Am in the process of prototyping an OBDII ( diagnostic ) interface between the Z connector and a standard PC. All up around $100 AU.

Looking at the manual just about most of the engine diags are possible via OBD so its cost effective. Unfortunately the other electronic systems are on CAN and that much tougher - perhaps the next step.

Not finished yet - but anyone interested in the details ?

 

Me

 

The grunt of the bits is an ELM323 chip that just about does all the work for us.

When its going will publish more details, a circuit board etc. Not certain I want to sell it, but I am certain that there will be enough interest from people who can do basic construction to satisfy.

The data sheets are a bit complex if you are not into electronics but I have published the link for interest

http://www.elmelectronics.com/

 

so do you mean that we can program the Zed ourselves? that will be quite interesting to see how it turns out later! Thanks for the information and waiting for more news from you!

cheers,

richie

 

No this is diagnostic only ( if it all goes wrong ) basically its the engine diagnostic output. You can read the problem codes and with a service manual just about all the electronics on the ENGINE can be checked/repaired. You can also turn off the MIL lamp.
Programming is via a much more complex unit and you need to know What to program - not just HOW.

 

For 100 bucks i'm interested as well

 

Just as a byword, about a third of the cost is the OBDII connector (its available from Jaycar but is around $30). If you are careful you could probably just push pins into the socket ( 4 required ) and get the same result. There is losts of free OBDII software out there that works with this IC, but simple Windows terminal type programs will work fine. Have a search around for the software... the IC is an ELM 323.

 

I'm too lazy to build it even though i can read the circuit diags...

I'd pay for it though...;p

lazy bastage i am!

 

If you are interested in what you can get via OBDII have a look at the virtual dashbaord software thats freely availalble at

http://dennisc99.home.mchsi.com/

ITs great stuff ( not my work ) and shows that OBDII is not just usefull for diagnostics but can create fantastic PC based dashboards. Its enough to want to install a car PC.

Why pay a million dollars when with an OBDII converter and a PC you can get all of this........