----------------------------
Hi Steve,
    You are talking about a breakout  box type connector. I have not seen
one made for the digifant however I think the digifant 2 uses the same
connector (not positive on this)  and there is a vw breakout tool for it.
VAG 1598 test box and VAG 1598/2 adapter are required for the digifant 2 non
California.  The adapter contains the  male and  female 25 pin connectors
with a cable coming out between them, or T connector.  The test box appears
to be nothing more than test points. With this type of tool / connector  it
would not be necessary to add a flat wire cable onto the digijet / digifant
to gain access to the ECU interface.  I would think this is the tool  vw
dealers and shops would have to service digifant problems.  Although none of
the books I have or Derek Drew (thanks Derek) sent to me reference a
breakout box  for use  on the vanagon, having direct access to the interface
information makes it much easier than other methods (swag or pin stuck into
wire method) to analyze problems.
    I have looked through some vw micro fiche and found no connectors
available and there were some other listees looking for a source for them
and I have never heard back from any of them except not found.  The male
connector on the digifant has this information "     amp 827678     "  .
    There were some on the list with plans to strip the connector from an
old ECU and  one from a fi cable and attach them together along with a cable
making a T connector that way.
     If you  or someone  else found a source for these connectors  it could
be a good alternative to attaching a flat wire cable to the ECU. The tool
could be adapted to a T connector no problem.   I personally have no problem
with adding the flat wire cable to the ECU, I have been working with circuit
boards  since 1960 or all my adult life.  Many others on the list feel as I
and have added cables, others would prefer a T cable.  I think it is a
matter of economics the flat 1-2  ft of  cable with connector is $4 and 1-2
hours labor.  Since I am retired and electronics is now a hobby and not  a
way to make a living  I enjoy using my hard earned / learned  skills from
the past.   The T cable would also add one more connector to the fi system
when it was installed, however in some ways it would be more convenient
than moving the ECU from van to van when one had multiple vans as many do.
    Thanks for your ideas and thoughts and I feel if we all put a little
into this we will eventually have a tool most all of us will enjoy using.
The digitool makes it so very easy to analyze fi problems, it is actually
fun when problems develop or to trouble shoot or even to  check other vans
for problems. The built in  LCD volt meter feature many told me they wanted
is a great addition.  A person can actually learn to work on a fi problem
without getting out their trusty meter.

Darrell Boehler
Makanda Illinois

-----Original Message-----
From: Steven Johnson <sjohnson@CALWEB.COM>
To: Vanagon@VANAGON.COM <Vanagon@VANAGON.COM>
Date: Sunday, July 26, 1998 10:38 AM
Subject: Re: digijet tool testing

>Hi Darrell,
>
>Unca Joel and I were disgusting your tool and were interested in making
>the main wiring harness connection with a spiced in "T" connection sockett
>so that you wouldn't have to solder the ECU board.  This would allow the
>user to plug in outside of the "box".   Is this feasible?  I don't see
>why not.  What's your take on this?
>
>Thanks,
>
>Steven
>Sacramento, CA
>sjohnson@calweb.com
>