revs. Engine splutter like a
> missfire or bad fuel, MCF message, then off we go again! Catman said several
> times that its the throttle sensor at the pedal (its not a direct throttle
> cable) and he tends to know what he is talking about, but the MCF message
> makes me wonder if its something else - electrics, ECU, lambda sensor or
> even spark plugs or something else...
>
>

/me stands by his opionion. MCF comes up if sensors drop off line, or
signals are 'stupid' AFAIK

I reserve the right to be wrong

--
Catman MIB#14 SKoGA#6 TEAR#4 BOTAFOF#38 Apostle#21 COSOC#3
Tyger, Tyger Burning Bright (Remove rust to reply)
116 Giulietta 3.0l Sprint 1.7 147 TS GT 3.2 V6
Triumph Sprint ST 1050: It's blue, see.
#www.cuore-sportivo.co.uk

"Catman" > wrote in message
...
> On 26/07/2011 10:04, GT wrote:
>> > wrote in message
>> .. .
>>> > wrote:
>>>
>>>> Actually, before I bother to buy one, will it actually give me more
>>>> information than just "motor control failure...", or am I wasting my
>>>> money??
>>>
>>> Does it do that all the time, or just randomly?
>>
>> All the time - usually under load at low revs. Engine splutter like a
>> missfire or bad fuel, MCF message, then off we go again! Catman said
>> several
>> times that its the throttle sensor at the pedal (its not a direct
>> throttle
>> cable) and he tends to know what he is talking about, but the MCF message
>> makes me wonder if its something else - electrics, ECU, lambda sensor or
>> even spark plugs or something else...
>>
>
> /me stands by his opionion. MCF comes up if sensors drop off line, or
> signals are 'stupid' AFAIK
>
> I reserve the right to be wrong

Its not happened yet in your various replies to me!

Only human.

On 26/07/2011 12:52, GT wrote:
> > wrote in message
> ...
>> On 26/07/2011 10:04, GT wrote:
>>> > wrote in message
>>> .. .
>>>> > wrote:
>>>>
>>>>> Actually, before I bother to buy one, will it actually give me more
>>>>> information than just "motor control failure...", or am I wasting my
>>>>> money??
>>>>
>>>> Does it do that all the time, or just randomly?
>>>
>>> All the time - usually under load at low revs. Engine splutter like a
>>> missfire or bad fuel, MCF message, then off we go again! Catman said
>>> several
>>> times that its the throttle sensor at the pedal (its not a direct
>>> throttle
>>> cable) and he tends to know what he is talking about, but the MCF message
>>> makes me wonder if its something else - electrics, ECU, lambda sensor or
>>> even spark plugs or something else...
>>>
>>
>> /me stands by his opionion. MCF comes up if sensors drop off line, or
>> signals are 'stupid' AFAIK
>>
>> I reserve the right to be wrong
>
> Its not happened yet in your various replies to me!
>
> Only human.
>
>

Nexus 6.....

--
Catman MIB#14 SKoGA#6 TEAR#4 BOTAFOF#38 Apostle#21 COSOC#3
Tyger, Tyger Burning Bright (Remove rust to reply)
116 Giulietta 3.0l Sprint 1.7 147 TS GT 3.2 V6
Triumph Sprint ST 1050: It's blue, see.
#www.cuore-sportivo.co.uk

"GT" > wrote in message
b.com...
> "SteveH" > wrote in message
> .. .
>> GT > wrote:
>>
>>> Actually, before I bother to buy one, will it actually give me more
>>> information than just "motor control failure...", or am I wasting my
>>> money??
>>
>> Does it do that all the time, or just randomly?
>
> All the time - usually under load at low revs. Engine splutter like a
> missfire or bad fuel, MCF message, then off we go again! Catman said
> several times that its the throttle sensor at the pedal (its not a direct
> throttle cable) and he tends to know what he is talking about, but the MCF
> message makes me wonder if its something else - electrics, ECU, lambda
> sensor or even spark plugs or something else...
Update, for future records:

Car failed MOT on the handbrake cable (no surprise) and a little weld on the
driver belt mounting point and excessive play in suspension again.

The investigated the splutter for me and replaced the spark plugs - very
sooted up and old looking. They are due every 60,000 so were due next year
anyway. Splutter is gone! My smile is back.

Gt spoke:
> Update, for future records:
>
> Car failed MOT on the handbrake cable (no surprise) and a little weld on the
> driver belt mounting point and excessive play in suspension again.
>
> The investigated the splutter for me and replaced the spark plugs - very
> sooted up and old looking. They are due every 60,000 so were due next year
> anyway. Splutter is gone! My smile is back.

Lesley's 147 passed it's MOT this week - needed a number plate bulb, despite
the engine management light being on - I feared it would fail on emissions!


--
Rob Pearson
156 1.9jtd sportwagon (now)
164 V6 Lusso (gone)
147 2.0TS lusso (Hers)

"SteveH" > wrote in message
.. .
> GT > wrote:
>
>> I know you can get software and cables to connect a laptop to my 156 and
>> read information about faults etc. I have found plenty on eBay, but what
>> exactly is required and how much should I be paying?? Obviously I need
>> the
>> following:
>>
>> Laptop
>> Cable
>> Software
>>
>> I have the laptop, but what connectors are required on each end of the
>> cable. Are they old fashioned serial cables, or 'trendy' USB devices?
>> What
>> operating system is best etc etc???
>>
>> Thanks guys
>> GT
>
> Windows XP is the best OS for this kind of thing.
>
> USB is fine, as you want an OBDII to USB cable - usually sold as VAG-COM
> cables.
>
> Can't remember which pins need bridging - think it's 4 and 7 (but don't
> take my word on it) to access the airbag ECU.
>
> Cable is something like 10-20 quid, software - only one option really -
> AlfaDiag, which is about 45 euros, and worth every penny.

Excellent. My laptop is XP Pro. I have several USB slots, but no old serial
connector.

I am familiar with bridging pins and pinmods, but is this a required mod or
just to allow access to an airbag setting (that I have no problem with at
the mo).

And, hyperthetically, should some unscrupulous sole attempt to locate the
AlfaDiag CD online and illegally download it, are there any particular
pitfalls or bad/old copies to look out for? What is the latest version? I
presume it will cover the 2.0 JTS engine too, not just the older TSparks?

Cheers,
GT