Talk Morgan Forums Morgan Sports Cars Maintenance & Servicing 1994 Plus 8 OBD

Hi everyone,

I wondered if anyone might have some advice regarding which OBD to buy to diagnose faults and what the problem might be...!

The problem: I have a 1994 Plus 8 which is cutting out intermittently, e.g., dies when I stop or when I'm cruising it judders as if it dies but the momentum restarts it - both these are intermittent.

OBD: so I thought I'd buy an OBDII/EOBD+CAN car diagnostic tool, but I cannot find the equivalent female side I should plus it into. So a) are all OBD's made the same, i.e., same male ends and b) might it be that I don't have OBD on my 1994? (I'm pretty sure the garage said I did, a few months back when I took it in for something else).

Many thanks in advance!

A 94 Plus 8 predates OBD

The diagnostic iterminal used by Rover dealers was called a testbook

The most cost effective reader is Rovergauge software that runs on a PC. The software is free, but you need a cable to connect to the ECU .

Details and downloads at http://www.remap-14cux.uk/gadgets.html

Cable and software here https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Range-Rover-Classic-TVR-Morgan-Lucas-14CUX-hotwire-diagnostic-cable-kit/224011772032?hash=item3428246080:g:3-cAAOSw6qpa157K

The connector is on a spur off of the harness, behind and to the right side of the rear of the glovebox, there is a plug already in the socket, remove the plug and connect the Rovergauge cable.

I have a 1994 +8 and had a problem when the engine revs were declining e.g. coming to a halt it would cut out, is this similar to your issue? In my case it was the earth to the road speed sensor which had become loose and was giving intermittent connection. The code reader was showing code 48 which is the Stepper Motor or the Road Speed Sensor, the Stepper Motor sticking can cause rough running. Have a look at GOMOG: https://www.gomog.com/allmorgan/14CUXCodeReader.html

I have an 14CUX Fault Code Reader permanently attached to the ECU that came with the vehicle, I don't know where you could get one now.

Speaking for the many of us that would have NO clue as to how to solve that issue.....Thank God we have people on TM that know how to identify and fix problems.

SERIOUSLY....it is a great resource!

I think you refer to the 'Range Rover on Board Diagnostic Display' part PRC17EM. There are a couple on ebay, but located in USA. I do have one but problem is that the ECU harness needs to be fitted with a socket to plug the display into. A guy called Steve Heath made a similar device that plugs into the diagnostic port, but Steve probably found other things to do and stopped making them. Steve also made a diagnostic reader called ECU Mate, which is very good as stand alone reader, only available pre-owned and none on ebay at the moment. In any event, the Rovergauge is a much more complete diagnostic tool and at £35 for the cable and a CD it is good value

Couple of points. Assuming it is the same as my 95 Plus 8, there is no MIL light, so you may have error codes logged, but won't know until you connect a reader. What may look like a MIL light illuminates when the inertia switch fires and isolates the fuel pump. A second issue can be that using the battery isolator (the red key) will cause the ECU to reset and lose any stored codes. So when you get the fault, read the codes, don't turn the red key before you read them.

Lawson, reading your earlier post prompted me to invest in the gadget suggested above by Teknome.

bought off eBay as a just in case purchase, it does exactly what you'd expect and is quite straightforward to use.

This is the item I bought (no other connection)

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Range-Rover-Classic-TVR-Morgan-Lucas-14CUX-hotwire-diagnostic-cable-kit/224011772032?hash=item3428246080:g:3-cAAOSw6qpa157K

Gary

many thanks all!
All your comments and help are such a great antidote to some parts of modern life (you know the ones I mean - the 'what's in it for me' ones).
I will dig into all the recommendations!

Lawson, does the problem occur when the engine is hot, or at any time ? Do you notice if the rev counter needle drops when the problem occurs. If it were fueling, and the momentum keeps the engine turning, the ignition will continue to operate and rev counter will continue to show engine speed, if you are loosing spark, and problem is in the primary circuit of the ignition, you will loose the signal to the rev counter.