News Flash!!! There is finally an affordable OBDII reader that can talk specifically to an Aston Martin. 
If you do some of the service work on your Aston an OBDII reader is an essential tool as it can talk to the many computer modules that control the car. I’ve written several articles already about the topic (you can find them all in this Collection here). What was bothersome was that none of the aftermarket OBDII readers actual knew all the specific Aston Martin codes. We could just talk to the Powertrain Control Modules (PCMs) since they were really made by Ford. We had no access to all the modules on the “Body” port, which included the Airbag, Transmission, Door, Seat, Entertainment, and other control units.
Let me introduce you to the Foxwell NT510. Foxwell is a Chinese company that makes a number of Automotive Diagnostic Tools. They have updated this model to now include the codes for the Aston Martin DB9, DBS, Cygnet, Rapide, Vantage and Virage. The unit has a color display, upgradeable firmware, can comes with a nice storage case. Let me dive into a few details that matter.
Pricing
Foxwell has an interesting approach to how they make their money with the unit. It’s a sensible ‘pay for what you need’ model. When you purchase the unit it is just a basic OBDII reader (like any cheapy OBDII you can pick up for under $100 USD) and it can do all the Generic OBDII stuff. Here is where it gets interesting. With your initial purchase you get one ‘Token’ to add the custom codes for any manufacturer they have on their list. Currently they have 17+ manufacturers ranging from Aston Martin to Porsche to Ford to Ferrari and more. When you register your unit online you can cash in your token and select Aston Martin and this will enable those codes in the unit. [I will have a separate article about setting up the unit and you can see how to do this] If you need more than one manufacturers codes (perhaps you have a Ford and an Aston Martin) you can purchase as many additional codes as you want for $70 USD each and enable those features. Neat.
At the moment I can buy a Foxwell NT510 Online for $179 USD from Amazon.com (with Prime Free shipping) or directly from the Foxwell website for $159 USD (also with Free shipping).
Updates
They approach updates in a different way too. Many of the makers of fancy code readers (like some from Autel) try and get their hooks into you for annual subscriptions. As Manufacturers develop their product lines from year to year, the code libraries evolve too with the new models. Your Ford code reader purchased in 2012 won’t be able to understand a completely new Ford model that came out in 2017 unless you have some way of updating the database in your OBDII reader. Most OBDII manufacturers keep updating the ‘firmware’ for the devices, but want to charge you with an annual subscription fee to be able to download the latest updates to your device.
Foxwell has taken a different approach with this unit, one that all of us will like. Lifetime upgrades are included – no subscription necessary! Of course, if the company doesn’t put any effort into this and doesn’t release any future updates, the lifetime upgrades is meaningless. So far so good though, they have already update the Aston Martin code firmware once since introduction.
What can it do that’s special?
Reading Information
It can talk to all the Body Port Control Modules and provide you with information about their status and sensor values. Honestly there are zillions of data points it can provide back and I can’t list them all here (maybe sometime in the future). It can talk to the following modules in the DB9:
- EMS-P – Primary Engine Control Module – Bank 1 (the right hand bank 6 cylinders)
- EMS-S – Secondary Engine Control Module – Bank 2 (the left hand bank 6 cyclinders)
- BCM – Brake Control Module (they brake and traction control system)
- RCM – Restraint Contol Module (the Airbag and restraint system)
- CEM-HS – Central Electronics Module – High Speed
- CEM-LS – Central Electronics Module – Low Speed
- DIM – Drivers Information Module (your dash board gauges and lights)
- PAM – Parking Aid Module
- CCM – Center Console Module
- AUD5 – Audio Amplifier Module
- SUB5 – Sub Woofer Module
- MMM – Multi Media Module
- MP1 – Media Player Module
- AFM – AM/FM Tuner Module
- GPS – Global Position System
- TCMZF – Transmission Control Module for ZF Transmission
- ASM – Transmission Control Module for Marelli Transmissions
- EPB – Parking Brake
- ESCL – Electonic Steering Colum Lock Module
- HLM – Headlamp Leveling Module
- SAS – Steering Angle Sensor
- ADM – Adaptive Dampening Module (fancy suspension)
- TPMS – Beru Tire Pressure Monitor Module
- DSM+ – Drivers Seat Module
- PSM+ – Passenger Seat Module
- DDM+ – Drivers Door Module
- PDM+ – Passenger Door Module
- DDMR – Drivers Door Module Rear
- PDMR – Passenger Door Module Rear
- FCIM – Front Console Interface Module
- RCIM – Rear Console Interface Module
- LCDM – LCD Module
Writing Information
In addition to just ‘Reading’ information from the car, the NT510 says it has the ability to ‘Push’ information back to the car (like settings and firmware), plus control functions of the car. I was really excited about this, but couldn’t find a list online anywhere about what exact features.
