|
Forum: The Classroom Topic: car computers and diagnostic software started by: jrh1406 Posted by jrh1406 on Jun. 10 2000,07:16
I was just wondering if anyone has had any experience with diagnostic software for engine computers. I'm going to put a computer in my car mostly for mp3s, but i also want to use it for engine readouts too.i've been looking around but i havn't found anything on this. I'd need something that could run under linux or QNX. Posted by Lordbrandon on Jun. 10 2000,14:26
I ve been thinking that for a wile too i wanted something for gps and mp3'si was gonna buy an old laptop on ebay, i never thought about engine readouts but if its possible..
Posted by Rhydant on Jun. 11 2000,00:04
well, if it means anything, my mom works for a company that makes those laptops in cop cars. heheheh, they 0wnz j00! ------------------ Posted by aventari on Jun. 12 2000,21:51
i'm really into import car racing, so i feel i should share my experience w/ ya. the easiest way you could get engine sensor readouts, and even adjust them on the fly, would be to install an aftermarket complete ignition/fuel injection system. Electromotive has one i think, and a few other companies make them, that will plug into your serial port on yer computer. But the hardware and software will run you probably +. You could concievably take your car's computer, and read the output its giving w/ a custom made wireing harness that would plug into your PC, but you must write a program that would read the shit from the serial port(or whereever) and then decipher what exactly the signals mean. This information is EXTREMELY proprietary, and not in the public domain whatsoever. A few companies that make custom chips and reprogram chip for your car have the info, but i doubt they would give it up. PLUS every car is different. even from year to year of the same model, with regards to the computer. so it would be hard to find outside help. If you were dedicated enough, you could do it, but installing an aftermarket system would be easier, cheaper (maybe), and would garner you much more performance in the long run. i hope that made sense. :P ------------------ Posted by jrh1406 on Jun. 16 2000,03:39
Damn, that's what i was afraid of, i don't have the money to drop on a new engine computer, or for the software, maybe my uncle can hook me up with something (he does funnycar drag racing). if not, then i guess i have a bit of coding to do.
Posted by Bob_Cannibal on Jun. 17 2000,17:13
What kind of readouts? engine temp? miles traveled? O2 flow? speed? MPG? any warnings/cautions/alerts?
Posted by jrh1406 on Jun. 18 2000,07:53
I was looking for whatever the engine computer reads (o2 sensor, knock sensor, whatever)but just about anything else that would register on the dash would be good too, i've got a speedometer, a gas gauge and a bunch of idiot lights on mine. The biggest problem (besides lack of time and energy) is finding software or figuring out how i'm going to do it if i have to write the whole damn thing myself.
|