Date: Sun, 12 Jul 2015 12:26:34 -0700
Reply-To: John Goubeaux <john@UCSB.EDU>
Sender: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From: John Goubeaux <john@UCSB.EDU>
Organization: UCSB
Subject: Re: Fwd: Re: ECU Testing
In-Reply-To: <CA+az7_6XD_Dt7L5i=eAcrLXL1NCY9kJ+3U3WKT9MtfjKuPRDyg@mail.gmail.com>
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This is all good info to know, Thanks.
I did quickly read through all the documentation on the ECU monitor I
got, ( an 8691V ) and saw that it WOULD entail opening and soldering
onto the contacts on the board, but once that's done and the ribbon
cable is routed out of the ecu it's not something that has to be messed
with again, and as you say one can route the cable either fwd or aft to
monitor the engine performance while working or driving.
I DO need to get a cable or section to solder on to the ecu as this was
not included, ( presumably it was soldered onto another ecu ) but as
mentioned it appears that there might be an improved method to connect
into the ecu ? I see that VC sells a cable kit as well, not sure if
this has what I need or?
http://www.van-cafe.com/home/van/page_1027_126/diagnostic-tool-ribbon.html
I like that it has helped you work through and solve running issues AND
I'm, as a tinkerer and someone who is also keeping an old Vanagon on the
road, interested in learning more about how all the Digifant ignition
components work together.
-john
On 7/12/2015 11:31 AM, John Rodgers wrote:
> I have the Shoebox ECU monitor. I got it without the ECU and did my own
> soldering and wiring. Unless you are good with fine work and soldering,
> don't.
>
> To get best use of the thing, knowing how to interpret the thing is half
> the battle. Big advantage is you can have it back by the engine while you
> work and also up front while you test drive.
>
> The first time it helped me isolate a bad coil. Had no coil signal.
> Replaced coil and it fired right up. DSecond time it was a bad ECU. I don't
> remember exactly the interpretation. But once I decided that was the
> problem and swapped out, all was well. I just finished reworking the
> throttle switch. It was so easy to adjust with the ECU monitor. One time
> the hall sender didn.t light up. Replaced it and all was well.
>
> The system works pretty good. Saved me a lot of time and headache..
>
> It's a worthwhile gadget in my opinion.
>
> John
> ---------- Forwarded message ----------
> From: "Neil N" <musomuso@gmail.com>
> Date: Jul 12, 2015 12:57 PM
> Subject: Re: ECU Testing
> To: <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
> Cc:
>
> I had a quick look at the Shoe Box website and the PDF for this unit.
> I didn't see installation instructions but looking at van-cafe and Shoe Box,
> it appears that a known good ECU is supplied with the 'ready to go'
> monitor.
>
> I swear I recall that some folks might've soldered the Shoe Box
> connector wires to
> existing wires at ECU connector. But looking at this Digijet ECU image:
> http://images.thesamba.com/vw/gallery/pix/1190386.jpg
> I can see how those pins would be more forgiving in terms of soldering
> new wires on.
>
> As to my earlier speculation on what the monitor does, from the PDF:
>
> "Basics
> It is important to keep in mind as you are using this System as a
> troubleshooting tool, the monitor and ECU simply allow the user to
> monitor input and output signals at the ECU......"
>
> So it measures inputs AND outputs.
>
> I'd suggest that for an experienced hard core enthusiast or mechanic,
> this tool would be
> a really useful time saver.
>
> Neil.
>
> On 7/12/15, Richard Smith <richard_smith@gnwc.ca> wrote:
>
> .....
>
>> I looked at the process of adding the shoebox thing and backed off when I
>> saw that I had to get in there and mess with the ECU itself. It would be
>> so nice if there were some sort of ³reader² that you could put inline
>> (some sort of passthrough connector) without messing with the ECU itself.
>> But that¹s probably asking way too much.
>
>
>
> --
> Neil n
>
> Blog: Vanagons, Westfalia, general <http://tubaneil.blogspot.ca>
>
> 1988 Westy Images <https://picasaweb.google.com/musomuso/New1988Westy>
>
> 1981 Westfalia "Jaco" Images, technical <http://tubaneil.googlepages.com/>
>
> Vanagon-Bus VAG Gas Engine Swap Group <http://tinyurl.com/khalbay>
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