This is about the only feature I am disappointed with. All it can do (so far) along these lines is Reset the Service Due indicator [which I have an article and video on how to do this manually]. Don’t get me wrong, having a simple one click way to reset this is much easier than fiddling around with all the special key presses of dash buttons and turning keys at the exact right time, but I was hoping for more. [Foxwell if you are listening here is my wishlist] In particular I would really like to have a button to help bleed the brakes. Since our cars are fitted with a Traction Control system that can modulate the brakes automatically, the car can actually be set to bleed its own brakes. This would be very helpful as part of the annual services where we are supposed to change all the brake fluid each year. The Dealers have this function in their fancy systems. Basically connect a bleed line to a caliper nipple and open it, press the button, and the system pumps the right amount of fluid through to flush the line and caliper. Simple. Another feature request would be to send the command to put the Windscreen Wipers into ‘Service Position’ – part of the way up the windshield so you can actually change them. Maybe Foxwell will add these features in a future revision (they have them in some firmware for other car manufacturers they support).
Here is a link to the PDF I have since discovered since my purchase that list the modules the NT510 can talk to and what capabilities it has with each for each Aston Martin model (including those other than the DB9).
How my purchase went
So I did my research and dove in. I ordered my unit with a little trepidation that it might not be what it advertised, but in the end only $149 was at risk. I thought since I was paying with a credit card you can always dispute the charge if it never shows up. It took a little more than about a week for the unit to arrive. It was exactly as advertised, no shenanigans.
Are they fly by night?
I don’t think so. Overall their company has a lot of products, looks like they are just competing on the value end of the scale copying all the good ideas of the other units. You can check out their whole product line at www.foxwelltool.com
I emailed their support team a quick question and had an answer the next day.
They say they ship US product from a warehouse in the USA. I presume they shipped a cargo container over to a third party US fulfillment center. I’m not sure where other International orders ship from.
They are a Chinese company, but I did a little digging and my Autel unit is also Chinese. The units compare so closely I wouldn’t be surprised to learn that Foxwell was founded by a few ex-Autel employees who opened up their own shop down the street to compete.
How does it compare to my Autel?
In my first series of articles on OBDII I had purchased an Autel MaxiDiag Elite MD802. I wanted to give you just a quick comparison between the two:
Photo side by side
Price
- Autel Maxidiag Elite MD802 was $229 USD from Amazon.com with free shipping.
- Foxwell NT510 is $149 USD from the Foxwell Online Store (with free shipping) and $179 USD from Amazon.com (with free shipping).
Manufacture Codes
- Autel includes an impressive list of 47 manufacturers from Bugatti to VW. Unfortunately this list still does NOT include Aston Martin (as of when I wrote this article).
- Foxwell includes just one of the 17+ manufacturer groups for the initial price. You can add additional manufacturers at any time for $70 USD each. It’s worth noting that many of the manufacturer’s are grouped. For example, purchase the Volkswagen Automotive Group (for $70) and you get VW, Audi, Seat and Skoda (4 for 1).
Support
- Originally Autel included just a 1 year subscription to update with my original purchase. Since then they have changed the policy and you get lifetime updates for the MD802. This is great, something tells me they are responding to pressure from Foxwell.
- Foxwell includes lifetime free updates to the unit.
Quality
- The Autel is a very nice quality unit. Feels solid and well made. Should last a long time even in a shop environment
- The Foxwell seems a little cheesier, but not by much. Their design stylists just didn’t make it as sleek. I still think it will server very well in any shop.
Functionality
- The Autel displays and controls work great. Very nice color screen, easy to read, well laid out.
- Insert Main Screenshot Here
- The Foxwell is nearly an identical copy of the user interface. I swear I can barely tell any difference between the two units. The color screen is also great. The Foxwell is just as good in all respects.
- Insert Main Screen Shot Here
Overall
- The Autel is a great unit and car talk to many models of cars for one reasonable price. Unfortunately Aston Martin codes aren’t available in this model.
- The Foxwell unit is equivalent to the Autel in most every way, costs 2/3rds as much and includes the ability to talk to Aston Martins. Simple decision.
Conclusion
You should have one of these even if you already own another ODBII reader.
It’s not like we have many options here for an Aston Martin specific OBDII device. Other than spending $1,285 for top of the line Autel MS906BT unit (which appears to be as limited on write functions as the NT510), or finding a used WDS or AMDS tens of thousans of dollars, the Foxwell NT510 can give you new insight into what’s troubling your Aston at an affordable price.
In a future article I will cover the process of setting up a Foxwell NT510 out of the box and how to configure it with the Aston Martin Codes.
Video
Here is a video where I will show you around the Foxwell NT510 and how it compares a bit to the Autel unit.
[Coming Soon]
Aston 1936 
I wonder whether the Aston Martin token will end up covering the Mercedes based powertrain and infotainment aspects of the latest models such as the DB11 and new Vantage, or whether you would have to purchase an additional Merc token…
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This is a great find – ordered. Thanks for the link on additional codes – glad I can at last access the “12 Cylinder EMS-S – Engine Control Module – Bank 2” for my Aston Martin Cygnet, those are tough to find 😉
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I think this will be a must have for all modern model Aston owners.
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Hello Steve,
I found the link to your very useful article about the Foxwell device online and recently purchased the NT520 model with the Aston software.
First thing to note is that downloading and installing the Aston software had to be done on a Windows system. I tried via Safari on my iMac and got nowhere at first.
This fact isn’t provided in the accompanying manual.
Anyway I was trying to resolve the DSC service / Traction control temporary off warning message.
Initially the only fault code came back as P0130 which denotes a faulty upstream O2 sensor on bank 1 so I duly changed this but it made no difference whatsoever, probably reasonable since how would this sensor have anything to do with traction control.
Oddly though the same code was reported but this time against the brake control module and it was now described as P0130 pressure sensor – no voltage.
Finally the issue got fixed by fitting a new pressure sensor on the brake servo which, since my car is a V8 Vantage RHD, was really easy to do.
More so than the brake pedal travel sensor which I also replaced in attempting to fix the issue.
So the moral of my story is don’t believe the code but follow your instinct from the description and control unit it applies to when considering the error code reported on the Foxwell device.
I hope this post is helpful to others who follow your blog.
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Hi Brian. Thanks for sharing this experience. Glad you got it resolved. Odd about the code descriptions. Using your wits is always a good suggestion.
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Hi Steve,
Happy New Year.
Got my Foxwell NT510 with Aston Martin and English options already ordered direct, should be with me in a week to 10 days, looking forward to playing with it, like you say it seems worth a punt for £112 in our money including delivery!
By the way I might have another short video for you when I get round to doing the job. After a ride out over the Christmas holiday period I put Aston 2209 back in her cave and as I got out I noticed that the RHS head lamp washer black cover was hanging down on the flexible hose connector ….. bugger !!! On examination it seems that it had not retracted in the guide or had been push out too far so couldn’t retract. On closer examination the water hose assembly connects to the black cover with a ball and socket arrangement and during examination it took it upon itself to separate at this joint ….. bugger and even more bugger !!! Now I had the black plastic cover in my hand and the rest promptly disappeared inside the bodywork behind the head lamp. Looks like I’ll have to take out the wheel arch liner to get at it to fully investigate the issue. Anyway when I get round to it I’ll make a video of it. I don’t think it’s a topic you have covered so far.
Best regards,
Mike (Aston 2209)
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Hi Mike! Good to hear from you. Sure, would love to see the video, etc. I just wrapped up my 2yr annual service last week too, had to change the little blue ‘postition’ bulb in the headlight unit. Also a bugger. Had to pull the fender liner and airbox assembly to get to it. Since I was doing the airfilters anyways just had to learn how to pull the airbox. New videos on this, the sway bar bushings, full brake service and all the gas struts for bonnet, boot and doors forethcoming in the months ahead. Track day in 2 weeks. Lots of fun ahead.
