Thread: What Diagnostic tool for a Puma Defender?

I done this post originally on another forum as I had a few pm’s from members thinking about getting a diagnostic tool and what would I recommend they should get? The problem with me recommending a tool, because I like this or that about it, may not be true with anyone else’s idea of what the tool should be like. So I thought I would do a little write up and post some pics of the most popular tools as per the owners on this forum (Defender2.net). I thought I would go with Remap Interfaces, Scangauge2, Nanocom Evolution and the MSV2 as I have these tools.

Remap Interfaces.

There have been some queries as to whether or not the Alien Tech remap interfaces that are supplied by some tuners for remote tuning, is also a diagnostic tool? It is not, as it is used for flashing between fuel files on the vehicles ECU. It does however give you the option to read and clear DTC’s (Diagnostic Trouble Codes.). This is both a plus and a negative as the remap interface does not distinguish between tested and untested DTC’s . All it displays is the code without an explanation as to what that code means. There are options to find out what the codes mean, either by entering them into Google or using a downloaded list available on this forum. The remap interface is not vin locked until the unit is used to download a fuel file into its memory, then it is vin locked to that vehicle and will not be able to be used to check DTC’s on another vehicle unless the unit is erased first.







Scangauge2. Welcome to Scangauge Homepage - www.scangauge2.co.uk ( English Version )


The scangauge2 is a very handy little engine monitoring and DTC tool. It is limited in the diagnostic side with only showing Tested DTC’s which throw on the MIL light, and it does not show all Tested DTC’s as per the list detailing the codes on the scangauge website. The newer software versions have the ability to show pending DTC’s (Untested), but this has to be done manually by the user. Now where this tool does excel is in the gauge function of monitoring the engines sensors. It has the capability to monitor 20+ sensor outputs and I use this function to show the four main gauges all the time. I personally monitor the FPr (Fuel Rail Pressure), MAP (Manifold Absolute Pressure), CHT (Cylinder Head Temp of coolant, this gives a very accurate reading of the coolant temp in the head and fluctuates unlike the temp gauge which does not register in the red until the CHT is above 100C) and Ai (Ambient Air temp, this reading is taken from one of two sensors incorporated within the MAF sensor in the Air box.). There is another option with the scangauge to add more sensors through a feature called xgauge. This works by allowing the user to add additional gauges which are specific to their vehicles ECU protocols. On the Puma, 2 protocols work with the scangauge, these are the PWM and CANSF protocols and the xgauge codes for these are listed on the website. I have listed in another post HERE how to install the xgauges from the scangauge website.







Nanocom Evolution. https://blackbox-solutions.com/shop/

I have not posted all the screens or options available on the nanocom as it would be a huge write up, so here is my abridged version of the nanocom.

The Nanocom Evolution is a great leap forward in diagnostic capability for the DIY user. It is very easy to use and to navigate through all the modules by way of its touch screen. The Nanocom gives some abilities in writing new settings into the various modules ECU’s.







As you can see in the above photos the Nanocom supports the Puma and TD5 including the D2. To access these modules you will need to also purchase the relevant unlock codes for the vehicles you own. Also the Nanocom is a multi vehicle diagnostic tool meaning that it is not vin locked to one vehicle. And with the addition of an SD card the data files can be saved and viewed later on your PC.
Here is an example of a saved DTC reading:

NANOCOM - PUMAENG.APP - PUMA ENGINE fault file

0404 - 72
Exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) control circuit
range/performance

actuator stuck open
---
0299 - 00
Turbocharger A under boost condition

---
0100 - 29
Mass or volume air flow A circuit

signal invalid
---



Puma Module coverage.
The modules covered by the Nanocom are Puma EMS (Engine Management System), Puma Instrument Pack (Instrument Cluster), Lucas AS10 (Alarm Module) and the Wabco ABS module.



Let’s look at the EMS module first.

You have the option to check and clear DTC's, though the nanocom does not differentiate between the types which can lead to owners to believe that something is wrong when it is a normal test cycle fail! The nanocom also gives a description of the DTC, something the scangauge or remap interface does not do.





