[TheEngineer23]

Hey everyone,

Has anybody ever used, or have any experience with AlfaOBD for our cars? The software supports our cars and the Quattroporte/Ghibli.

Other than being able to read Maserati specific codes, resets lights and maintenance reminders, etc it can also apparently program keys, enable/marry new or replacement parts to the car, add features, but also enable features not currently turned on in your market.

An example of something this program can apparently do is marry and enable the rear window sunshade if installed in a vehicle that didn’t previously have the function, activate functions like the adaptive drive beam feature that leaves the high beams on at all times while shading out surrounding vehicles, among other things. I believe it should also be able to enable the “shift to neutral” / “shift to drive” function using the paddle shifters which is available (to my knowledge) outside of the US in certain countries.

I wanted to see if anyone has any experience with it or currently has the software before I spend the money and buy the materials needed to use it?

 

[MileHighMaserati]

Yes, this is a versatile tool that honestly every enthusiast should have. I have it due to owning a bunch of Dodge and Jeep vehicles before my Ghibli. All you really need is the app, and a Bluetooth OBD2 module. It's compatible with quite a few, but most people prefer to use the OBD Link MX adapter, myself included. Let er rip! I've used this to enable Global Windows Up (all windows up with 3 clicks and hold of lock button) on my 2015 S Q4, as by default only Global Windows Down is enabled on 2014-2016. Not sure about others. But it's definitely worth the purchase.

 

[TheEngineer23]

Yes, this is a versatile tool that honestly every enthusiast should have. I have it due to owning a bunch of Dodge and Jeep vehicles before my Ghibli. All you really need is the app, and a Bluetooth OBD2 module. It's compatible with quite a few, but most people prefer to use the OBD Link MX adapter, myself included. Let er rip! I've used this to enable Global Windows Up (all windows up with 3 clicks and hold of lock button) on my 2015 S Q4, as by default only Global Windows Down is enabled on 2014-2016. Not sure about others. But it's definitely worth the purchase.

Awesome, thanks for the insight! Any other tricks or features you know of that can be enabled?

 

[MileHighMaserati]

Awesome, thanks for the insight! Any other tricks or features you know of that can be enabled?

It honestly depends on the MY and your specific Trim, as well as what part of the world you're in. Some features that you would want to turn on or off may require additional hardware/modules/harnesses/etc. ALWAYS TAKE A BACKUP of the configuration for your vehicle BEFORE making ANY CHANGES! This way, you don't end up needing a dealer refresh, should something go wrong that you can't fix. Some features when turned on or off also change other settings at the same time, so just make sure you back up your settings before changing anything, and you should be good to go!

Is there anything specific you're looking to change/turn on or off on your vehicle? I can try and help you to the best of my knowledge.

Examples of what you can do with this tool:

• Turn on or off Nav in motion Options (individual options, or all)
• Enable use of the radio even while it is locked with a PIN (anti theft), and change dealer mode settings
• Global Window Up and Down with key fob
• Change ECU configuration for all markets (EU, USA, Japan, Australia, Rest of the world
• Change radio and cluster splash screens on startup (not sure why you'd want to haha)
• Completely hard reset the ECU
• Program new key fobs
• MANY MANY MANY different systems tests and module tests and individual component tests (for example, testing each and every individual exterior lamp and bulb, or testing door handle sensors)
• Program different tire sizes to front and rear (MANY presets, or enter custom value)
• Update/change country code in BCM and all other modules (useful if you move and take your car with you)
• Change tire pressure thresholds
• Enable Police lighting and sentry modes (may not work as expected, usually used on Dodge Chargers to add pursuit options)
• Add/remove factory options to BCM (after installing correct parts) allowing them to be used as if they came from the factory
• Change the static parking lines on the backup camera to Dynamic moving lines

- Turn on or off passenger front airbag
- Enable use of mirror signal repeaters as side marker lights

SO SO SO MUCH MORE, like I honestly can't ever list everything possible. I've attached a few screenshots to give you an idea.

 

[TheEngineer23]

It honestly depends on the MY and your specific Trim, as well as what part of the world you're in. Some features that you would want to turn on or off may require additional hardware/modules/harnesses/etc. ALWAYS TAKE A BACKUP of the configuration for your vehicle BEFORE making ANY CHANGES! This way, you don't end up needing a dealer refresh, should something go wrong that you can't fix. Some features when turned on or off also change other settings at the same time, so just make sure you back up your settings before changing anything, and you should be good to go!

Is there anything specific you're looking to change/turn on or off on your vehicle? I can try and help you to the best of my knowledge.

Mostly just curious what can and cannot be enabled. I was hoping to have the alarm module chirp on the first lock command, rather than on the third which then signifies the intrusion sensor is disabled. I really hate the tacky horn honk but do like to audibly hear that the car is locking/armed.

