Diagnostic Testing at Motorhome Shows

[boosters]

I am getting more and more requests when remapping motorhomes for diagnostic checks on vehicles,mostly fiat and peugeots,also key programming etc.
I am thinking of offering this service at the motorhome shows we attend and would like feed back as to wether this service would benefit members and owners.
Regards
Alex

 

[MotorhomeWales]

We always tend to check for any stored or pending fault codes on the vehicle before and after re-mapping any motorhome.

 

[takeaflight]

I am getting more and more requests when remapping motor homes for diagnostic checks on vehicles,mostly fiat and peugeots,also key programming etc.
I am thinking of offering this service at the motorhome shows we attend and would like feed back as to wether this service would benefit members and owners.
Regards
Alex

I think it may be a good idea, however I am sad to say that IMHO it may be very cost sensitive. If you don't try you wont know, but best of luck.

It seams a lot of people will pay hundreds for a set of cooking pans but not a lot on services.

 

[hilldweller]

I think it may be a good idea, however I am sad to say that IMHO it may be very cost sensitive.

It must be when an ODB2 interface can be had for under £50.

Of course not everyone thinks they can use one but it's not rocket science.

 

[staging lady]

Sorry to appear thick but...
What does remapping a motorhome mean?
Changing from Tomtom to Garmin??
No seriously what is it and why would you have it done?

Be nice to me -- it's Mother's Day!

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[hilldweller]

Sorry to appear thick but...
What does remapping a motorhome mean?

The engine control computer has a list of settings on how much diesel to squirt into the engine for different throttle settings, speed, temperature. This is also known as a map. So for 2000rpm, half throttle and 30 degrees we inject XX amount of diesel. But there is no "correct" map, just compromises and the makers send out a reasonable set of figures for good economy and performance and to pass emission regulations.

Sometimes they send out a "devalued" map. Take the Mini, it went out with Map 1 but if you buy the Mini Copper it goes out with Map 2 which allows more performance. This is a quite common cheapskate trick for getting more money out of us with NO cost to them.

Our 2L engine struggled up hills, we had it re-mapped and now it goes up hills easily in a higher gear. The downside, it can use more fuel and there is a lot of wheelspin on wet corners, so you could say that Fiat had installed a map to cope with inexperienced drivers.

 

[Geo]

Just as there are little programs you can put on your computer,to make it run faster and better
You can re program (Re Map) your Motor home ECU (computer)
The vehicle manufacturer loads up the vehicles data Box (ECU) with what it believes to be a good "Average"" "all round" Program, along come the tuning boys and Re Map ie change the program to give you better settings that should improve, pulling power (Torque) and somtimes fuel consuption (MPG) and with a bit of luck both:thumb:
These new programs cost thousands of pounds to write and research, to make sure they dont damage your engines, and cost about £250 per copy to be installed (prices vary widely) some are written directly to your vehicles own ECU (Computer) over writing the original program, others are written to a little black Box that plugs into the ECU and works along side the original program
Hope that helps:thumb:
English Version
Happy Mothers Day
Geo

 

[andyman]

The biggest problem I can see with on site diagnostics is, how do you then do the repair. Yes you can find the fault but where do the spares come from. The owner will still need to get the vehicle repaired. If that don't cure the problem who gets the blame. The service would only be of benefit to the older M/H as up to 3 year old is under warranty. At £50 for a code reader us who mend and make do will probably know someone with a reader.

 

[staging lady]

The engine control computer has a list of settings on how much diesel to squirt into the engine for different throttle settings, speed, temperature. This is also known as a map....
Just as there are little programs you can put on your computer,to make it run faster and better
You can re program (Re Map) your Motor home ECU (computer)
The vehicle manufacturer loads up the vehicles data
Thanks Brian and Geo:thumb:. That was a big help,very easy to understand..Thank you Geo, for thr mother's day wishes.Brekkie in bed, some flowers ,daughters home, what more could a mum want!
Lucille

 

[dave newell]

Surely a diagnostics read will only be necessary if a fault condition is present and if that's the case how many drivers would ignore the warning light on the dashboard and go to a show??

Or am I being thick again?

D.

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[Geo]

£50 for a scanner Ive been robbed oh:
I paid over 5k for mine
And as im sure the other scanner members on here will confirm.
just because you have a light on it means there is always a problemoh:
And just because you havent got a light on it means there isnt a problem
scanners who trusts em
Bring back points and condensers, it was always one or the other:thumb:
Geo

 

[takeaflight]

When I last looked a star machine for the merc was around £5000, the local main dealer charges £100 plus vat for a reading an independent in Solihull charges £40.

 

[dave newell]

I have a basic OBD2 scanner that cost £58 but it won't do all vehicles and those it will do are often limited on what it will read. My mate two doors away has a "Launch" scanner that will do just about any vehicle with OBD and it can do an awful lot of things to them but it cost him the best part of a couple of grand. My OBD2 scanner has paid for itself several times over by being able to reset fault lights etc but its no way as good as the pro gear.

D.

 

[Wildman]

Bring back points and condensers, it was always one or the other:thumb:
Geo

what do you mean bring them back, I know its a while since I had petrol vehicle, where have they gone, have I missed something

 

[hogan]

Sorry to be thick but reading all these posts re scanners/lights obd2 whatever that is I have a problem
2 weeks ago I changed the fuel filter and since then I have had a red warning light on the dash (it looks like a injector).I have been to a couple of local garages one was a diesel specialist and they both told me I have to go to a Fiat dealer to have the light turned off.
The motor is running with no problems its a Fiat Ducato 2.8jtd.
Are they telling me the truth as I cannot get my motorhome into the local fiat dealer the roads are too narrow, As you can see I live in Spain so these things are not as simple as in good old Blighty.

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[Geo]

what do you mean bring them back, I know its a while since I had petrol vehicle, where have they gone, have I missed something

Sorry Mate they disappeared early to mid 90s old metro were the last if memory serve meoh:

 

[Geo]

Sorry to be thick but reading all these posts re scanners/lights obd2 whatever that is I have a problem
2 weeks ago I changed the fuel filter and since then I have had a red warning light on the dash (it looks like a injector).I have been to a couple of local garages one was a diesel specialist and they both told me I have to go to a Fiat dealer to have the light turned off.
The motor is running with no problems its a Fiat Ducato 2.8jtd.
Are they telling me the truth as I cannot get my motorhome into the local fiat dealer the roads are too narrow, As you can see I live in Spain so these things are not as simple as in good old Blighty.

If it happened as a result of changing the filter, it probably is just a glitch,However it does req scanning and turning off to eliminate a possible fault any suitably equipped garage should be able to scan it for you not just Fiat, unless the Diesel experts tried and failed, ie not communicating with them,then it will have to be Fiatoh:
Geo

 

[hilldweller]

they both told me I have to go to a Fiat dealer to have the light turned off.

Do a search of ebay for ODB2 and ask a suitable vendor if his gadget will do it.

Some are stand alone hand held devices, mine is a USB interface to my laptop, ELMSCAN. Cheap and cheerful but it's saved me much money. If you can get a cheap one to look at and clear the fault flag then it's probably cheaper than a garage would charge you.

And, you've got it for the next problem.