[RSR]

a4anurag, 6zene & DerAlte - thank you very much, gentlemen!

Originally Posted by 6zene

I think you are referring to P0341 (and not P0431); please correct if that is wrong.

Originally Posted by DerAlte

P0431 is Exhaust related (leaks, O2 sensor etc.). Camshaft position sensor related is P0341.

Oops, my bad! The error code was indeed P0341 - sorry about that unintentional numerical spoonerism in my query.

Originally Posted by a4anurag

Have you tried resetting the ECU once?

Why not try disconnecting the battery for 10-15 minutes and reconnect it and check if the CEL triggers again or no. What does TASS have to say for this issue?

Originally Posted by 6zene

Anyhow, as Anurag suggested, try resetting the code and see it for few days. If it lights on again, then you would need professional help. I am guessing that wiring at the sensor is at fault. In worst case, you would need to get the sensor replaced.

Yes, the error code was erased through the OBD port after visually checking the wiring for cuts/rat bites etc. and cleaning the sensor & connectors. The CEL went off after erasing the code, only to light up again after driving for a few kilometres (due to the same error code being set). This must be indication of a persistent problem, I guess.

On looking up the error code online, it seems it could also be caused by a timing belt or a reluctor wheel that's going bad. I suppose these should also be checked/inspected.

The car has not been taken to a Tata authorised workshop yet.

Originally Posted by DerAlte

If cleaning the sensor connector and reconnecting didn't solve the issue, then the sensor (it is a simple reluctance sensor) needs to be replaced. To know whether the sensor is really at fault, ask the service guys to disconnect the Crankshaft position sensor and try start the car. If the Camshaft position sensor is bad, the car won't start.

This sounds like an easy and excellent way of checking the sensor - thank you!

So if I understand correctly, the crankshaft position sensor has to be disconnected and the car started. If the camshaft position sensor has gone bad, then the car won't start when the other one stays disconnected. If it starts, then one has to look elsewhere (i.e. related components) for the problem I guess.

-------------------------

I have one more noob question, not related to this issue.

Is it possible to repair a car's ECU? I guess it would have to be replaced if it has gone dead and cannot be brought back to life, but is it possible to open it up and perform repairs? Has this been done (or attempted) before by folks here? I bet the manufacturer authorised dealership workshops and service centres would be more intent on replacing the ECU and save themselves the hassle of repairing it (& of course, earn a tidy sum by putting in a new one) , but are there specialist workshops/technical people who perform such things?

[DerAlte]

Originally Posted by RSR

... it seems it could also be caused by a timing belt or a reluctor wheel that's going bad. I suppose these should also be checked/inspected.

The car has not been taken to a Tata authorised workshop yet. ...

Please do take the car to the A.S.S. ASAP - they have all the tools to check and detect.

There is nothing that can go wrong with the gear wheel whose teeth the sensor senses. Timing belt just supplies power to the camshaft - it is not used for 'timing', which the ECU does.

Originally Posted by RSR

... So if I understand correctly, the crankshaft position sensor has to be disconnected and the car started. If the camshaft position sensor has gone bad, then the car won't start when the other one stays disconnected. If it starts, then one has to look elsewhere for the problem I guess. ...

Correct. The Camshaft position sensor is backup for the Crankshaft position sensor. If Crankshaft position sensor fails, or is giving erratic readings, the ECU uses the Camshaft position sensor instead of the Crankshaft one. If both are bad for any reason, the ECU can't start / run the engine.

Originally Posted by RSR

... Is it possible to repair a car's ECU? I guess it would have to be replaced if it has gone dead and cannot be brought back to life, but is it possible to open it up and perform repairs? ... but are there specialist workshops/technical people who perform such things?

Possible, but never recommended. Replacing the ECU is the best method. But, very few ECUs go bad enough to need repair or replacement.

1. It is not a trivial job, given the complexity and miniaturization of today's electronics

2. Schematics are not handed out by the manufacturers of ECUs - they don't have any A.S.S. centers for ECUs, and faulty ones have to go back to them

3. SMD components can be replaced, but the 'experienced specialists' usually attempt only to replace only stuff that has obviously gone kaput by overheating - something one can visually detect. The rest of what those 'specialists' talk about is aspirational, not reality

[Jeroen]

Originally Posted by RSR

Is it possible to repair a car's ECU? I guess it would have to be replaced if it has gone dead and cannot be brought back to life, but is it possible to open it up and perform repairs? Has this been done (or attempted) before by folks here? I bet the manufacturer authorised dealership workshops and service centres would be more intent on replacing the ECU and save themselves the hassle of repairing it (& of course, earn a tidy sum by putting in a new one) , but are there specialist workshops/technical people who perform such things?

I really can't say here in India, but back in Europe and the USA there are a number of specialist shops that can service just about any electronic part.

It might be a bit of a problem on relatively new cars as it usually takes a while for these guys to gear up, get hold of the diagrams, manuals etc.


