Durametric OBD

[Biovox]

Following on from the OBD seminar I had a good search on the information super highway and ended up purchasing the Durametric OBD tool. With the exchange rate being so good the cost was £151 delivered which I must say is pretty good considering how difficult it is to find an OBD tool for our cars. My car has the later rectangular OBDII port so I didn't need the converter for the 12-pin round socket (which is also available). Anyway, this weekend I plugged it in and found 3 fault codes [], one for each of the systems - whoppee

ABS 5 : Fault code 39 Valve Relay. I think this is R68 and will have a play swapping with R65 to see whether the relay is knackered. From what I've read this is a pretty common fault and explains why the ABS/ABD warning lights illuminate occasionally. Evidently it has occurred 39 times ...

Motronic 2.1 M04: Fault code 32 Knock Sensor 2. Could explain why the car feels a bit sluggish, I think that the DME keeps the ignition retarded if the knock sensor is considered faulty although from what I've read the fault tends to be the connections rather than the sensor (it's just a piezo-electric crystal isn't it?). Anyway, have cleared the code to see whether it re-occurs in which case it's time to get under the bonnet. Does anyone know what side of the engine this refers to?

Heating: Fault code 24 Fresh air flap motor. Bit of a funny one this as the heating and aircon appear to work fine so I've just cleared it and will wait to see what happens in future.

Didn't get chance to try the actual values bit as it started raining but it looks as though it is similar information to what the Scantool software provides with the OBD interface presented at the seminar. IMHO this is a great product that does exactly what it says on the tin with the added benefit of plugging straight into a USB port (great for modern laptops with no RS232 ports). Just thought I would share this with you as another option as I remember several members at the seminar saying that they would be interested in obtaining a ready built tool rather than having to make one up.

I would provide screenshots but unfortunately the only ones I have are embedded in a Word document (and they aren't that interesting anyway). Check out www.durametric.com for further details (no affiliation etc.)

Hope this is of interest to someone

 

[Guards Red]

Hi Gary,

The second knock sensor connector can be found at the foot of the airbox, mounted on the intake runner for cylinder 4. That's for a varioram which I assume yours is. The other knock sensor is located behind the fan, at the left side and back of the engine.​

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Hope this helps.​

​

Regards
GR

 

[Guest]

Hi Gary,

Glad you like your Durametric. I also got this kit last year for my 1994 model 993 - it has a 19-pin round socket. Very useful for checking for codes at service time. Fortunately no issues or problems so far. I don't have a check engine light.

Cheers
Roddy

 

[Mark Elder]

Gary,

I too took the plunge and purchased the Durametric cable and software after Maurice's OBD seminar.

Unfortunately (!) I don't seem to have any fault codes to know it's working!

However, I have had a couple of problems with it (one resolved):

I could not get the "actual values" bit to work correctly (some readings don't give any response, others gave values that were clearly wrong - eg 3500 revs when I can see/hear it's doing 800) - but an update was released at the end of last week. Once downloaded and cable firmwear updated, it seems to be working correctly last night.

Secondly, I have not been able to get any response from anything other than the ECU. Clearly you have it working with the ABS unit, but when I try to connect to the ABS it just sits there with the "Please Wait" animation. The ABD and ABS warning lights flashed a bit while it was trying to connect, but I just have to crash out of the software and start again.

Anyway, I ran out of time, need to try it again and write them a support question.

Very pleased with how quickly they answer questions and how quickly it arrived from the US.

Mark

 

[Biovox]

Mark,

I also had the Please Wait animation on the ABS 5 after the tool was attempting to re-read the fault codes after I'd asked it to clear them. Cycled the ignition and tried again but it just sat there. Was going to wait and try it again once I've had a chance to take the car out for a spin as I thought it might be an ABS re-initialisation issue. Agree with you on delivery and Durams responses - very prompt in both cases. Will download the update and re-flash the firmware asap. The only downside (?) is that the Enthusiasts version will only talk to 3 vehicles - I guess it must have some non-volatile memory and record ECU ids and operation logs as it knows if you've cleared faults previously. Damn electronics, you wouldn't buy a hammer if it only let you knock in 10 nails would you []

Will take the car out tomorrow and re-diagnose tomorrow evening now the suns out !!

