software for custom guages, etc.

**Nephus** · 03-27-2004, 06:14 PM

I've been browsing through this forum and I'm not quite getting a handle on this OBD stuff, so at the risk of doing the typical idiot n00b stuff, I figured I'd just ask.

I have a 2001 Ford Explorer Sport that I'm throwing a computer into. I just recently remembered that you could use a laptop for monitoring your car and figured that a permanent setup to my computer would be an incredible edition to my plans for this system.

So, here's my problem. After I get a cable for this thing... what now? I'm not interested in graphing out my engine performance or anything that complicated on a regular basis, although having the software would be nice. I'm looking for more of an every day sort of functionality. I.E. voltmeter, MPG, etc. on the edge of the screen while I have winamp or some GPS software running. Is there anything like that out there? I have some C++ programming experience, although nothing dealing with handling hardware inputs other than keyboard, and I'm not too thrilled about the idea of writing this from scratch.

thanks in advance.

**Magnezium** · 04-02-2004, 01:52 PM

I'm working on that right now... I started writing the software for a replacement gauge cluster that will work with ANY OBD II vehicle. It's a customizable Flash program that reads info from the OBDII as long as you (obviously) have the OBDII connected through a scan tool to your computer. The software is designed to pull all the main important items on cluster (OEM) and represent them how every you wish to digitally depict them. I'm a little far from finished since I don't have the time to work on it as much as I'd like. But I'll post pics of it as I get it further towards completion.

-If you want to do this yourself, it's really simple through Visual Basic. There's SDK code to read from scan tools all over the net (www.obdII.com) and then write a simple app in visual basic to pull the values you need (like speed, tach, temps, preasure, etc.) and then design an nice detailed GUI in Flash that represents the values you pull from that app. Use the Flash OCX to communicate Flash with VB. I've been doing it for years and it works well.

Mg

**infinkc** · 04-03-2004, 09:52 AM

Originally Posted by Magnezium

I'm working on that right now... I started writing the software for a replacement gauge cluster that will work with ANY OBD II vehicle. It's a customizable Flash program that reads info from the OBDII as long as you (obviously) have the OBDII connected through a scan tool to your computer. The software is designed to pull all the main important items on cluster (OEM) and represent them how every you wish to digitally depict them. I'm a little far from finished since I don't have the time to work on it as much as I'd like. But I'll post pics of it as I get it further towards completion.

-If you want to do this yourself, it's really simple through Visual Basic. There's SDK code to read from scan tools all over the net (www.obdII.com) and then write a simple app in visual basic to pull the values you need (like speed, tach, temps, preasure, etc.) and then design an nice detailed GUI in Flash that represents the values you pull from that app. Use the Flash OCX to communicate Flash with VB. I've been doing it for years and it works well.

Mg

**infinkc** · 04-03-2004, 09:53 AM

mg- what interface are you writing the software for? elm? also where can i get ahold of the visual basic codes to access the obd2 interface? thanks. im in the process of doing the same project you are, but need some more information.

**Magnezium** · 04-04-2004, 07:44 AM

Sorry I took a while to post...

Actually, the interface doesn't matter. When it comes to OBDII, the code is a standard once it reaches the scan tool. You just have to get the right interface -> Scantool and then plug it into your DB9. As for the VB code, you can get it almost anywhere. There is some good sample code on http://obddiagnostics.com/obdinfo/info.html. But I can't recall where I found the source I learned from... Unfortunately, I had a virus that replaced all my bookmarks for my browser and now I can't find the site I got it from.

Mg

**infinkc** · 04-22-2004, 12:01 PM

Magnezium- hey i had a question about the flash ocx interface and visual basic, is that a module in vb, or is that part of flash? I finally got the codes right in my VB program to transmit and receive data using an elm interface, all i need now is to make a virtual dash, anyone out there want to help me out? i saw a post here that someone just made the gauge part but doesnt have the code to read the obd2 info. msg me if anyone is interested in getting this done, seems like no one has released a standalone virtual dash program that loads instantly(well people say they have one but i havent seen it).

**DoughtCom** · 04-26-2004, 11:56 AM

lol I guess a lot of people are working on this project... as am I.

**infinkc** · 04-27-2004, 01:31 PM

heres a pic of the data that i can sample at the moment, its only been tested on an 98 audi a4 so far. Any other suggestions on what to add to the program besides the virtual dash?

**Audamn** · 04-27-2004, 02:44 PM

nice!

I hope you will be sharing this with your fellow Audi brothers :P

Let me know if you are going to be making the virtual gauges. I can help with the graphics.

**prometheusg** · 04-28-2004, 03:35 PM

I'm thinking of making a Winamp plugin to display OBDII information.

It might be my senior project in the Fall if it gets approved.

I've never done any plugins for winamp, so I don't know what that involves, but I'm gonna do some proof of concept stuff this summer just interfacing with the car and other simple stuff.

I don't want this to be a huge robust program. I'll leave that for a standalone program. I plan on just displaying the normal stuff you would expect: speed, rpm, fuel, etc... maybe if I can swing it, add gps heading and altitude.

I don't even know if it's gonna happen though, so don't get your hopes up on this ever seeing the light of day...

Cheers