Home scan tool

Testarossas do have a plug in under the left fender for some type of basic diagnostic tool, but I doubt anything is available for us do it yourselfers. If there is something out there....I too would love to know about it.

 

Anyone ever see a used Jofatron on EBay or elsewhere?

 

Nope...never seen one of those, except for a sketch of one in the shop manual. But it would be a cool thing to get your hands on....

 

IIRC, Brian Crall said the "tool" used to plug into the TR under the fender didn't really provide much more info than what you can get through normal diagnostic procedures, air, fuel, spark, emissions, timing, etc........... at least that is what I recall from another thread. My impression was that it was a fairly rudimentary system for diagnosis.

Maybe he can chime in and clarify.

 

May I inquire as to the problem you car is having and why you feel that the scan tool will help diagnosis or fix the problem?

 

Because the TR is neither OBDI or OBDII , meaning no On-Board Diagnostic computer, you'll have to resort to the "old school" methods of diagnosis. There are NO codes to pull on these cars. They don't have any.

Hooking up to a good scope with a 4-gas analyzer can speed the diagnosis up a bit. Most automotive shops have one and usually costs an hour shop time to hook up and take a look at the health of your engine. In the long run it can save hours and hours of guess work and hundreds (or thousands) in replaced parts that didn't need replacing.

 

Same tool and diagnostic ability as for the injected 308's. I saw one (Jofa) back in the 90's in the shop at RTGT --- they weren't even using it --- hadn't for years. Basically, all it does is give some "good / no-good" information about the ignition modules and TDC / RPM pick-up circuit --- no data for fuel, air, combustion / emissions. It's pretty useless.

As Spaz said, basic shop diagnostic tools (and knowing how to use them) will tell you what you need to know. Those cars are pretty basic --- K-Jet / KE-Jet + enhanced setup. There's really no "scan tool" out there that is applicable or useful ---- the good news is that diagnosis is fairly simple on these systems, the bad news is that it's "old school" stuff......and a lot of younger guys don't know how to do that type of diagnostic work anymore.

It's a matter of looking up the electrical & mechanical specs for all the components and then testing them with the appropriate tool (e.g., DMM, pressure gauge, timing light, temperature gauge, etc.). And, yes if you have access to them --- an oscilloscope and a gas analyzer are very useful indeed

 

I can remember using one in the 80's..... once, and then sold it knowing I had really wasted some serious money on that equipment! Fancy replacement for a timing light.

 

Spasso is right about the scope, and you can do it with a basic (non-automotive) scope if you have to by wire-tying 4 inches of wire parallel to the coil wire.

 

I notice you are from Columbia, as in South America?
Are you close to a major city?
If so you may still be able to find a "higher end" shop that can hook you up with a diagnosis.

A scope that works on an 80's Toyota, Ford, Chevy, will work on a TR
It can at least tell you if all of the cylinders are firing and getting fuel.

 

You may try removing the spark plugs carefully and inspecting them to see if any are black and fouled. If so, the plug or plugs may need replacing. It also can give you the chance to look at the plug wires and measure their resistance with an ohm meter. It is relatively simple to do and won't cost you a pocketful of money. If interested, send me an email and I can provide you with a set of instructions on how to test them. If you feel this is beyond your capibility, you may want to send you car to a "qualified" shop. These cars are not for the mechanic lacking quality skills.

 

You could also put a timing light on each spark plug wire to assure that:
1. Each is firing (or at least getting voltage)
2. That the timing is not jumping (aim it at the flywheel, there are marks for each cylinder).

You just move your timing light from cylinder to cylinder. You of course need a spare battery (motorcycle battery will do) since your battery is too far away.

 

LINCE ----

If you can find anyone in your local area that has experience working on 1980's / 1990's era German cars ---- Mercedes, BMW, Audi, VW, etc. ---- then, they can probably help you with your TR. Those cars all used very similar Bosch components and systems for engine management.

Good Luck to you And, as always, if you have any questions, post them up --- lots of folks here with much experience and willing to help.

 

No need for an extra battery. You can put the + (red) connector to the large connection on the starter motor (under the red plastic cover) and the - (black) to any good ground.

 

I know how you feel