ECU Diagnostic Software Re-Write

[Steve_T]

Lovely job Aide, just placed my Amazon USB adaptor order in anticipation

[fr0zent0ast]

Exciting stuff!

I have an early 4.2 with an original ECU (Whatever that is). Would this work for me, or is there something I need to check?

[Steve_T]

You'll need a serial lead to plug into the serial port in the middle of the ECU, plus the other two components Aide has mentioned.

[fr0zent0ast]

Steve_T said:

You'll need a serial lead to plug into the serial port in the middle of the ECU, plus the other two components Aide has mentioned.

Great, thank you. I read something about it not working on older ECU's so wanted to check before I bought a handset and cables.

[Steve_T]

You can also create an external serial connection by adding three extra wires into the ECU connector which is what I did when I fitted a later ECU. I'm hoping with Aide's wizardry I can swap my laptop for my phone!

I'll check my lead out when I get home as I don't remember variant which I have - I'd recommend a purchase eBay or Amazon to keep the cost sensible.

Edited by Steve_T on Monday 28th July 16:40

[Jon12345]

Aide, this looks awesome, would it be possible to some how integrate a screen somewhere on the dash with all this information displayed on a permanent basis?

[TimJM]

Steve_T said:

You can also create an external serial connection by adding three extra wires into the ECU connector which is what I did when I fitted a later ECU. I'm hoping with Aide's wizardry I can swap my laptop for my phone!

I'll check my lead out when I get home as I don't remember variant which I have - I'd recommend a purchase eBay or Amazon to keep the cost sensible.

Edited by Steve_T on Monday 28th July 16:40

That sounds interesting - which pins did you pick up for the external connection? Plumbing in a permanent android tablet (5" perhaps) would be simple enough.

[Steve_T]

Checked the serial lead and it's male one end female the other (9 pin serial rs232 in case anyone wondered). You don't need the lead with resistors in it - that's for mapping with the Easimap software which doesn't work with the TVR MBE anyway.

[Steve_T]

TimJM said:

That sounds interesting - which pins did you pick up for the external connection? Plumbing in a permanent android tablet (5" perhaps) would be simple enough.

Was a while ago, will dig out the info again.

[aide]

fr0zent0ast said:

Exciting stuff!
I have an early 4.2 with an original ECU (Whatever that is). Would this work for me, or is there something I need to check?

Hi fr0zent0ast, yes - it will work with the ECU installed in an early 4.2

Jon12345 said:

Aide, this looks awesome, would it be possible to some how integrate a screen somewhere on the dash with all this information displayed on a permanent basis?

Hi Jon12345, I guess you could, right now I just use my galaxy S3 mounted in the shelf above the stereo. Which is perfectly fine. I'll post a photo this week. I'm going to get an S5 soon so will either install the app on it or maybe just leave my old S3 mounted in the car.

All the recent screenshots are taken from my galaxy S3 with the app running.

hth
Aide

[fr0zent0ast]

Thanks Aide. Will go and buy a handset and cables and wait for the app to come out....... Exciting!

[aide]

Just a brief update. I've been working on the menu for the initial version and laid it out like this:

Menu
  Dial Display
    RPM
    Water Temp
    Baro Pressure
    TP1
    TP2
    etc...
  Digital Display
    RPM
    Water Temp
    etc...
  Status Code Display
    Fan 1
    Fan 2
  Fault Code Display
    Throttle 1
    Throttle 2
    Lambda 1
    Lambda 2
    Water Temp
    Air Temp
    ARFa
    AFRb
    etc...
  Logged Fault Code Display
    Throttle 1
    Throttle 2
    etc...
  Adaptive Map Display
    View Map A
    View Map B
  ECU Resets
    Reset Adaptive Maps
    Reset Service Interval
    Reset Fault Codes
    Reset Throttle

Here are a few screen shots

Top level menu:


Sub menus:







All the "Display" menu items (Dial, Digital, Status Code, Fault Code etc..) correspond to a display item that you can drop anywhere on the screen. You can move and resize each one individually and their position and size are saved for you.

There are five blank screens to layout your own set of diagnostic dials, displays and status/fault codes anyway that suits any combination of diagnostic information you're interested in seeing.

For example:


All the screen shots I've posted of the new UI so far, are just me playing with differing combinations of Dials, Digital Displays and Fault Status displays.

Best wishes
Aide

[Steve_T]

Nice work! The cables arrived yesterday so I'm ready to go

[Byker28i]

So are we nearly there yet? I've ordered the cables and stolen my sons nexus

[aide]

Yep, nearly there. It all works, I just need to test it more and work on getting it on the Play Store.

[fr0zent0ast]

Amazing work - looks fantastic. Cant wait to try it out.

Can we make a donation for your time or will you make it a paid for app?

[MackemPete]

Can't wait for this. Just need an android HU now.

[aide]

I've been thinking about how to solve the problem of being able to charge the android device at the same time as using the USB port in host mode. It's not possible without lots of hackerydickery..!

But I did come across a Qi Wireless Car Charger. That's one of the more expensive ones, but there are cheaper options. I'll probably test this in the next few days to see if it's possible to wireless charge and use the USB port in host mode at the same time. If it is it would be great.

I have an RS232 Bluetooth dongle and a nice 3A USB DC power converter that I've been playing with as well. I got them ages ago but didn't get a chance to wire them up and add Bluetooth capabilities to the app yet, but I'd say I should get it into the next version.

[aide]

I added some logic so that when you connect the USB Diagnostic cable to the phone it automatically senses that a RS232 Prolific cable has been plugged in and pops up a dialog to allow you to run the app:


And also added some Yes/No dialogs around Resetting Fault Codes, Adaptive Maps etc...

[Byker28i]

Looking really good.