Nanocom question (pre-purchase)

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P38 Monkey

P38 Monkey

Well-Known Member
Posts
628
Location
Cambridge
My p38 is working just fine (touching wood while typing) but given the collection of nightmare faults that appear on this group's postings, it seems sensible to get a Nanocom.
Also, LR (UK) don't know the EKA for my Japanese import, and neither do I...
Discovering the EKA stored in the BeCM and disabling that feature would seem to make sense, BUT:
1. The Nanocom Evolution demo site does not seem to show BeCM access in any screen - where is it? Select "P38" and then what? GEMS / Motronic / EDC / Instruments (mine is a GEMS but that is the ECU and not the BeCU I Imagine.
2. The downloadable documents tell me a lot abut the BeCM and all the myriad connections, then lists the gazillion functions, but does not tell me how to actually check them using the Evolution box. There is no actual "how to" user manual, just 20 pages (!) on how to register and fire up the Evolution box.
3. It also refers to a need for some power supply that does not seem to come with the supplied Evolution unit. Apparently, if you don't use one, it can blow the OBB2 fuse.
4. It also seems to need to be connected to a PC - eeugh - one of those Micosoft relics? Not a proper computer like an iMac?
What a palaver! Basically I would like to know what time it is, not how a watch works....
I am also conscious of the "if it ain't broke, don't fix it" principle..but I should hate to be instructed to do the EKA shuffle when I don't know the magic number.
Any feedback gratefully received - thanks!
 
P38 Monkey said:
My p38 is working just fine (touching wood while typing) but given the collection of nightmare faults that appear on this group's postings, it seems sensible to get a Nanocom.
Also, LR (UK) don't know the EKA for my Japanese import, and neither do I...
Discovering the EKA stored in the BeCM and disabling that feature would seem to make sense, BUT:
1. The Nanocom Evolution demo site does not seem to show BeCM access in any screen - where is it? Select "P38" and then what? GEMS / Motronic / EDC / Instruments (mine is a GEMS but that is the ECU and not the BeCU I Imagine.
2. The downloadable documents tell me a lot abut the BeCM and all the myriad connections, then lists the gazillion functions, but does not tell me how to actually check them using the Evolution box. There is no actual "how to" user manual, just 20 pages (!) on how to register and fire up the Evolution box.
3. It also refers to a need for some power supply that does not seem to come with the supplied Evolution unit. Apparently, if you don't use one, it can blow the OBB2 fuse.
4. It also seems to need to be connected to a PC - eeugh - one of those Micosoft relics? Not a proper computer like an iMac?
What a palaver! Basically I would like to know what time it is, not how a watch works....
I am also conscious of the "if it ain't broke, don't fix it" principle..but I should hate to be instructed to do the EKA shuffle when I don't know the magic number.
Any feedback gratefully received - thanks!
Click to expand...
No need for a PC with the Nanocom. You should fine screens dedicated to the BECM, in one of them you will find EKA and the ability to turn it off. Turn off the immobiliser while you are about it. BECM access is I think with ignition off.
 
The power supply is only required if you want to use Nanocom in standalone mode to view files saved on SD Card.
When connected to a PC via the USB port, you also get the option to access card & upgrade the Nanocom.
In the car it only need power via the diagnostic port.

For the BECM menu, after selecting GEMS model, just scroll right using arrows at bottom. The screen only has room for 4 ECU's per page, hence why you need to scroll.
 