I would also like to enable the auto-close feature of the windows, and link it to the sunroof opening/closing as well as mine doesn’t currently open with the express window open feature from the fob.

Another thing I’ve noticed is that my mirrors don’t fold when the auto close&lock button is pressed from the trunk, not sure if this is something that is currently disabled on mine. The mirrors only fold if I then press the lock button again from the fob. All the loaners I’ve had fold the mirrors with the lock command from the power trunk.

And lastly, it seems as though my full adaptive LED headlight units were replaced, as documented from the carfax report, but it doesn’t seem as though they were probably programmed or that the features were enabled, as none of the adaptation seems to work whatsoever. The only feature I have is the auto high beam turning on and off when nearing another car. I get no adaptation sequence at startup, no height adjustment, no corner illumination, nothing. I’ve also enabled and disabled it within the vehicle settings and it does nothing. The dealer hasn’t been the least bit helpful either, so figured I’d take some things into my own hands.

 

[MileHighMaserati]

Just a few examples. One of these shows Global up and down as well as sunroof. In the BODY CONTROL MODULE, under active Diagnostics, you can change these settings. Follow instructions in the app and remember, BACKUP before changing ANYTHING!

 

[MileHighMaserati]

Adaptive Front Light System Config: Cust.Set.Menu 1

 

[TheEngineer23]

Adaptive Front Light System Config: Cust.Set.Menu 1
View attachment 22263

Awesome!!! Thanks a lot! I’ll definitely be buying the program

 

[MileHighMaserati]

Awesome!!! Thanks a lot! I’ll definitely be buying the program

No worries! As for your adaptive headlight issue, I'd start with connecting to the BCM, select Car Configuration Change from the top list, then Select Option: Cust.Set.Menu 1 : Adaptive Front Light System CSM Present, then Set Value: YES, and hit start. Note, this is all done with the Ignition set to Run, with the engine OFF!!

(After backing up your config to a file first if course, if something goes wrong, use the restore config from file option and select the backup you made!)

 

[shpuncik]

@Mjewett as @MileHighMaserati said program is worth every penny. you can download it and try it in trial mode to see what it can do, what configuration options are available.
however as mentioned above - not all options are available on all markets or supported by production year.

 

[TheEngineer23]

Thanks everyone.

I ended up purchasing the software and the security gateway module bypass adapter. I’ll be playing around with some things later today after I complete the oil change and reset the maintenance counter.

I found a few things I’d like to adjust just scrolling through some of the config options, such as adjusting the DRL settings, possibly enabling the ClariFi audio settings (this is an adjustment within the audio settings for cars with bowers, but ironically ClariFi is actually owned and developed by and for Harmon Kardon Systems, so I’m pretty sure it should work), along with adjusting the global opening/closing settings.

One thing I cannot seem to locate is any config settings or related module directly related to the configuration and settings of the LED headlights. Doing a little research around other FCA/Stellantis product forums, it seems that the modules present in AlfaOBD are all for the HID/Xenon headlight systems. The only option I found that “could” be related is the option under the body control configuration menus asks whether or not the M161 LED headlights are present (LED Levante Units). I even poked around in the Levante and the Quattroporte settings and couldn’t find anything. Anyone have any idea if certain features are only displayed within the program based on the country code?

Also, I did make two discoveries that seem positive in regards to non-headlight related settings. It looks as though from what I can tell that the wiring connectors are present for the ambient lighting on the doors, but the lighting strips aren’t present on the Ghibli door cards; the spots for them are empty. There is an adjustment in the configuration options in AlfaOBD to enable the ambient lighting and enable power to the connectors. Seems pretty easy if someone wants the ambient lighting and could get a hold of some super cheap or even mismatched quattroporte door cards. Then simply swap over the lighting units into their existing door cards and enable the setting with the program.

Second interesting find was taillight pin out settings. It looks as though the taillight functions are actually controlled by individual pin out proxi settings. For example, you can reprogram which pin on the tail light connectors perform which function; not verbatim but you can change for instance “right rear turn signal pin out” from dedicated r.r turn to DRL, or Reverse spot #2, or r.r. Running light, etc. This leads me to believe this is all that was done, and needs to be done on pre2021 models, to correctly enable the functions and operations of the facelift light clusters. Seems pretty simple.

Lastly, just for fun, I’m going to change my DRLs from the dedicated signature lights up front to the Amber LED turn signals. I just want to see how it looks, hoping as menacing as the new yellow/amber DRLs on the new M5 Competition. You can also turn off the DRL dropout when a turn signal is activated, meaning it doesn’t look like you have a DRL out when the turn signal is on.

If anyone has any guidance on where and how I might find the settings related to the LED headlights, I’d appreciate, as I’ve combed through quite a bit myself with no luck.

I’d also be happy to answer any questions anyone else might have about what can be done with the software, or possibly help people adjust their settings as well if they don’t want to buy the program.

