STAR communication error

[V6Matty]

Well bit of an odd one, EML has come on on my car too now (wife’s 169 is in limp mode for the last couple of weeks but hasn’t moved so not too worried), so I decided to boot up my STAR and after plugging it in I get the attached error message, looks like there is a multiplexer issue but not a clue where to start looking, anyone any ideas?

 

[Craiglxviii]

Do you need a code reader for your Star?

 

[-raj-]

Did you have a battery charger attached to the car?

 

[V6Matty]

Do you need a code reader for your Star?

Yeah, and I think it will have to be a genuine code reader rather than generic

 

[V6Matty]

Did you have a battery charger attached to the car?

Yep, although the batter was sat at 12.8v in position 1 so plenty of charge even before I connected just in case

 

[-raj-]

Yep, although the batter was sat at 12.8v in position 1 so plenty of charge even before I connected just in case

Try without the charger attached. I got the same message once and that cured it for some reason.

 

[V6Matty]

Tried that this morning, no difference I’m afraid

 

[GeoffWestWales]

Tried that this morning, no difference I’m afraid

Never used Star but how good quality are the leads that attach it to the car, if like the old computer lead it dont take a lot to snap a wire

 

[LostKiwi]

Malcolm had this on his once. It was a broken wire where it connects to one of the connectors. He resoldered it and it's been good ever since.
Also check you're getting 12v and earth on the OBD2 port.

 

[V6Matty]

Never used Star but how good quality are the leads that attach it to the car, if like the old computer lead it dont take a lot to snap a wire

They are heavy duty cables but it’s possible that something is broken

 

[LostKiwi]

Also check for bent/broken pins.

 

[V6Matty]

Malcolm had this on his once. It was a broken wire where it connects to one of the connectors. He resoldered it and it's been good ever since.
Also check you're getting 12v and earth on the OBD2 port.

If I had a multi meter that’s my next port of call for checking each of the pins.
Yep 12v at the ODB port, I get the same error on my wife’s car so I’m 99% sure it’s STAR at fault here

 

[V6Matty]

Also check for bent/broken pins.

Yep, already checked all good

 

[Blobcat]

Also check for bent/broken pins.

Quite common with fitting D-Type connectors the wrong way round...

 

[Craiglxviii]

Malcolm had this on his once. It was a broken wire where it connects to one of the connectors. He resoldered it and it's been good ever since.
Also check you're getting 12v and earth on the OBD2 port.

I think that’s when he was fiddling with my car!

 

[Tony Dyson]

If I had a multi meter that’s my next port of call for checking each of the pins....

An active member for over 12 Years with over 6,600 posts and you don't even have a multimeter in your toolkit... now that I find beyond bizarre! How have you managed all this time without one?

 

[V6Matty]

An active member for over 12 Years with over 6,600 posts and you don't even have a multimeter in your toolkit... now that I find beyond bizarre! How have you managed all this time without one?

Honestly I’ve never had an issue with electrics where I needed one, plus STAR has been my go to for a long time

 

[GeoffWestWales]

They are heavy duty cables but it’s possible that something is broken

I would just try a continuity check just to be sure, goodluck in sorting it

 

[V6Matty]

I would just try a continuity check just to be sure, goodluck in sorting it

See the above posts about no multimeter

 

[Tony Dyson]

See the above posts about no multimeter

Well don't tempt providence now and buy one, you've led a charmed life so far don't spoil it!