standalone controller based on CAN signal?

I have a 2006 Mustang and about a year ago I swapped all the green LEDs in the switches to blue ones to match the Mycolor option I usually have selected (Mycolor is an optional dash cluster that allows you to change the color of the cluster based on 5 level RGB combinations). I've been working on a LED driver that would allow me to basically select the level of RGB on a PLCC-4 led to accomplish the same results in the switches.

Does anyone know if I would be able to isolate the CAN values for the RGB levels to set my controller? Also would I be able to create a controller to listen for these values and set them without a PC? Say a stand-alone option? I've discussed this on a few other sites and they say it might be possible but no one knows a definate answer even assuming the CAN-bus is used to set these values. I've seen some amazing stuff on this site especially CAN related stuff so I thought I would ask.

-Deric

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Deric

I have a 2006 Mustang and about a year ago I swapped all the green LEDs in the switches to blue ones to match the Mycolor option I usually have selected (Mycolor is an optional dash cluster that allows you to change the color of the cluster based on 5 level RGB combinations). I've been working on a LED driver that would allow me to basically select the level of RGB on a PLCC-4 led to accomplish the same results in the switches.

Does anyone know if I would be able to isolate the CAN values for the RGB levels to set my controller? Also would I be able to create a controller to listen for these values and set them without a PC? Say a stand-alone option? I've discussed this on a few other sites and they say it might be possible but no one knows a definate answer even assuming the CAN-bus is used to set these values. I've seen some amazing stuff on this site especially CAN related stuff so I thought I would ask.

-Deric

---

Deric, I think the first step would be to hook into the OBD bus, and see if you can capture and decipher the messages. Do you have an OBD-II interface?

Best regards,

Vitaliy

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by vvmaks

Deric, I think the first step would be to hook into the OBD bus, and see if you can capture and decipher the messages. Do you have an OBD-II interface?

Best regards,

Vitaliy

---

No I haven't decided on which device to go with. I'm a bit confused if I need a CAN only device or if any of the OBDII adapters will work. I wish there was a breakout of most the adapters and what is capable on here for OBDII newbies.

Any newer OBD II scantool such as the www.obdpros.com will support the CAN protocol, but before you spend money I would look at the schematics for the 06 Mustang and see if the Dash is CAN bus capable, most likely if the BCM has a CAN line and it controls the Mycolor you might be in luck but validating the schematic will be a quick way to double check that spending money on a scantool will help

If you do not have access to the schematics let me know and I can look it up but will most likely be after the 16th

Thanks
Paul
www.obdpros.com

The medium speed CAN bus is present in the cluster but I'm unsure if it actually controls the Mycolor option. I've attached a PDF of the connector pin assignment.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by michbound

Any newer OBD II scantool such as the www.obdpros.com will support the CAN protocol, but before you spend money I would look at the schematics for the 06 Mustang and see if the Dash is CAN bus capable, most likely if the BCM has a CAN line and it controls the Mycolor you might be in luck but validating the schematic will be a quick way to double check that spending money on a scantool will help

If you do not have access to the schematics let me know and I can look it up but will most likely be after the 16th

Thanks
Paul
www.obdpros.com

---

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Deric

No I haven't decided on which device to go with. I'm a bit confused if I need a CAN only device or if any of the OBDII adapters will work. I wish there was a breakout of most the adapters and what is capable on here for OBDII newbies.

---

Deric,

Paul is right, you can use almost any OBD-II interface that is CAN-capable (including the ones sold on MP3Car.com). Consulting the schematic is also a great idea. Many public libraries let you use their ALLDATA account, for free.

Best regards,

Vitaliy