First Project, Straight in the deep end ( as usual )

[Xyem]

Hi everyone,

I've decided to take on a project, which is basically building a computer in my car.
I find most technical things interesting, though my main interest is generally in the software side of computers. However, no field stands on it's own.
One component I would like to have would be to connect the computer to various parts of my car ( a 1998 Peugeot 306 TD ) and therefore allow my computer to monitor, log and report on the various things it is attached to. Ultimately, I hope this to end with the computer to be able to tell me that a bulb has blown ( and where )

However, I have decided to concentrate on the main things reported by the car that are useful while driving, the tachometer and the speedometer. I'm not exceedingly familiar with the electronics and workings of a car but I will have the aid of someone who does. So in my "project group" there is someone who can do the software side and someone who can do the electronics side. The only problem now is interfacing, which is where, I hope, the people of this board are able and willing to help

I have looked for something that would take the tachometer input ( which is what I am concentrating on first ) and allow me to access the data through USB which will be the only method of input into the computer... I have found a component that I believe may do the job ( please bear in mind I don't really know what I am looking for ) and would like to ask if it will perform the function I am looking for: K8055 - USB Experiment Interface Board Electronic Kit.

I should have no problem putting it together, I am quite good with a soldering iron ( seems to be a natural talent ) but will it be able to do what I want?

Thanks

[rgrossi8891]

It seems from your post that you are looking to interface sensors to your car's mechanical systems. Have those sensors feed into a computer and then monitor those sensors on a computer. Or you want to take the existing sensor inputs and feed them into a computer. Question. Does your car already have a computer in it? And if so does that computer have an interface?

I don't live in Europe, I'm in the USA and I don't have a lot of experiance working on foreign cars. I have a 1998 Chevrolet Monte Carlo (Assembled in Canada) and I know that car pretty well. It already has a dedicated computer (or microprocessor unit if you prefer) and that computer has what's called an "ODB2" interface in the passenger compartment. It allows you to hook up a specialized stand alone diagnostic computer to the cars computer and monitor all of the inputs and outputs. Or with the right software and computer cable you can monitor everything the cars computer controls from a PC. Not all "Factory" computers allow you to do these things (remember my experiance is GM, Ford, Chrysler). Here in the US some people will go to an autoparts store, or via the web, and order a computer for there car. It will allow them to change and view a whole bunch of stuff on a PC. Remember, if your car already has a computer and it's fuel injected the cars computer is monitoring engine speed, vehicle speed, alternator voltage, engine oil, engine temp, oil temp, coolant level, coolant temp, ect... and it's adjusting the fuel/air mixture, spark plug timing, ect... too give you a fuel effecient vehicle. Many of these vehicle computers will allow you to check if a light bulb is blown, operate the door locks, trunck release, ect.. all from the diagnostic computer plugged into the cars computer or from a PC plugged into the cars computer.

In some states, such as New York or California, your car must pass an emissions test. If the "Check Engine" light is on you fail the test and wil have ~10 days to get the car fixed. Some people get up underneath the dash and disconnect the bulb if it is on. In these states part of the test has the technician connect to the cars computer to check for "idiot lights", error codes and to read the signals coming from the emission sensors as the car is running.

Also here in the US you can go to an autoparts store and buy a "Haynes" manual or a "Chiltons" manual. These manuals will tell you all about the mechanical, electrical, sensors, ect.. for a specific make and model. They help you to repair your car by yourself and are not that expensive. Since your car is a 1998 I am going to assume it already has a computer in it. You said you are interested in technicial things so see if you can find some kind of manual. It should describe how the sensors work and how they interface to the computer. If you are curious about the software inside the cars computer you probably won't be able to find it. But do a search for PID control, underdamped, overdamped, or control systems. it should give you something similar. And remember you are not flying a plane. Too much information on a computer screen in a car can be deadly. If a pilot looks away from the cockpit window they are probably not going to get into an accident. But look away from the road for too long and you might be in a collision.

ODB2 info http://www.obdii.com/

[Biffo]

Hi Rgrossi8891.

The ODB2 was made universal in the UK on cars from year 2000 - before this time it was basically all manufacturers 'dong their own thing' . Some may have had the ODB2 plug
before this time? but others had their own shapes and sizes of plug and diagnostic routines.
By the time the original question asker has put together his own system it might have been cheaper to buy something like this...
http://www.espautomotive.co.uk/trolleyed/index.htm

but his car being a pre 2001 he with obviously have to check out its suitable for a Peugeot,
and look out for one that is.

[Xyem]

Hey,

Sorry for the large delay in response, other things have come up to take my time.

As far as I know, there isn't a computer in the car but I did see a large-ish metal box just forward from the gearstick under the plastics. This might be some sort of computer. I did some searches online for information about an ECU in the car but didn't come up with anything.

I do have the Haynes manual for the car, I used it to hook up a oscilloscope to the back of the instrument panel where the tachometer connectors are but the readings were quite odd ( even to my electronics aid ). I might try finding the sensor ( if I can get to it ) and hooking up there to see if it makes more sense.

I might contact ESP Automotive and ask if there device will work with my car and if so, if they will come and demonstrate it. The only issue then if both are good is that the computer in the car will be Linux-based, not Windows. However, they may be willing to provide the documentation to allow me to implement a Linux interface ( or even cross-platform ) or I might be able to reverse engineer it like I did with my phone's interface

Thanks for the pointers, I'll keep you updated.