Plugging a laptop into the car's computer

[Kelemvor]

Anyone know anything about plugging a laptop into the car's computer where the little universal plug-in thing is under the dash? Have always wanted to be able to view things in there like fuel usage and other things but don't know anything about it.

Tried doing a quick search on google and just got power adaptors for laptops so wasn't really sure what to search under.

If there's a website that talks all about these things that anyone knows about, let me know.

THanks.

 

[Pastore]

 

[Pepsi90919]

 

[Pepsi90919]

Originally posted by: FrankyJunior

QFT

 

[dethman]

 

[Kelemvor]

Originally posted by: Pepsi90919

Originally posted by: FrankyJunior

QFT

Yeah yeah. Stupid laptop keyboard and I hit enter instead of shift...

 

[cjgallen]

You gotta buy a special module and software. Can probably find what you need on ebay.

 

[biostud]

wouldn't you need the right software?

 

[Pepsi90919]

http://www.autotap.com/

 

[Kelemvor]

Originally posted by: Pepsi90919
http://www.autotap.com/

Ah, that looks interesting. THanks for the link.

And yes I know you need software and hardware and such. That's what I'm asking.

 

[91TTZ]

Originally posted by: FrankyJunior
Anyone know anything about plugging a laptop into the car's computer where the little universal plug-in thing is under the dash? Have always wanted to be able to view things in there like fuel usage and other things but don't know anything about it.

Tried doing a quick search on google and just got power adaptors for laptops so wasn't really sure what to search under.

If there's a website that talks all about these things that anyone knows about, let me know.

THanks.

What model and year is your car? I made one for my 300zx, my Saturn, and my parent's lumina.

I got the satisfaction of soldering the circuit up and being able to use it. Cost me about $15.

 

[Pepsi90919]

Originally posted by: 91TTZ

Originally posted by: FrankyJunior
Anyone know anything about plugging a laptop into the car's computer where the little universal plug-in thing is under the dash? Have always wanted to be able to view things in there like fuel usage and other things but don't know anything about it.

Tried doing a quick search on google and just got power adaptors for laptops so wasn't really sure what to search under.

If there's a website that talks all about these things that anyone knows about, let me know.

THanks.

What model and year is your car? I made one for my 300zx, my Saturn, and my parent's lumina.

I got the satisfaction of soldering the circuit up and being able to use it. Cost me about $15.

wtf? what software do you use then?

 

[Kelemvor]

Originally posted by: 91TTZ

Originally posted by: FrankyJunior
Anyone know anything about plugging a laptop into the car's computer where the little universal plug-in thing is under the dash? Have always wanted to be able to view things in there like fuel usage and other things but don't know anything about it.

Tried doing a quick search on google and just got power adaptors for laptops so wasn't really sure what to search under.

If there's a website that talks all about these things that anyone knows about, let me know.

THanks.

What model and year is your car? I made one for my 300zx, my Saturn, and my parent's lumina.

I got the satisfaction of soldering the circuit up and being able to use it. Cost me about $15.

We have a '99 Grand Am and a '02 Dodge Durango.

Looks like I just need the adaptor piece and then some software to access it. SHouldn't be too hard to find on eBay or something.... Let me know what you did and how hard it was to make.

 

[91TTZ]

Originally posted by: Pepsi90919

Originally posted by: 91TTZ

Originally posted by: FrankyJunior
Anyone know anything about plugging a laptop into the car's computer where the little universal plug-in thing is under the dash? Have always wanted to be able to view things in there like fuel usage and other things but don't know anything about it.

Tried doing a quick search on google and just got power adaptors for laptops so wasn't really sure what to search under.

If there's a website that talks all about these things that anyone knows about, let me know.

THanks.

What model and year is your car? I made one for my 300zx, my Saturn, and my parent's lumina.

I got the satisfaction of soldering the circuit up and being able to use it. Cost me about $15.

wtf? what software do you use then?

There are a few different freeware programs out there that interface with the consult circuit. Personally, I like Zcontrol and Free Conzult.

 

[Viper0329]

Go to the Mp3Car forums, and browse the OBD-II forum. You'll find all the information you need.

 

[91TTZ]

Originally posted by: FrankyJunior

We have a '99 Grand Am and a '02 Dodge Durango.

Looks like I just need the adaptor piece and then some software to access it. SHouldn't be too hard to find on eBay or something.... Let me know what you did and how hard it was to make.

I have a 91 300zxtt, so its computer is pre-OBDII. My parent's Lumina is 1998, so it has an ODBII computer. The circuit for OBDII is a little more complicated and more expensive, but not by all that much. You can still make one for $70 or so.

Go to www.scantool.net

Lots of info there.

 

[Tu13erhead]

Originally posted by: Pepsi90919
http://www.autotap.com/

Wow, that looks sweet. A bit pricey, but would be sweet to plug my laptop in and monitor all that good stuff.

 

[Wapp]

Originally posted by: 91TTZ

Originally posted by: FrankyJunior

We have a '99 Grand Am and a '02 Dodge Durango.

Looks like I just need the adaptor piece and then some software to access it. SHouldn't be too hard to find on eBay or something.... Let me know what you did and how hard it was to make.

I have a 91 300zxtt, so its computer is pre-OBDII. My parent's Lumina is 1998, so it has an ODBII computer. The circuit for OBDII is a little more complicated and more expensive, but not by all that much. You can still make one for $70 or so.

Go to www.scantool.net

Lots of info there.

Requesting pics of 300zx plz.

 

[91TTZ]

Originally posted by: Wapp


Requesting pics of 300zx plz.

Here are a bunch I took yesterday:

pic1

pic2

pic3

pic4

pic5

 

[DanFungus]

www.scantool.net

 

[mobobuff]

Don't they have stand-alone devices that plug directly into the diagnostics port? Or do you wanna feel extra geeky by using your laptop?

That would be pretty hot...

 

[PHiuR]

Originally posted by: 91TTZ

Originally posted by: Wapp


Requesting pics of 300zx plz.

Here are a bunch I took yesterday:

pic1

pic2

pic3

pic4

pic5

damn, that car is sexyyyy

 

[91TTZ]

Originally posted by: mobobuff
Don't they have stand-alone devices that plug directly into the diagnostics port? Or do you wanna feel extra geeky by using your laptop?

That would be pretty hot...

They do sell stand-alone devices, but you can get more capabilities by plugging in a laptop.

For instance, if you want to datalog your run, you can have the laptop log the data that your ECU is sending out, and then you can put it into an Excel spreadsheet.

mine

Looking like an ultra-1337 supergeek is only a side benefit.

 

[91TTZ]

Originally posted by: PHiuR


damn, that car is sexyyyy

Thanks :thumbsup:

 

[mobobuff]

Originally posted by: 91TTZ

Originally posted by: mobobuff
Don't they have stand-alone devices that plug directly into the diagnostics port? Or do you wanna feel extra geeky by using your laptop?

That would be pretty hot...

They do sell stand-alone devices, but you can get more capabilities by plugging in a laptop.

For instance, if you want to datalog your run, you can have the laptop log the data that your ECU is sending out, and then you can put it into an Excel spreadsheet.

mine

Looking like an ultra-1337 supergeek is only a side benefit.

Awesome. Does the data coming off the port need special conditioning? Or is it pretty easy for the software to decipher? And that spreadsheet doesn't seem to be working for me.

Edit: Nevermind, Maxthon opened it up inside a new tab instead of the Excel window... snazzy...