I took my Z into the mechanic today for the 'bottoming out' I mentioned in my earlier post. If they chuck it on the computer again there is a good chance it will show there is nothing wrong (same as last time), is there much that can be wrong that WONT show up on the computer diagnostic?

I think most things none electrical wont show up on the computer diagnostics.

Leaks, blockages wont show up unless there is a sensor in the pipes that can detect them.

 

Sorry I could not be any help

 

Stuart

The diagnostics are great IF there is something wrong at the time, I once had an Astra GSi that was an absolute pig, used to tick over at 4000rpm or stall all the time. You could drive at 80mph on a closed throttle, however whenever the garage plugged it into the computer there was nothing wrong. I think the problem was that a sensor was faulty and consequently the ECU was acting on false info and under/over compensating. Finally I got shot of it and fortunately it behaved itself the day the garage test drove it. Anyway, moral of the story is diagnotic tools are great, but only when there is a fault to find.

As a comforting thought something like a Techtom or equiv. might be useful - because it's plugged in all the time, it may show up something that the infrequent trips to the garage will miss.

 

Good luck - you may need it !

The Consult II is a very technical piece of equipment and should be about to detect most faults.

 

It physically won't detect an air leak for example but it will detect that the fuel mixture is lean or rich as a result of an air leak.

 

In the right hands.... it should be able to solve most things :-)

But could it detect that the engine temperature sensor was giving an unusual reading yesterday morning ? That was the sort of problem with my Astra, whenever they plugged in the tester there were no faults at the time. For certain types of intermittent problem I expect you will need it to go wrong when the Consult is connected.

As I remember rightly, the ECU holds error codes in memory until a certain number of engine starts has been done without it recurring. Consult should pick any up. I think the only one that doesnt hold the errors is the ABS unit. You have to go with the fault happening for that unit.

I agree and my Vauxhall system was similar, but it still has to be detected as a fault rather than a high/low whatever reading.

Not being difficult here, just my experience.