To look at BeCM and its functions/settings you navigate as follows (on my Nanocom):
From initial power up completed screen it is,
Select Vehicle Type (Press on RR-P38),
Select Engine Type (Gems, Motronic, EDC) - Press on Motronic (mine is a motronic),
upload_2022-1-14_12-19-27.png

Press the right arrow to get the next page, and you will see the BECM option.
upload_2022-1-14_12-20-16.png

Press BECM and you get:
upload_2022-1-14_12-22-56.png

Press Settings and you get:
upload_2022-1-14_12-23-30.png

Press Alarm and you get:
upload_2022-1-14_12-24-36.png

Got to the second-page (right arrow) and you get:
upload_2022-1-14_12-25-23.png

Go to the 3rd page and you get:
upload_2022-1-14_12-26-20.png

On the Fourth page (right arrow again) you get:
upload_2022-1-14_12-27-19.png

And finally on the 5th page you get:
upload_2022-1-14_12-28-11.png


If you notice, a lot of the settings are Enable/Disabled On/Off toggles.

Hope this helps @P38 Monkey :)
 
DanClarke said:
To look at BeCM and its functions/settings you navigate as follows (on my Nanocom):
From initial power up completed screen it is,
Select Vehicle Type (Press on RR-P38),
Select Engine Type (Gems, Motronic, EDC) - Press on Motronic (mine is a motronic),
View attachment 256682
Press the right arrow to get the next page, and you will see the BECM option.
View attachment 256683
Press BECM and you get:
View attachment 256684
Press Settings and you get:
View attachment 256685
Press Alarm and you get:
View attachment 256686
Got to the second-page (right arrow) and you get:
View attachment 256687
Go to the 3rd page and you get:
View attachment 256688
On the Fourth page (right arrow again) you get:
View attachment 256689
And finally on the 5th page you get:
View attachment 256690

If you notice, a lot of the settings are Enable/Disabled On/Off toggles.

Hope this helps @P38 Monkey :)
Click to expand...
What model Nanocom is that?
 
I have never been able to update my firmware, it must be me being a bit "thick" :(

EDIT:
No, I'm not thick, but it needed the cable connected to a different USB port. :)
All done now.
 
Last edited:
@DanClarke the latest updates have been improved. This is from the Nanocom Forum.

  • We've made several improvements on the Nanocom Update Manager software which is now packaged into a self-extracting archive. This means that now you only need to download the file and run it. This will automatically extract itself to a temporary location and run the Nanocom Update Manager application. All you have to do is connect the Nanocom to the PC/Laptop via USB and once the Manager displays the "Device attached" message you can start the upgrade. In case that you still wish to perform the upgrade the old way, then you need to extract the archive yourself by right-clicking it and selecting the extract option to the preferred folder.
 
pwood999 said:
@DanClarke the latest updates have been improved. This is from the Nanocom Forum.

  • We've made several improvements on the Nanocom Update Manager software which is now packaged into a self-extracting archive. This means that now you only need to download the file and run it. This will automatically extract itself to a temporary location and run the Nanocom Update Manager application. All you have to do is connect the Nanocom to the PC/Laptop via USB and once the Manager displays the "Device attached" message you can start the upgrade. In case that you still wish to perform the upgrade the old way, then you need to extract the archive yourself by right-clicking it and selecting the extract option to the preferred folder.
Click to expand...
I just got it to work so all upgraded now. :D
Thanks.
 
[QUOTE="DanClarke, post: 5310363, member: 29470
If you notice, a lot of the settings are Enable/Disabled On/Off toggles.
Hope this helps @P38 Monkey :)[/QUOTE]
It certainly does help - I found it no problem. Cheers mate!
One question if I may: it seems that the normal state of a BeCM is "locked" and unlocking seems to be beyond the Nanocom (probably for good reason). In a locked state can you still on/of toggle the EKA and the immobiliser? I am assuming that you can, then you go back one screen and select "write settings"...
 
