Format Of Data From Ecu's

[heyehy]

Hey all. Everyone here seems really nice, which is good for a forum. most of the ones I frequent, are abusive! so keep up the good work.

Was wondering however, what format the data output of the ecu is (ie the plug in the fuse box). I have found some software for a Palm Pilot that allows you to log exactly what the car is doing.

The PocketLOGGER automotive dataloggers are designed to run on the Palm Computing Platform. They enable the extraction and storage of vast amounts of information from your car in a small convenient package. Performance enthusiasts will find PocketLOGGER to be an indispensable tool for tuning and PocketLOGGER's error code reading and clearing capabilities can save you the time and cost of a trip to the mechanic when your Check Engine light comes on.

Just thought someone here might be an authority on this.

Ta

[Guest Giggler]

F*%k!!. that would be amazing!, I haven't actually checked the connector under the dash, my old VT commonwhore was an obd2 connector, but I spoke to a techie from Ford the other day who said he thinks this one is different.

Not exactly doubting you, but I find this Palm software

pretty hard to believe. Ford have made sure there is some pretty serious reverse engineering to be done with this system. I am trying to chase down anyone who is close to cracking it yet. I am in the process of mounting a modified laptop permanently in the dash

of my XR6T (painfully trying to avoid to much collateral damage)

for the purposes of running GPS, Video, DVD

rear Camera, Mp3 and a wanky little program I knocked

up in VB5 that will run as an accelerometer/shiftlight

(although the auto is so bloody slow to respond , not sure if there's a point

Where did you find this stuff?

[Guest Giggler]

Oh.... um....duh, sorry , just saw the link

But I just checked the site, and I don't think they support the current

Ford system? :(

By the way , this is one of the best sites I have ever stumbled across

You guys have already saved me craploads of personal R&D for jamming

more donkeys into my baby

[heyehy]

Glad to be of service. As I said, I have no idea bout ford's data format. If it works, I'd be extatic. If not oh well. I have a pug 205 gti, with Haltech engine management system, and permanently attached old colour digital laptop for in car adjustments and data logging, on hill climbs and the like. but palm is a huuuuuge weight saving.

also see here and here. These are another 2 available on the market.

I am looking at getting one and trying it on the AUII. WHen I do, I'll let you know. Oh, you may convince me to definately buy one if you can show me taht the AUII uses the ODBII data format.

[Falchoon]

Harasn might know...

[physh]

The current system is NOT COMPATIBLE WITH OBDII.

It is called the CAN (Car Area Network) and is a Ford proprietary protocol. Basically each computer listens on the CAN bus for anything addressed to it, and acts upon it.

Ford don't want anyone to play...

You can access the info using a machine that understands the CAN protocols, but you have to buy them from Ford, surprise surprise.

The CAN supports up to 50kbps serial data transfer, of which at any given time approx 10kbps data (including operational parameters such as fuel, ignition, revs, turbo, etc) is on the bus.

The plug is the same as OBDII (to allow the same diagnostics machine to talk to other cars than the ford CAN) but unfortunately you need the machine that understands it.

If anyone knows of software that talks to these... let me know.

I have an OBDII interface that works for Lexus, BMW, Volvo, Merc and Mazda... and even a Ford Probe, but no Falcons or Holdens for some reason.

Weirdass.

[Ford_Power]

Psysh, You are right in saying that the current system is not compatible with OBDII. Ford is running a CAN (Controller Area Network) bus which was developed by Bosch.

Basically you are correct in what you say except that the CAN bus can actually support 500kbps of which the current utilisation in the BA is around 90kbps. ie, lots more info can be carried on this bus in future.

l8r

Ross

[richdave]

Ford is running a CAN (Controller Area Network)  bus which was developed by Bosch.

I thought CAN stood for Central Area Network

Edited 25/04/03 09:36 AM by richdave

[Guest IMTRBO]

Any of you guys checked out www.ecutek.com.au

[Guest IMTRBO]

Forget that last post I have got the bomb right here

http://www.ixxat.de/english/index.html

looks like you may be able to connect your ba via usb!!!

http://www.ixxat.de/english/produkte/canpr.../canatnet.shtml

hmm I think this will allow you to connect to the ecu but need to find sware to change or logg data :idea: