Where can I get an ECU data cable off the shelf?

[smash]

I know there's a circuit diagram on here somewhere but I was just hoping to buy a cable off the shelf.

Incidentally which Software is recommended for early 4.2? The "yellow" or the "blue"?

Cheers

[JensenA]

If you have a laptop with a serial port on, just get a standard serial cable from maplins/pc world. (male/Female)
Both versions of Diags work OK, but the newer one has all the 'Help' files relating to the Speed 6 engine

[smash]

Sorry - meant to say thanks for this!

[smash]

Hazzah!!! just connected the thing up - took me forever to find the bloody serial port - wasn't expecting to have to take the lid off the ecu!!

As expected I have a throttle pot showing some eratic behaviour - christ these things don't last long do they? Adaptives on the same side were also a bit whacky - it's all fascinating stuff!

One thing I did notice was fan 1 didn't kick in til 93 degress closely followed by fan 2 at 94 - thought fan 1 should come in earlier - any ideas?

[Steve_T]

Does anyone know where to get 90 degree serial cable connectors. I'm fed up with all the faff to get the ECU out and it's lid off to hook up the laptop. I'd like to put a suitable fly lead permanently on the ECU so I can connect up quicker should I want to.

Thanks.

[smash]

You could use a pcb mount 9 pin serial - effectively right angled!

[plumAJP]

how do you get the serial cable out of the ecu lid if you were to run a permantley wired diagnostic port on the dash?

[Steve_T]

plumAJP said:

how do you get the serial cable out of the ecu lid if you were to run a permantley wired diagnostic port on the dash?

That's why I wanted a 90 degree fitting, then I can just cut a small slot in the side of the case and run the cable out through a suitable grommet. The lid can then stay shut and with some loops in the cable within the ECU case, yanking on the lead by accident should not mean that the ECU connector is being yanked on.

[plumAJP]

but how would you get the serial port through the ecu, you would have to cut a fairly big hole

[smash]

Why not just hack the plastic sheathing off a normal straight plug?

[Steve_T]

plumAJP said:

but how would you get the serial port through the ecu, you would have to cut a fairly big hole

You only need to get a wire out, not the whole connector - that's the point of the 90 degree thing!

[Steve_T]

smash said:

Why not just hack the plastic sheathing off a normal straight plug?

It's a bodge and easier to solder up a lead using the connector shown.

[smash]

Very true - well, the pcb mount serials are relatively easy to come by so you're sorted