Date: Sat, 13 Jun 1998 18:34:04 -0700
Reply-To: Ray Hunnam <hunnam@PNC.COM.AU>
Sender: Vanagon Mailing List <Vanagon@vanagon.com>
From: Ray Hunnam <hunnam@PNC.COM.AU>
Organization: RAYJEN Security
Subject: Re: digifant
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii
You guys have all the fun. No whiz gadgets like that down under as yet except for the
mega dollar models that no self respecting Vanagon owner would be caught dead driving.
Do you remember the threads about this computer hook up that was proposed. I wish I
could remember his name. No I am not lazy when I try to search the archives I keep
getting an error message, guess I will try a bit later.
When I read the original message I thought how all those poor instrument makers would
be out of work. Fancy being able to monitor all the different temps and pressures at
the press of a button and being able to produce a history of the readings for
diagnostic purposes.
I am afraid it sounds a bit too complicated for me to work out but the original
presenter seemed to have the knowledge and expertise to carry it off ; and if I
recall correctly, at a reasonable price.
Leave it with ya !
Ray.
EMZ wrote:
>
>
> 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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