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Multiecuscan anyone?

72K views 89 replies 25 participants last post by  joebama2748  
#1 ·
So I have a registered copy of MES, an OBDLink MX (bluetooth), SGW (SGM) bypass, the 6 colored obd2 adapter cables, and a Windows 10 x64 laptop. I have no issues connecting to any of the modules that do not require one of the adapter cables. I am able to toggle the horn, lights, etc. so I know that I can write. When I attempt to access the ABS module (adapter 6 / gray) to toy with Dyno Mode, or any of the other modules requiring an adapter, it fails. I receive a failed connection error. Yes, I posted on the MES forums, but that's not a very active place... waiting for a response.

I'm an IT professional so I am 99% certain that everything is configured correctly for the COM port.

What do people use for an OBD2 reader? USB, WIFI, Bluetooth? I would hate to buy a USB OBD2 reader when someone else has a bluetooth OBD2 reader working in this fashion.

Cheers,
 
owns 2018 Alfa Romeo Giulia Ti Sport Q4
#4 ·
That's the only thing I can think of, it's just too slow. What adapter are you using? I see that the OBDLink SX USB is recommended from a MES distributor site. It also isn't too bad @ $30 on Amazon. That'll put me at $120+ in different OBD adapters. ugh. The OBDLink MX bluetooth adapter works fantastic for Android Auto/OBD2AA, and Torque though, so it's not a total waste.
 
owns 2018 Alfa Romeo Giulia Ti Sport Q4
#5 ·
I'm using the cantiecar interface (V3) myself.... Had this for my previous Alfa's as well. It's a more expensive solution, but the advantage is you don't need any additional adapter cables as it's a multiplexed interface.
Not completely true though, small problem is the version V3 I have (older type) doesn't yet support hi-speed can on the multiplexer, so I still need the gray adapter for certain modules. This works though. The improved V4 of the cantiecar works fine without any adapter cables.

multiplexed MES
 
#7 ·
I'm using the cantiecar interface (V3) myself.... Had this for my previous Alfa's as well. It's a more expensive solution, but the advantage is you don't need any additional adapter cables as it's a multiplexed interface.
Not completely true though, small problem is the version V3 I have (older type) doesn't yet support hi-speed can on the multiplexer, so I still need the gray adapter for certain modules. This works though. The improved V4 of the cantiecar works fine without any adapter cables.
Ah, yes, I believe I remember reading about that. That's a bummer, that's not a cheap device.

Well, I have the adapter cables, and tomorrow I will have the OBDLink SX USB interface. Fingers crossed!
 
owns 2018 Alfa Romeo Giulia Ti Sport Q4
#11 ·
What do people use for an OBD2 reader? USB, WIFI, Bluetooth? I would hate to buy a USB OBD2 reader when someone else has a bluetooth OBD2 reader working in this fashion.

Cheers,
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07L4B43F3/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o03_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

I bought this guy after my BAFX OBDII reader didn't work. Just make sure you set the interface to ELM 327 WiFi in the MES app and you're good to go. Gray adapter plus that ELM reader work great, got me out of my brake situation and I tried out Dyno mode for a little with it too but have to revisit that.
 
#13 ·
This is all great info and should be able to help out others.
 
owns 2018 Alfa Romeo Giulia Ti Sport Q4
#14 ·
I did some research into the OBD readers when I was installing paddle shifters and came to the same conclusion that others above have. The bluetooth ones are great for being unobtrusively plugged in all the time, working with iphone/android apps like Torque for data logging etc, but might not work for the proxi alignment procedure (which uses the blue and grey adapters) that I needed to add the paddles.

Also, you can use the windows version of MES forever (only have to pay again if you want an update after the 1st year), while as far as I could tell, for the iOS version of MES you have to pay the fee every year to keep using it.
 
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#20 ·
You can view vehicle data (rpm, temp, a/f ratio, fule level %, etc.), reset service interval, enable dyno mode (all nannies off) temporarily, and a whole slew of other things.
 
owns 2018 Alfa Romeo Giulia Ti Sport Q4
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#25 · (Edited)
Whelp! The OBDLink SX USB adapter doesn't work either. So the only other variable I have are the adapter cables I purchased. They specifically state they are compatible with Alfa / Fiat / Lancia and MultiECUScan. So I doubt that they are the issue. I'm getting terribly frustrated at this point. I've just discovered the support email at MES, so I sent one off.

Same error
89243
 
owns 2018 Alfa Romeo Giulia Ti Sport Q4
#26 · (Edited)
Whelp! The OBDLink SX USB adapter still doesn't work. ............
on the MES website you can see how the adapter cable 6 (grey) needed f.i. for the ABS should be wired, also make sure it's not overly long.... :
89244



As I understand you're using an SGW bypass, it could of course also be that the relevant CAN network is not bypassed correctly ? .....
 
#30 ·
If there is any chance that someone could test their gray #6 cable that would be most excellent. Hold the male and female ends in the same orientation as the picture shows (use a paper clip to get into the female connector). Check if female pin 6 really goes to male pin 12, or if it is female pin 3 going to male pin 12 (or even pin 13 as I don't think we can trust pin numbers here).

Thanks.
 
owns 2018 Alfa Romeo Giulia Ti Sport Q4
#35 ·
That was my understanding.
 
owns 2018 Alfa Romeo Giulia Ti Sport Q4
#37 ·
I'll try that out to see if having the engine running does the trick.
 
owns 2018 Alfa Romeo Giulia Ti Sport Q4
#38 ·
Nope, that made no difference. It still cannot connect to the ABS module even with the car running.

