Diagnostics - MaxiEcu

[chris3234]

It is a tough call (if not now soon will be) for us bods that like to maintain and service our own vehicles as to what, how and at what expense we are going to have to endure to carry on as we do.

Fortunately our 130TC is old school with no diagnostics or computers at all, and Barchetta and 500X are EOBD with no encryption. However time will be the killer as these will not last forever and even if they do we may find in the future that clean air zones bar them from useful/quality/pratical use. But that is in the future and not quite around the corner yet thank goodness. Besides for us old farts (60+) our ability to take on big jobs is declining. I remember the days when a 185/60 R13 was considered a large tyre and were dead easy to handle. The 500X is 225/45 R18 and they are heavy wheels to handle so just bleeding the brakes without a vehicle hoist is a hard task on old bodies.

I suspect the motor industry can't wait to get all this encryption into their vehicles as it will become a real money spinner for them.

Slightly of topic but yet again politicians, insurance companies, have gone overboard. I have no problem with encryption for security functions (locks/keys, immobilisers, forced engine starting etc. and they could have limited/ring fenced in just those functions. Instead the whole blinking EOBD system has been targeted.

The EU have a report/paper on "Access to In-Vehicle Data and Resources"

https://ec.europa.eu/transport/sites/transport/files/2017-05-access-to-in-vehicle-data-and-resources.pdf

And here is some information about CAN encryption

https://www.cancrypt.eu/index.php/en/

Exactly how it should be
Key coding/immobiliser as well as things like changing millage should be encrypted
Basic diagnosis and sensor reading should be open to all

 

[s130]

Exactly how it should be
Key coding/immobiliser as well as things like changing millage should be encrypted
Basic diagnosis and sensor reading should be open to all

And I was thinking about this having read that EU document I posted a link to and I think I would modify position.

1) Encrypt all - so as to deny access to phone records, sat nav routes, home locations, Email etc. in our ever increasing data driven vehicles

2) AS THE LEGAL OWNER OF THE VEHICLE which you paid a fortune for then BY LAW you should be able, for FREE, to have the encryption key

3) a minor point - when a customer purchases your vehicle you have to legally give them the encryption key AND they must have the ability to request a new replacement key.

All of the above is totally doable with current technology but sadly nobody in positions of power (politicians, EU officials, etc) gives a toss as they drive "company" vehicles at our expense and some can't even grasp the fundamentals of "rights" let alone how to hold a spanner. Oooops think I may have overstepped some forum boundary

 

[Pugglt Auld Jock]

There is the Fiat/Alfa specific Foxwell NT520 https://www.gendan.co.uk/product_FXNT520F.html which does some actuator testing and module coding

Yes but I have MES for my Fiat stuff and VCDS for the seat/skoda "brothers" so what I'm looking for is something to speak to the Jazz and maybe the Astra with the Rio at the back of my mind for the future. Also the possibility to upgrade for future vehicle purchases if necessary.

 

[USspec]

I use FICOM for all fiat and related, VCDS for VAG, VCIDS for Fords and an Autel Maxidas for everything else though I also have a snapon kit as well.
If you keep an eye on the auctions, you can pick up a good tool such as Autel, launch or snapon for relatively cheap as long as you don't mind it not doing something younger than 2/3 years old.

 

[Pugglt Auld Jock]

I use FICOM for all fiat and related, VCDS for VAG, VCIDS for Fords and an Autel Maxidas for everything else though I also have a snapon kit as well.
If you keep an eye on the auctions, you can pick up a good tool such as Autel, launch or snapon for relatively cheap as long as you don't mind it not doing something younger than 2/3 years old.

Thanks for the suggestion. On the face of it, as I'm really not doing much with new vehicles I find your suggestion very attractive - except, being a "hammer and big screwdriver man" I would worry about buying something faulty which might not show up for a while and which I couldn't rectify. Paying someone to "sort" it would most likely blow the deal?

Initially spending around the £150 mark for a new package with warranty, with the prospect of upgrading with add on modules at £30 a time if a vehicle joins "the family fleet" which I can't communicate with is acceptable to me. I also lay great store behind being able to call on the good people at Gendan for help if needed.

So, I'd like to thank you very much for your suggestion - and I'm going to have a good look at what's on offer "just in case" - but I'm probably far too much of a "feartie" to take the plunge.

regards
Jock

 

[DaveMcT]

I've got a recurrent low back nerve root problem rearing its ugly head. It all started 20 years ago with a prolapsed L5 disc. This one is L4 so causes knee and shin pain. Trying to get to floor level to take a wheel off/on is a nightmare.

The chances of ever affording an electric car** do not look good so I'll have to put up with petrol for the forseeable.

**OK - Nissan Leaf is now cheap but the battery range is abysmal, and it's a Nissan. :yuck: