DIY: ECU Scantools/Data Cables

[michaelw]

Try this. send AT SP0 to the cable through hyperterminal or your scan software. This will tell it to try ALL protocols when it has trouble. The chip has a 'feature' to remember the last protocol it used and if you are swapping it around it could get annoying.

For more info check page 11 of the data sheet.

http://www.elmelectronics.com/DSheets/ELM327DS.pdf

Mike

[Chev_SS]

Does anyone know where i can purchase an interface cable for a series II VY commodore SS.

I have downloaded the trial version of EFILIVE but i need the cable.

Thanks

[michaelw]

I have made an addition for those who have a GENIII and can program microcontrollers.

Mike

[michaelw]

News just in. EFILIVE has definition files for VX and VY V6's

Mike

[OZ38]

News just in. EFILIVE has definition files for VX and VY V6's

Mike

This sounds like good news, but can you tell us what It means for us now ?

Cheers

Deek

[Chris76]

Hi Guys,

Can anyone provide a copy of the standard bin files/maps for the VS ECOTEC amnual as Im conveting to manual form auto. Please PM me if you can help

[michaelw]

This sounds like good news, but can you tell us what It means for us now ?

Cheers

Deek

You can see what efilive can do before you make/buy a cable, dowload efilive (the version on the server comes with the VX/VY V6 files) and after it is set you go to file->select vechicle and load the file. Some VX's may have a problem with the supplied file (see attached for a corrected file).

Mike

[Mike:)]

Ok I have done the work for you Here is all the info you need to make your very own ALDL link. I have done it, and it works on my VX II commodore.

Attatched are the schematic, part layout, and PDF for making a PCB for your link.

There are three options for powering this circuit

Option 1 on the car side use Ground Data and 12v // on the PC side use pins 2, 3, and 5

Option 2 ointhe car side use ground and Data/// use a 9V battery on the power in pins /// use pins 2,3,and 5 on the PC side.

Here is a link to download an ALDL tester to test youe citcuit BEFORE you hook it up to your car!!!
http://www.ttspowersystems.com/softw...setup-ALDL.exe

Here is a link to the circuit that I used.. It seems to be the best.
http://students.fct.unl.pt/users/lat...link_cable.htm

Note you have to conect pins 1,4,6 and 7,8 at the serial port plug.

Here is a link to the serial plug pinout:
http://www.cisco.com/univercd/cc/td/...1101/cable.htm
You have a DB 9 on the back of you PC.

I used EFIlive 4:
http://68.178.219.18/software/EFILiveV465_305_Eval.exe


Have fun

Mike


aldlfinal3.zip

aldlfinal3_brd.pdf

[michaelw]

Option 1 on the car side use Ground Data and 12v // on the PC side use pins 2, 3, and 5

Option 2 ointhe car side use ground and Data/// use a 9V battery on the power in pins /// use pins 2,3,and 5 on the PC side.

If you join the DTR and RTS lines together to power your circuit you run the risk of cooking your serial port. Route the power through a diode for each line. (see circuit on first post).

If you want to power it off the car (no real need unless you have a cheap laptop, cheap usb/serial converter or want to use a pda) you can source 12V from pin 16 on the obd plug. No need for a 9V batery, the battery/cig lighter power option is needed on US cars that have a different OBD I plug.

Mike

[Mike:)]

Hi there,

Yes there are diodes to protect DTR and RTS. I am using the same basic circuit as you.

Just have a few power options. - it works from a pda which is cool!

There is a PDF to make a pcb from. Thought it might help a few people.

Mike

[michaelw]

Added some info about the airbag flashing when you use an adaptor on the VX (and the VY I guess)

Mike

[JcB]

Hello Mike, i'm still debating on buying an ALDL cable for my VS from you. I'm looking at the above diagram, it's different from the www.techedge.com.au one. Could you tell me what models this would work for. Many thanks.

[14secvp]

just been reading what the honda boys have been doing with a nokia cellphone data cable (come as serial or usb) using it for logging seems to have a max 232 chip in it.looks like the same circuit as some of the max 232 interfaces costs about 25 bucks just cut off the cellphone plug on the end bare the wires and viola .maybe i might of been missing something but have a look schematics for the cable on the net nokia dku 5 or nokia dku 2 or check out www.pgmfi.org let us know what u find out sure beats making one

heres the schematics they are a bit different but with some modifications might work

[michaelw]

Hello Mike, i'm still debating on buying an ALDL cable for my VS from you. I'm looking at the above diagram, it's different from the www.techedge.com.au one. Could you tell me what models this would work for. Many thanks.

It will work for VR/VS/VTS1 V6 and V8, and then VT SII/VX/VY V6's only. (and whatever the matching stateman's and utes are)

The techedge circuit does not seem to work the VS V8 onwards, I haven't put too much effort in working out where the circuit won't work as the two transistor method seems to work with everything. I use the above circut with obvious modifications for the usb one I sell and have not had any compatibility problems. I originally sold a version based on the tech edge circuit and had troubles.

