ODB2....  The World Vs Holden Cars !! - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / general

author: GlennSprigg
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: July 06, 2018, 01:38:07 pm
content: Remember the days, for YEARS!, when one would simply short out pins 5 & 6 of your cars'ODB' computer connector, and 'interpret' the flashing-codes for the engine light fault details.UNFORTUNATELY, I'm in Australia, and it SEEMS (?) that 'Holden', (Aussie version of GM),has always (??) done things 'differently' regarding 'standardization' for ODB/ODB2 coding ?I've ordered a cheap, (yes... Chinese...) copy of an ODB2 BlueTooth device, (actually 2 for $14),https://www.ebay.com.au/itm/132461835733I think they are Gold Plated & Guaranteed for Life !!!! (Being facetious xoxoxox).You download a free smartphone App, which gives you total control of your cars computer !!!Putting aside the 'crap', they actually WORK, but my question is to AUSTRALIAN people mainly,is that is there TRUTH to the PROBLEMS with regard to our HOLDEN cars codings??

author: Halcyon
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: July 08, 2018, 01:57:39 am
content: I use the OBDLink MX product that was featured on Kickstarter some years ago and so far it works fine. I've used it on a handful of cars (including Holden) and haven't found an issue with it. As for "total control", that's not correct. The ODB2 port isn't designed to be a portal into the heart and soul of your car's ECU. It's a diagnostics tool. It's a bit like saying you could take total control of your computer's hardware via the USB port, it doesn't work that way.Not every car will support every OBD II command, for example you might not get certain sensor data from some cars because they don't include that particular sensor.Besides, Holden have bigger issues, mainly due to their cars being shit boxes.

author: German_EE
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: July 08, 2018, 08:56:28 am
content: I have two pins shoved into my OBD connector and I use the 12V to power the GPS via a 5V regulator. The socket is in just the right position and I can hide the cables behind the plastic panels. The last time I took the car in for a service I found a note tucked into the OBD panel when I collected it, it simply said "nice idea".

author: PTR_1275
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: July 08, 2018, 09:46:57 am
content: Not heard of issues with Holden’s, but nissans have been the one with odd codes. Code x means this sensor failure on most cars but a fuel pump failure on a Nissan.

author: Circlotron
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: July 08, 2018, 12:07:03 pm
content: Quote from: GlennSprigg on July 06, 2018, 01:38:07 pmThat sounds like the old ALDL connector.https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ALDLMessed around a bit with the Delco '808 ECU in my 5L VP some years ago.

author: GlennSprigg
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: July 09, 2018, 01:56:38 pm
content: Quote from: Halcyon on July 08, 2018, 01:57:39 amI understand mate, and I went overboard with the 'Total Control' bit !!!!Basically I meant read all faults, and reset them.But hey... 'Shit Boxes' xxxx. I guess you are a Ford man.

author: German_EE
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: July 09, 2018, 05:13:01 pm
content: When purchasing a car avoid the three F'sFiatFordFrench

author: Monkeh
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: July 09, 2018, 05:42:39 pm
content: Quote from: German_EE on July 09, 2018, 05:13:01 pmHey, I love it when it thinks my throttle is closed at speed. It makes driving interesting. And the rough idle is just character!

author: Halcyon
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: July 10, 2018, 02:36:55 am
content: Quote from: German_EE on July 09, 2018, 05:13:01 pmI think the list is much longer these days.You can add just about everything from the Volkswagen Group to that list. I would also not touch a Subaru.

author: cyclin_al
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: July 10, 2018, 03:59:37 am
content: Where I am, the name for Holden is Chevrolet/GMC (General Motors of Canada). Same product, different name.That device you have is selling you short. OBD2 is short for the 2nd version of On Board Diagnostics.Wikipedia has a decent description of what it offers here:https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/OBD-II_PIDsHere in North America, the OBD2 messages are legally required and are transmitted over a CANbus.All it lets you do is read a bunch of diagnostic codes. It does give you a lot more than the old OBD, where you could get basic code flashes on an LED.However, there are a lot of other messages on that CANbus that are proprietary. That is where things get interesting, but your tool does not give you capability to send/receive. Usually these messages go to and from the ECU (engine control unit) and BCU (body control unit). I assume (and hopefully will figure it out) that this port will allow to reflash the ECU.There is even more beyond that. Often times, there is another bus firewalled from the CANbus connected to the OBD port. For example, most Dodge vehicles (aka Fiat) have another CANbus with a wiring harness accessed by pulling out the radio/infotainment unit. From there, it is possible to access (and control some) features such as door locks, steering wheel angle and a whole lot more.All that to say, you need to go lower-level to CANbus if you want to take control. However, with greater control comes greater complexity. Good luck in figuring out the messages. Search for what other people have done with vehicles from the same family (regardless of what part of the world; it is probably the same parts inside).

author: Halcyon
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: July 10, 2018, 04:04:43 am
content: Quote from: GlennSprigg on July 09, 2018, 01:56:38 pmNope, they are just as rubbish. I'm a Volvo driver. And before you make the "old man" comment, those days are long gone. These days old, inept drivers tend to go for the Subaru Foresters and Outbacks, 10km/h under the speed limit, fog lights on and in hogging the right lane.Also a fun game I like to play: See how many Subaru's you can spot thatdon'thave at least one tail or headlight out. Trust me, once you start, you will notice them everywhere. It will do your head in.

