pc based ECU scanner. help finding software.

[Skeith]

I just built the simple 2 transistor ALDL-Rs232 interface with hopes of getting some sensor information from my cars ECU.

As far as I can tell the interface works. I have tried a couple of the free software scanners but they don't support my ECU. It is receiving information from the ECU but doesn't have the right parameters to understand what the ECU is telling it.

the car is a 1993 chevy lumina W body with the LH0 3.1L MPFI in it. from what I can tell based on the chart listed on the site here, is that it should have a 16149396 model ECU.

I am trying to find some software that supports this ECU but am having some trouble.

Does anyone know of any? Operating system is windows XP, and interface must be Rs232 not USB.

[Superdave]

Tunerpro RT is what you need, download it from Tunerpro.net. you'll need the $A1.ads to translate the ALDL datastream. You can download the one i use here: http://www.sdsgarage.com/60degree/Tu...730-a1-MAT.ads

[Skeith]

Thanks for the link. Ive gotten as far as installing tunerpro RT and loading up the $a1 mask.

However I cannot get tunerpro to connect to my ECU. Just keeps saying unable to connect.

I'm fairly sure the circuit I built works. I have scoped it and dumb tested it by sending some serial bits to my PC and it works both ways on transmit and receive.

Also if run free scan, it searches for the main header, finds it and says bad checksum which is expected since it doesn't have a translator for my ECU. But it is getting a signal.

tunerpro just doesn't want to connect. maybe i'm doing something wrong. ground is to the ECU ground on the ALDL connector, signal line goes to the 8192 baud pin (i have no 160 baud pin) and power from the cigarette lighter.
Maybe I have to change some settings in tunerpro for it to work?

[Superdave]

Try Tunerpro RT4, i've never liked 5 and i know for sure the 2 trans will work with 4. In the Preferences you can set it for the max232/2-trans type interface. you may want to lower it down to 5hz sample, i run 10hz with the max232 circuit and it works fine though.


Your serial port ground (5) should be common with the ALDL ground and the power ground in the circuit.


While the 2 trans does work, i'd suggest building the MAX232 type interface. It's much more solid and will actually run off the serial port's power, or if needed you can pull 5v from a USB port.

this one works very well... http://www.sdsgarage.com/Misc/ALDL/ALDL.gif

[pocket-rocket]

FWIW, I couldn't get my 2 transistor interface to work so I built the MAX232 chips. If you contact the company that makes them, I managed to get some free "samples" of the MAX232 chip so the major part of the circuit was free.

http://60degreev6.com/forum/showthread.php/40147-My-new-built-in-ALDL-circuit.?highlight=built+in+aldl

[Skeith]

I was thinking about building the MAX232 at first, but didn't have have one in my parts bin so I tried the 2 transistor method. I have since constructed the MAX232 circuit. Its all neatly tucked away in a metal enclosure
that is grounded to prevent interference. A better shielded cable was used. was from a stereo patch cord. 1 wire for 160baud, other for 8192. right now I'm just going to used wires to connect to the ECU, but plan on buying an OBD1 connector from ebay in the near future. (seen a few for a couple bucks). add switches to switch between baud and to apply resistors for the modes, and It should be all set for any OBD1 car I need to use it on.

Haven't tested it yet, going to give it a shot tomorrow. However tunerpro RT does see it and connect without an ECU link. So far so good.

Pictures if anyone cares :P

I really wanted to etch my own PCB for it, but I couldn't be bothered so I used a Pref board instead.


Little aluminum enclosure


circuit, Max232 is in a socket just in case I ever need to replace it.


Connected to tunerpro on my netbook via USB-RS232 cord.
LED just shows that Its connected/has power.

[EagleMark]

Your link to $A1.ads is dead?

TunerPro V5 is way better but always seems to be an issue getting connected first time with cables. Happens a lot. I use an AutoProm for may cable as well as it's other features, and when switches set right and open TP it will find it, sometimes not? I've found that my Com 3 or 4 ? which is what TP wants to use seems to move on my laptop from one of 2 USB ports, but never the third?

Lots of things I like about TPV5 but the best is now both XDF and ADX file can be edited with notpad! Easy way to cut and paste dashboards. monitors and such from one adx file to another. Then just right click to choose value for the gauge. Really helps when you have values for like WB in one adx file and can cut and paste them into another without haveing to build the value from scratch.

[Superdave]

link updated



Now, if we could just get Tunerpro to work with my Holley Commander i'd be set.

[EagleMark]

TunerPro is very versatile! Does Saab, Volvo, Ford, DSM Buell motorcycles (Harley race Sportster) etc... so it could probably be done. Easier if you have data output address and bin file adress. I don't know how much info is available from Holley?

Sheith, nice box!

[Superdave]

The Holley file is in some weird format so i don't think it's uploading a binary file when you flash it, it's more like a script that modifies whatever is set up on the ECU already.

Their tuning software interface is light years behind Tunerpro, seems like it was designed for windows 95. It works but after using tunerpro for many years it's kind of annoying and very slow.