Plugging a laptop into the car's computer

[91TTZ]

Originally posted by: mobobuff


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.

The software needs to decipher all the data. It looks for individual frames of information, and each frame contains info telling what sensor sent it and the reading. The software then formats the data to make it easy for you to read.

The spreadsheet is an Excel file, so you need MS Excel. You can click on the tabs at the bottom in Excel to see the different charts/graphs.

 

[mobobuff]

Originally posted by: 91TTZ

Originally posted by: mobobuff


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.

The software needs to decipher all the data. It looks for individual frames of information, and each frame contains info telling what sensor sent it and the reading. The software then formats the data to make it easy for you to read.

The spreadsheet is an Excel file, so you need MS Excel. You can click on the tabs at the bottom in Excel to see the different charts/graphs.

I know, I was scratching my head and staring at this, didn't realize it displayed itself in the browser instead.

So does the data include digital readouts like engine temperature, fuel, washer fluid, oil levels, etc? In other words, can you get a lot more specific info that you can't get with the instrument panel?

 

[Sensor]

I use a device from OBD Diagnostics.com to monitor my car computer. Pluses to this device specifically is its universal compatibility to all OBD-II computers (whereas many require different adapters for GM vs Toyota, etc) and the schematics -- pay him as little as you feel confident doing yourself.

Check out the OBD-II forum on mp3car.com (link) for more information than you ever wanted!

 

[91TTZ]

Originally posted by: mobobuff

So does the data include digital readouts like engine temperature, fuel, washer fluid, oil levels, etc? In other words, can you get a lot more specific info that you can't get with the instrument panel?

If you look at the spreadsheet, on the data tab and scroll to the top, you can see the sensors that I had checked off. And there were a few more that I didn't check off.

I have the RPM, airflow meter voltage, water temperature, oxygen sensor reading, speed, battery/alternator voltage, throttle position, injector duty cycle, ignition time, air/fuel ratio, throttle position sensor, air conditioning switch on/off, AC relay, fuel pump status, fan status, variable cam timing, turbo wastegate solenoid, and the EGR valve solenoid..

You can view the data from anything that has a sensor and gets sent over the data port. You can also see the angle the steering wheel is turned, the position of the vents for your AC, the reading from the sunload sensor on the dash, etc.

It's extremely useful.

 

[MercenaryForHire]

But the important thing is ...

Can it monitor the welds on your intake manifold?

- M4H

 

[91TTZ]

Originally posted by: MercenaryForHire
But the important thing is ...

Can it monitor the welds on your intake manifold?

- M4H

Only in the movies

 

[MercenaryForHire]

Originally posted by: 91TTZ

Originally posted by: MercenaryForHire
But the important thing is ...

Can it monitor the welds on your intake manifold?

- M4H

Only in the movies

SHUT UP! SHUT UP!!

*slams laptop lid*



- M4H

 

[randumb]

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

:thumbsup:

 

[mobobuff]

Originally posted by: 91TTZ

Originally posted by: mobobuff

So does the data include digital readouts like engine temperature, fuel, washer fluid, oil levels, etc? In other words, can you get a lot more specific info that you can't get with the instrument panel?

If you look at the spreadsheet, on the data tab and scroll to the top, you can see the sensors that I had checked off. And there were a few more that I didn't check off.

I have the RPM, airflow meter voltage, water temperature, oxygen sensor reading, speed, battery/alternator voltage, throttle position, injector duty cycle, ignition time, air/fuel ratio, throttle position sensor, air conditioning switch on/off, AC relay, fuel pump status, fan status, variable cam timing, turbo wastegate solenoid, and the EGR valve solenoid..

You can view the data from anything that has a sensor and gets sent over the data port. You can also see the angle the steering wheel is turned, the position of the vents for your AC, the reading from the sunload sensor on the dash, etc.

It's extremely useful.

:Q.

 

[Kelemvor]

And does it give you info that can be used to calculate gas mileage like newer vehicles have on the little display unit? That'd be the main thing I'd be looking for.

 

[EyeMWing]

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.

Your car is running a little bit lean.

 

[mercanucaribe]

DANGER TO MANIFOLD

 

[91TTZ]

Originally posted by: EyeMWing


Your car is running a little bit lean.

Good eye. If you notice, the car wasn't moving. I was just revving it at idle, so it's able to burn lean and not hurt the engine. The ECU will also make the engine burn lean when you're cruising on the highway. It'll be rich when you're accelerating.