Foxwell scan tool

I once bought a scan tool that was highly recommended on the forums but I could not make it work. It was from China!

One could buy direct or through Amazon for about $10 or $15 more. I chose the Amazon with no hassle return and am glad I did! I returned it without hassle. Just something to think about. Sometimes the lowest price is not always the "best" option.

 

Do a search. Foxwell has been discussed on this forum.

 

Many of us use Foxwell scanners. The have more capability that most OBD scanners due to the ability to install the Ferrari software. It will not have the capabilities of Leo/SD, etc. in terms of SRS, some ABS ,functions, F1, etc.

 

I have that scanner with Ferrari software. The 550 version of the software does not work. I've updated many times but still does not connect through my OBD properly. The generic mode of the scanner works fine through the same OBD port, so for a 550 it's no better than almost any generic scanner when connected to the OBD port.

 

The 550 is difficult to get any aftermarket tool to connect to. I have an Autel MaxiSys and Giotto. Both will only connect as "Global OBD2".

 

I can only say the Foxwell seems to work on my 599.

 

I reported in a post that this scanner worked for my car when resetting oil change reminders.

 

Most of the scanners work better on Motronic 7.1.1 and better. The old 5.2s had a lot of serial connectors.

 

Reading OBD-II codes is one thing, doing actual profession repair work is another. Ferrari complied, with a bit of arm-twisted (and a small modification to the OBD-II connector) with the minimum Fed standards from 1996 on. So ANY code reader will read the basic fault codes (P0XXX). For any meaningful diagnostic work, or to interpret the P1XXX proprietary codes, there's nothing quite like the factory tools.

 

The Foxwell 530 works great on both my 599 and 430. I can see all nodes, do deep diagnostics, perform F1 fluid changes/bleeds and reset settable parameters. The screen is limited, so you have to go through menus. I think I paid about $150 for this scanner with two software packages-one for Ferrari and one for Mercedes. It works fine for both brands. The hairy part is that you must contact Foxwell in China and download some scary looking files onto your laptop, then transfer to the scanner. That took me two days due to time zone differences and communication. It does work.

One note about the OBD port on the 599: The Bluetooth plugs that are commonly sold have a body that is larger than the actual connector. These will not fit into the connector because it is very close to the edge of the car circuit board and a bracket that runs along the edge of the board. (The Foxwell uses a cable that does fit.)

 

I forgot a couple things: Thanks to George for posting the info on the Foxwell.

I used the Foxwell to diagnose a problem with my drivers door airbag. The Foxwell can be used to show the circuit resistance for all airbag ignition circuits in real time. I could see the drivers door circuit change when I wiggled the booted harness that comes out of the frame and goes to the door. The connector contacts were OK, but there was a break in one of the conductors inside the harness boot. The Foxwell made this diagnosis straightforward and possible for me to perform at home.

 

Hey i'm resurrecting this thread - I used to use the CRP123 with success on scanning basic codes and resetting errors on my 612. But it just stopped working after an updated ECU flash/swap that Ferrari Lake Forest did. I figured i'd get an updated one that would work for the 550 and the Scuderia so I bought the Foxwell NT6X4 Elite Series and so far it won't read the 550. Has anyone here had success with ANY scanner for reading the 550 codes?