I'm fed up with ripping up my carpet/floor to read the ECU display, and am considering making a remote display that I can mount discreetly, but that is accessible!

Is anyone else intersested, think it's a bum idea/good idea/should be written up?

 

Andy

the check-engine on your dashboard is already connected to the ECU-LED

Never noticed it blinks the same way as the LED on the ECU does ?

 

To put the ECU in diag mode without having to remove the floorboard, just short the pins on the consult-plug as shown in the picture:

 

-Eric

 

 

[This message has been edited by lymon (edited 18-09-2001).]

It's a great idea, but how would you go about it???

 

Is it not possible to somehow connect up the current ECU display and just simply extend it? What does the ECU display look like anyway, seeing as I haven't had the pleasure as yet of running a diag...LOL!

 

Tim

;-)

 

Eric, Cheers but where is that light on the dash? Which cluster/position?

 

Andy

Tim - the ECU 'display' is simply a single (red) LED that flashes..

 

As Eric says, the check engine light flashes at the same time as the LED anyway, and if you put the ECU into diagnostic mode by shorting the Consult pins, you dont have to rip the floor boards up at all..

 

------------------

Az

Andy - should be the check engine light (I believe the little engine with a fan on it.. from memory) that is in the main clocks, bottom left.. it comes on when the ign is set to "on" too..

CheerZ Az mate

 

Tim

;-)

 

this is where the check-engine-light should be (next to the security-light):

I have looked into this before...

The best option would be to wire a push button switch to short those two diag wires, then you can get a diag anytime without fiddling with wires. Yes you still have to count the flashes!

 

The only way to get full diag info would be to talk directly to the ecu in the same way the console or techtom does with a laptop and various custom sync/async devices. And I think it could take a long time to work that one out.

ok call me mr. stupid but where is the consult plug.

 

i remember seeing this b4 but could never find the bloody thing

 

Martin

It's down behind the panel by the drivers feet that hides one set of fuses.

Martin,

 

In a RHD its in the driver's footwell, just under the dash.

 

Tim

Jez, guess what ?

 

me and another Dutch Z-freak are currently working on a program that can do the same as the Nissan Consult, but it runs on a laptop/PC.

We can already do a few active tests (switch cylinders on/off, switch fuel pump on/off, adjust timing, adjust the IACV-valve, etc, etc)plus we can monitor EVERY sensor that is in the car..

When finished this software will make the Techtom look like a worthless toy.

 

Looks like it's a race between you and Warren for the 'next generation' monitoring/diagnoses kit then !

Now *that* sounds good

 

Incidentally a m8 of mine is trying to do much the same for his GTIR... Same plug, same interface of course..

 

------------------

Az

If my ECU coughed up errors so frequently that I'd consider installing a switch to display them, then I'd be seriously worried !!!!

That's coz your car is an Import Andrew, hasn't been thrashed to death and serviced by Jim Hensons finest for most of its' life! LOL!

 

Those lovely little Japanese people obviously take pride in driving Japans finest of everything and save the "oh let's not bother servicing it, it's only a Rover!" for the best of British that gets thrown their way due to an ancient collaboration with Britains fine-arsed!

 

Unlike the British driven 300ZX's which do lack in the TLC dept. for most of their poor lives whilst over here.

 

Eric, that sounds the absolute bollox, and I have faith when you say that you can do all that...that you actually can mate! No references being made here at all...ROFL!

 

Tim

;-)

 

Eric,

 

when do you think you'll have that finished?

 

Tim,

 

shut up!

 

Vijay

Tim - if you think all Jap Z's are looked after.... Think again...

 

You should see a) the one I own, and b) the other (freshly imported) one I looked at!

 

I think we may be getting down to the dregs of the imports....

 

------------------

Yes.. I know my back wheels *were* on backwards.. They're not now, 'k? ;)

a screenshot taken from a very early beta-release of the software.

 

We expect to have the software completed within a few months..

 

-Eric

Excellent, that looks fantastic Eric! Ever considered working for NASA?

 

Vijay,

 

NO!

 

Tim

;-)

 

Eric,

If you need some 'compatability' testing for RHD cars then let me know. I have all the appropriate equipment and might be able to provide some useful feedback.

Working in Delphi Eric?

 

How do you connect your laptop upto the ECU?

 

[This message has been edited by SRRAE (edited 19-09-2001).]

LYMON:

 

this is AWESOME! I mean this software would be the best ever thing a Zer could imagine.

 

What kind of licencing do you have in mind?

 

Also, you may want to raise this topic on TT.NET, I believe there were some people who were doing the same not a long time ago...

 

Maybe you could combine efforts?

When everything's finished, we are planning to sell the software, including the special interface that we designed, which takes care of the communication between your laptop/pc (serial port) and the consult-plug in your car.

 

The plan is to bring out several software-modules/versions:

-An engine-sensor monitoring/logging only module (comparable to a Techtom, but more advanced and with logging/export capabilities)

-An all sensor monitoring/logging module (engine + hicas + ABS + A/T + Aircon).

-A module that is able to monitor/log every sensor in the car and also has the ability to do active tests

So basically this 'highest' module will turn your PC into a Nissan Consult.

 

If it's a success we will try to create this software for palmtops or we will design a onboard computer that will fit in the area under the radio, similar to for instance the empeg, but with a larger (color) screen.

We will then also try to adapt the software for other Nissans.

 

-Eric

 

 

Let me make a suggestion.

 

Normal people only need the consult for the times when they have problems with the car.

 

To increase your sales think of a licencing model in which I could pay you X amount of money for a code that will make the software work for Y days and then stop working.

 

Of course I'd have to pay up front for the cable and download the software, but the download should be free because the functionality will be code operated anyway.

 

I don't think normal Z drivers (ie. not pros and not gadget lovers) will easily fork out couple hundred $$$ for it.

 

I'd be more than happy to lease the software from you at an affordable price for a day or two when I need it.