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Hi Steve
I recently replaced the module that controls the Volante top operations ( left upper well well shroud).( 2009)
I am told that to get the module talking to the car, the system needs to be “
Flashed”?
Is there a way to solv this problem with a reader? Can you elaborate on the flashing procedure?
Closes dealer to me is 7 hrs
Thank you
Robert
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Hi Mike #2209,
just got back from the Spa classic to exactly the same headlight washer problem you describe. Hoping to find the remaining bits in the undertray.
From the fornt of the light looks like the washer unit has broken its mountings from the headlight itself.
Did you make a video of the repair? or did you end up needing a new light unit?
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Hi D Fitch,
Sorry to hear you had washer problems.
Unfortunately, I didn’t make a video but do have a few photos. My problem, following a more detailed post-mortem, came from a previously bodged repair (by others) where the black cover that is mounted on the extending arm of the washer had been glued back on, in doing that the self-aligning ability of the black cover was lost. The black cover also has two plastic aligning/locating pins that makes sure it returns to its closed/retracted position, one of mine was missing.
The cylinder assembly has two mounting holes through which the cylinder is screwed to the head lamp body. On mine one of these holes was also broken with the plastic outer half of the hole missing and I failed in my attempts to make something to repair it. As there had already been one botched job done on the black cover connection I decided that even if I repaired the missing part of the mounting hole the connection of the black cover to the extending arm could probably not be guaranteed. In reality my heart wasn’t in trying to repair the cylinder and I decided to buy a new cylinder from Aston Martin at some cost, I really would not recommend cheaper ebay units !!!
The mountings on the back of the head lamp were also broken. Screws pass through the two mounting holes on the cylinder into two threaded bosses each about 20mm deep. Each of the bosses have reinforcing webs back to the main body. On mine the bosses were cracked as were some of the reinforcement webs. I think they were perhaps age hardened and became brittle!?! I managed to use Super Glue to fill the cracks in the bosses and held the closed until set using small jubilee clips that I could just get on the end of the bosses. Then I glued the reinforcing webs to the bosses. In doing all this glue got inside the bosses and I had to re-drill and tap the holes. One of the bosses wasn’t very good so I had to drill deeper and actually penetrated into the headlamp area, for this one I made the screw an exact length to use all of the useful length but not allow the screw to stick through into the headlamp area.
If you are lucky then maybe it will just be the mounting holes of the cylinder that are broken so I would recommend you buy a new cylinder from Aston that comes complete with the black cover.
I now switch off my headlights when I wash the windscreen in doing this you do not wash the headlamps so in my mind I protect the cylinder and black cover. You do however have to have it working to pass the MOT in the UK.
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Hi Steve, I have also purchased the Foxwell unit.I am a bit disappointed that you don’t seem to be able to check the misfire count. I have been through all of the options, and unless I am missing something, its not available.
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Hi Paul. I haven’t gone out to the garage to double check this, but I think you access the Misfire data by using the OBDII generic live data function, and the data will only be in the Secondary PCM listed. So, use the generic OBDII function, then pick the 2nd CPU, then look to the live data, and scroll through for the misfire. I can fire up mine and be more specific if that isn’t enough of a start. Let me know how it goes….
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Thanks Steve. I never thought to use the generic setting! I will give that a go, and let you know how I get on.
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HELLO CAN I CHANGE THE LANGUAGE ON THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER? ON V8 VANTAGE 2006? BEST REGARDS ALAIN
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Hi. Good question. I don’t personally know, but a little Googling shows others asking the same question and its a Dealer thing. They have to update the software in the car using the AMDS system. I’d suggest calling your local dealer and asking them if they can do it, and how much it might cost. I suspect they’d only charge for about 1 hour of labor, so under $200 USD.
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Hi Steve,
Great site and the best I have found for helpful and practical DB9 info.
I have just purchased the Foxwell unit and started ‘playing’ with it yesterday. I ran a few tests which read info from lots of the listed modules. Today I did an online software update and some things happened:-
1) The Aston logo has disappeared from the home page (I guess they had copy-write issues?).
2) Some modules are no longer ‘discovered’ by an Autoscan (e.g. Parking Assist and Door modules?) – I have raised a ticket with Foxwell on this item.
