DIY & Info www.peugeotclub.cjb.net Club T Shirts   Updated:  11-Mar-2003

Normally a Fault Code Reader (FCR) is required to obtain fault code from ECU. FCR is attached to the SD Serial connector and used to interrogate it for the following purposes :  Obtaining Fault Code.  Clearing Fault Code  Obtaining Data Stream Information. Actuating the System Actuators - Fuel Injectors, Ignition, ISCV, Stepper Motor, CSFV. All FCR manufacturer do not disclose that, the above item with exception of item (3) can be done without any test equipment, even Haynes do not mentioned this in their Peugeot Manual. So for the benefit of our club members and all the Peugeot/Citroen/BMW owner with Magneti Marelli 8P, G5, G8, Bosch MP 3.1, 3.2, 5.1 & ML 4.1 you can use the following procedure to obtain the ECU stored codes.
Tools: A piece of wire about 2 meters with crocodile clips on both ends and attached a press to "ON" switch in the middle. A small screw driver that can fit the SD socket pin hole. Without the FCR the fault codes can be obtained through DIY through SD socket as shown in the picture (Green socket). This SD socket situated in the relay box or the ECU box for certain models.   SD socket that situated at the ECU box. ECU internally stored the Fault Codes and will "ON" the warning "K" light when its sense any fault, an intermittent fault will also logging the codes but the warning light only ON while the fault presented. Minor fault will not light up the "K" light, however fault codes will still be logged.   Peugeot fault codes are in 2 digit, same with Citroen. These codes can be outputted as "flash Codes" on the Engine Fault light. The following procedure will explain how:
How the codes is shown: The Fault Codes will flash the "K" light in series of 2 batches. The first batch indicates the number of tens per flash, e.g.  if the first series flashes twice then it is no. 20.  The second series of flash is indicating a single unit. If it flashes 3 times then it's no. 3, combine the two series you will get no. 23, between the first and second series it is separated by  about 1.5 second pause.	Engine "K" light logo on Dashboard.
With enough length of the wire it can be pulled into the car to check the "K" light while testing.	How to trigger these series of flashes on DIY.   After the wire is connected to the SD socket and the car ground, Switch "ON" the ignition (DO NOT START THE ENGINE), Press "ON" the wire switch for 3 second or count to 4 or 5 and release it. Notice the engine "K" light will goes off while grounding is in progress. After releasing the switch, the Engine "K" light will start to flash the first series as stated earlier.   If you get 1 flash and followed with 1.5 second break then another 2 flashes, this indicates no. 12 that is "Start of Diagnostic". Press again for another 3 second and release off, you will get another set of codes if there is any faulty, continue the same process (item no. 2) to obtain more codes.  Once you get the code no. 11 then it indicates "End of Diagnostic".   If from the beginning you get code no. 12 followed by code no. 11 that mean there is no fault. (Begin and Ends).
Erasing Fault Codes:  Switch "ON" the ignition (DO NOT START THE ENGINE), with the other end of the ground wire touch to the pin 2 of the SD socket for more then 10 seconds and release. The fault will be cleared  if the fault codes have been obtained.   How To Test The Actuator: To do the Actuator test, its very similar to the procedure above. Instead of grounding the Pin 2 after switching "ON", you must ground the Pin before switching "ON" and hold for 3 seconds. The steps are as follow:   1. Ground the Pin 2 of SD Serial socket.  2. Switch "ON" Ignition.   3. After 3 second release grounding, the fault "K" light flash to indicate test codes and mean the test started. 4. Ground the Pin 2 again for 3 second for another test to run.   5. Repeat item 4 for further tests. Refer to Actuator Selection Codes to determine which test is running. So its easy isn't it.

ECU Fault Codes