How to check ECU firmware version on Ducato?

[Bobbydaisy]

Me too , bought the Bluetooth dongle , 1andonly I think will be along with the answer for us hopefully

 

[activecampers]

The danger is some older versions can cause engine issues that cost£000s that could be prevented of the software was updated.
Not sure on the last two digits being the version to be honest - but some googling suggests it may be. If you are on version 18 suggests its not seen a fiat pro garage in a loooooooooong time!

Id never use 3rd party map on these vans having read what I've read on the web!

Multiecuscan shows the version number.

Since my my20 160ps had been upgraded from 30 to 32 the low down power is much better and as per torque graphs whereas before is was slugging at low rpm. And mpg up 20%. Drivability much much better. I was on the verge of complaining and doing a rolling road as below 2000 it was dead and 6th was pointless and cruise control struggled. Now, 1300rpm in 6th is fine, and it flies up hills and mountain passes. (only complaint now is gear ratios on alpine passes being a bit long, but driven slower its fine lol)

Or maybe it's coincidence as it's first service and 10000km was at the same time so maybe it auto adapted after run in.

Screen BEFORE update

 

[Ingwe]

Maybe its the unanswerable question.

The answer’s 42.

 

[the1andonly]

Looking at purchasing multiecuscan or alfaobd are they equal as in terms of functionality or is one better then the other?

If you had a Dodge Ram i would recommend Alfaobd. It tends to have more body functions than MES (not really looked into it)
A Fiat Ducato: both have simular capabilities, does one do more than another, there are subtle differences.
For continuous monitoring of an engine i would suggest Alfobd, ease of use with an android phone
for fault finding and code reading: either
for oil system resets: either
For system support Multiecuscan all the way. There is a reasonable manual and lots of expertise here Fiat forum and a dedicated Multiecuscan forum, plenty of people to ask.
Hardware required/available
Windows PC : either
Android : Alfaobd
I phone : Multiecuscan
So take your choice and pays your money.

 

[Bobbydaisy]

If you had a Dodge Ram i would recommend Alfaobd. It tends to have more body functions than MES (not really looked into it)
A Fiat Ducato: both have simular capabilities, does one do more than another, there are subtle differences.
For continuous monitoring of an engine i would suggest Alfobd, ease of use with an android phone
for fault finding and code reading: either
for oil system resets: either
For system support Multiecuscan all the way. There is a reasonable manual and lots of expertise here Fiat forum and a dedicated Multiecuscan forum, plenty of people to ask.
Hardware required/available
Windows PC : either
Android : Alfaobd
I phone : Multiecuscan
So take your choice and pays your money.

Multiecuscan it is for me ,IPhone and Windows user , many thanks for your input and help, very much appreciated.

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[Ditcha]

If you had a Dodge Ram i would recommend Alfaobd. It tends to have more body functions than MES (not really looked into it)
A Fiat Ducato: both have simular capabilities, does one do more than another, there are subtle differences.
For continuous monitoring of an engine i would suggest Alfobd, ease of use with an android phone
for fault finding and code reading: either
for oil system resets: either
For system support Multiecuscan all the way. There is a reasonable manual and lots of expertise here Fiat forum and a dedicated Multiecuscan forum, plenty of people to ask.
Hardware required/available
Windows PC : either
Android : Alfaobd
I phone : Multiecuscan
So take your choice and pays your money.

Thanks for that think I will go with multiecuscan on my windows table

 

[the1andonly]

Thanks for that think I will go with multiecuscan on my windows table

Good choice . forgot to add there is a simulation mode to practice in, a good addition.

 

[Ditcha]

Good choice . forgot to add there is a simulation mode to practice in, a good addition.

Thanks, what elm would you recommend it seems a bit of a mine field and big price difference thanks

 

[the1andonly]

1 use a win10 obdsx USB dongle and multiecuscan from Gendan
Alfaobd Samsung j6 phone a8 or tabA tablet and a bluetooth dongle.
i used the same BT dongle and usb device with both softwares

Vgate iCar Pro Bluetooth 4.0 from ebay​

Ive used this guy in porthcawl for this and other parts
the price for a genuine one will be in the £20-30 . Beware of cheap ones about £10 they have been reported not to work. I bought this one as a seen in a french you tube vid with it demonstrated.

Bluetooth 4.0 Vgate iCar Pro BIMMERCODE Coding For BMW IOS Android OBD2 | eBay ​

VGATE ICAR PRO BLUETOOTH 4.0. The Vgate iCar Pro provides almost any Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) enabled device the hardware needed to read and delete faults from most cars

 

[Burgo]

I can confirm the Veepeak mini (the blue one) works on our ducato with the free versions of alfaobd and multiecuscan, as well as torque lite and carista on our Rav4. Amazon product ASIN B011NSX27A

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[Lenny HB]

Twin egr Euro 6 runs from 2016 to 2019 (no ad blu)
Edit by the way the problem is prevelent in Motorhomes with comformatics and relativly low mileage.

Are you trying to scare me?
Mines 2017 and only done 34,000.

 

[the1andonly]

Are you trying to scare me?
Mines 2017 and only done 34,000.

see PM

 

[Oisin]

Lenny you got no worries...
got ours last year 2019 only 5k on the clock now do I need to be worried??
any advice on what should I do?
thanks

 

[steve69]

My Peugeot Boxer is 12 years old and as far as I know the ECU has never been touched. Should I be worried?

 

[the1andonly]

Not about the twin EGR problem. Is it even a fiat engine?

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[DDJC]

I haven't a clue what you are all talking about, but it sounds jolly exciting.

So, what I am reading is, on the basis that my bus is a 2018, 2.3 Fiat 50hp lump on a comfortmatic gearbox, I can double my mpg and top speed?

