Thread: P38 Diagnostics/Troubleshooting

If you want a comprehensive tool then there's really only one choice - Faultmate MSV-2 (extreme or nano). At around $1000 though you might be put off.... if you intend to keep the car for any length of time it will pay for itself and at the same time make your ownership more pleasant and easy.

Aside from that - if you just want standard engine data then any old generic OBD II scanner will do - but will not communicate with the variety of other systems the P38 uses.

x2 plus...for the EAS try http://www.rswsolutions.com/ and search it for the free software and DIY instructions to make a cable

X 3. They are an awesome bit of gear. Just remember if you need customer assistance though, your better off on here. Blackbox Solutions produce awesome gear. But they are electrical engineers and no good when it comes to customer service (Crap is the word i'd use..). Takes nothing away from just how good the hardware is though.

X 4 - I've used my Faultmate MSV-2 Extreme for both P38's i've owned and it well and truly has paid for itself. Plus if you like to venture into the wilderness you can take it with you and have a bit more peace of mind! Very simple to use (once you very thoroughly read the owners instructions).

Cheers
Keithy

Originally Posted by Keithy P38

X 4 - I've used my Faultmate MSV-2 Extreme for both P38's i've owned and it well and truly has paid for itself. Plus if you like to venture into the wilderness you can take it with you and have a bit more peace of mind! Very simple to use (once you very thoroughly read the owners instructions).

Cheers
Keithy

I'm most interested in this thread and others that recommend the Faultmate MSV-2 Extreme. Since this comment is a year old, I have a few questions:
1. With the rapid development of electronic gismos, do participants on this forum still hold the view that this device is the one to get?

and

2. My perception is that this is a useful tool if you service your car yourself. My interest is in being self sufficient while on the road, and being able to sort out my car if it chucks a hissy fit. As things stand at the moment, I'm unlikely to carry out general servicing myself. So, is this still the right tool, or should I be looking at something basic. If so, what do you recommend and what functionality would I lose.

and finally

3. I'm intrigued by the references to serial port connectivity to a device (Extreme) that seems to have its own display and the ability to alter or reset software. Why is a connection to a PC necessary? I don't want to have to carry a laptop as well.

Originally Posted by Junosi

If you want a comprehensive tool then there's really only one choice - Faultmate MSV-2 (extreme or nano). At around $1000 though you might be put off.... if you intend to keep the car for any length of time it will pay for itself and at the same time make your ownership more pleasant and easy.

Aside from that - if you just want standard engine data then any old generic OBD II scanner will do - but will not communicate with the variety of other systems the P38 uses.

Perhaps that should now be two choices?

The Nanocom EVO supports the P38a as of late december 2011.

https://blackbox-solutions.com/shop/...ON&item=NCOM07

According to Colin/BBS Guy's blog post

These newer additions are however also vastly more complex than previous ones and will be covered to exactly the same extent as is possible with our own BBS equipment.

and

Like the 3 other new systems recently introduced, these new systems have not had to be laboriously developed from scratch for the Nanocom and contain almost no errors or bugs from the very start, as we are able to apply our existing code, and vast experience and knowledge to them, which is one reason why they have been able to be added so quickly.

This means the EVO P38a modules are based the same code used for the Faultmate modules.

http://www.aulro.com/afvb/blogs/bbs+...pment-p38.html

Originally Posted by Sydr

2. My perception is that this is a useful tool if you service your car yourself. My interest is in being self sufficient while on the road, and being able to sort out my car if it chucks a hissy fit. As things stand at the moment, I'm unlikely to carry out general servicing myself. So, is this still the right tool, or should I be looking at something basic. If so, what do you recommend and what functionality would I lose.

and finally

3. I'm intrigued by the references to serial port connectivity to a device (Extreme) that seems to have its own display and the ability to alter or reset software. Why is a connection to a PC necessary? I don't want to have to carry a laptop as well.

Basically the EVO with appropriate unlock code for the P38a should give you same level of coverage as the MSV-2 in a compact, touch screen package.

cheers
Paul

I don't have an "Extreme" model ..I have the earlier one (SV1). My understanding of the "Extreme" is that the onboard screen contains most of the necessary info to describe faults/clear them etc as well as do the EAS calibration (?) without the necessity for a computer screen

I have a dedicated 10" netbook (HP)($250 special) running XP pro SP3. I store the netbook AC adaptor and Faultmate with serial/USB cable etc in a small bag tucked away in the boot.

The netbook is loaded with Faultmate's Vehicle Explorer, RAVE, Microcat parts database, lots of "how to" web content from various P38 websites and Storey wilson's EASUnlock software. It is also handy for connecting a $60 USB "snake" camera with its own L.E.D. illumination for examining for water leaks, inside cylinders, diff housings...

I also use the netbook with a CANBUS adaptor and software etc to maintain the wife's Astra 1.8 AH model...

you get the idea...

thanks for reminding me that the post is a year old...damn that time went quickly!

My set up is the same as Hoges.