Code reader

[biggoolies]

Hi:
Ran into a check engine light on a long trip. We made it home but I came to the conclusion that I will need some sort of code reader. Now I see you can get some that are low dollars or the Mitsubishi MUT 3 automotive diagnostic scanner tool for over a $1000. What do others use? Does anyone have this diagnostic tool? Do you recommend having it?

 

[JRhetts]

I cannot help you with the MUT 3 — although I would like to know more about it. I believe having accurate diagnostic info available is really key in making quick and accurate repairs, esp. when in foreign countries that don't have a lot of experience with the specific truck and its computers. If you know what you really need, you can always have it shipped in.

I found that my 2007 Fuso FM260 does NOT offer OBDII-compliant data. My vehicle has an OBDII-form factor plug in the glove box on the dash, but OBDII-compliant data does not show up at this plug. Because I struggled for >1yr with low turbo boost, I wanted to be able to monitor a number of variables that should be available in an OBDII data stream. But neither I nor a very technically sophisticated chip designer who knew Mitsubishi trucks well could find a way to get interpretable data from the port in my truck.

The explanation I was given by Mitsubishi is that there was an exception made from 1996 to 2010 by DOT re: trucks, that they did not have to conform to the requirements for automobiles sold in the US. However, since 2010 trucks have to conform too.

I was also told by Mitsubishi that ONLY a dealer can purchase their MUT equipment; that when a new version comes out the dealer has to return the older version in order to get the later one [I was sniffing getting an 'obsolete' unit if possible.]

I noticed that there is a unit being offered on ebay, from a seller in Hong Kong. I have written to ask if this unit will work on a 2007 diesel FM260, and specifically what ecu programming it can perform. Will post after I (may) get a response.

If anyone knows more about any of this, PLEASE POST!!!

John

 

[mog]

A big +1 on this info. I'd sure like to be able to read OBD data.
I run Scangauges ( http://www.scangauge.com/) ) on all my vehicles, and find them very useful.
I have the same setup (almost) as John about. A MUT data connection with a weak-a** OBDII connector wired into the the same wires (lower passenger kickpanel on my 2002 Fuso FG), that gives no data to OBDII scanners or Scangauge units. I wonder why they wire in a OBDII connector if there is no data there?
OBDII data would be the cat's-panamas.

 

[lehel1]

code readers

hello all

i bought a $180 code reader at napa. at least for my 08 fg i can tell you this reader will read at least some of the codes and erase errors.

my story, our very first camping trip in our new camper had at first the yellow check engine light come on then the red and then the engine go into limp mode. we were up in the seirras at 10500 ft and 20 degrees outside 60 miles from bishop. well we did enjoy our first night in our new camper even not the location we had planned. a call to fuso had us being told only the dealer could read the codes and diagnose the problem and i would have to be towed 300 + miles to sacramento the nearest dealer.
we decided to limp into bishop with the agreement with fuso and soon the truck wouldnt start back up after stopping. up to this point stopping for awhile after limp mode i could restart the truck and drive a short distance. at this time i considered the fuel system as a possible problem and tried pumping the fuel hand pump behind the gas tank and only heard air. pumped it up till it got pressure and what do you know the truck ran as new and we drove to bishop as normal but with the lights still on. all the time on the tele with fuso (which were great as we had one guy we could keep in touch with)
based on this fuso agreed to overnighted a fuel filter (i now carry oil and fuel filters in the truck) and had it changed. fuso still told us we had to go to the dealer to errase the codes and we thought i trip was over. the mechaninc said thats not true, ran the codes with his scanner and we tried the one we bought and they both read low fuel pressure and errased the codes.
i called fuso to confirm what we were doing even after telling them what happened they still told us we werent able to do that.
later talking to a fuso rep and voicing my concern in buying the wrong truck to do remote traveling in i was told there are exceptions. the really scary part is being told certain things are not under warranty, and the fuel filter is one of them which means we would have had to pay for that 300 mile tow.
i am very happy with the truck now. twice ive had codes come on and have been able to read and errase the codes with my cheap reader.

as well, we change our fuel filter every 10k miles or sooner. there is a considerable difference in performance after changing and at some point we will ad a second filter. our check engine light issue we had less than 11k mile on our truck.

