My in car system monitor

**VWJ1M** · 03-02-2005, 03:05 PM

Hello,
This is my first post here. ive been thinking of putting a pc in my mk1 golf to play mp3's.

But from that idea, i thought that it would be cool to have a car system display also.

But the problem ive got is that i dont have a OB system on board. so my idea is to develop a interface with the PC and the car, and then displayed onthe screen.

Im in the process of designing this at the mo. But has this type of thing been done before? and if so any pointers?

Everywhere i looked for help pointed me to here for a carputer, and currently the website has fufilled my needs.

Cheers
Jim

**antimatter** · 03-02-2005, 03:09 PM

I am unclear on what your asking

**WebDog** · 03-02-2005, 03:26 PM

I think he is asking how would he design/ place sensors? for OBD

**VWJ1M** · 03-02-2005, 04:02 PM

My question really is has this been done before?

My current plan, is to use a microcontroller, and then interface this with the car.

RPM, oil temp, oill pressure, water temp, fuel gauge etc.

Then convert this info with the microprocessor to serial, then display this on a GUI, on the PC.

hope that makes more sense.

**hannibal** · 03-03-2005, 11:22 AM

Sounds awesome. Way more than I'm capable of, but if you have the skills, go for it!

**mpattonm** · 03-03-2005, 11:27 AM

Mk1 Golf? How old is it? I am not even sure if these data are collectable in such an old car (no offense).

**Peoples** · 03-03-2005, 11:31 AM

the data is definatly collectable, but its not going to be OBDII, a guy on the forum has done this with an old porche. I think the way to go about it would be to directly hookup to the sensors on the dash guages....i know certain multimeters have a tach mode that can read the voltage(?) being fed from the tach sensors...to display the tach. They have controller boards similar to the things on phidgets that will read voltage.....im sure you can find a sensor and play with it enough to figure out how to get all this stuff to work.

**mpattonm** · 03-03-2005, 11:36 AM

That is what I am not sure of. I would bet Speedo and RPM meter will be mechanical.

**hannibal** · 03-03-2005, 11:50 AM

I think youre right about the speedo being mechanical. Mk1 is the first Golf (early 80s I think).
The tach might be electrical though. And the other sensors he mentioned are electrical

**VWJ1M** · 03-03-2005, 01:02 PM

My car is 1983. and defo not got OBD on in. (Might have soon, more of that later)

The Tach is electrical and the speedo is mechanical. im going to over come that by placing a magnetic pickup on the drive shaft, and a reed switch as the sensor. im going to take all the inputs from the engine its self, as not to distrupt the electronics behind the dash, as they have already been played with too much.

Does anybody have a contact for the guy who has done this to his porsche?? that would be a great starter.

Im thinking of using VB, or Delphi to design the GUI. any advice or experience here?

In the end this could potentionally be used in other cars, if thats any help to anyone?