 

[TheEngineer23]

So… quick update. I made some of the revisions, and successfully revised to DRL color to be orange utilizing the turn signal output. I’ll attach a photo, looks really cool in my opinion, and still reverts back to the standard color when the headlights come on which I like.

I also enabled the global opening and closing settings for the sunroof (the commands and the feature enabling settings - 3) and the global window closing command, but none of the features work. The only command that works is the the global open command for the windows only, which worked already. Any ideas why this could be? The program said that it was successful when I enabled everything.

I did try to connect to the headlight module, but it could not connect as the headlight module listed in the program seems to be outdated and only list the xenon units. I did check the commands regarding the adaptation and leveling settings being turned on, which they are. Anyone have any idea where these settings could be hiding…? I think I may also reach out to AlfaOBD directly and see if they have any plans of releasing an update containing an updated config list for the 2018 exterior/2019 interior facelifts, along with the 2021 interior/exterior facelifts, as quite a few things were changed as we all know between the last few years, specifically when it comes to new features requiring new and additional modules which I can’t seem to locate in the program.

 

[MileHighMaserati]

Wow @Mjewett ,You have really dived in head first haha! I'll have a poke around later today and see what else I can dig up. I have quite a bit of experience with this program on my previous Dodge and Jeep vehicles, but I haven't quite brushed up on different features and modules that are Maserati specific. I'll see if I can figure out your headlight issue. As for global up and down and sunroof, I has successfully gotten it all working on my previous Dodge Charger, and IIRC there was an additional setting that needed to be changed other than the obvious ones in order for it to work. I'll have a poke around some old docs and forums and see if I can find out what else we are missing here.

 

[TheEngineer23]

Wow @Mjewett ,You have really dived in head first haha! I'll have a poke around later today and see what else I can dig up. I have quite a bit of experience with this program on my previous Dodge and Jeep vehicles, but I haven't quite brushed up on different features and modules that are Maserati specific. I'll see if I can figure out your headlight issue. As for global up and down and sunroof, I has successfully gotten it all working on my previous Dodge Charger, and IIRC there was an additional setting that needed to be changed other than the obvious ones in order for it to work. I'll have a poke around some old docs and forums and see if I can find out what else we are missing here.

Awesome! Thanks a lot. Let me know what you dig up 👍🏼

 

[Moesam]

Just a few examples. One of these shows Global up and down as well as sunroof. In the BODY CONTROL MODULE, under active Diagnostics, you can change these settings. Follow instructions in the app and remember, BACKUP before changing ANYTHING!
View attachment 22254 View attachment 22255 View attachment 22256 View attachment 22257 View attachment 22258 View attachment 22259 View attachment 22260 View attachment 22261 View attachment 22262

Any idea if i can enable the reverse camera on ghibli 2015, i already bought the hardware and installed it but no luck it didn’t work?

 

[MileHighMaserati]

Any idea if i can enable the reverse camera on ghibli 2015, i already bought the hardware and installed it but no luck it didn’t work?

Yes you can, absolutely! If you've installed the camera and anything else that might be needed, this program will turn it on 😀

 

[TheEngineer23]

Poking around again today, I was able to enable both the Clari-Fi and Surround Sound settings. They seem to have improved audio quality overall, especially using CarPlay.

Another configurable setting I found, and have seem a few posts on, is listed as “Acceleration Factor.” It seems as though this would produce similar effects to a pedal commander, as it has multiple adjustment values going up to 7.5.

0 is the default. I reached out to Alexey at AlfaOBD to get a definitive answer if this is what the setting does, along with having him look into adding module support for the LED headlight units.

I’ll keep posting updates as I make progress 👍🏼

 

[TheEngineer23]

 

[MileHighMaserati]

So, @Mjewett , I have not been able to figure out the other setting I had enabled to gain full access to Global Up and Global Sunroof Controls from the remote. But... Have you tried letting the car cycle through multiple power/sleep cycles before trying it (as with most things you modify with AlfaOBD, the vehicle may need one or more cycles for the changes to fully take effect) just to be sure? My 2017 Charger SRT and my 2016 Grand Cheeokee SRT both had the options in the BCM but it was never offered in the Jeeps, and it was never offered beyond 2013 in the Chargers, but was still programmable as it was just turned off, like it is in our Ghibli's... 🤔

 

[MileHighMaserati]

ACTUALLY!!!!!! @Mjewett , once you've changed the settings in the BCM, back out to the main screen where you select the make and model, and for the module, select DRIVER DOOR, and then select the control unit >2014.

From here, hit the button with the car hood up to enter Active Diagnostics, and from there, you'll see an option for Window Global Up from the drop down list, select ENABLED, and hit START!!!

After this, like I stated previously it may take a few sleep cycles for it to take affect, BUT that should be all that is needed for it to function IIRC!!! Let me know if it works?! I'm not with my Ghibli atm or I'd test it myself. 🍻