Category: How To

Aston Martin AMDS VCI Cable

On By Steve McEvoyIn Advice, How To3 Comments
AMDS Laptop, VCI module and Cable

I admit it – I have a problem.  I am an OBDII addict.  I love to learn more about the ‘electronic technology’ that is inside my 2005 Aston Martin DB9 (or really any Gaydon era Vantage, DBS, Rapide, Virage or Vanquish).   I started my OBDII habit with my Autel MD802, then moved on to the Foxwell NT510, and then a ThinkDiag.  All those were gateway drugs until after a 2+ year search I was able to source an actual Aston Martin Dealer System (AMDS) computer, VCI module and cable.  Nirvana achieved.

One unique part to that system is the Vehicle Communication Interface (VCI) cable.   It is a bespoke  Y-cable, one end links to the VCI module, and the other has two ends that connect to the two OBDII ports that are in the Gaydon era cars like mine (the Powertrain and Body connectors).   Wanting to learn more about what makes this cable special, I took mine apart to see how its made so that it might help you make one of your own, or repair one that you might already have.  There were a few surprises along the way.

AMDS VCI Cable

Continue reading “Aston Martin AMDS VCI Cable” →

Infotainment Upgrades for my Aston Martin DB9

On By Steve McEvoyIn Advice, How To2 Comments

The infotainment system (stereo, GPS, etc.) in my 2005 Aston Martin DB9 Coupe is showing its age. No Bluetooth, no music streaming, no hands free calling, no Android Auto or Apple Car play (not even a defunct iPod hookup!).  I use it as an FM radio – that’s it.  The original Volvo derived Sat Nav system was horrible even back in 2005. As my car is now 18 years old (and nearly graduated high school :>) I figured it was time to invest in some new technology upgrades. Continue reading “Infotainment Upgrades for my Aston Martin DB9” →

Determine if your Aston Martin V12 has 2 pin or 3 pin Coil Packs

On By Steve McEvoyIn Advice, How To4 Comments

A common issue with the V12 Aston Martin engine is that the coil packs begin to fail causing a misfire. When ordering replacements you need to know if they are the early 2-pin or later 3-pin versions. The problem is that you can’t know for sure before you start. Aston Martin made the design change on the DB9 probably sometime in 2006. Even the dealer can’t tell you if you supply your VIN number. To know for sure you need to get a look at them. Problem is, they are deep in the middle of the cylinder head. Let me show you a trick to get a peek before you start the project. Continue reading “Determine if your Aston Martin V12 has 2 pin or 3 pin Coil Packs” →

Lubricating the Door Locks in an Aston Martin DB9

On By Steve McEvoyIn Advice, How ToLeave a comment

A maintenance task most owners won’t think about is to periodically lubricate the lock mechanism in their Aston Martin. With electronic central locking and the remote key fobs almost no-one uses the key any more. Until of course you have a dead battery and need to open the car the old fashioned way. Let me show you how to do it. Continue reading “Lubricating the Door Locks in an Aston Martin DB9” →

How to Fix a Loose Wing (Side) Mirror Glass on an Aston Martin DB9

On By Darren CromptonIn Advice, How ToLeave a comment

When I purchased my ‘new to me’ model year 2009 DB9 recently, the dealer PPI reported that the driver’s side mirror glass was loose and needed a fix.  In the Facebook forums I’ve read about mirror glass falling out on other owners cars.   I suspect this isn’t a unique event going on with just my car.  Let me show you how I tackled this simple repair on a ‘Saturday Morning’.

Continue reading “How to Fix a Loose Wing (Side) Mirror Glass on an Aston Martin DB9” →

Replacing the Battery in your Aston Martin Crystal Key Fob

On By Steve McEvoyIn Advice, How To3 Comments

If you have a later model Gaydon era Aston Martin DB9, Vantage, DBS, Rapide, Virage or Vanquish you likely have a pair of Crystal Key fobs, and one less fancy plastic Valet key.   Aston’s marketing team called the sapphire crystal key fobs Emotional Control Units (ECUs) – uhh, sure.  Like any modern automotive key fob they have a battery inside them that powers the transmitter for the buttons that lock and unlock the car.   Aston Martin’s service schedule recommends that the batteries be replaced each year during the annual dealer service.   While that’s the most conservative approach, you can save yourself some money and do it every 2-3 years, or even just wait until it stops working to tackle it yourself then.   It’s a very easy procedure you can tackle in just a few minutes on the kitchen table at home.  Let me show you how. Continue reading “Replacing the Battery in your Aston Martin Crystal Key Fob” →

