Fault codes "how much can they tell"

[Farmer_dave]

Well ive been trying to get something out of the toyota dealers I bought my GT-T from cause as I have said it was only 6 weeks out of warrenty when it blew its guts, The guy I talked to said he was gonna wait to see what came up when they plugged the computer into it and got the fault codes because They say

A guy took his car in there still under warrenty with a $&#$% gearbox, they hooked up the comp and found he was doing 9000 revs and doing 5 km/ph at the time

Can they really get that much info from fault codes? Or are they just gonna say well you were doing this many revs when it blew and expect me to believe it and pay for it??
How much info can they really get from fault codes thats basically what I wanna know anyone know??

[Ae92typeX]

Dunno about newer cars but in order to do that the ecu would have to record and store info...i cant see it, nah, really dont think so.
Then that would mean if it still stores it after you disconnect the battery that it whold have its own battery in memory...and a programe...which you could then modify.
I dunno, but really cant see it.

[evil_si]

some computers have data logging capabilities ie speeds etc.

but as far as im aware no car manufacturers are using it to that extent.

they can however on newer ecu's recover things like low oil pressure faults and recordings that tell for how long the engine was operated with out oil pressure or run at high temp, and the best recording the over rev's

we use this info all the time when doing warranty claims on electronic trucks, it can shed a lot of light on a situation when u know ur not getting told the full story.
and cant be reset without the proper reading tools, laptop etc.

[fivebob]

Nothing like that out of a GT-T it's not OBD-II compliant, so all you get is the standard Toyota fault codes like these http://members.igateway.net/~pscott/enginecodes.html

[Farmer_dave]

Hmm yeah Im pretty sure they are that soficticated, I mean thats sorta like F1 Technology, Im not worried about the way I was driving at the time as I was taking it easy but if it comes up with a speed I have had it up too

[Farmer_dave]

Hmm so if they come back to me and say well you were doing this speed and these many revs they are talking shit then?

[Ae92typeX]

Without being overly rude to them ask them to prove it

[Farmer_dave]

Yeah well thats true.
But it could be quite good if it gave me the reason for this actually happenong

[fivebob]

Hmm so if they come back to me and say well you were doing this speed and these many revs they are talking sh*t then?

AFAIK yes, I bought an OBD-II reader when I had a fault with my Caldina and it didn't work But the old jumpering the wires trick gave the fault code just the same as ony OBD-I Toyota would.

The GT-T has got the OBD-II plug but it's not OBD-II compliant, it wasn't a requirement in Japan, and it's a Japan only model so they didn't waste money on the ECU upgrades necessary.

[voltage]

9000 revs.. 5kph.. so what if this guy just revved up in neutral a bit too far once just for a split second? im sure you cant base voiding a warranty on that!

[Farmer_dave]

Yeah well thats my point they will try anything to pass the buck, I spose have to wait till tomorrow and see what they say, Ive payed for the engine and shipping they could pay for the fitting or even do it for cost, but hmm we will see.

[Ae92typeX]

9000 revs.. 5kph.. so what if this guy just revved up in neutral a bit too far once just for a split second? im sure you cant base voiding a warranty on that!

good point-its more than feesable that that would happen.
Just need a wet day and a slip off the pedal.

[voltage]

if you reset your ecu that should clear a bit up on how much they can scam from the computer

[evil_si]

cant reset that info from a computer,
and yea 9000 is considered an overev, would easily void a warranty,
it wont have any speed recordings as the ecu doesnt need to know that info so doesnt record it.

[fivebob]

cant reset that info from a computer,
and yea 9000 is considered an overev, would easily void a warranty,
it wont have any speed recordings as the ecu doesnt need to know that info so doesnt record it.

IMO 9000 @ 5km/h is BS, the rev limit must be lower than that or the ECU is faulty, and it can't be a overrev from downshifting at 5km/h, sounds like they're trying to prepare you for more BS to come.

All OBD-II ECUs record speed info, and a lot else besides like brake applications, it's a requirement of the standard. But like I said before AFAIK the GT-T is not OBD-II compliant so there shouldn't be any incriminating info stored in the ECU, not sure about the ABS computer though.

[anthonym]

. . . not sure about the ABS computer though.

I'd be worried about the ABS computer, based on experience with my Altezza it certainly has a memory that is not cleared by disconnecting the battery; it definitely measures wheelspeed, and may have an RPM input as well as it is tied into the TRC system. I don't know whether or not it does data logging, but you'd be surprised how many modern cars do, people have been convicted of driving offences in the US on the basis of data stored in the vehicles ECU.

[Farmer_dave]

Hmm probably was an altezza that they were refering too cause it was the toyota dealer, I hope the Caldina doesnt store too much info otherwise Im gonna feel stink

people have been convicted of driving offences in the US on the basis of data stored in the vehicles ECU

Damn!!!

[anthonym]

Hmm probably was an altezza that they were refering too cause it was the toyota dealer, I hope the Caldina doesnt store too much info otherwise Im gonna feel stink

The Caldina GT-T and Altezza were developed at pretty much the same time, I would guess the ECU technology is the same.

people have been convicted of driving offences in the US on the basis of data stored in the vehicles ECU

Damn!!!

Indeed, but it'll be some time before this happens in NZ I expect, where we have trouble processing even simple forensic evidence. Furthermore, since the Police require very little or no evidence to successfully prosecute traffic cases anyway I doubt this would be considered except perhaps for very serious cases.

[fivebob]

The Caldina GT-T and Altezza were developed at pretty much the same time, I would guess the ECU technology is the same.

Yes but only the 3S-GE was set up for OBD-II. So while it might be on the GT, IME the GT-T is not OBD-II compliant, as far as I can tell that is. My OBD reader works on all late model cars that I've tested it on, though I have noticed that unless the model, or a model with the same engine, was also exported to the US/Europe then they weren't compliant until about 2000.

I'll be interested to see what Toyota cn get out of Farmer_dave's car as I had no luck with mine using all the OBD-II interface protocols available. maybe they kept it proprietry, however I did get codes out using the jumper method and I've heard of others doing the same which is why I suspect they didn't upgrade the ECU significantly.

[Farmer_dave]

Well talked to the guys at the toyota dealer today and they have agreed that the engine should not have flown to bits like that it did, They obviously didnt find anything on the ecu well they didnt really say, anyway they have offered to pay $1000 towards the labour installing the engine, so thats pretty good.