newbie sanity check

**oldmadog** · 07-31-2006, 07:58 AM

HI
I have been thinking of this project for some time,but have been getting more serious. I was pointed to this website by Jeremy Dalbeck at the Aopen site where I was seeking info on intel cpu compatability for the i945GTt flex-atx mobo. I found a wealth of info here and am still trying to digest it.
I am looking at the usual car pc functions such as mp3, navigation, etc . . .
My main part of the project is an aldl user link. You could save me a lot of time by pointing out the insanity of this project. Sometimes it is the journey rather than the destination that has the most reward. I may not be able to make it to a finished project, but am looking forward to a lot of enjoyable time.
I have long thought that having a set of instruments for the user and one set for the car controller was a problem. The ALDL (assembly line diagnostic link) provides a wealth of information besides the "check engine light". I have found Aldl to USB hardware, and dont think the hardware part of the project will be much of a problem (famous last words). I see it as a programming project. It will take me some time to get back up to speed on software. What the heck, its better than watching old "leave it to Beaver" reruns on TV.
I will not usually be this verbose, and am looking forward to using this website.
thanks in advance
jim

**FC3S** · 07-31-2006, 09:48 AM

aldl?

do you mean OBD? o_O

if not, then im lost

**yrean** · 07-31-2006, 10:04 AM

aldl is a gm thing if i remember. I dont recall if its instead of obd or if its an addition to it.

heres a quick link i found
http://pweb.de.uu.net/pr-meyer.h/aldl.htm

http://winaldl.joby.se/

Sorry had to do work so I cut the post short before: I beleive its like obd but not read only. I think with certain connections and programs your able to alter your fuel map not just look at it. most front ends you can embed external apps. I would think you should be able to run one of these programs like that. Good luck.

**oldmadog** · 07-31-2006, 03:11 PM

Sorry if my definitions confused things.
When I said ALDL I just meant the stream of information comming from the car computer. As you can see under my car I specified 3rd gen f-body. Those are GM camaro and firebirds from 1982 to 1992 ( I think ). I think these are ALDL or OBD but not the newer OBDII. My sense is that the difference is the physical link, mostly. The bulk of this project would be the GUI software. I would try to keep the design modular enough that I could handle any physical link. I think that most cars could have a slightly different data stream format as well as physical link.
I should do some more searching perhaps there is some thing already out there I could just plug in. I would apreciate any pointers to a product I could use.
jim

some of us old guys like the old GM muscle cars.

**RedGTiVR6** · 07-31-2006, 03:28 PM

Google OBD-I?

Link 1

Link 2

Link 3

An entire thread about OBD-I scanners: Link 4

Link 5

Link 6

Link 7

All found on the first page of the google results.

Should help to at least get you started.

**oldmadog** · 07-31-2006, 05:01 PM

Thanks that is what I needed.
I am not sure if I passed the sanity check

It looks like what I need to read and display the data stream from the car ecm is available and even an old guy like me should be able to figure it out.
thanks again
jim