But if you are handy with an iron my circuit shouldn't pose any problems.

Mike

[JcB]

I'm a learner with the soldering iron, but i like the idea of many models in one circuit. I have not got wiring diagrams from VT or later Holdens, are they the same ALDL connector as the VR/VS? - Thanks for the reply.

[michaelw]

I'm a learner with the soldering iron, but i like the idea of many models in one circuit. I have not got wiring diagrams from VT or later Holdens, are they the same ALDL connector as the VR/VS? - Thanks for the reply.

Yep, the same plug and circuit will work for all of the above models.

Mike

[breast69au]

hey michaelw, do you make and sell these cables at all???? If so how much???

[CDS1]

sorry new to this, bought obd2 to db9 diagnostic cable thinking my 1999vt series 2 v6 would be running this protocol. do i need to make/buy an interface to connect to laptop/pda can i use/mod mikes if so. should i use EFIlive4 or winaldl. all help greatlly appreciated thanks.

[michaelw]

Sorry I don't quite follow you. Please ask if I haven't made myself clear.
1)The VT will not run OBDII it has a OBDII shapped plug but the protocol is different. That said if you have a ALDL cable with a circuit based on an old design your cable will not work.

2)When you are talking about connceting it to a laptop do you mean you want to run USB?

3) Can you post a link to what you have bought?

Mike

[CDS1]

sorry mike for not replyin sooner the link if still avaliable is on ebay item # 170084813949 i dont have a laptop yet was thinking of something cheap so serial or usb at this stage prob to suit pentium 3 all help greatly appreciated

[michaelw]

The cable you bought is no good. It is just a bunch of wires with no electronics, also the correct pins for the V6 are not even attached.

Mike

[CDS1]

Ok I have done the work for you Here is all the info you need to make your very own ALDL link. I have done it, and it works on my VX II commodore.

Attatched are the schematic, part layout, and PDF for making a PCB for your link.

There are three options for powering this circuit

Option 1 on the car side use Ground Data and 12v // on the PC side use pins 2, 3, and 5

Option 2 ointhe car side use ground and Data/// use a 9V battery on the power in pins /// use pins 2,3,and 5 on the PC side.

Here is a link to download an ALDL tester to test youe citcuit BEFORE you hook it up to your car!!!
http://www.ttspowersystems.com/softw...setup-ALDL.exe

Here is a link to the circuit that I used.. It seems to be the best.
http://students.fct.unl.pt/users/lat...link_cable.htm

Note you have to conect pins 1,4,6 and 7,8 at the serial port plug.

Here is a link to the serial plug pinout:
http://www.cisco.com/univercd/cc/td/...1101/cable.htm
You have a DB 9 on the back of you PC.

I used EFIlive 4:
http://68.178.219.18/software/EFILiveV465_305_Eval.exe


Have fun

Mike


Attachment 23463

Attachment 23464

Attachment 23465

Attachment 23466

Mike cant i make and use this circuit and rewire the plugs to suit or are u saying the obd2 plug is missing the pins to wire up to this circuit and therfore i need to source a new unused obd2 and db9 plug or is this circuit totally unsuitable sorry if this is starting to bother you chris

[kopper69]

You should be able to make it up if you pull your cable apart, all the pins required should be there, but they just wont be connected correctly. But it wont be easy unless you are confident with soldering, have access to a soldering iron, you know what the different electronic parts are, resistors, capacitors etc and how to read what values they are (although there is plenty of help on this on the net if you are willing to learn). You will have to make it up on a prototype board, which can get a bit messy and means you can easily make a mistake just by forgetting to join one wire etc, unless you are willing to make a board up, which is another set of skills again.

Honestly mate, save yourself the hassle, if you want to connect your car to a computer just get a cable of michaelw. He has put a heap of work into it, it is an excellent product, and it does it for a very reasonable price considering all the work he has gone to.

[michaelw]

Mike cant i make and use this circuit and rewire the plugs to suit or are u saying the obd2 plug is missing the pins to wire up to this circuit and therfore i need to source a new unused obd2 and db9 plug or is this circuit totally unsuitable sorry if this is starting to bother you chris

Use the circuit I posted at the start of this thread. Don't bother with your OBD->DB9 cable, in order to use it you will have to hack through moulded plastic to get to a pin which might not be there. If you want to DIY (and I encourage people giving it a go) I can source you a plug for about $10 that includes postage.

If there is enough interest I can make you some circuit boards as well.

Mike

[Degeko]

yeah im interested in a cable! will i be able to re-map the engine/trans ECU in my 2002 VY with this cable and efilive? or it just a diagnostic tool?