author: cyclin_al
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: July 10, 2018, 04:25:31 am
content: @Halcyon,Funny! I think it depends on where you live. Here in Canada, my parents' generation loves the Legacy (we do not get the B4 or the GT here) and the Outback. Those are great for easy cruising. However, my father refuses to ride in my Forester; he thinks it is way too harsh a ride. I find the Forester suspension is actually more responsive than the Impreza, which is a good thing in my opinion. Okay, that just means the Impreza could be improved.Also, I was changing 3 or 4 headlight bulbs a year in Subarus back around 2007. However, my memory says the last time I changed a bulb was back in 2011.I no longer choose a favorite brand. Rather, some particular models are passable and others are unacceptable. I will stop now before I get into listing models.

author: John B
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: July 11, 2018, 02:54:52 am
content: Maybe search around for a built in code flasher. On some holden cars if you go though process of turning the key to the on position and hold the brake (obviously it can be more convoluted - like turn on and off multiple times), then the check engine light will flash any codes in memory to you.Just be glad there's some standardisation, Ive got a nissan with a CONSULT port....

author: calexanian
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: July 12, 2018, 02:12:27 am
content: Most cars used to have a code flash function. We used to read them with a multi meter off the OBD header. Some then would bury them in the digital dash menu where you could read them out, or it would just display the code. Now things are different. Its constantly evolving what the codes are and mean for each manufacturer and model. Canbus is still largely used, but the really deep down ECU and BCM whatever other modules there are are all proprietary and generally written in assembly. I have had some experience with this on both ends. Mercedes is well known for being a closed system. It only shows you what it wants you to see sort of thing. Also Fiat Chrysler are very closed. You can't do much of anything without factory support. Every week I hear somebody wanting to put a hellcat engine in something and it very rarely works out. The car of the future will come in three forms. a safe box that you get in and it delivers you somewhere like a package and somebody else takes care of it for you, A sporty super type car to show off with, and then a pickup truck, because there will always be a need for them. Most people will opt for the safe box, and who cares what makes it work.

author: GlennSprigg
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: July 12, 2018, 12:36:19 pm
content: Quote from: Halcyon on July 10, 2018, 04:04:43 amNaaa... no 'Old-Man' comments. (Though I'm one now!). A few points of digression for now though..........(1) I've always been a Holden guy, and spent many times rebuilding ALL engines from the 138 onwards.Although now (like all cars) they are wall to wall crap with antipolution and electronics. (Devil you know...).(2) My brother was a Ford man. Countless times he used to get me to drive to the Ford dealer to pick him up,while HIS was being fixed... He never got the Irony hahahaha....(3) While holidaying in England, I drove a 'Skoda' rental car. Wow... they used to have a bad name, but Iwas SO impressed with it !!!!!! (Small Diesel). If they had it here, I would DEFINITELY buy it !!!!!!The 'devices' will be here shortly, so I will report how they behave! (Comes with 2 of them).I mainly ordered it (them) for my Daughter inlaw who has a late model Holden V8, & often sees 'faults'.My 'missus' has a late model 'Hyundai Grandeur' which I want to test it on too....

author: Gromitt
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: July 12, 2018, 02:46:41 pm
content: Quote from: GlennSprigg on July 12, 2018, 12:36:19 pmWell, Skoda now is a Volkswagen with another skin.

author: Halcyon
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: July 13, 2018, 10:26:17 am
content: Quote from: GlennSprigg on July 12, 2018, 12:36:19 pmSkoda (being VW) are fine... when they work. Perfectly nice to drive otherwise. I personally wouldn't buy one just on VW's track record of (un)reliability alone.Speaking of brands, I get that not everyone will be able to afford a brand new Volvo or a decent Mercedes (yes, there are shit Mercs as well), but I drive a wide range of cars from the pool at work and I have to say the ones I'm most impressed with are Hyundai and Kia. Both have come a long, long way from what they used to be. Sure, they are built to a price and are by no means refined, luxury cars, but gees they pack some features in (that actually work) and are generally quite reliability. I really can't fault them considering their price tags.I'm particularly impressed with the adaptive cruise in Kia cars these days, I believe it's a combination of optical and radar input (someone will correct me if I'm wrong) but it actually does a half-decent job and I don't feel like it's about to drive me directly into the rear of the car in front of me. The same cannot be said for Subaru iSight, that system is just garbage. It's overly sensitive (which you can't adjust properly), fails when the camera view is blocked by a bit of morning sunlight and the drive is just jerky and unnerving. Given that most of the Subaru shit-boxes are CVTs, 'iSight' is constantly on the brakes in even a moderate amount of traffic as there is practically no engine braking at all. Even with that crap off, all the Subaru's I've driven to-date are gutless and tinny. The all-wheel drive is almost pointless in something that you have to mash the accelerator to the floor just to get it to go anywhere at a decent rate.The main thing I didn't like about Kia is that, from factory, there are all sorts of "bings" and "bongs" going on just during normal driving. Whether it be the speed camera alerts to the lane departure warnings, every warning has its own sound. Thankfully, most of that stuff can be muted (or turned off completely) in the settings, so you can customise it the way you want which is nice.