fiestaturbo.com

[MattL]

just a couple of questions:

I'm pretty sure i can interface my laptop with the my cars computer but does ne1 know how this is done?

I take it you need some special software, ne1 know what or where to buy it?

cheeRS

Matt

[fitzy88]

mate,

i've been looking into this too.

However, not only do you need the software, but you need the cable. I think its called an OBD cable, but don't quote me on that.

I reckon they cost about 4-500 quid for the wire and software from ford - 'kin rip off.

The yanks have been making these cables for years, so if you could get the schematic for one that fits the frst ecu, then it shouldn't be too hard to make: i'd hazard a shot at it myself. However, feck knows where you could the cable from...

let me know if you find out!!

[MattL]

U can buy the cables from some American site to fit and EEC IV ecu (i think thats right) for $33 - bargain, dunno how much the software is tho

[fitzy88]

is that the ecu thats in a frst??

certainly is a bargain mate. If they are selling the cables, i don't think the software will be all that hard to come buy.

fancy posting the url for the site?

cheers

[SPo0n]

i think andyhardy is up to something similar, but that might just be an in-car pc, not exactly sure. anyway speak to him

[MattL]

http://www.obd-onboarddiagnostics.com/AeroCart/list.asp?cat=2,14,18,15,0

Thats the link for the cable page part of the site, check out the rest of the site as it shows you about the actual software.

[ianFRST]

and what will that enable u 2 do???

sounds intersting

[MattL]

the cable allows you to connect the ecu with your laptop.

the software ????????? I think it allows you to display, monitor and adjust the settings, like revs, fueling - and i dont really know

Check out the link above it explains on there.

[andyhardy]

OBD2 is only on later model cars - don't think FRSTs have them.

I'm going to be getting an interface for my Cossie ECU and then getting software to view engine information from that.

I think with EEC-IV and cossie ecu's it's something like an RS232 cable to the proper plug for the ECU itself.

OBD is great though - on later model cars it can allow you to control pretty much anything, which includes lights etc.

Here's a screenshot of what the OBD software can do:



I will be trying something like this out myself very soon and will post up my results.

Cheers,

Andy

[Brian]

i would really like to talk to my 1.1, tell it to get a move on!!!

[SantaHul]

lol @ brian

what do you mean by later cars? later mk3's (eg si) or later fez's, like mk4

[andyhardy]

Not sure about mk3.5s but I think Mk4s have OBD interfaces which are a universal connector for interfacing with the ECU (think it was a European standard drawn up so that cars could be checked using same equipment).

However, what didn't work is that all the different manufacturers have chosen to use the different pins on the connector for different data - so you have to make sure your software is configured correctly for the make and model of car it's being used on (otherwise you might fry the ECU!).

I know that my 1995 Mondeo has an OBD port (in the glovebox) so I'd imagine that Mk4s and Mk5 Fiesta's would have these ports.

Having said that - there are different cables you can get to interface with your ECU if you have a later car, so I shall do my research and let you guys know, the American site mentioned by someone above would really be appreciated as that does seem a cheap price for the cable

Cheers,

Andy

[cswminty]

It would be nice if you could display this on a little screen on the old dashboard eh.

Minty