Also after an ‘Autoscan’ with the new software, I accidentally pressed the ‘quick erase’ button and the unit went through all modules clearing the codes (oops!) and it looks like this function cannot be cancelled once started. If this proves to be the case, then people should make sure they save codes before erasing. It is probably better to erase/clear codes on a module by module basis. I will share any feedback from Foxwell when it is received.
Regards
Martin
(Aston 2794 – UK)
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Hi Steve, I bought the OBD reader and it is a great device, thanks for the tip!
I could not find where to reset the service indicator, is this in a separate menu?
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Hi
Does Anyone have tried or know the difference NT510 and NT 520 from foxwell?
Best regards
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Haven’t tried one, but appears to be about the same unit functionally as the NT510 (same screen size, same vehicles supported). I think the case looks nicer (flush button design) and the OBDII cable is removable vs. built into the NT510. On Amazon.com for $240 with free shipping. Not sure its worth the extra $$$, but it might be the replacement for the NT510 if we see it disappear. Let me know if you try it!
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Buyer beware: I bought this unit in Jan 2018 direct from Foxwell for my 2005 DB9. First chance I had to try and use it was in March, but unfortunately the NT510 would not communicate with my DB9 to get the extended features they advertised. I contacted Foxwell in March, no response, Tried again in Arpil and after a couple of weeks they responded they “looking into it” and could I provide VIN etc. Radio silence. A month later I asked again, and they responded that their engineer “..needs around more than 2 months to fix it”. I asked if the unit is faulty, since it a brand new purchase – and could they exchange it for a replacement – radio silence. Nothing more since. It is not even heavy enough to use as a paperweight. Urgh, what a waste of money.
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Sales team has replied me that the 520 is the direct replacement of the 510.
179$ with shipping included on foxwell website.
I have Also ask them if it could set the PIS on Ferrari 360 f1 gearbox (friend car).
Does the nt510 could set or adjust the PIS on sportshift gearbox for when the clutch is replaced or wearing ?
Regards
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Hi Steve,
Thanks for all the great information.
I have a 2007 DB9 Volante and a Foxwell NT510. I am completely new to OBDII readers. This is my first Aston which I bought last September.
So I am trying to figure all of this out.
About a month ago, my car lit up like a Christmas Tree. Slow Down Immediately, red check engine, emmission service required, warning triangle.
Most of the time, I spend my time touring in the car. Automatic Transmission mode. But when this happened, I was driving aggressively, maintaining higher RPMs, and using the paddle shifters.
So I pulled out the Foxwell and figured out I got a fault Misfire Cylinder 11.
I cleared the code. All back to normal. Been driving it in Automatic mode. Completed an OBDII drive cycle. No faults. Haven’t tried driving aggressively yet to try to duplicate the failure.
What would you recommend?
Can the Foxwell display if Misfire Correction can been learned? Should I look for misfires in live data? Is this an indicator that it’s time to replace coil packs?
The car only has 12,500 miles on it, but it is 11 years old.
Ideas are welcome.
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Hi Mark. Thanks for sharing your story. I’d suggest going back to driving whatever your normal style is, but perhaps keep the Foxwell in your trunk if needed. If the issue never returns, then it was some weird one off problem. If it comes back, you likely have a failing coil or plug in cylinder 11. Have the plugs and coilpacks ever been changed?
Can the Foxwell display if the Misfire corrections have been learned. Good question. The answer will be a yes, but the description in all the data may be different than in my articles where I show the results using the Autel unit. Let me work on that, I need to check it on my car anyways (battery was disconnected for service recently). Let me know how it goes with your car.
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Hi Steve,
After being inspired by your website and with the realization that you could solve any DB9 issue, I bought a 2005.
Since you have had your battery disconnected recently, can you tell me whether the Foxwell can display if the Misfire corrections have been learned?
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Hi Jim. Yes it can, but its called something different in the interface. I’ll have to dig it up.
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Hi Steve,
Thanks for all the great information.
I have a 2007 DB9 Volante and a Foxwell NT510. I am completely new to OBDII readers. This is my first Aston which I bought last September.
So I am trying to figure all of this out.
About a month ago, my car lit up like a Christmas Tree. Slow Down Immediately, red check engine, emmission service required, warning triangle.
Most of the time, I spend my time touring in the car. Automatic Transmission mode. But when this happened, I was driving aggressively, maintaining higher RPMs, and using the paddle shifters.
So I pulled out the Foxwell and figured out I got a fault Misfire Cylinder 11.
I cleared the code. All back to normal. Been driving it in Automatic mode. Completed an OBDII drive cycle. No faults. Haven’t tried driving aggressively yet to try to duplicate the failure.
What would you recommend?
Can the Foxwell display if Misfire Correction can been learned? Should I look for misfires in live data? Is this an indicator that it’s time to replace coil packs?
The car only has 12,500 miles on it, but it is 11 years old.
Ideas are welcome.
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Hi Steve, I wonder if you could help me here… I am having issues with my A/C (it just doesn’t work), I have had it re-gassed, but that made no difference. When I connected the NT510 there isn’t a specific A/C module but I found some lines in the ECM about the pressure which read 104psi (someone had suggested that the pressure switch may be faulty – although I think there are two), but also I noticed that in the AC demand (requested by AC unit) said NO. I don’t suppose you know if this pressure seems right or not, or any ideas where to look next?
I have some screen shots of the lines I have found, not sure if I can upload them here or not?
Kind Regards
Rob
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Hi Rob. Not entirely sure, but if the AC demand is NO, its not the compressor. AC demand could be a faulty interior temp sensor, and if it thinks its cold in the cabin, it won’t turn on the A/C. Another condition is Sport mode max throttle, essentially it cuts the AC out in sport mode when you go full power, but I doubt that’s it. I wonder if the interior cabin temp is in the NT510 data list somewhere. If you find its reading is very low compared to reality, you’ve got your culprit. Food for thought. Let me know what you find.
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Hello new to your blog very informative thx…regarding obd2 readers do you know if all the Foxwell readers have the ability to comm with Aston? I see other units from Foxwell that appear to have additional functions beyond the NT510 but perhaps it’s not worth spending the extra cash?. Selecting gets pretty confusing.
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Hi, I finally got my ’09 DB9 today. I ordered the Foxwell NT520 before I bought to check the errorcodes/Engine Status. Unfortunately, the Cars Language is French and I would like to change it to English. So far I only found the Info that you have to go to the Dealer. It´s wether possible by Menu or by ODBII reader, right? Did someone knows something else?
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Hi Mike. I think only the dealers can change the language to English, and/or the units from metric to standard. Sorry I am not any help with this one. Please share what you find out with the dealer. I would expect that it takes them only a few minutes, so the charge should be minimal. Call them first and ask for a price.
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Hi Steve.. I also have the foxwell after reading from your site. Do you have instructions on how to reset the service light using the foxwell? I can’t seem to find it. Or do you have a video around? i tried it manually but my car is a 2012 Virage and it didn’t work. Do you have any tips on how to reset the service light? Thanks
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Hi Steve, used the “Reply” function on D Fitch’s comment about a broken headlamp washer but it doesn’t seem to be published below his comment and I can’t find it elsewhere ……. so here it is again.
Best regards,
Mike 2209
Hi D Fitch,
Sorry to hear you had washer problems.
Unfortunately, I didn’t make a video but do have a few photos. My problem, following a more detailed post-mortem, came from a previously bodged repair (by others) where the black cover that is mounted on the extending arm of the washer had been glued back on, in doing that the self-aligning ability of the black cover was lost. The black cover also has two plastic aligning/locating pins that makes sure it returns to its closed/retracted position, one of mine was missing.
The cylinder assembly has two mounting holes through which the cylinder is screwed to the head lamp body. On mine one of these holes was also broken with the plastic outer half of the hole missing and I failed in my attempts to make something to repair it. As there had already been one botched job done on the black cover connection I decided that even if I repaired the missing part of the mounting hole the connection of the black cover to the extending arm could probably not be guaranteed. In reality my heart wasn’t in trying to repair the cylinder and I decided to buy a new cylinder from Aston Martin at some cost, I really would not recommend cheaper ebay units !!!
The mountings on the back of the head lamp were also broken. Screws pass through the two mounting holes on the cylinder into two threaded bosses each about 20mm deep. Each of the bosses have reinforcing webs back to the main body. On mine the bosses were cracked as were some of the reinforcement webs. I think they were perhaps age hardened and became brittle!?! I managed to use Super Glue to fill the cracks in the bosses and held the closed until set using small jubilee clips that I could just get on the end of the bosses. Then I glued the reinforcing webs to the bosses. In doing all this glue got inside the bosses and I had to re-drill and tap the holes. One of the bosses wasn’t very good so I had to drill deeper and actually penetrated into the headlamp area, for this one I made the screw an exact length to use all of the useful length but not allow the screw to stick through into the headlamp area.
If you are lucky then maybe it will just be the mounting holes of the cylinder that are broken so I would recommend you buy a new cylinder from Aston that comes complete with the black cover.
I now switch off my headlights when I wash the windscreen in doing this you do not wash the headlamps so in my mind I protect the cylinder and black cover. You do however have to have it working to pass the MOT in the UK.
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Hi Mike. That’s weird, your comments are set to auto approve. Thanks for reposting. Question for you. Would you be interested in putting together and authoring a few articles on the site about little tips and tricks you might know? I’ve got it setup now where I can have guest contributors so there is a wider variety of articles. No pressure to do so, but I just figured I ask. Let me know if you would.
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Hi Steve,
Glad to offer topics as I go along !!!
I have made a video of fitting a small dashcam to an extension of the rear view mirror mounting. I decided I needed to do this following someone sitting on the bonnet (hood) of the Aston presumably for a photo, this resulted in a “bum” shaped indent just above the Aston Martin badge, it would also be useful in the event of an accident. I was looking where to mount the dashcam and wanted it to be as inobtrusive as possible. I didn’t want it to be stuck to the glass or off the roof head lining and I definitely didn’t want it mounted on the dash itself. I know it’s not original equipment but unfortunately it seems a necessary evil these days. The video is in final edit so I will send it along shortly.
I have also made a video of changing the engine oil filter for you to add as a follow up to your video of the same job if you wish. Why? Well it seems that on a RHD Aston the filter can be extracted easily from underneath once the under pan is removed. If I recall you had to remove the air balance unit to access it from above. This video is also in edit but not as advanced as the dashcam.
Best regards,
Mike (Aston 2209)
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Hi mike
Thanks for the reply. Only just picked it up now.
Indeed what you describe was the problem i had. in the end i bought a complete new washer unit from aston for £180 ! Which was the only way to get the plastic headlight cover part that was actually broken.
I also had same problem with the spider mounting points on the headlamp body. What i did to build the broken one back up and reinforce the remaining before it broke was to use miliput black resin putty around it. This was super easy to shape and put into the right place to not foul the movement. This then spreads the load rather than concentrating on the weak spiders.
1yr on and have the front half of car and bumper dismantled to fit a new DBS grille and frame, since i lost a slat on the 7 bar grille which is NLA from AM. Noticed that other headlight was heading for the same problem with cracked spiders. So have reinforced as a pre-emptive strike.
Hopefully this will avoid future issues. But like you i now avoid washing the screen too often with the headlights on 🙂
To change the grille and frame, i needed to remove bumper, loosen front wings etc which has been a mission in itself, but now just waiting for repainted bumper to come back so i can refit everything. The DBS 5 bar grille looks great.
Thanks again for the reply, and to steve as ever for his fantastic work with the site.
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Hi Darren. Send me photos of the grill replacement and bumper process along the way. steve@aston1936.com. Would love to see them. Good luck!
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Hi steve,
Have sent you a bunch of photos with annotations/descriptions this morning. Should be in your inbox.
Can hopefully be useful for the community, since i couldnt find any help online for bumper and grille frame removal.
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Hi Steve,
May I congratulate you on your superb site!
I inherited my Father’s 2005 DB9 last year complete with misfires and unbeknown to you, you helped me through the plug & coil change! I decided to purchase the Foxwell NT520pro reader to check the engine status throughout & set the misfire corrections. I don’t think you need me to tutor you on OBDII readers, but maybe some will find this write up usefull when using the 520. This is a link to the thread on the Aston Martin Pistonheads site: https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&f=70&t=1834621
Hopefully of use to someone!
Regards from Northern Ireland,
Gavin
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Hi there,
Can you adhust trottle response with this foxnell obdii reader? I want to minimize delay between the trottle input amd reaction from the engine. My car is 2009 DBS.
