Diagnostic Tool / OBDII reader.

[AddLightness]

Hi All,

 

Is there an advanced reader out there that goes beyond typical generic codes for the 2.0 Duratec used in a 2016 model?

Currently we are seeing it has a bad 02 sensor and plugs are fouled but we are hoping to find a better tool. Any suggestions would be of great help!

 

[MV8]

Probably not a Ford ECU. MBE comes to mind.  Having an OBD port to plug into is only half the battle. You will probably need a tuner program to run on a lap top with a serial to OBD cable to communicate. There will likely be a BIN file to install so the universal tuner program will show the correct information based on the cars ECU outputs. The standard handheld reader is not much use.

 

Find your ECU and the part numbers on it. Maybe post a pic or two...

Edited October 15 by MV8

[Croc]

 

I am surprised you got any codes to read off an OBDII reader?

 

2017 360 should be a 2L Duratec with a MBE 9A4 ECU - confirm by looking for a sticker label on the top of the ECU, usually on the shelf in front of the firewall in the engine bay.

 

You need the proprietary cable from SBD plus Easimap software.  Easimap can be downloaded for free plus the expensive cable (plus tariffs) is also here:

https://sbdmotorsport.co.uk/product-category/engine-management/programming-your-engine/

 

You should have the OBDII looking J1962 connector under the dash.  Howver, while its CAN, it is not OBDII signal.  So OBDII usually struggle which is why you need Easimap and the proprietary cable. 

 

Even then, lets say you buy all this and hook it up, Caterham send the cars with a locked ECU tune - its password protected.   You then need to buy the time from SBD to diagnose stuff remotely in the UK.  

 

Then you discover the real problem - Easimap is tuning software.  Its not designed to diagnose faulty components like an OBBDII diagnostic tool.  Sure it is a better view into what the engine is producing but its not going to give you a simple answer.

 

You can also get diagnostic information on the engine from an AIM Solo D2 with the OBDII engine kit - you just set the car to Noble (they used MBE ECU) but this is really limited compared to Easimap.  While I did it to assist me once on an intake temp issue, I would not recommend this way.    

 

So you are back to square one and need to diagnose the engine in first principles manner as if it is pre-OBDII.   I'd start with the faulty O2 sensor.  Its cheap compared with the tuning software kit, so replace it and try again.  Then we all have fun trying to help you think through the problem on here.  

 

Welcome to the world of Caterham!

 

 

 

 

[AddLightness]

"Welcome to the wonderful world of Caterham" sure has a diabolical tone to it, lol :-)

 

I appreciate all that insight, I really do, so it feels like the response from you both is related to tuning and I should have provided more clarity in that I am having basic engine operation problems. My apologies for not stating that. I am really trying to collect live data to pin point where the engine is running below par. Would that still be going the route of that cable from SBD? Thanks again for the help!

[speedwagon]

   welcome to the new world order. I have a nearly 20 year old Toyota hybrid and 26lbs of "factory" Manuals that tel you how to replace " modules" only, the wiring is really just a block diagram. The dealer "mechanics" can hook it up to a computer that will tel them what to do. (So it is easter-egging with a sniffer dog (the computer) leading him to the possibly right module.  Yes it will likely go 300k but if "you" are properly "serviced" by the stealership it will cost in the neighborhood of 150k.  As a former tech-y i find that carbs are not so bad.  As are roll-up windows and road maps.

 

[MV8]

Were the plugs checked when you received the car? How many miles have you put on it before issues? Did the previous owners modify? Are the plugs installed the correct plugs? Did it spent a lot of time idling monthly without driving? So many things can foul plugs. As Croc said, replace and try again especially if you don't know what it was subjected to.

 

Some pics around the engine bay might provide a clue for us.