 

[SkiFreak]

Lehel,

I am interested in knowing what brand and model of reader you bought.
I got one from scantool.netl in the hope that it would work, but the software reported that the ECU was not OBD-II compliant. The actual unit seemed to be receiving data fine, so I am wondering if it was just the software that was the problem.
You can buy a MUT-III reader online, which is meant to be a specific Mistsubishi/Fuso reader, but they cost about a grand (from China). If there is a cheaper option that works, naturally I would prefer to go down that route...

As your tale highlights, a simple user serviceable component or faulty sensor can put the truck into limp home mode. Not being able to retrieve the ECU error codes normally means that you cannot identify the cause of such issues. Any vehicle that you buy these days will have an ECU, so in order to identify any engine issue it is mandatory to be able to read the computer's error codes.

BTW... Here were often get crappy diesel fuel so I did not have to think twice about fitting a second fuel filter/water trap on my truck. A relatively cheap insurance policy against doing fuel system damage, in my opinion. If you also fit a vacuum gauge, as I have, then you can tell the condition of the fuel filter at a glance. If there is no vacuum (or very little) then the filter element is clean. Putting it before the OEM filter also gives the OEM filter a longer usable life.

 

[JRhetts]

I have been digging in to the MUT-III readers available on eBay from China [Hong Kong]. A Fuso dealer I have worked with extensively said the advertised device [if it really is what is pictured] is exactly what he uses in the shop.

At my request, a friend who designs and produces programming chips also looked at the eBay listing and I have quoted what he said below:

Nice to hear from you. Sounds like you were living the dream up in the Yukon. Coincidently I was researching the MUT-III a few weeks ago but for a different reason. I have a Mitsubishi Montero that needs a software update for a check engine light and I do not want to drive it [a long distance] to have it programmed.
The item you see on ebay is a clone tool. It is basically a counterfeit of the original factory tool. The Chinese make them for every make of vehicle and they are of varying quality. Some of them are completely indistinguishable from the factory tool while others are utter garbage. I suspect that these MUT tools are probably ok and will do what the factory tool does.
I am not sure that this unit will do anything useful for you, while it would perform diagnostics and software updating it is not going to give you the ability to change any parameters to potentially fix the problem you are having. It would basically give you the functionality of the dealer tool. The price of this unit is a bit high if you look on ebay a bit more you should find them in the $800 price range.

These tools are also available for rental from Mitsubishi. I am not sure if the rental units would have the truck cables but I suspect that they do you can look at the info and see what you think. The rental price is $250 with the shipping and you get it for 2 weeks. Here is a link to the info. http://www.mitsubishi-motors.ca/media/pdf/Rental_Agreement_EN.pdf

 

[mog]

i bought a $180 code reader at napa. at least for my 08 fg i can tell you this reader will read at least some of the codes and erase errors.

That is great to hear, perhaps there is some hope. I'm guessing since your truck is much newer then mine, that might be the reason.
My connections have very few wires:
MUT- 3 wires; green, blue, yellow
OBDII- 2 wires; blue/red, green
2 connectors labeled DIAG CHECK (green/yellow,black) and MEMORY CLEAR (blue/red, red/blue)

Since my OBDII connector looks to be a factory installed connector, I wonder why they would provide a OBDII port, if they are not sending any data there?

