Technical Engine fail

[tipouno]

Wife came home Thursday and mentioned low oil pressure light appeared momentarily during the journey. When I switched it on, the engine fail warning appeared. Oil and filter were renewed a week ago so levels etc. Are ok. Engine runs quietly, with no nasty sounds, but gave the impression of running on three cylinders so I renewed plugs and as a precaution drained the oil and removed filter and found all ok, no signs of contamination or debris.
Fiat dealer wants £70 to connect to diagnostic reader so I’m considering buying a code reader to attempt to locate the problem. Are code readers usable on any make of car? Thanks in advance for any help or comments.

 

[g8rpi]

Hi,
The generic readers that work on any car only give limited information and sometimes misleading descriptions. Fiat owners are really lucky to have a choice of marque specific diagnostics. Multiecuscan, www.multiecuscan.net is my favourite and only costs 50 euros for the full version. The other option is AlfaOBD.
Depending on what engine you have you may be able to use the free version of Multiecuscan . You will need a ELM327 to USB interface. Get a "modified for Multiecuscan one from ebay or Amazon. Should cost £15-20 including postage. Avoid the Sub £10 ones from the far East unless "remove the 120R SMD terminating resistor " makes sense to you. The software runs on a Windows laptop. Anything running Windows XP or later is OK.

HTH, Robert
G8RPI

 

[tipouno]

Update: When I replaced plugs I shone a torch down bores and noted that top of piston on cyl.2 and was wet, the others all being dry. Also on cyl.2, the outer plastic shield around the coil plug had crumbled away.
Took car to local garage and they kindly attached a Snap-On diagnostic gizmo and in 30 seconds came up with a misfire on cyl. 2 which indicated a coil failure. On drive home, I immediately noticed that all the warning lights had gone and the car was driving well, apart from at idle, when there was a perceptible "shake". Bought and fitted a (Lucas) coil, took it back to garage hoping he would reattach the reader, but he simply revved it, and said it sounded a lot better and that I should accept the vibration, which was same as prior to fitting new coil, and just drive it.
He wouldn't take any payment (DSalmon, Fiat dealer £70) so while I appreciated what he did, I got the impression he wasn't inclined to get involved as he's very busy. I can't let it go at that, so am now considering buying the multiecuscan. Tried a friends hand held scanner but not suitable for Fiat.

 

[g8rpi]

Funny that a garage that did a good job is busy.....

If you do your own work on the car Multiecuscan is almost mandatory withmoern Fiats. Invest £15 or so in an interface and have ago with the free version. You can even play with the free version without the interface or car. Just install the software, run it but click on "simulate" instead of connect.

Robert G8RPI

 

[tipouno]

Outcome: Took Idea to a local tyre/exhaust co I've recently used as they also offer Diagnostics. Car connected to machine - no faults, but idling badly.
Mechanic removed air filter box and tested all coils using a magic tool, which indicated all coils ok. Next was to be a compression test, so all plugs out.
Third plug out had slightly closed gap, so re-gapped, put back in and all ok. Idle back to normal, problem solved. I knew I hadn't dropped a plug, but a couple of them fell out of the socket when putting them down the tube, but I didn't for one moment consider a drop of about one inch enough to cause problems. How wrong was I??
After this, I'll be taking advice re the Multiecuscan, so thanks, one and all for your help. Much appreciated