Fault Code Reader woes
Discussion
I'm wondering if some you can help me with my Fault Code Reader issues. I have one of the Gunson Ford numeric fault code readers pictured below but I've never been content with the results.
For a start, the instructions that come with it are woeful e.g. telling you to look for lights on the unit that quite simply don't exist or are in a different place to that described. In search of better EEC-IV FCR instructions, I was offered these, which are somewhat more in depth. But following both instructions the only thing I ever get is a code 11 and code 10; whilst that might be ideal if it proved your car is working fine, it's not so great when your car is running rough AND you have the ISCV unplugged (how can it not notice the ISCV is unplugged?!). The more in-depth instructions suggest that when placed in test mode with engine off I should hear clicking sounds as it tests solenoids but I hear nothing and get a code 11. I don't seem to get any pulsing to indicate number of engine cylinders, there is no rising and falling of engine revs when it does the key on engine running test, I just get a code 11 after a few seconds.
So where am I going wrong? Is the code reader rubbish? Are all of the instructions wrong? Am I being a biff? Why on earth is my fault code reader not recognising that a key component the system (the ISCV) isn't even plugged in and still passing the idle test!?
Any help gratefully received!
For a start, the instructions that come with it are woeful e.g. telling you to look for lights on the unit that quite simply don't exist or are in a different place to that described. In search of better EEC-IV FCR instructions, I was offered these, which are somewhat more in depth. But following both instructions the only thing I ever get is a code 11 and code 10; whilst that might be ideal if it proved your car is working fine, it's not so great when your car is running rough AND you have the ISCV unplugged (how can it not notice the ISCV is unplugged?!). The more in-depth instructions suggest that when placed in test mode with engine off I should hear clicking sounds as it tests solenoids but I hear nothing and get a code 11. I don't seem to get any pulsing to indicate number of engine cylinders, there is no rising and falling of engine revs when it does the key on engine running test, I just get a code 11 after a few seconds.
So where am I going wrong? Is the code reader rubbish? Are all of the instructions wrong? Am I being a biff? Why on earth is my fault code reader not recognising that a key component the system (the ISCV) isn't even plugged in and still passing the idle test!?
Any help gratefully received!
The problem I had was that the plug on the car which seemed to want to fit the socket on the Gunson 77032 was in fact the octane adjust plug!
I identified the flat plug which connected to the correct pins on the ECU: next problem was which wire on the Gunson to connect each of these to.
I got advice from several of the extremely helpful guys on here and made a temporary connection.
The only outputs I got told me that the power-steering pump switch wasn't responding (!) and that KAM (keep-alive-memory) power wasn't present. KAM power should be on pin 1 of the ECU so I checked it (key off) and sure enough there was no power: it was fed from the ignition switch. I isolated the cable to it, and jumped a permanently live fused connection from the radio connector to it.
I now have a diagnostic reader that makes sense! It responds to things being disconnected; it tells me that both banks are permanently running rich (for which I now have an explanation). And it still tells me that the PSPS is disconnected! I've left it hard-wired, living in the glove box for instant access.
Sorry there is no actual advice on the connections above: my record-keeping is lousy! However I'll go and check the connections on the car later in the day, and report back. Please bear in mind that mine is (mostly) S3C.
Were you asking earlier about fuel pressure? Sorry, I was away when you posted. But I do have a Chinese gauge which seems to work well, and would be happy to lend it. I may not be too far away for you to call and pick it up? My nearest town is Trowbridge, Wilts. Or I could mail it, but will need it again myself in a couple of weeks.
I identified the flat plug which connected to the correct pins on the ECU: next problem was which wire on the Gunson to connect each of these to.
I got advice from several of the extremely helpful guys on here and made a temporary connection.
The only outputs I got told me that the power-steering pump switch wasn't responding (!) and that KAM (keep-alive-memory) power wasn't present. KAM power should be on pin 1 of the ECU so I checked it (key off) and sure enough there was no power: it was fed from the ignition switch. I isolated the cable to it, and jumped a permanently live fused connection from the radio connector to it.
I now have a diagnostic reader that makes sense! It responds to things being disconnected; it tells me that both banks are permanently running rich (for which I now have an explanation). And it still tells me that the PSPS is disconnected! I've left it hard-wired, living in the glove box for instant access.
Sorry there is no actual advice on the connections above: my record-keeping is lousy! However I'll go and check the connections on the car later in the day, and report back. Please bear in mind that mine is (mostly) S3C.
Were you asking earlier about fuel pressure? Sorry, I was away when you posted. But I do have a Chinese gauge which seems to work well, and would be happy to lend it. I may not be too far away for you to call and pick it up? My nearest town is Trowbridge, Wilts. Or I could mail it, but will need it again myself in a couple of weeks.
John, thanks for the info. The previous owner Mark was very switched on with his mechanics and had previously used the the STAR tester successfully and I've also had a code 23 when I disconnected the TPS so unfortunately I suspect the problem is with the user (i.e. Me!). I presume I'm either using it wrong or I'm expecting too much out of it.
When you connect yours, do you get any kind of response from the engine as though the ECU is testing the various sensors and solenoids? I have my ISCV disconnected to get around a previously discussed idle problem, so I can't expect any ECU controlled rev changes, but I would expect even the basic EEC-IV diagnostics to tell me that?
And yes, it was me that was discussing fuel pressure, well remembered! I've had a rough running problem with mine which I suspect is over-fuelling (further evidenced by a spark plug check yesterday which showed they are all pretty badly dry fouled). It would be great to be able to have the use of your fuel pressure tester rather than just blindly replace bits (not least because I can't find a new fuel pressure regulator!), so thanks for the offer. I'm about 1:45 away (other side of Oxford) so will try drop you an email now...
When you connect yours, do you get any kind of response from the engine as though the ECU is testing the various sensors and solenoids? I have my ISCV disconnected to get around a previously discussed idle problem, so I can't expect any ECU controlled rev changes, but I would expect even the basic EEC-IV diagnostics to tell me that?
And yes, it was me that was discussing fuel pressure, well remembered! I've had a rough running problem with mine which I suspect is over-fuelling (further evidenced by a spark plug check yesterday which showed they are all pretty badly dry fouled). It would be great to be able to have the use of your fuel pressure tester rather than just blindly replace bits (not least because I can't find a new fuel pressure regulator!), so thanks for the offer. I'm about 1:45 away (other side of Oxford) so will try drop you an email now...
I've never used the Gunson one, so no expert, but I'd be surprised if it will do the running sequence tests the way a 'star tester' would, as this will be specific to the Ford ECU. There are a couple of star testers in the community which are available for loan if it helps ( I have one and also Phillpot I think)
Edited by RayTVR on Tuesday 11th October 19:28
Hi, I have the gunson reader and have found it fine - although I've only needed the ignition on/engine off test and wiggle test before. I've not done the engine on tests. Using the star tester instructions that Norman wrote in combination with the (poor) instructions on the box I can get good results.
I can do some tests and see if mine will detect an unconnected iscv if you want, but won't be until next week.
Ralph
I can do some tests and see if mine will detect an unconnected iscv if you want, but won't be until next week.
Ralph
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