Brett Edkins, Technical Manager at Eclipse Diagnostics, explains how to identify and correct an immobiliser fault on a DAF CF MX11 Euro VI.
Eclipse is the largest supplier of multibrand diagnostic products in the commercial vehicle aftermarket, with its innovative Eclipse Testpad Extreme Pro running Jaltest software helping many businesses to improve vehicle and machinery performance. There are more than 3,000 Eclipse Jaltest packages in use covering a wide range of commercial vehicles at customer locations both in the UK and internationally.
Identifying faults on many modern commercial vehicles is increasingly difficult given the rising levels of technology employed by manufacturers across all aspects of the vehicles including trailer units.
This increasing technology imbedded in vehicles means that users are having to adopt increasingly sophisticated equipment to enable their engineers to maintain performance and effectiveness in the workshops and when out on remote call-outs.
The Eclipse Jaltest package has all the requirements to address the technological advances and, as an example, the analysis of the immobiliser fault on a DAF CF MX11 Euro VI model shows how the Eclipse Jaltest package is becoming the go-to diagnostic solution for the commercial vehicle industry.
The problem
A DAF CF MX11 has an immobiliser warning on the instrument panel and has failed to start. It has been recovered to the workshop so that the engineers can use the diagnostic equipment to investigate and rectify the problem.
Initial assessment
The engineer makes an initial diagnosis of the immobiliser control system to check whether there are any logged faults, present or historic in the diagnosis memory, which will assist in the possible cause of the immobiliser problem. One active code is listed showing the ECU has detected a transponder time-out error which indicates that there is either a fault with the vehicle immobiliser or the vehicle key.
Jaltest analysis
The Jaltest software can take the vehicle analysis down to component level as well as being able to show the associated wiring diagrams. So, in this case, the engineer can easily access the relevant wiring diagram for the immobiliser and is able to check that the ECU is getting the correct power and earth’s that are required for effective operation. Additionally, the engineer can also use the live measurements within the software to ensure these are all within the set parameters.
Correcting the fault
Having established that the key itself is the source of the problem, a new set of keys were ordered for the vehicle. However, when these arrive, they will need to be reprogrammed to make them specific for the vehicle and this can be easily carried out using the Eclipse Jaltest package.
If this was the first time that the engineer had carried out the procedure, then the industry-leading Eclipse Vehicle Technical Support service is available to assist. This unique service is offered by Eclipse to all customers and can either assist the engineer in the problem-solving process or utilise the remote assistance service.
Every Eclipse Testpad Extreme Pro PC is installed with Eclipse Assist software which allows the Eclipse Technical Support team to remotely access the customers Eclipse Testpad Extreme Pro PC via internet. The team, with the customer’s agreement, can access the customer’s Testpad and assist with vehicle-related support. This service allows the Eclipse Specialist to virtually sit next to the customer and see what the customer can see on screen, whilst taking control.
Having followed the diagnostic process, with or without the help of the Eclipse Vehicle Technical Support Team, the fault has been cleared and with the newly recoded keys, the vehicle started successfully.
Eclipse looks after their customers
Eclipse has developed its business around the core philosophy of customer support from when the system is first purchased and throughout its life. That support begins with the software which is updated three times a year to reflect new models and more information as it becomes available and continues with the Eclipse support services.
A range of features and services are available including a comprehensive training package which also includes full training programmes held at the Eclipse Training Centre and cover from the Technical Support Service.
The Technical Support Service is a key part of the overall Eclipse package and together with Jaltest and the Eclipse Testpad Extreme+ sets it apart from others, helping to ensure that the company remains the leading supplier of true multi-brand diagnostic software for all commercial vehicles.
