Motec and OBD II inspections

It seems that most serious turbo cars are using Motec or AEM standalone systems for engine management. My question is how do you get the cars inspected without OBDII?

They still have an OBD 2 system. Motec is a stand alone system

 

 

Mike

They still have an OBD 2 system. Motec is a stand alone system

 

 

Mike

 

So if I'm understanding you right, you leave the stock ECM in place for the OBDII stuff, but run the engine off the Motec?

Thanks,

Joe

So if I'm understanding you right, you leave the stock ECM in place for the OBDII stuff, but run the engine off the Motec?

Thanks,

Joe

 

Hi Joe,

good question:)

cheers,

john

The MoTec controls the added equipment and works with the stock ECM. The car still has a computer etc. It has been rewritten to allow for different imputs ( Ex. the MAF will work differently due to boost etc ) but it is still there. If you were to have a misfire it would still set a check engine light and you could scan via the obd 2 data link connector.

 

Now, with certain systems turned off, could it possibly give a not ready indication... That I am unsure of.

 

I would double check with your builder. If UGR, just send Kevin an email. He will set it strait.

 

Mike

The street cars with the MoTeC ECU's are ODB2 compliant.

The MoTec controls the added equipment and works with the stock ECM. The car still has a computer etc. It has been rewritten to allow for different imputs ( Ex. the MAF will work differently due to boost etc ) but it is still there. If you were to have a misfire it would still set a check engine light and you could scan via the obd 2 data link connector.

 

Now, with certain systems turned off, could it possibly give a not ready indication... That I am unsure of.

 

I would double check with your builder. If UGR, just send Kevin an email. He will set it strait.

 

Mike

 

So the Motec is basically being used as a piggyback system?

 

So the Motec is basically being used as a piggyback system?

 

I guess it saves the tuner time on starting a whole new map. Lets the tuner concentrate on fine tuning n saves some output port instead of starting a new map like cold start. Thats my intake on running the Motec as a 'piggyback'. I may b wrong though.

This is an interesting topic. I recently purchased a TT LP560 and it failed NY inspection because many of the systems were "not ready." It is running the stock computer w/o motec piggy back.

The inspection shop seemed to think it was because the battery was recently unplugged and it takes several drives cycles before its ready again. I was trying to convince them those items were probably turned off purposely. Either way I agreed to take it back after some more driving. Will advise shortly how that turns out. Probably not so good I'm guessing.

This is an interesting topic. I recently purchased a TT LP560 and it failed NY inspection because many of the systems were "not ready." It is running the stock computer w/o motec piggy back.

The inspection shop seemed to think it was because the battery was recently unplugged and it takes several drives cycles before its ready again. I was trying to convince them those items were probably turned off purposely. Either way I agreed to take it back after some more driving. Will advise shortly how that turns out. Probably not so good I'm guessing.

 

Yes it's like clearing a code with an OBDII scanner, you have to complete a "drive cycle" before the monitors will read "ready".

 

To put it in perspective, I went to an OBDII inspection place with a CEL lit, we plugged it in and the ODBII machine wouldn't approve the car because of the CEL. We hooked up my scanner and cleared the code, then ran it again. The CEL was gone but the monitors weren't yet reading "ready" because the drive cycle wasn't complete. Went and drove it for a couple of days and came back, no CEL, hooked it up and the car passed.

 

Not sure what the drive cycle is for the lambo, probably 30-50 miles.

 

 

Hope this helps...

 

Here is the drive cycle procedure for Gallardo:

– Idle the vehicle for 2-3 minutes. This executes the O2S Heater, Misfire, Secondary AIR, Fuel Trim, and Purge system monitors.

– Drive the vehicle at 45-55 mph for a continuous 7-minute period, avoid stopping. This executes the EVAP, O2S, Fuel Trim, and Misfire monitors.

– Accelerate the vehicle to an engine speed of 5000 RPM (with automatic transmission use the tip-tronic mode); lift off the throttle until the engine speed is around 1200 rpm. This executes the fuel cut off

– Accelerate the vehicle smoothly to 60-65 mph, cruise constantly for 5 min, this executes the Catalyst; O2S, Misfire, Fuel Trim, and Purge System monitors.

– Decelerate and idle the vehicle again for 3 minutes. This executes the Misfire, Secondary AIR, Fuel Trim, and Purge system monitors.

- When repeating the drive cycle operation for a failed EVAP monitor or thermostat-monitor, allow the engine to cool until the coolant temperature and the ambient air temperature are be between 10° C and 35° C with a difference between them no greater than 4° C is observed and repeat the drive cycle operation.

 

So the Motec is basically being used as a piggyback system?

 

AFAIK

No. The Motec takes over the control or modifies all functions affected by a forced induction system. The original ECU retains control of OBD II functions, whereas a piggyback system does exactly that by being wired into the ECU.

Yes it's like clearing a code with an OBDII scanner, you have to complete a "drive cycle" before the monitors will read "ready".

 

To put it in perspective, I went to an OBDII inspection place with a CEL lit, we plugged it in and the ODBII machine wouldn't approve the car because of the CEL. We hooked up my scanner and cleared the code, then ran it again. The CEL was gone but the monitors weren't yet reading "ready" because the drive cycle wasn't complete. Went and drove it for a couple of days and came back, no CEL, hooked it up and the car passed.

 

Not sure what the drive cycle is for the lambo, probably 30-50 miles.

 

 

I brought it back after putting 400 miles on it. It failed for the same reasons. "Monitor Catalyst Not Ready, Monitor Secondary Air Not Ready, Monitor O2 Not Ready."

Looks like I'm headed to the black market;-)

I brought it back after putting 400 miles on it. It failed for the same reasons. "Monitor Catalyst Not Ready, Monitor Secondary Air Not Ready, Monitor O2 Not Ready."

Looks like I'm headed to the black market;-)

 

just find a place you can buy a sticker from. geez.

I brought it back after putting 400 miles on it. It failed for the same reasons. "Monitor Catalyst Not Ready, Monitor Secondary Air Not Ready, Monitor O2 Not Ready."

Looks like I'm headed to the black market;-)

 

 

Or your nearest VW dealer

 

cheers,

john

That's priceless ...

 

I would add, that over here in OZ, the regulators don't test the emissions systems through OBD2 port.

 

All the regulators are concerned about is what actually comes out the exhaust pipe, strange as that may sound

 

They just stick a probe up your exhaust pipe - hmmm and do a five gas test in neutral at idle and 50% max rpm.

 

I cant believe VW management thought they would get away with this scam with 270,000 employees!

 

They probably took legal advice that 'it was worth the risk' and "no one will ever find out'!

 

It only takes one disgruntled employee in the know to spill the beans!

 

just my two cents worth.

 

cheers,

john

 

I brought it back after putting 400 miles on it. It failed for the same reasons. "Monitor Catalyst Not Ready, Monitor Secondary Air Not Ready, Monitor O2 Not Ready."

Looks like I'm headed to the black market;-)

 

 

Who built the car?

I was thinking the same thing. Figured it had a tune that has those systems turned off and programmed not to run.

 

Mike

Or your nearest VW dealer

 

cheers,

john

 

 

For those members with too much time on their hands, like me

here is how it was done!

 

http://www.vox.com/2015/9/21/9365667/volks...-passenger-cars

 

cheers,

john

Or your nearest VW dealer

 

cheers,

john

 

 

....and they keep coming

 

Good thing there are no diesel lamborghinis

 

cheers,

john