Member Since: 03 Sep 2006
Location: Manchester
Posts: 14372
Faultmate FCR ...a small review
I have had the chance to try out one of Blackbox solutions new FCR fault code readers.
Wow what a great bit of kit . I cant belive how fast it is . As soon as you plug it in ..its on and waiting for you to press a button . Very simple to use just 3 buttons ..an up /down and what I would call an enter button .
All the modules are in alphabetical order so finding your suspected module is childs play . Scroll to which you want ...select read faults . If any are present they will show up as a fault code number . Click on that and it scrolls across with the description . Its so easy .
Obviously there is a clear fault button aswell ..and just needs clicking on to clear the fault (if it can be cleared..or once you have fixed the problem )
The FCR is tiny ..and could easily be hidden away in the car for those emergency moments .
It has a connector on one end for plugging into the diagnostic port in the D3 and a small USB connector at the other for any future updates / software changes etc.
As much as I love my original Faultmate ..im very impressed with this little one . Im hoping Colin forgets I have it as I have already found a nice little place to tuck it out the way in my car .
It wont turn your car into a 3 horned monster ...it wont increase your BHP ...it wont invalidate your insurance ...just a nice and simple fault code reader that works with all the modules on the D3 ..and works well.
Keep up the good work Colin and the BBS team ..hats off to you for another great bit of kit .
Some pics ...excuse the quaility ..my camera dosent like the cold ..and I aint no David Bailey
These two are scrolling ..thats why they looks like that
Cleared faults
Plugged in diagnostic port on the D3
Size
Faultmate MSV-2 and FCR
G4 Gone ...but not forgotten
6th Jan 2010 3:47 pm
lad
Member Since: 17 May 2008
Location: Blackburn
Posts: 634
Looks a good bit of kit, I like the size of it, alot smaller than the msv222 unit, and like you say Adrian, it would be easy to hide in the landy and be handy when needs be. Whats the price, or whats the price likely to be if not already available?
Ok 90BHP?
Last edited by lad on 7th Jan 2010 10:54 pm. Edited 1 time in total
6th Jan 2010 7:14 pm
pom
Member Since: 10 Feb 2008
Location: Worcestershire
Posts: 1790
Pom
No just a fault code reader ..i can switch it off with the big faultmate though
90bhp
good spot G4 Gone ...but not forgotten
7th Jan 2010 1:01 am
Matty 2332
Member Since: 02 Dec 2008
Location: West Yorkshire
Posts: 670
I am quite tempted by this flash bit of kit, and at £200 quite reasonable. Like the service reset tool I bought from BBS it will only lock onto one vehicle. Incidently I found the service reset tool excellent and good value for money. Colin (BBS) is always on hand (as are many others on this site) to offer good advice etc.
7th Jan 2010 8:08 am
JamesG01
Member Since: 30 Apr 2009
Location: Worthing
Posts: 384
Can't wait to receive mine...Posted to me on Monday!55-Reg Java Black SE, Unlocked SatNav (via Wiggs and Bodsy), Nudge Bar/Driving Lamps/RAI, Front & Rear Lamp Guards, RLD Sump Plate, RLD spare wheel protector
"Every movie-going moron knows that only a mining company could be evil enough to attack Smurfs living in a rainforest." - Doug Casey
7th Jan 2010 8:18 am
TonyH
Member Since: 01 Mar 2006
Location: Market Drayton, Shropshire
Posts: 211
My D3 is now four years old and I am looking to replace this year. But as the Faultmate FCR locks to the VIN number of the vehicle it is first linked to, does this mean that it will not work with my new car, Should I wait, also will it work with the D4.*Disco3 7-seat Auto
March 2006
Zermatt silver
*Disco TD5 GS Manual
2001
Epson Green
108,000 miles without a single problem
*Disco TD200 Manual
1993
Bonatti Grey
55,000 trouble-free miles
*Various company cars, no comparison
7th Jan 2010 8:34 am
Matty 2332
Member Since: 02 Dec 2008
Location: West Yorkshire
Posts: 670
I am sure Colin (BBS) will clarify, but as the unit locks onto the VIN, you would have to send this back to have it reset by BBS, it would probably be worth waiting until you get your new vehicle and order the unit then.
7th Jan 2010 8:41 am
TonyH
Member Since: 01 Mar 2006
Location: Market Drayton, Shropshire
Posts: 211
Thank's Matty, thought this might be the case. I'll hang on, if I don't hear to the contrary.*Disco3 7-seat Auto
March 2006
Zermatt silver
*Disco TD5 GS Manual
2001
Epson Green
108,000 miles without a single problem
*Disco TD200 Manual
1993
Bonatti Grey
55,000 trouble-free miles
*Various company cars, no comparison
7th Jan 2010 8:45 am
BBS SPY Site Sponsor
Member Since: 15 Jun 2007
Location: Sunny Cyprus
Posts: 3054
Hiyas Stiggs
I told you its speed and ease of use would blow you away
As you was saying, you get so used to the MSV-2 being fast, until you see it yourself, it is quite hard to believe.
But being micro controller based, theres no boot up time, no initialization.
In fact i had to add a couple of seconds to the start up so you could even see the splash screen. And one you have used it and got familiar with it's layout its just so easy.
@TonyH
Of course it can be de locked and re locked.
And you won't have to send it back to us either, as it can be done via its USB PC connection for which we supply it with a USB connectivity lead.
You plug it in, (Has to also be connected to a car for power) it's automatically recognized as we programmed it so windows recognizes it as a HID device. Then you simply run the software we supply and voila.
Same goes for if and when we do free software upgrades for it and the multi lingual pack changing.
Work on a D4? yep, actually Pete has been giving his the run of his D4 today.
How could you guys doubt me
It is however designed and developed really just to do reading and Clearing of fault codes. We leave the service resetting to our SRT tool.
You got yours yet JamesG01
7th Jan 2010 3:13 pm
TonyH
Member Since: 01 Mar 2006
Location: Market Drayton, Shropshire
Posts: 211
Thank's BBS Spy, that's good news. It wasn't that I doubted you, I just didn't know the answer. I'll save my pennies now.*Disco3 7-seat Auto
March 2006
Zermatt silver
*Disco TD5 GS Manual
2001
Epson Green
108,000 miles without a single problem
*Disco TD200 Manual
1993
Bonatti Grey
55,000 trouble-free miles
*Various company cars, no comparison
7th Jan 2010 4:42 pm
XX03
Member Since: 03 Sep 2006
Location: London
Posts: 474
Wiggs....were those Benson's in the picture also a freebie from Cyprus ?.Formerly Blakey
10th Jan 2010 12:07 pm
JamesG01
Member Since: 30 Apr 2009
Location: Worthing
Posts: 384
Not yet, Colin...Only had post on Thursday this past week...Maybe Monday...I can't wait for my new toy piece of essential diagnostic equipment !55-Reg Java Black SE, Unlocked SatNav (via Wiggs and Bodsy), Nudge Bar/Driving Lamps/RAI, Front & Rear Lamp Guards, RLD Sump Plate, RLD spare wheel protector
"Every movie-going moron knows that only a mining company could be evil enough to attack Smurfs living in a rainforest." - Doug Casey
10th Jan 2010 12:54 pm
wiggs
Member Since: 03 Sep 2006
Location: Manchester
Posts: 14372
XX03 wrote:
Wiggs....were those Benson's in the picture also a freebie from Cyprus ?.
No ..either Bulgarian or Romanian ..cant remeber which G4 Gone ...but not forgotten
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