Date: Fri, 12 Jun 1998 13:46:18 -0400
Reply-To: EMZ <vw4x4@FYI.NET>
Sender: Vanagon Mailing List <Vanagon@vanagon.com>
From: EMZ <vw4x4@FYI.NET>
Subject: Re: digifant
In-Reply-To: <35821AA6.AE40EFF7@pnc.com.au>
Content-Type: TEXT/PLAIN; charset=US-ASCII
On Fri, 12 Jun 1998, Ray Hunnam wrote:
> Darrell
>
> Some time back one of the list members, sorry I forget his name proposed a
> similar idea. His idea was to monitor all temperatures and pressures via a on
> board computer of sorts. He planned to hook up all the info and display it onto
> a small screen that allowed the driver to browse through the range at the touch
> of a button. That idea, same as your one sounded great. From memory this guy
> had the qualifications to do it, must have been a computer whiz or something.
> He even claimed that his device had a memory facility which would prove a bonus
> when it went in for repairs.
>
> Maybe if you searched the archives you may come across the thread from memory it
> was about 6 to 8 months ago.
>
> If not keep at it I am sure there is a market for your idea.
>
> Ray.
It's called OBDII On board diagnostic II. All 1998 and up cars
sold in the USA must have it. Eric
>
> Darrell Boehler wrote:
>
> > --------------------
> > Having bought my 86 van and belonging to the list for over a year
> > now it seems to me there is often a problem getting good information about
> > engine problems we experience. The archives are so full of information
> > about most of the problems and varied fixes we experience it is difficult
> > to use. No flame intended , but most non vws provided error codes and
> > vital information about the engine electronics. It is also difficult to
> > attach test leads to measure many devices on our digifants.
> > I have looked at several options on ways to gather information from the
> > digifant interface using an analog to digital converter / digital input
> > to the pc. This would be a great way and I would like to do it but I don't
> > have the programming skills and the many hours that such a project would
> > require.
> > Thinking about all of us on the list with varied skills and it many if
> > not most cases simpler is better decided to make it using some leds and
> > provide an easy accessible way to meter all digifant interface pins. After
> > looking at the interface between the engine and the digifant I plan to tap
> > into it and either display with leds or provide an easy accessible way to
> > use a meter to gather vital information to and from the digifant ecu. I
> > have a spare ecu that I plan to attach a 25 pin flat cable to the 25 pin
> > digifant connector at the circuit board, run the cable out side digifant
> > case and install a 25 pin serial connector. If digifant information is
> > needed I will attach a perfboard with flat cable to the 25 pin serial
> > connector. I plan to have leds for signals such as coil, fuel injector
> > pulses , the starter signal, fuel pump, wide open throttle, etc. Analog
> > signals such as temp2, temp1 oxygen sensor, etc will need to be metered. I
> > plan a long enough flat cable that I can keep an eye on it while driving if
> > desired.
> > I ask the list for any suggestions and will make my plans, test data
> > and results available to all after testing and all works as planned. The
> > cost should be less than $50 and I feel it will go a long way helping us
> > analyze our engine electronics and digifants.
> >
> > Darrell Boehler
> > Makanda Illinois
>
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