Carputer connector cable

[OzJD]

Hey guys, I've got an old laptop, that's been stripped back and been made ready to become part of a carputer.
Anyhow, my question is: Can I make a serial cable from this:
DealExtreme: $16.32 SI400 SI-Reset OBD-II for BMW

I can't see why not... your input will be appreciated

OzJD.

Edit: I should add the reason I'm asking - I havn't found a connector that's at a somewhat decent price.

[WhiteOx]

I think the pins might be different.
Look for an ALDL cable.

How are you planning to wire up the pc? are you going to connect it to the dtc socket?

[Commydoor]

ive got an OBD-11 kit....the plug connects to the diagnostic link and in the back of it is a USB that the cable connects to that runs to my lappy....all it would need is a cable that runs from USB to serial port to connect it to an old lappy or an adapter...say from a puter fair...that one on there looks like its for a BMW and has a sd card slot into it with the info on it...on the other hand if you just want to make a serial cable then why not just use a serial cable from say a really old modem or serial printer...ive got heaps of old cables here....even an old extension printer cable from memory i think id have to check....lemme know if you want it to experiment on..

[OzJD]

I think the pins might be different.
Look for an ALDL cable.

How are you planning to wire up the pc? are you going to connect it to the dtc socket?

The pins look the same to me :-S
I'm not sure WHERE i'm going to connect it yet, but I think it will have a switch to enable/disable data

[OzJD]

ive got an OBD-11 kit....the plug connects to the diagnostic link and in the back of it is a USB that the cable connects to that runs to my lappy....all it would need is a cable that runs from USB to serial port to connect it to an old lappy or an adapter...say from a puter fair...that one on there looks like its for a BMW and has a sd card slot into it with the info on it...on the other hand if you just want to make a serial cable then why not just use a serial cable from say a really old modem or serial printer...ive got heaps of old cables here....even an old extension printer cable from memory i think id have to check....lemme know if you want it to experiment on..

Allthough I have USB ports, I'd prefer to use Serial Cable (because the laptop has it and the serial cables screw in). My issue with it isn't the serial end, I'm just trying to work out if that connection will fit the commodore

[WhiteOx]

The pins look the same to me :-S

The way the pins are wired is what I meant.
Have a look here:
aUSTRALIAN SCAN TOOL

[accentstencil]

This thread might be of interest to you, if not maybe contact the OP for advice or contact Doctor Bob.
DIY: ECU Scantools/Data Cables

[michaelw]

Short answer:no
Long answer, it is the same plug but the electronics are totally different. I make the aldl adaptor and sell it here but only in a usb form.

If you want just the bare plug we can sort something out.

Mike

[woteva]

Would this 1 be any better ?? DealExtreme: $49.50 K300 EDC16 ECU ODB2 Read/Write Flasher USB Cable with Software CD
It looks like it may work ??

[michaelw]

That (the above photo) won't work on the commodore v6 as it is a OBD 2 cable, the v6's run aldl. I know it is the same plug but it is a different protocol.

Mike

[OzJD]

but wouldnt the obd-2 plug work the same as the ALDL? I mean, if it it just using some of the pins, couldnt u wire them to the output?
If you are making USB plugs, are they native USB or Serial->USB conversion?

Regards,
OzJD

[VS Omega]

I've found the USB -> ALDL cables are serial adapters because it's what's needed for EFILive amongst other software... The cables are getting expensive now though, this one's $170 inc postage (link), lucky I got mine when he was selling them for under $100 lol

[OzJD]

Even $100 is a dead rip off as far as i'm concerned.
Because the USB controller is emulating a serial port, it's not any faster, just alot of newer computer don't have serial I guess. (but having a screw in plug is far more convenient for a permanent application)

If the plug is the same on the US$16 one I mentioned above, can't I just add a serial port and some wiring between? :S

[OzJD]

Actually, for US$6 ($15.19 AUD including $3.60 postage) there is this: Obd2 Male Connector - OBDii Connectors: Car Plug

[OzJD]

Ok, Here's what I've decided on (and looks most likely to happen - unless someone comes up with something more appealing).
I'm going to buy a $5 mouse (with serial connection).
I'm gonna rip the wires out of the mouse, and chuck the mouse part.
I'm going to make a cable with that, using the diagrams on this site, and hardwire the cable to the diagnostic connector (no plug) - This is going to be a permanent install, and it means I can disable the cable if the engine light is flashing or I need to use the connector for something else

I'm going to install 2 switches:
The first switch will Turn on/off the cable
The second switch will "jump" the two wires to show diagnostic codes on cluster

Opinions?

[kopper69]

Car wont show the engine light if the diagnostic connector is connected. There shouldnt be any need for a switch to turn it on and off. Using a second switch to show codes on the cluster, just make sure youre not shorting anything on the circuit. Dont think you would, but best to double check.

Seriously though. I can get all the electronic parts for free, I would simply have to buy the connector which is available from Jaycar. Even then I would still buy a completed unit of michaelw. He has done a heap of work designing the circuit, he offers a good price to justcommodore members and the result is very professional.

[OzJD]

It's not so much that I don't believe in MichaelW, it's more so I know I can do it fairly cheap, and I'd much prefer the serial cable than a USB which *might* fall out etc.

RE: Switch 1, I've read on here that the check engine light flashes when sending/receiving data?

[michaelw]

Don't worry, no offence taken. I posted the DIY so that people who wanted to give it a go can. For the effort I'd skip the $5 mouse plug and just get a serial plug from jaycar, in fact all the parts for my circuit can be bought from jaycar. The design I sell uses the same front end (with SMD parts rather than through hole) with a different translator circuit.

I would also use the schematic I have designed as I know it works with the VR. That design came about due to an embarrassing situation where I have the old techedge circuit on a mates VR and it did nothing.

As for the OBD vs ALDL two totally different protocols. Different pins are used, different voltages and different code structures. In my OBD circuit I have a microcontroller that does the translation.

The engine light on the VP/VN flickers during communication, the VR wont.

Good luck with the project.

Mike

[ephect]

It's not so much that I don't believe in MichaelW, it's more so I know I can do it fairly cheap, and I'd much prefer the serial cable than a USB which *might* fall out etc.

RE: Switch 1, I've read on here that the check engine light flashes when sending/receiving data?

The USB cable will not fall out, plenty of ppl with carpcs and noone has had any problems with USB cables falling out, even 4WD's

absolute worst case, u plug it back in, not that hard

[michaelw]

Let's not forget the magic of hot glue.

Mike

[stevedarman]

Hey there
Can you post the circuit diagram that you found works with the vr commodore

[OzJD]

Use search mate (I can't remember where it is)