I'd really like someone to test their adapter cable, it's the only variable I can think of.
 
owns 2018 Alfa Romeo Giulia Ti Sport Q4
#40 ·
PS the fysical layout of the pin numbers of the adapter cable in the picture is as seen from the cable side ;)
so yes, if you look at the pin side you need to flip ....

After further testing, I discovered that the blue #5 adapter cable does allow me to connect to the blind spot monitors... so now I have a pin reference.

I checked the pin-outs on the gray #6 adapter and it is correct. So it must be MES that is not working on my vehicle.

I do get INVALID ISO CODE errors when running a SCAN using just the OBD2 adapter without cables... so maybe I have some new module versions that MES isn't aware of.

So much fun!! ?
 
#39 ·
After further testing, I discovered that the blue #5 adapter cable does allow me to connect to the blind spot monitors... so now I have a pin reference.

I checked the pin-outs on the gray #6 adapter and it is correct. So it must be MES that is not working on my vehicle.

I do get INVALID ISO CODE errors when running a SCAN using just the OBD2 adapter without cables... so maybe I have some new module versions that MES isn't aware of.

So much fun!! ?
 
owns 2018 Alfa Romeo Giulia Ti Sport Q4
#56 ·
I'm told that MECUS throws that Invalid ISO Code with all NA Giulias and Stelvios. The lead developer told me, it causes zero loss of functionality, just a reporting datapoint.

The new codes are supposed to be rolled into subsequent versions... so far, the latest version still displays that error.
 
#41 · (Edited)
MES is under continuous development, so is the giulia/stelvio, so it's to be expected not all ISO error codes are recognised.... You can however usually reset the errors, despite the fact they're not recognised, if you wanted to do so ;)
I'm assuming you have the original MES 4.4. from the official MES website ? ....

I would still sooner expect a problem with the bypass module, as it (MES) seems to work fine for myself and others.... ;)
 
#42 ·
The plot thickens! I received a response from Yanislav (developer of MES) and he believes it is the SGW bypass from EuroCompulsion. He says that the bypass from ZAutomotive is also known to have this issue and suspects the EC one is no different. They are both lacking the necessary connections.

Here is Yanislav's response.

Hi,
It is most probably a problem with the SGW bypass device. We haven’t checked/tested the device from EuroCompulsion , but the same problem is present on the US SGW device from ZAutomotive.

These devices need small modification to work correctly with Giulia/Stelvio. The modification is wire between pins A1 and A2, and also another wire between pins A8 and A9. The pins are indicated on attached photo.

Here is also the complete correct wiring diagram of SGW bypass device. The wiring in red is missing in US devices and it is causing connection problems with ABS, Airbag, Steering and adaptive headlights.

Regards,
Yanislav Karagyozov
89249


89250


I guess I know what I'm doing this evening!
 
owns 2018 Alfa Romeo Giulia Ti Sport Q4
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#47 ·
The plot thickens! I received a response from Yanislav (developer of MES) and he believes it is the SGW bypass from EuroCompulsion. He says that the bypass from ZAutomotive is also known to have this issue and suspects the EC one is no different. They are both lacking the necessary connections.

Here is Yanislav's response.
Looks like you are the guinea pig on this forum for MES with the SGW bypass. Your struggles will be appreciated by those that follow, so thanks for documenting.(y)
 
#44 ·
Ha, yeah, so you think that having all physical connections is necessary? :p
 
owns 2018 Alfa Romeo Giulia Ti Sport Q4
#46 ·
pffft, that's crazy talk.
 
owns 2018 Alfa Romeo Giulia Ti Sport Q4
#50 ·
Somebody with the same (fixed) problem ;)
View attachment 89258
Yep. The EuroCompulsion SGW bypass is a bit different, but the exact same pin layout and procedure.

I ran home during lunch, ripped out the SGW, opened it up, jumpered A1 --> A2, and A8 --> A9. Opened MES, connected the gray #6 adapter, the OBDLink SX USB device, and proceeded to connect to the ABS module successfully. I was able to enter into the rolling mode / dyno mode.

Here are some photos, just for the heck of it.

EuroCompulsion procured SGW (SGM) Bypass
89260


Plug side:
89261


using some force, slide the cover open:
89262


Opened:
89263


Jumper pins:
A1 to A2
A8 to A9.
I am a lot more twitchy in my old age than I once was... HOW MUCH IS TOO MUCH CAFFEINE?!!
89266


My main reason for all of this is to enable Dyno Mode. Once you connect to the ABS module in MultiECUScan where that setting resides, the car starts its disco mode of warnings and fun indicators. No worries, just do your thing, it all works out in the end.
 
#51 ·
@toby@eurocompulsion @Chris@Eurocompulsion I wanted you both to see this topic as this will affect your customers. The bypass that you are selling is only good for the ECM, it will not allow connections to all of the other modules like ABS (Continental).
 
#53 ·
I would assume that my experience will be a bit more muted as I've got the Q4 and no mods. One thing that I think I noticed, could be placebo, is that even in Dynamic mode the car felt smoother... less herky jerky starting and stopping. Probably in my head though.
 
#65 ·
owns 2018 Alfa Romeo Giulia Ti Sport Q4