Date:         Thu, 11 Jun 1998 11:37:22 -0500
Reply-To:     Darrell Boehler <midwesty@TAOS.MIDWEST.NET>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <Vanagon@vanagon.com>
From:         Darrell Boehler <midwesty@TAOS.MIDWEST.NET>
Subject:      digifant
Comments: To: vanagon list to post <vanagon@vanagon.com>
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         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