GR - thanks for the info re. the knock sensor, I'll take a peek at that too. I don't have the varioram but the sensor will probably be in the same place

Gary

 

[Guest]

ORIGINAL: MoC2S

Didn't know that, Roddy ! Pity we couldn't get it / you to the OBD Seminar ... []

cheers, Maurice []

Sorry Maurice, I should have spoken up. Assumed someone else would have this or that you had all seen it already. I'll bring it to the Dyno Day - should provide some entertainment []

Cheers
Roddy

P.S. Coming to think of it. Might upset the guys at 9m if I did that...not sure what you think?!

 

[Guest]

True [8|]

I'll bring it along

 

[JB 3.2]

Gary,

Thanks for the informative report, an update on issues around the ABS/ABD light would be really useful when you get time.

Mark

Did you manage to interigate the ABS system with your version?

 

[Mark Elder]

Hi John,

Not had time to try again yet. I've been away for work (and now just going away on holiday for few days) - both without the good car[]

Will let you know once I do.

Mark

 

[Mark Elder]

Now had a chance to play with this again - and talk to Duram at Durametric - he is very helpful.

He has now modified the software again to fix a bug in the ABS/ABD module reader. It now works on 993s that have no fault codes!

Still outstanding are getting correct readings from the heater/aircon and airbag ECUs - but he is very helpful and I expect will be back on email tonight (he's on Pacific time). The software has a diagnostic log feature that allows you to log and email to him exactly what is happening as you use the software. He can then check this and find out why it's failing to read something on your car.

So I can now read and reset fault codes (if I had any) and graph a wide variety of measurables from the engine ECU.

Like Roddy, I will bring it along to the Warrington Engine Seminar on Saturday for anyone who wants to see what it can do (in between watching dyno runs.[])

 

[JB 3.2]

I tried to order one, but it would appear my bank won't allow me to use either a credit or debit card on the site. I presume because of current issues with cards and internet fraud.

Has anybody elese had the same problem?

 

[Mark Elder]

ORIGINAL: JB 3.2

I tried to order one, but it would appear my bank won't allow me to use either a credit or debit card on the site. I presume because of current issues with cards and internet fraud.

Has anybody elese had the same problem?

Not with the Durametric site, but I tried to buy some air tickets from Air France a while ago (total cost just over 2k) and the transaction would not go though - I called my card company. "It was stopped by our fraud system because it was over 2k, that's OK, just try it again and it will work now you have called".

So maybe try calling them.

Are you going to the Dyno run on Saturday?

Mark

 

[Mark Elder]

ORIGINAL: JB 3.2

I tried to order one, but it would appear my bank won't allow me to use either a credit or debit card on the site. I presume because of current issues with cards and internet fraud.

Has anybody elese had the same problem?

Not with the Durametric site, but I tried to buy some air tickets from Air France a while ago (total cost just over 2k) and the transaction would not go though - I called my card company. "It was stopped by our fraud system because it was over 2k, that's OK, just try it again and it will work now you have called".

So maybe try calling them.

Are you going to the Dyno run on Saturday?

Mark

 

[Guest]

I can't make it now unfortunately for various reasons. Hope you all have a good time.[X(]

 

[JB 3.2]

Hi Mark,

Unfotunately I'm unable to attend the dyno run this weekend, I would have liked to look at the Durametric kit and would be interested to hear Maurice's view on it.

I'm not actually to concerned about how much power my car has, as far as I'm concerned its more than adequate, probably because I'm more used to old British sports cars.

I've contacted Durametric regarding ordering problems and apparently its quite common and results from how UK addresses differ from those in the USA

 

[Richard_Hamilton]

Where are you located John? I've got a Durametric, and would be happy to show you if you are anywhere near me (Maidenhead, Berks).

 

[JB 3.2]

Richard,

Thank you for the offer, I'm in Bedfordshire (about 60 miles from Maidenhead). Part of my work is in Hook so it may be possible to call in on my way past. I'll send an e-mail to make arrangments.

 

[Richard_Hamilton]

John

I (amongst others) seem to be having trouble receiving mail through the forum email system. You can mail me direct at:
richard996 at gmail d0t c0m
(excuse the obfuscation - an attempt to reduce spam)