Steve and Josh both raise some valid points in this video, along with some good advice. As mentioned, it is important to be able to correctly interpret what the diagnostic tool is telling you, as with anything like this, the software is only as good as the person using it. People have a tendency to just plug the tool in and delete any DTCs, which is bad practice. Even if you don't understand what the DTCs mean, take a picture or note them down, and then do some research. I would also advise some caution about taking everything you read on the internet as gospel, as unfortunately there is some inaccurate information out there, particularly surrounding Aston Martin. AMDS is good, but it's not the best all and end all of diagnostics on the VH-platform cars. A combination of a simple DTC reader, a digital multimeter, wiring diagrams and a book about the basics of modern vehicle electronics (explaining how sensors and networking work), will put any DIY enthusiast in good stead. The reason why the VH-platform cars had two J1962F OBD plugs, is because the cars run to different flavours of networking topologies. The powertrain talks in Ford language and the body side talks in Volvo Platform 1 language (Volcano D2). Aston couldn't fit all of the required pins to just one plug, hence why they have two.
I hadn't seen anybody selling the Y cable on the DIY group. I know at one point Dean gave instructions on how to construct one. I just haven't gotten around to it yet.
Yes, that's right Matt. I did explain how to make the Y-cable. I'm not aware of anyone selling them but if they are, it certainly isn't me. With regards to the Foxwell units, they do seem to be quite good and I actually purchased an early NT520 version with the additional Aston Martin software. I took it into work at Gaydon and gave it a through testing on various different VH-platform cars. From the research that I have done, it has been reverse engineered from an early version of AMDS. Because of this, it doesn't work on the later V12 VH-platform cars with the Bosch ME17.8.31 engine management systems. It also doesn't like some of the later audio amplifiers, such as the ASK unit used on the later VH4xx-platform Rapide's. Deano 🤓 Former Aston Martin Test Driver, Major Rectification Technician and EDL/EOL.
Very valuable, thanks gents!
Steve and Josh both raise some valid points in this video, along with some good advice. As mentioned, it is important to be able to correctly interpret what the diagnostic tool is telling you, as with anything like this, the software is only as good as the person using it. People have a tendency to just plug the tool in and delete any DTCs, which is bad practice. Even if you don't understand what the DTCs mean, take a picture or note them down, and then do some research. I would also advise some caution about taking everything you read on the internet as gospel, as unfortunately there is some inaccurate information out there, particularly surrounding Aston Martin. AMDS is good, but it's not the best all and end all of diagnostics on the VH-platform cars. A combination of a simple DTC reader, a digital multimeter, wiring diagrams and a book about the basics of modern vehicle electronics (explaining how sensors and networking work), will put any DIY enthusiast in good stead.
The reason why the VH-platform cars had two J1962F OBD plugs, is because the cars run to different flavours of networking topologies. The powertrain talks in Ford language and the body side talks in Volvo Platform 1 language (Volcano D2). Aston couldn't fit all of the required pins to just one plug, hence why they have two.
Helpful!
I hadn't seen anybody selling the Y cable on the DIY group. I know at one point Dean gave instructions on how to construct one. I just haven't gotten around to it yet.
Yes, that's right Matt. I did explain how to make the Y-cable. I'm not aware of anyone selling them but if they are, it certainly isn't me. With regards to the Foxwell units, they do seem to be quite good and I actually purchased an early NT520 version with the additional Aston Martin software. I took it into work at Gaydon and gave it a through testing on various different VH-platform cars. From the research that I have done, it has been reverse engineered from an early version of AMDS. Because of this, it doesn't work on the later V12 VH-platform cars with the Bosch ME17.8.31 engine management systems. It also doesn't like some of the later audio amplifiers, such as the ASK unit used on the later VH4xx-platform Rapide's.
Deano 🤓
Former Aston Martin Test Driver, Major Rectification Technician and EDL/EOL.
Excellent presentation guys!
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Steve says his DB9 has 13 modules. I'm pretty sure my 2011 vantage reported 30-35 modules.
Is the AMDS a one time investment (I assume a large one), or does it entail a yearly fee as well?
One time investment, you would expect to pay over 5k for a used example
If you buy one secondhand (eg eBay), will there possibly be any issue with registering the unit to then be able to download the Aston dataset??
I wouldn't imagine so, they will just charge you for the Aston files.