My connectors:
CLICK photo to enlarge


Clip of schematic: (2000 & pre) {no sign of OBDII connector that is factory wired in}
CLICK photo to enlarge
View attachment 132655

Link to 'data' information from manual (2000)
http://996.i8.com/fuso%20MUT-II.pdf (10 pages)

 

[westyss]

Well it sure seems like there is not much information to be had on this problem, or at least not a cost effective solution yet, a question for those that know more on this subject than me, if you disconnect the batteries from the ECU will the ECU reset the codes or is there some way that the ECU stores that information, I might still be in the dark ages but I recall diconnecting the batteries to re-set the error codes in an OBD-1 system and unless the error comes up again it will not show the error, is there another small battery somewhere like our computers that will always provide some power to prevent memory loss?? I know this doesn't solve the error but it might be something to get the truck out of limp home mode etc. if you did manage to fix the problem.

On a bit of a side note, has anyone gone out and bought another ECU?? If so, how much are they?

 

[JRhetts]

In the shop manual for my FM260 [may be different for FG's], two procedures are offered for reading and clearing error or fault codes. One involves the MUT-III reader, which I am still pursuing.

The second involves manipulating [i.e., unplugging and plugging in] two plugs found in among my main fuses: a "diagnosis" plug, and a "memory" plug — all the while counting flashes of the 'check engine' light on the instrument display.

This may sound awkward, and I can testify it is. The plugs are on the passenger side of the cab, while the check engine light is on the driver side, and sunlight tends to make it hard to discern flashes accurately. [I had to clear a common rail overpressure code four separate times while evaluating turbo performance on my truck.] Nevertheless, it is certainly doable, as my doing it four separate times indicates. [I went into limp mode each time, so clearing was very important to me.]

If you have a shop manual, try looking up 'reset code'; in my electronic version I searched only for 'reset' and got right to it.

If you need more info, I could copy and post a .jpeg image of my manual for you here or via email.

John

 

[SkiFreak]

if you disconnect the batteries from the ECU will the ECU reset the codes or is there some way that the ECU stores that information

No. You need to go through a set procedure to clear/reset the error codes.
Your truck, like mine, can have the error and ECU codes cleared via the fuse panel.
I believe that the errors are written to a flash ROM, so no battery power is required to maintain them.
If you disconnect the batteries then the truck will go through some basic self diagnosis when the ignition key is turned to the on position. You will see the gauges move to specific positions, then everything will zero out after about 5 seconds.

On a bit of a side note, has anyone gone out and bought another ECU?? If so, how much are they?

For some unexplainable reason, the Fuso ECU is about 4 times the cost of an Isuzu ECU. In Oz the Fuso ECU is about $5K!

 

[mog]

The second involves manipulating [i.e., unplugging and plugging in] two plugs found in among my main fuses: a "diagnosis" plug, and a "memory" plug — all the while counting flashes of the 'check engine' light on the instrument display.

John,
Thanks, great information there. I did not see that procedure in my manual until I did your suggested search.
It is nice to know I can read fault codes without a $1000+ MUT.
Surly not as convenient, but do-able. On the corporate jets I work on, the DEECs (engine computers) have the same set-up. We can download 'faults' and all operating data via a 'box' to a computer, but also can read fault codes via a flashing light in the cockpit. Not very easy, but you get good at reading a blink light (it is best to have 2 people 'reading' the blinks and then comparing the results), and it is sure nice to have that data if no 'box and computer (or MUT in our case) is available.
Thanks again for that heads-up

 

[SkiFreak]

i bought a $180 code reader at napa.

I'd still like to know what brand of reader you bought Lehel. Care to share?

 

[JRhetts]

John,
Thanks, great information there. ...
Thanks again for that heads-up

Mog

You are very welcome. I cannot count the number of times in the last decades that I have benefitted from someone else's input on some point I am stuck on. I think Karma seems to be the best response to this aspect of existence.

John

 

[dlh62c]

YouTube has videos on various OBD readers:

daryl

 

[ColinTheCop]

BG,

I too have a mitsubishi truck although a bit smaller (L200/Triton). It's 2005, diesel and like yours not OBD compliant.

The owners club I belong to have struggled with this issue and the cost of a genuine MUTT reader. It would seem that a solution may now have been found.

Have a read of this thread -

http://www.l200forum.com/t5547f49-Code-Scanner-for-Classics.html