MatraSport Forum

Hello!

It has been some time since I last wrote a message in this nice forum. This time is about the ECUs on my 1999 Espace V6 24V

I bought an AUTEL Maxidiag JP701 reader to get some info from another of my cars, a 2000 Mitsubishi Carisma 1.8 GDI. Well, success with it was not great, as I only got the 'no error codes stored' message, while I know there are some!

So today I have checked the unit with my brother's 2008 Honda Jazz. Wow, what a difference!. I could even get real time measurements. My next (used as always) car will be OBD-II compliant, for sure  :o  :o !!!

Then I have decided to try luck with the Espace. Yesterday night I had read several messages on this forum abut it and was not really too confident. But as I saw that the Espace had a CAN bus controller (it says so in the electronics box besides the fuses), I wanted to give it a try.

First thing I had to do was to hack my JP701 reader, which is intended for Japanese cars (the one needed was the FR704) to add Renault cars as well. I found the info and it is just a matter of adding, by USB, another file to the unit. Pretty neat and easy  :D !!!

So I have connected the reader to the OBD connector and have tried first autoscan with OBD-II/EOBD modes, which in turns check all kind of interfaces, from KWP-2000 to several CAN systems, to ISOs and so on. But no luck, as expected.

Then I have entered the Renault menu for non-OBD-II cars and have found that there was an Espace model selectable and also two Espace IV models (one of them Phase II). So I have selected Espace and then Petrol engine... and, yes, it has connected to the car bus  :o  :o

So I have tested then Engine ECU and have got three errors, one current and two stored. And they make some sense, I think, as two of them relate to O2 sensor loop while the other is a configuration error (which could be due to a battery disconnect some time ago). Then I have tried ABS ECU and it has also connected, giving no errors. And then I have checked AIRBAG ECU and have got some open circuit errors in a couple front lateral sensors, which could be just real. The only ECU which has refused to talk is the AT ECU (transmission). For the three ECUs I have got also some info (model codes and such)

All in all, I have had no guts (yet  ::) ) to clear errors, just in case I fried something  ;D. But it seems that the communication and decoding is done nicely. What do you think?

Best regards,

JOSE

Don't worry about clearing codes. I use the 704 all the time on mine. especially the o2 sensor fault. It is a good unit to have as it reports the code details. It does not do the auto transmition on any that I have tried. I also have a chinese clone 'Clip' this works great as it is a copy of what the dealer uses. But the 704 is great as it is so fast, ot having to have to boot up a computer. Good luck :)

Hi Brian,


Please, could you elaborate a bit about this comment ?


I don't know if you want to say that it is not important to get an O2 sensor fault or it is the cause for you to use the 704  ;)

Thanks and best regards,

JOSE

The 02 fault is "always" present on the Espace 24v, probably more a software issue than a real life problem.

Hello!


OK, thanks a lot!!!. I was wondering how it didn't trigger the engine error light  ;)!!!

Now I am more confident in my car  ;D

BTW, Airbag ECU reported also some problems. I will check them and comment here, just in case you coud help. I recall they were about open circuits in lateral sensors or something similar.

Best regards,

JOSE

"Always" the connectors under the front seats causing open circuit problems. No need to clear faultcodes, just fix the connection and the bag ecu selftest checks it out ok.

Hi Tom,


OK, thanks!. Will do as soon as possible.

It has been a great help  :D !!!

Regards,

JOSE

Hi José, great to hear from you here again! :)

I've got the same experiences Tom is mentioning: O2 fault code is "always" there (the software developer who put it in probably has a brother in law or something with shares in an O2-sensor production facility! ;) ), and the side airbag connector under the seat always gives problems.

It's the brown connector in this photo:

(http://gallery.dinsen.net/d/15285-2/DSC_3883.JPG)

And the way to fix it:

(http://gallery.dinsen.net/d/15291-2/DSC_3886.JPG)

/Anders

O2 sensor fault will always show up as the engine is not running.
If you can check the ECU with the car running you will find the fault is not there anymore.