Home Made Code Reader

[colin]

I have been having a look around the forum since buying a 2.5td Exclusive on e-bay (yes the one in Dorset with all sorts of different interior trim), and you guys seem to have a great network going here.

The car is great (ASB light on sometimes and no Aircon) but I like to keep on top of everything and have heard mention of a homemade code reader. I have experience with electonics and electro-mechanical systems and if someone could point me in the right direction I would be very grateful.

Cheers

Colin

[xmexclusive]

Hi Colin

I seem to recall a link to a do it yourself code reader on here but cannot find it now. Hope you enjoy your new XM. If the aircon gas pressure is low the compressor does not cut in. Regassing soon finds out if there is a more fundamental leak. Does the panel controlling the aircon light up and will the aircon light/button turn on/off. Is there a pattern to the ABS light comming on and do you know what type of ABS is fitted. If you give the ORG No. (front passenger door pillar between the hinges) this tells us the day of manufacture to target advice.

Regards

XMexc

[Assich]

It's under the self help files section on the first page. May not work if your car is multipexed like mine.

[rowanmoor]

It is also in the files section of XM-L (an XM yahoo group if you haven't already found it) and that version has a few more lists of codes in it than last time I looked at the one on here.

It doesn't work on the engine codes on the 2.5, but does on almost everything else on the older 2.5s. I believe the newer ABS systems don't though, but I'm not sure when the changeover is.

Cheers,
Rowan.

[colin]

Thanks for all your tips. As to the ABS I have found that the rear nearside sensor is reading wrong on resistance (about 14.6m) and will have a look at it in the next few days. The aircon light comes on fine and all seems to run and I was going to have it checked/regassed today but managed to kill the car with my fiddling and missed the appointment. All is now well again (bad earth from the battery) and I will make another appointment with the aircon man when he has calmed down.
Cheers
Colin

[xmexclusive]

Hi Colin

As it is easy to do I have found that it is always worth cleaning away any muck on the end of the ABS sensor where it looks at the toothed wheel on the drive shaft. Any muck in this area will have a high proportion of very fine steel granules and brake pad dust that can alter the magnetic field. Then next there is a plug and socket joint in each of the ABS wires in the wheel arch area. These are common causes of high resistance joints. On the rear ABS sensors the joint is clipped to the top of the rear swinging arm at the front over the pivot point. Cleaning and remaking the joint often clears an ABS fault.

Regards

XMexc

[Peter.N.]

Hi Colin

Completely unrelated, but was that the one from Lyme regis?

Peter.N.

[colin]

Hello Peter,

Yes it was the one from Lyme Regis and yes it does have a bit of suede around the place (i kinda like suede)

Colin

[Peter.N.]

Hi Colin

Strangly, I have never actually seen it, apart being parked in the chaps drive, opposite the end of Anning Road I believe. He used to run CXs when I did and I saw more of them. He only lives about four miles from me. I hope it gives you good service.

Peter.N.

[noz]

Hi Colin,

If the ABS light is on when stationary just after starting the engine then it definitely either has an open circuit or short circuit. The ecu can check only resistance at standstill. Whether it checks the signal pattern/shape whilst moving .... well the jury's still out on that one.

Most ABS faults are the wiring or the junction plug/socket located in the most hostile location on the car, in the wheel arch.

cheers

noz