Don't need to get to my ECU no more

[budaholic]

Noticed one of my throttle pots was loose the other day, (only one screw holding it). so I decided to get the stuff I need to set them up.

After messing about in the passenger footwell trying to get to the ECU, I thought "I don't want to be doing this everytime I need to diagnose a problem"

So I made a new front cover for my ECU today, with a cutout in the centre. (helps that I work for a sheet metal work company) and I have plugged a serial extension cable into it. Other end is tucked behind pillar on the left of the 'key/mobile phone' cubby hole. Easily accessable now, and when she goes for servicing, will be easier for indie to connect to.

Anyone else done this?

if anyone really wants to see, i'll take some pics.

[crazycats]

I've thought of this recently, never like taking the lid off the ECU and have it laying on the floor whilst I muck about.

Some pics would be good if it's not too much trouble

ta

[davetherave1970]

budaholic said:

if anyone really wants to see, i'll take some pics.

Oh, go on then

[trooper1212]

I've done this, but I used a sheet of perspex as it was easier to cut, and ran the cable down along the sill to the rear passenger footwell.

[budaholic]

aw...... here ya go then,



now, i wonder if i could do something similar with some other inaccessible bits?

Bud

[SXS]

Damn, only had his cerbie s little while and he's already started modding! This is not a PC case! Its a supercar! Little things like this ECU mod can screw things up - now how do you plan to keep condensation from getting inside there?

PS. Love the job, would be even slicker if you put the female port behind the dash, next to the key fob receptacle...

[budaholic]

[quote=SXS ]now how do you plan to keep condensation from getting inside there?

PS. Love the job, would be even slicker if you put the female port behind the dash, next to the key fob receptacle... [/quote]

Aready considered moisture entering.... gonna try to source a rubber boot to slip over the hole and plug.
Thought about mounting a socket next to key fob, but decided i didn't want it on show. Plus, I'm thinking about installing a PC screen in there to have diag info to hand 24/7!... always wanted a carPC and the Cerb may just be the candidate.

where to mount a DVD drive? hmmm!!

[Julian64]

When you said you worked for a sheet metal work company I thought we were gonna see something fancy.
Not a dirty great square hole in what was designed to be a waterproof box

No offence but youd be better off using a small drill for the wire and a rubber grommet.

[trooper1212]

Julian64 said:

When you said you worked for a sheet metal work company I thought we were gonna see something fancy. Not a dirty great square hole in what was designed to be a waterproof box No offence but youd be better off using a small drill for the wire and a rubber grommet.

The problem is the width of the ecu, the serial cable stands proud of the case by quite a margin when it's connected, so drilling a hole for the wire won't work.

As to condensation, the ECU is hardly a sealed unit with the original lid on but some sort of grommit would be a good idea.

Personally, I've taken out my car pc and all that gubbins now, as I never used it and it wasn't worth spending the extra money and effort to get it completely finished.

[Julian64]

trooper1212 said:

Julian64 said: When you said you worked for a sheet metal work company I thought we were gonna see something fancy. Not a dirty great square hole in what was designed to be a waterproof box No offence but youd be better off using a small drill for the wire and a rubber grommet. The problem is the width of the ecu, the serial cable stands proud of the case by quite a margin when it's connected, so drilling a hole for the wire won't work. As to condensation, the ECU is hardly a sealed unit with the original lid on but some sort of grommit would be a good idea. Personally, I've taken out my car pc and all that gubbins now, as I never used it and it wasn't worth spending the extra money and effort to get it completely finished.

Of course the dirty great wire he has there won't turn a corner, but why has he used a dirty great wire when I little tinsy 3 core ribbon cable would have done to the edge of the box where a 9pin din could easily have fitted??

Shame about your computer setup. What you using the lilliput screen for now?

[trooper1212]

Julian64 said:

Shame about your computer setup. What you using the lilliput screen for now?

It is a shame, but after having run the car with the setup for a couple of months I realised I was only using it for MP3s and an iPod with iTrip was a much easier solution.
It was only a proof of concept anyway, and it did work, but personally it didn't warrant the extra effort to get it into a professional state, as opposed to my amatuer rig.
Good luck to anybody who wants to do the same, it does all fit and work successfully, it just didn't fit my usage.

The Lilliput screen is sitting in a pile with the laptop, cables, inverter and road angel at the moment. I'm trying to think of a use for it, but i've not thought of one yet. I'll probably ebay the lot when I've found all the cables and boxes and get a TomTom Go with the speed camera POI settings to go with the iPod.
Not as elegant as a fully fledged car pc, but transferable and easier to get setup do that I will actually use it all.


>> Edited by trooper1212 on Thursday 21st October 13:43

[budaholic]

I'm not too happy about the hole myself.... the cable does stick out quite far from the face of the unit. So much that the footwell panel is resting on the plug. Got me worried that a heavy footed passenger may put pressure on it and break the socket from the ECU board.

So..... currently working on design no2, watch this space!

Works though! connected laptop tonight with worrying readings, please see thread I'm about to start.

Bud