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
>