Replacing the Idler Pulley Bearings in an Aston Martin DB9

On By Steve McEvoyIn Advice, How To1 Comment
One belt does it all

In a recent article Darren Crompton showed you how to change the accessory drive serpentine belt and idler pulley’s in his 2009 DB9.   Check out his article here.  Darren sourced his parts from his local Aston dealer in Australia, and tackled the task from above and below the car.

Manuel’s DBS Volante

Another reader of this site – Manuel Tollini – tackled the same task on his DBS – but with a twist.  Manuel worked out how to keep the original idler pulleys and just replace (and upgrade) the worn bearings.  This saves a considerable amount of money, and the only part you would need to buy from Aston is the serpentine belt.

I suspect this process is valid for all Gaydon era V12 cars like the DB9, DBS, V12 Vantage, Rapide, Virage and Vanquish.  He shared with me how he did it for his DBS (and now I am going to share it with you!). Continue reading “Replacing the Idler Pulley Bearings in an Aston Martin DB9” →

Changing the Serpentine Belt and Idler Pulley’s on an Aston Martin DB9

On By Darren CromptonIn Advice, How To4 Comments

Though my ‘new to me’ model year 2009 DB9 had only travelled 46,000km (~30k miles) from new, it was noted on the dealer PPI that there was “minor bearing noise” from one of the engines serpentine belt idler pulleys.  While most cars have just one idler pulley, the DB9 has three (3) plus the tensioner pulley.  I figured it was a good opportunity to replace all four as well as the serpentine belt.   Let me show you how I tackled this task. Continue reading “Changing the Serpentine Belt and Idler Pulley’s on an Aston Martin DB9” →

Aston Martin DB9 Seatback Quick Release

On By Steve McEvoyIn Advice, How To8 Comments

Rear seat access is – umm – limited.

If the battery is dead in your Aston Martin DB9 – how to you move the right hand seat forward to access the battery that is UNDER the right rear seat squab?  If you’ve ever been in a DB9, the rear seat area is – ummm – very small.   Getting to that area is close to impossible unless you can tip the seatback forward.

Battery Disconnect Switch

A few readers have recently commented on this conundrum after they pushed the ‘Battery Disconnect’ button in the trunk/boot and then realized that disables the power to the seats.  Of course Aston didn’t put the ‘Battery REconnect’ button in the trunk/boot, they put that under the right rear seat squab – a small yellow button peering out through an access hole.  While this is inconvenient, at least there is a simple manual way to get the seatback to move out of the way.  Let me show you how. Continue reading “Aston Martin DB9 Seatback Quick Release” →

Determine if your Aston Martin V12 has 2 pin or 3 pin Coil Packs

On By Steve McEvoyIn Advice, How To21 Comments

2-pin coil pack used on early V12’s

If you own a V12 Aston Martin like the DB9, V12 Vantage, DBS or Virage, you’ve likely heard about the common issue with lumpy idle that is attributed to a misfire condition involving the spark plugs and coil packs.   I’ve done an extensive series on determining the issue and how to replace them (check it out here).  Getting your parts together for that project has one complication – are the coil packs the original 2 wire or the updated 3 wire design?   Even contacting Aston Martin won’t resolve the question – they don’t know.   They will tell you they slip streamed the change sometime during production in 2006 ‘ish.  The only way to tell for sure it to be halfway through the project when you can finally see the tops of the coil packs and count the actual wires.   This is of course a tough time to stop and order the correct coil packs, leaving your car disassembled for weeks waiting on parts.  If you just play the odds and guess, you may end up with a dozen incorrect (and expensive) coil packs.  This misfortune has definitely happened to a few owners.  Let me show you how you can find out for sure BEFORE starting the project. Continue reading “Determine if your Aston Martin V12 has 2 pin or 3 pin Coil Packs” →