P38 Monkey said:
My p38 is working just fine (touching wood while typing) but given the collection of nightmare faults that appear on this group's postings, it seems sensible to get a Nanocom.
Also, LR (UK) don't know the EKA for my Japanese import, and neither do I...
Discovering the EKA stored in the BeCM and disabling that feature would seem to make sense, BUT:
1. The Nanocom Evolution demo site does not seem to show BeCM access in any screen - where is it? Select "P38" and then what? GEMS / Motronic / EDC / Instruments (mine is a GEMS but that is the ECU and not the BeCU I Imagine.
2. The downloadable documents tell me a lot abut the BeCM and all the myriad connections, then lists the gazillion functions, but does not tell me how to actually check them using the Evolution box. There is no actual "how to" user manual, just 20 pages (!) on how to register and fire up the Evolution box.
3. It also refers to a need for some power supply that does not seem to come with the supplied Evolution unit. Apparently, if you don't use one, it can blow the OBB2 fuse.
4. It also seems to need to be connected to a PC - eeugh - one of those Micosoft relics? Not a proper computer like an iMac?
What a palaver! Basically I would like to know what time it is, not how a watch works....
I am also conscious of the "if it ain't broke, don't fix it" principle..but I should hate to be instructed to do the EKA shuffle when I don't know the magic number.
Any feedback gratefully received - thanks!
Click to expand...

I don't think you can read the EKA unless the BECM is unlocked and I cannot recall if the Nanocom can unlock it.

It is a useful bit of kit though.
 
Grrrrrr said:
I don't think you can read the EKA unless the BECM is unlocked and I cannot recall if the Nanocom can unlock it.
It is a useful bit of kit though.
Click to expand...
The demo (which, thanks to this forum, I am now getting quite good at using) shows the BeCM as locked but then subsequent screens show the EKA number and the ability to turn EKA and immobiliser etc off. There is another thread on here about changing the EKA number but I just want to disable it anyway.
Also, the Nanocom setup instructions do say how to connect: cable to Nanocom first, then plug into OBD2 socket. Presumably you can then switch on the ignition as required, and you can even get a screen-mount bracket for info while driving...
I have to say, once you get into the demo, the Nanocom Evolution does seem easy-to-use and logical. Better get my credit card out...
 
My locked Nanocom does not have that emulator screen showing the EKA. All it has is a box to enter the EKA and a Disarm button.
 
pwood999 said:
My locked Nanocom does not have that emulator screen showing the EKA. All it has is a box to enter the EKA and a Disarm button.
Click to expand...
Interesting - so the implication is that you need to enter the EKA to disarm it.
I'll check with Blackbox support and revert...
Just checking - do you have a Nanocom Evolution with the latest updates? You say "locked Nanocom" but I assume you mean "locked BECM"?
 
Last edited:
P38 Monkey said:
[QUOTE="DanClarke, post: 5310363, member: 29470
If you notice, a lot of the settings are Enable/Disabled On/Off toggles.
Hope this helps @P38 Monkey :)
Click to expand...
It certainly does help - I found it no problem. Cheers mate!
One question if I may: it seems that the normal state of a BeCM is "locked" and unlocking seems to be beyond the Nanocom (probably for good reason). In a locked state can you still on/of toggle the EKA and the immobiliser? I am assuming that you can, then you go back one screen and select "write settings"...[/QUOTE]
The normal state of the BECM is "Locked" and yes you can turn off the immobiliser and EKA with Nanocom in the locked state.
Unlocking the BECM can only be done with Faultmate and the 035 module, unlocking it can lead to other functional problems as the normal operating state is Locked.
 
Datatek said:
That is a different function that allows you to enter EKA via the Nanocom instead of via the key. It has nothing to do with turning the EKA function off.
Click to expand...
Sorry to be a bit dim on this, so are you saying that on a locked BECM, with a Nanocom Evolution you can discover the EKA number, and also turn EKA off? D'Oh!!
 
P38 Monkey said:
Sorry to be a bit dim on this, so are you saying that on a locked BECM, with a Nanocom Evolution you can discover the EKA number, and also turn EKA off? D'Oh!!
Click to expand...
No you cannot discover the EKA code on a locked BECM, you can turn the EKA function off.
On later BECM's you can also enter the EKA when the car has locked you out instead of entering it via the drivers door lock with the key
 
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