Sounds terrif. Where can I get one of these software upgrades and buy a plug in alfaobd dangle on a low down lite torque with ram dodging? Amazon coming up with nothing.

Seriously, I'm interested, but I would get a Fiat dealer to do it all as I am a mechanical coward..

 

[Oisin]

The1and only,
please could you offer any advice please.
Ours is Fiat reg 2019 non AddBlue with only 5k on clock..
Thought this was gonna be our long term van!! now little concerned.....
Do I take to main Fiat garage? this is 50+ miles but better than big garage bill.
Thank you in advance for your time.

 

[the1andonly]

What is the problem?
A number of people have had problems with the twin egr version mainly giving a P0401,P0402 and / or P236/238. This has been covered on the Fiat Forum. (and at least one sufferer here)
I dont have a problem myself but my mileage is rediculously low.
The problem is basicaly too much shit in the DPF and LPegr system Blocked Cooler primarily as a result of ecu programming failing to deal with over fueling/ poor air control. (version has been updated at least 5 times).
there is one current thread on fiat forum about it Po401,P402 etc

Ducato P0401 P0402 P0236 P0238 and limp mode its 2017 Euro 6, EGR changed, What do I check next | FIAT Ducato

I thought I was going to be out of luck tonight, with no fault codes to deliver. Then at second 806.14, I got a triple whammy - 236, 238, 401. Nearly the full set we're lookin at in this thread! Its always easy to spot the when the MIL activates, as actual turbo pressure drops to atmospheric...

www.fiatforum.com

post #272 has a service bulitin that you ought to read. Do you know what version you have?
if you can get your version number then you can consider upgrading.
getting a stake in the ground is your first step .
I intend keeping mine for next ten years. my plan of action will be regular monitoring of the parameters shown in the ff thread. and regular addition of diesel additives (current favourite Liqui Moly Diesel purge). (I allready have a replacement MAP sensor in the glovebox). Work done with a number of members on FF Has shown the parameters we need to monitor. Putting precise limmits on those parameters requires more data.

 

[Richard J]

1 use a win10 obdsx USB dongle and multiecuscan from Gendan
Alfaobd Samsung j6 phone a8 or tabA tablet and a bluetooth dongle.
i used the same BT dongle and usb device with both softwares

Vgate iCar Pro Bluetooth 4.0 from ebay​

Ive used this guy in porthcawl for this and other parts
the price for a genuine one will be in the £20-30 . Beware of cheap ones about £10 they have been reported not to work. I bought this one as a seen in a french you tube vid with it demonstrated.

Bluetooth 4.0 Vgate iCar Pro BIMMERCODE Coding For BMW IOS Android OBD2 | eBay​

VGATE ICAR PRO BLUETOOTH 4.0. The Vgate iCar Pro provides almost any Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) enabled device the hardware needed to read and delete faults from most cars

So I got one of these VGate icar pros but I don’t seem to be able to connect to my iphone SE 2022 with Multiecuscan. Have I missed something?

 

[Bobbydaisy]

So I got one of these VGate icar pros but I don’t seem to be able to connect to my iphone SE 2022 with Multiecuscan. Have I missed something?

1Andonly said not to buy a cheap one ? Maybe that’s the problem? Maybe not. You switched ignition on ? Only guessing to try to help , someone with more knowledge may be able to help .

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[Bobbydaisy]

Another issue some folk have is the Bluetooth connection , does it show on the phone and successfully pair with the phone? If not you need to open the OBD app and from the app select the Bluetooth device to pair successfully.

 

[Richard J]

1Andonly said not to buy a cheap one ? Maybe that’s the problem? Maybe not. You switched ignition on ? Only guessing to try to help , someone with more knowledge may be able to help .

Not the cheap one, and the iPhone doesn't see it but it looks like you connect to a BT dongle in the app in Multiecuscan, but it doesn't work there either, says not dongle found. Looks like the Vgate is not compatable with Multiecuscan in ios. Anyone managed to get it to work? I now see there is only one (rather expensive) BT dongle listed in the Multiecuscan compatibility list.

 

[Bobbydaisy]

Here’s a review I read , the part about Bluetooth might help ? Seems they use it with “bimmercode” which is BMW compatible

 

[Bobbydaisy]

Here

 

[Speve]

If it ain’t broke don’t mend it? why worry about something that may not happen? Get out and enjoy your van while it’s still working

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[IRHP]

If there is a problem with the firmware version on certain vehicles why isn't there a recall? Is it because Fiat expect you to go to them for a service and is it it ignored because it isn't safety related?

 

[Bobbydaisy]

If it ain’t broke don’t mend it? why worry about something that may not happen? Get out and enjoy your van while it’s still working

But it is broke……that’s what started the thread, it may not happen, but if you can prevent it happening that might be a less expensive route to take

 

[Richard J]

My interest in this was prompted by the appearance of an engine fault warning light while in Switzerland. After a weekend of obligatory driving I ignored the advice from the locals to drive to Germany or France (due to the eye watering costs of garage labour in Switzerland) and got a diagnostic from a local garage (done for free!). I was advised it was safe to drive back to the UK, the van ran well and got us home with nothing more than the threatening glare of the Engine Malfunction Light. But I wanted to avoid the pain of uncertainty next time so followed the tips in this thread and consolidated my learning in the attached document. Hope it is of use.

 

[the1andonly]

I Have absolulely no experiance of Aples other than eating them. I was advised that multiecuscan for ios is only available from apple store is more expensive than Windoze and has to been renewed annualy. I have used two examples of the Vgate with windows 10 laptop and 4 samsung android devices with alfaobd and torq. one vgate is permamently attached to my ducato the other is a transient.

 

[the1andonly]

Anyone with MES out there checked their Number of programmings? Does anyone know if this is 0 zero or one direct from factory

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