The engine sensor monitoring of the nanocom is really good except for the information is displayed over several pages due to the size of the units screen and the number of sensor outputs.







Some pics of the nanocom in gauge mode?









I like the fact that the nanocom can simulate faults on the Puma EMS.











Lucas AS 10 Alarm/Immobiliser Module.

The coverage of this module also allows the user to write new settings in the ability to change the settings from standard to help with fault finding eg: Disabling the Passive Immobiliser. It also allows you to check the module for faults. I don't want to go into any great detail with this module as it is an open forum.





Wabco ABS Module.

Again the nanocom allows the user to check and clear fault codes as well as having an option to test the various valves and switches to help with fault finding.













Then you have the Testing options:



Puma Instrument Cluster.

This option allows you to check for faults and shows some CCF files.



And this option doesn't do anything except maybe offering false hope?



The big plus for this tool now IMHO is that BBS have taken over the nanocom brand and have made significant upgrades to this tool enabling old and new customers the same upgrades. The upgrade process has been simplified as well by BBS, as I have posted elsewhere on this forum.





I would like to apologize for the bad quality of these pics as I used my crapberry to speed up the picture taking process. But hopefully they are clear enough to show just what a good tool this is. I like the nanocom so much, I will be getting one of the new revamped BBS models very soon and will post up the differences and improvements as soon as I can.

So to sum up, for value, ability, size and the all in one feature that can be left in the cubby box till needed, IMHO it is very good as a stand alone DIY tool that most people will be able to use easily and safely.

BBS MSV2 https://blackbox-solutions.com/shop/

I bought this tool as a home use only tool as it needs a Laptop to use all of its functions. In the guise that I purchased, the extreme model, it has an inbuilt LCD screen that allows you to use it as a standalone fault code reader with the option to clear DTC's.





The tool came from BBS in Cyprus and came well packed with everything needed to get me started.



Once you receive the tool you have to register the tool with BBS and receive the unlock codes to allow the tool to work. Also as a tool owner there is a dedicated BBS forum which deals with all aspects of the tool and its members are very helpful in answering any queries as well as the BBS support staff who man the forum during working hours. The tool allows access into the EMS, IC, AS10 and the Wabco modules, however this tool allows far more settings to be changed than the nanocom and could lead to issues if you don't save any settings before writing new values. This tool is as good as dealer specific tools like the IDS system I have but at quarter of the price for a vin locked single vehicle licence.

The tool comes with a disc on which is the user interface program which you install onto a laptop, the program is called vehicle explorer. Again I have only posted some of the screen shots as the post would be even longer than it is.
Once the tool is unlocked and the vehicle explorer is installed onto the laptop it is just a case of plugging one end into the laptop and the other into the OBD socket in the Puma. The MSV then communicates with the PC and the Puma.

The home screen gives you the options of vehicle and modules etc.



This is the info for the EMS,



The tool allows you to read and clear both tested and untested DTC's giving an explanation to the codes as well.









It also gives you the engine live data with the option to make an AVI recording to save and go over at your leisure. An example of a recording can be seen here [ame=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1E5gJc1NNzI]OEM Fuel file ending FDB.[/ame]



Instead of me wittering on about each module here are some screen shots to allow you to see the capabilities of this tool.





Instrument Cluster Module







AS10 Alarm Module













Wabco ABS Module









As you can probably tell, the MSV adds a lot more capability to the diagnostic DIYer. The MSV tool is IMHO the better tool in this write up, but each tool has its own merits and functionality that appeals to everybody's own tastes, and what they want from a diagnostic tool. I hope this gives a little more insight for those thinking of purchasing their own diagnostic tool and please post any queries on any tool as there are a few owners of all these tools who I'm sure will be more than willing to give some insight into there use. Once the BBS Genesis system becomes available for purchase I will buy it and add that here as well to keep it all together in one place.


Brian.

Awesome write up

Thanks Brian,

Cheers,

Tim