Here are a couple of them, the first one seems to doing so on modern state of the cars as well

http://www.autokey.ie

http://www.foreignecurepair.com/rnr.htm

Jeroen

[TheQuarterMile]

Just want to confirm if the 2007 manufactured Ford Fiesta 1.4 is OBD - II compliant?

[a4anurag]

Originally Posted by TheQuarterMile

Just want to confirm if the 2007 manufactured Ford Fiesta 1.4 is OBD - II compliant?

I doubt if it is compliant.

2009 onwards is OBD-2, so please check and then buy if you are planning to.

Anurag.

[TheQuarterMile]

Can anyone with a Fiesta please confirm?

[dhanushs]

Originally Posted by TheQuarterMile

Just want to confirm if the 2007 manufactured Ford Fiesta 1.4 is OBD - II compliant?

Originally Posted by a4anurag

I doubt if it is compliant.

2009 onwards is OBD-2, so please check and then buy if you are planning to.

Anurag.

Yes the Fiesta is OBD 2 compliant.

IIRC, from 2000 it's OBD 2 .

[tharian]

Not sure if this was asked earlier.

Is there any problem in leaving the OBD hardware plugged in the port of the car always?

I don't want to keep unplugging it and plugging it every time I use the car.
In this way, I can step in the car and the app will automatically detect the hardware and start working.

[a4anurag]

Originally Posted by tharian

Not sure if this was asked earlier.

Is there any problem in leaving the OBD hardware plugged in the port of the car always?

I don't want to keep unplugging it and plugging it every time I use the car.
In this way, I can step in the car and the app will automatically detect the hardware and start working.

Not at all. You can leave it plugged in all times. Plugging it in and out frequently may damage the port/pins.

Anurag.

[tharian]

Any idea how accurate the WHP reading on the Torque Pro app is?

I did few runs with it by doing a rolling start in 3rd at around 15kmph and went upto 100kmph and it showed a figure on all runs which was 6bhp more compared RRP dyno test 3 years back

Note : the runs were done on a non-public road with no traffic or people around

[nawanisk]

Hi Everybody!

I had been reading a lot of posts related to a number of topics. Presently I'm working on a few things that are related to deriving better output from each unit of gasoline fuel and the results are encouraging. Anyway, this post is not about those things but about OBD as the thread mentions it. I'm planning and preparing to fit and utilize an OBD communication device on my test car and was researching a lot. While doing so on the net I came across some useful information which, in my humble opinion, may be of some use to fellow members so posting the link here:

http://www.onboarddiagnostics.com/page03.htm

It is about Pin outs and OBD-II Network Standards.

Though I do have a lot of questions to ask but I think that I've to categorize them first, in accordance with forum topics.

Regards,

Samarth Kumar Nawani.

[Styler]

Hi Guys
I just got a ELM327 OBD2 Wireless Adapter and I am using the DashCommand App in my Iphone.
I connected to my Toyota Camry 2007 and it works well but this app will not have Indian Cars like Scorpio etc in the Database.
I want to know what are the good apps or Windows Software for the OBD2.
It would be nice to have an app and Laptop Software which has Indian Cars in the database.
Styler

[6zene]

Originally Posted by tharian

Not sure if this was asked earlier.

Is there any problem in leaving the OBD hardware plugged in the port of the car always?

I don't want to keep unplugging it and plugging it every time I use the car.
In this way, I can step in the car and the app will automatically detect the hardware and start working.

I have been testing OBD hardware from Chinese and Indian manufacturers. My car's battery got drained in 2 of the cases - one each for Indian and Chinese manufacturer (please note that I drive it everyday).

I would blame that to faulty circuitry and not forcing the ICs to go in sleep mode when not in use. If you plan on leaving the car for more than 5-6 days, then don't take a chance.

[tharian]

Originally Posted by 6zene

I have been testing OBD hardware from Chinese and Indian manufacturers. My car's battery got drained in 2 of the cases - one each for Indian and Chinese manufacturer (please note that I drive it everyday).

I would blame that to faulty circuitry and not forcing the ICs to go in sleep mode when not in use. If you plan on leaving the car for more than 5-6 days, then don't take a chance.

My car is used only on weekends and the OBD has been plugged in since last two weeks. I cranked it last weekend after 5 days of idle and it cranked fine. But I had a feeling too about this and more over my battery is 4+ years, so i guess I will disconnect it.

[6zene]

Originally Posted by tharian

My car is used only on weekends and the OBD has been plugged in since last two weeks. I cranked it last weekend after 5 days of idle and it cranked fine. But I had a feeling too about this and more over my battery is 4+ years, so i guess I will disconnect it.

If you are using one of those devices that have on/off button, then you should be fine. I have had interesting experiences: one device made weird sounds that I believed it was going to blast, another got burning hot, yet another drained the battery

Thing is, focus of most bluetooth/wifi OBD dongle manufacturers is diagnostic and the dongles are supposed to be plugged in only when you/mechanic needs to fetch diagnostic data from the ECUs. But with current focus on connected cars products, the scenario is changing.