Avensis Diagnostics

[shenderson]

:bookworm: Does anyone know where I can get my hands on a suitable diagnostic download cable and associated software for a 1999 1.8GS Avensis?

[sjrainsford]

you can tell most of what you need from the dashboard light when in diagnostic mode.

Have you a fault then?

Stu

[shenderson]

Have I got a fault? Crikey where to start?

1. Airbag lights seem to have come on for Christmas, but cunningly go away when any dealer looks at it.

2. Central locking has gone on the blink. Cannot lock the car from the outside, but can from the inside.

3. Interior electronics, lights, fans etc won't switch off when the key is removed! Only when the drivers door is opened.

4. Door ajar light stays on all the time, sometimes dim sometimes not so dim.

5. Steering "locks!!!!" sometimes when I've been at full lock! Scarey!

6. A multitude of other problems have also plagued this car.......oil leaks, bad brakes, malfuctioning electric windows, malfuctioning sun (moon) roof etc etc etc.

I just want to have a look see in the diagnostic port to see if there is anything in there that is logging the faults with the airbags and the locking.

You say in your reply - "When in Diagnostic mode" How do you get the car into this mode?

[sjrainsford]

There are no diagnostics for things such as electrical faults. The diagnostic system is for the engine management as on most cars. Only car's with bus systems will have diagnostics for ancillaries. You are really barking up the wrong tree here.

The airbag system will be diagnosed seperately to the engine management but not sure how you do this. However, looking at all of the problems you have I would say that a high percentage of them (being electrical) all stem from one fault.

Your airbag is a tricky one being a safety device, and fairly dangerous. As regarding things staying on until the door is opened then I would look for a short straight away. On this car, there is a function to keep the electric windows/sunroof powered for about a minute when the ignition is switched off. This function is either cancelled after the timer times out, or the door is opened. This function would appear to be operating all of your other stuff too. There must be a short of some kind, and this would point to your other electric window problems.

But the steering lock, well that's mechanical so would be a faulty locking mechanism. Has this car had an attemted theft? This could cause most of these faults. It's time to get a few things to bits i'm afraid! There ain't no diagnostic port gonna tell you these things!

Stu. PM me if you wish, i'm an electrical engineer so will try and help (as best I can via messages!) Also if you want to know how to operate the engine diagnostics despite this not helping you, also let me know.

[bryanbengal]

There are no diagnostics for things such as electrical faults.  The diagnostic system is for the engine management as on most cars.  Only car's with bus systems will have diagnostics for ancillaries.  You are really barking up the wrong tree here.

The airbag system will be diagnosed seperately to the engine management but not sure how you do this.  However, looking at all of the problems you have I would say that a high percentage of them (being electrical) all stem from one fault. 

Your airbag is a tricky one being a safety device, and fairly dangerous.  As regarding things staying on until the door is opened then I would look for a short straight away.  On this car, there is a function to keep the electric windows/sunroof powered for about a minute when the ignition is switched off.  This function is either cancelled after the timer times out, or the door is opened.  This function would appear to be operating all of your other stuff too.  There must be a short of some kind, and this would point to your other electric window problems.

But the steering lock, well that's mechanical so would be a faulty locking mechanism.  Has this car had an attemted theft?  This could cause most of these faults.  It's time to get a few things to bits i'm afraid!  There ain't no diagnostic port gonna tell you these things!

Stu.  PM me if you wish, i'm an electrical engineer so will try and help (as best I can via messages!)  Also if you want to know how to operate the engine diagnostics despite this not helping you, also let me know.

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[bryanbengal]

you mseem to have some knowledge regarding Avensis. My multi function light has come on and I wondered if you have any idea of possible causes