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Hi David. No, there is no ODBII reader that can do that. Even the covetted AMDS dealer computer can’t (I’ve managed to get a hold of one, but that’s another story).
There is a solution. Velocity AP has an ECU tuning kit, where they can add more power to the engine, etc. They can also remap the throttle response to. Essentially they provide you a small box that reads the config out of the existing ECU’s, you upload this to Velocity AP over the internet, you tell them what you’d like it to do (more power, burble on exhaust note, more responsive throttle, etc) and they send you back a config to load into the ECU. I’m in the process of this now for my own car. Asking them to make my normal driving mode throttle pedal response better, like you. Hope this helps……
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Hi Steve, have read your blog with great interest, have just had coils and plugs replaced and still have a very very slight vibration at idle when in gear, which I am being told is transmission cavitation ?! I have not yet reinitialised the misfire correction due to semi lock down here in Australia , I also picked up a Foxwell n530 ( the 510 qa no longer available ) but am not quite sure which module the misfire correct status resides in, I have an overall v8 module !, a v12 bank 1 and v12 bank 2 module , I get the latter 2 but am a little confused about the v8 module !, is this something you can see on the 510, the v8 module has very similiar data points and can be read live, I have seen a number of misfire data inputs but am not sure on the foxwell which one correlates to the misfire correction you have pictured on the autel, is it called something different on the foxwell or am I missing something, ,
Many thanks and keep up the good works it’s a great help !, thanks Doug
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Hi Doug, there is an excellent read over at pustonheads about this, here is the link: https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&f=191&t=1834621
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Hi Steve
Thanks for getting back to me
By coincidence , I found that very post, very helpful , I happened to note the 36-1 as it is the same trigger configuration for any ford engine , mine appears to be working and after an hours driver I have 10-15 misfires per cylinder so what I am feeling is not a misfire.
I am thinking it may be gearbox related, my mechanic who is ex Aston uk is saying all the early DB9,s have a very mild vibration when stationary and it’s caused by cavitation…….
Not a 100% convinced but 99% sure the issue is not a misfire now despite feeling similar , it’s as you describe seat of the pants and i cannot imagine it left the factory that way but having started my career at lotus it’s pretty shocking what they used to send out !!
Many thanks and a great and extremely helpful blog
Doug
>
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Question: What is the need of a laptop hookup for use with an OB2 Reader? Is it for storing historical data? Allow for the ability to downside software updates to the Reader?
I only have access to Apple-based products, so I just want to understand what I will be sacrificing by only having the ability to use the Reader itself with no computer support.
(Coincidentally, I discovered your site via an online search for a DB9-compatible Reader, after getting a disturbing warning message.)
Wonderful site! Thank you for all the work, and your generous, sharing nature.
(6023, 2006, DB9, Los Angeles)
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So this should have been my newbie intro message .. what a wonderful site to be able to
share all this knowledge especialy to us self DIY FIXERS/HACKS/ especialy me who attacks every job with heavy hand and to hammers :)… ill try and add some value as in the next week or so will start to resolve the immediate problems emmisions service warning quite volatile missfiring sometimes ) , wiered tramlining, and to get my hands on that MOST fibre optic pile of crap and give it some tlc…… make it think its got a makeover by plugging a rashberry pi into the most bus, tinkering and replace the speaker driveers as they sound as flappy as gfrannies knickers..will make the upmarket sound models sound like bakerlight mono MW radio…… keep you posted… have a great day guys .. big aston regards from….. UK London
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Thanks for Sharing! Do keep me posted on your adventures.
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Dears,
With my AMR from 2010,
last month a had a trouble with the driver door window,
after opening the door, window twisted half-open.
Even after I reprogram the window,
with process keeping bouton OPEN 5sec. and CLOSE 5sec.,
error appears it again.
Last week, I disconnect the door socket,
stripped the cable and discover that one wire (black large) was disconnected (cutes),
reason of this failure, is to rigid.
With a lot of disassembly effort,
I sold the wire and plug the socket in it’s cavity.
Therefore after I start the vehicle,
in the dashboard appears Immediately the SRS (air-bag) error 😦
Actually I have a Foxwell nt530,
unfortunately doesn’t manage / erase SRS error codes.
Any suggestion / solutions,
how to erase the SRS (air bag) error in AMR from 2010?
Best regards
Naim
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