hydractive ecu fix query

[dei9]

dear all,

it's that time again... to open up the hydractive ecu and have a look inside at the transistors.

i've done a search and i can't quite find the post it was in when I did it last time...

which cables need the diode mod (which plug and what colour one, i can't remember).

and what is the specification of the diode (any recommendations of something cheap and easy to get)
and what is the specification of the transistors?

When that is all done and fixed i might visit Westroen for spehres, but only when I know the system works electrically, at the moment I hear no solenoids buzzing, so I might check the feed to it first.

thanks all!

[Northern_Mike]

and what is the specification of the diode (any recommendations of something cheap and easy to get)

Someone will be along with the correct bits, but when I did the same on my XM years ago, it cost me about £2 for the bits from Maplins, who had them in stock and about 20 mins with a gas soldering iron, outside, one January evening!

I'm useless with a soldering iron and I'm colour blind, and it was dark, and even I managed it.. so it's not that hard.

[dei9]

I've done it before on my old black vsx too, and i've been through this whole process of asking here before too (when i was a member under a different name), so it's a little embarassing to ask again knowing i've asked before (but the search isn't too great on these forums).
where u from mike?

Need someone with a lexia tbh!

[Peter.N.]

I've done it several times but can't remember either, 1N4001 seems to stick in my mind but I cant be sure, I think they are a fairly standard silicon diode.

Peter

[dei9]

yes, a google search found it, it looks familiar too...

my mate has 1n400.... would they work? i'm not sure what specification it needs to be tbh

update: i've checked the ecu, the transistors look fine, checked the fuse, all well, haven't put a voltmeter on it yet (i'll assume it's ok until i do the diodes)
so i'll do the diode mod and if it still fails i need someone in liverpool (area) with a lexia computer, will drive up to an hour around if i get to chat about xantias over a brew and a lexia check.... any volunteers? (won't be till next week or the one after though)

also, when i get the diodes, which side does the band go?
connector side or electrovalve side?

[myglaren]

This help?

Also this

Rather than trying to use the forum search tool, use the Google Advanced Search, much more effective.

[dei9]

cheers steve, found the top one, but not my last one....

so any lexia volunteers?

[myglaren]

Check the Lexia Locations in the Supersticky forum.
Map here

[dei9]

Right, i did the diode mod, and it still isn't working (the transistors look ok).
So, I have a plan, an excellent plan that may turn into my third year project at Uni: to replicate the hydractive ECU with an Arduino. The idea came about because I started testing the input to the hydractive ecu (there is a 12v feed going into it), and then thought, well I could put voltage into the electrovavles, but it's not good to keep it at 12v open, so what could I use to replicate the square wave, and then it came to me. So watch this space, I've seen enough data on here to replicate the square wave on an Arduino, feed it 5v from the 12v (via resistors, unless it can handle 12v), and give out 12v at 1KHz at 25 duty cycle right? Starting it off at 100% duty for how long though?
Thx, Dei

[elma]

Thats a great idea. If I talked computer I'd have a go at that too.

[dei9]

Can set my own parameters too, but i'll base them on what citroen use first, or keep it permanently on or off or whatever.

[CitroJim]

Dei, that could be very interesting...

Have you checked with a 'scope to see if there's any electrovalve actuation signals from your ECU at all?

[dei9]

haven't got a scope, my mate has one but its not portable, they are completely silent, so i'm guessing its stuck in hard mode and it needs faulta cleared. what price am i likely looking at getting it hooked up at an indy?

[Hell Razor5543]

I have heard the figure £50 for a half hour session. It could well be worth getting yourself a Lexia clone, because it would save you money after a couples of sessions. However, myglaren did post the link to Lexia owners on the forum who are willing to help.

[dei9]

Ahh, well I have a fault code reader which plugs into the socket near the fuse box, that works and reads the car, but I assume it would only show faults for the engine ECU? I could try plugging it in again to see, but I don't suspect hyractive ecu faults are generic enough to show up there.

Does anyone have specifications for the Electrovalves for the hydractive system? I just want to choose a suitable transistor for it that isn't as expensive at the VN05N, I think if I am just driving it from an Arduino then it doesn't need to be as complicated at the VN05N.