What's the blackbox under drivers seat ??

[landyprincess]

Hi All,
I have a black rectangular box underneath the drivers seat which I am guessing has something to do with diagnostics / settings for the engine and what ever else etc...

:eek: Now that you have collected yourselves up off the floor from laughing too hard about my silly question.... :eek:

I couldn't find anywhere on the site (maybe I was looking in the wrong places - might even be secret mens business!!) any info on what or how one gets the info out of that 'blackbox'. Is it even called that *lol*. I'm assuming it's an additional diagnostic unit of sorts that is connected to it then a laptop and perhaps some software on the laptop??

What type of equipment gets hooked up to it?
What equipment do others use?

I read in an earlier post about a nano*something or rovercom... however... are they what the majority of folk use?

What's suitable for a Petrol V8 D2. What's a good brand / model. What setup on the laptop are folk running etc?? What costs did it set you back?

I figure I won't be getting rid of the D2 anytime so may as well get to know the ins and outs of it and talk the same lingo as per a mechanic (or atleast try and understand what one is on about!! + it interests me to know what what with the addition to the family!

Thanks for your help...

Lp

[Baffle]

Only black box under my seat is the CD stacker :clap2::clap2::clap2::clap2::clap2::clap2::clap2:: D:D:D:D:D:D

[jik22]

It's been a while since I had my D2, but all I remember under the seat was the CD autochanger. Mine was a TD5, so I spose the V8's could do it differently....

To get info out of them (If you're just after error codes) you can get an ODBII reader and plug it into the diag socket. The Nanocom does this, and I think there's just been a group buy.

[Baffle]

The diagnostics have only been plugged in under the driver side dash on mine, so Ive seen .

[Blknight.aus]

The box under your seat could be one of a few things...

Engine ECU (electronic control unit)
an aftermarket security unit
the brain for the auto
the BEM (body electrical module)
part of the entertainment system
the EAS controller if its fitted
something some smart ass engineer chucked in just so i could break down or leak oil and cost money to fix.

as for the electronic diagnosis of the thing, as a mechanic, trust me unless your serious about doing your own repair work or having the kit so another mechanic can use it if (s)he needs it dont worry about it. Odds are if you post up your location someone will be close enough and have what you need to help out when you need it. Theres other more important tricks and bodgies you should be spending your time learning as a new landrover owner rather than the diagnostics of something thats generally pretty reliable anyway.

What to do about the 3 amigos, how to do the CTRL-ALT-delete reset if you need to get it started after youve secured it and taken the key fob for a swim and how to jam a pretzled landrover wheel brace up a tyre monkeys rectum sans lube after you find out you cant undo the wheel nuts cause hes tightend them up to 300,000 rattle pascals (280,000 dugga meters) with a 3/4 inch rattle gun thats usually used to do up the wheel nuts on a Haul pack. once you have these skills nutted you can start worrying about the big stuff like how to educate some dumb ass drive way attendant (assuming you cans still find one) that your landrover is petrol and not diesel and when youve got that sorted little things like onboard diagnostics can be dealt with.

as for a laptop for navigation, reversing cams and entertainement thats a whole different kettle of fish but should be asked in the IT/entertainment sections.

cheers.


Oh yeah Welcom to AULRO too.

:)

[dobbo]

Only black box under my seat is the CD stacker :clap2::clap2::clap2::clap2::clap2::clap2::clap2:: D:D:D:D:D:D


Yours must be a manual transmission, on the auto's the black box under the drivers seat is the automatic transmission ECU.

[simonr23]

my auto d2 td5 has the stacker under the drivers seat. its inside a little compartment, where the lid flips open to expose it.

[BMKal]

Yep - mine also had a black LR CD stacker under the drivers seat. Has since been replaced with a grey Sony unit - there's nothing else under there.

Mine is also a manual TD5.

[dobbo]

my auto d2 td5 has the stacker under the drivers seat. its inside a little compartment, where the lid flips open to expose it.


You'll find a black box is under the seat (look from the rear under the seat) I have seen the LR DVD player there as well. Lot under the seats on a D2

[RonMcGr]

That box holds 10 CD's :D

[Narangga]

My 2000 TD5 manual has the 'black box' too. I had read somewhere (this site??) that the wherewithall for the heated seats was included with every vehicle and so assumed that was what mine was for.

Will investigate further ...:eek:

DOH!:o

Black Box = Back Side of the cubby hole accessible from the front of the seat:whistling::whistling::whistling:

Plugs seem to be there for the heated seats but ...

[landyprincess]

My 2000 TD5 manual has the 'black box' too. I had read somewhere (this site??) that the wherewithall for the heated seats was included with every vehicle and so assumed that was what mine was for.

Will investigate further ...:eek:

DOH!:o

Black Box = Back Side of the cubby hole accessible from the front of the seat:whistling::whistling::whistling:

Plugs seem to be there for the heated seats but ...


Thanks to all who responded, much appreciated.

.... Think this has hit the nail on the head. It's just that. A blinking compartment - so what I was seeing from the underside of the seat was a black box. :wacko: just as well I can take laughing at myself ... alot!

Heated seats - *ROFL* don’t think I have got that far to even figuring them out!! Will need to refer to the RAVE CD for that!


---------
On another note, the Nanocom is for TD5’s, where as I have a V8 Petrol D2. From my research (input welcome here) I think either the ScanguageII or ODBII reader (refer link below) would be more suitable for my D2?

D2 V8 Petrol owners – which diagnostic tool are you using successfully?

I’ve come across the following ODBII reader. The site has a professional version and what appears to be a simpler version (some auction sites online also had the simpler version advertised, however this is the best price I could locate on the net). Has anyone come across this particular brand, used them successfully w/ a V8 Petrol D2, any good?

Professional version retails for 145 and simpler version for 99. Pro version to me seems a better buy (features & dollars) and possibly that over the scanguageII?

Professional Grade OBD-II + EOBD Code Reader + Scanner - wolfgear.com.au (http://www.wolfgear.com.au/shirts-and-electronic-gadgets/95/Professional-Grade-OBD-II-EOBD-Code-Reader-Scanner.html)

Welcome your input here

Thanks

Lp

[scarry]

the only thing under the drivers seat of the d2 is my snatchem strap& a couple of shackles...fits there nicely
the cd stacker was there in the last one i had but this one doesnt have a stacker.if you look in the manual it says to remove it when wading.

under the drivers seat is the auto ecu....i wonder how waterproof it is:(

[Narangga]

Thanks to all who responded, much appreciated.

.... Think this has hit the nail on the head. It's just that. A blinking compartment - so what I was seeing from the underside of the seat was a black box. :wacko: just as well I can take laughing at myself ... alot!

Heated seats - *ROFL* don’t think I have got that far to even figuring them out!! Will need to refer to the RAVE CD for that!




Thanks

Lp

Yes one must laugh at oneself - before one's 3 sons do it by themselves!:D
Cheers