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.

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