Saab 9-5 w/ SID II. interfacing it to computer?

**nourdmrolnmt1** · 08-17-2005, 04:29 PM

well basically ive thought about it but never done it, and looking to do it again.

basically what i would have:
computer (mini/micro atx)
touchscreen LCD mounted in the dash in place of the CD player.

however, if it owuld be possible i would like to replace the SID display (i have SID2) also just to have that extra space within the dash to mount the LCD (fiberglass, maybe coated with a piece of cedar or something to sorta match the inlayed stuff)

however, without the SID i would be unable to see any errors, or what not. i was wondering if it was possible to possibly create a serial interface that the SID receives its info from (ecu right?) and create a program on the puter that would decode the data that is being sent by the car to the "SID" and show that on the LCD screen.

i know that it should be possible, just not sure what type of work this would require, or if anyone has done it.

TIA.

i pasted that post from another thread on another forum that i started.
basically i want to somehow interface the SIDII into the computer.

the SIDII has the following things, not all would i need to interface:
Speed warning (set it and it beeps when u surpass that warning)
Distance to empty
MPG AVG
outside Temp.
avg speed
alarm (timer)
Distance to arrival
Est. Time of arrival

however it also displays service reminders and uses multiple sensors such as:
Steering wheel horn and audio controls
Coolant Level Sensor
Washer Fluid level sensor
Headlight Filament Sensor
Display Lighting Rheostat
Interior Light sensor for automatic control of hte display illumination

basically its a huge part of the car. just wondering if it would even be worth while replacing with a computer to display everything instead?

and please move this if this is in the wrong forum i have no idea where to post this.

**weekendowel** · 08-18-2005, 06:06 AM

Originally Posted by nourdmrolnmt1

i pasted that post from another thread on another forum that i started.
basically i want to somehow interface the SIDII into the computer.

the SIDII has the following things, not all would i need to interface:
Speed warning (set it and it beeps when u surpass that warning)
Distance to empty
MPG AVG
outside Temp.
avg speed
alarm (timer)
Distance to arrival
Est. Time of arrival

however it also displays service reminders and uses multiple sensors such as:
Steering wheel horn and audio controls
Coolant Level Sensor
Washer Fluid level sensor
Headlight Filament Sensor
Display Lighting Rheostat
Interior Light sensor for automatic control of hte display illumination

basically its a huge part of the car. just wondering if it would even be worth while replacing with a computer to display everything instead?

and please move this if this is in the wrong forum i have no idea where to post this.

You will need an ODBII unit to be able to read anything from the cars system bus, then you will need to write some sort of software to give you the values from the car in a nice looking skin for the frontend you like to use. But I don´t know if you will even get all the messages from an ODBII as you will from the SIDII. There are others on this forum that have done things for BMW cars, you can search for it.

**nourdmrolnmt1** · 08-18-2005, 12:02 PM

Originally Posted by weekendowel

You will need an ODBII unit to be able to read anything from the cars system bus, then you will need to write some sort of software to give you the values from the car in a nice looking skin for the frontend you like to use. But I don´t know if you will even get all the messages from an ODBII as you will from the SIDII. There are others on this forum that have done things for BMW cars, you can search for it.

well it seems that the SIDII does no communicate like normal

The SID does not communicate serially in a standard manner, rather it communicates over a bus much like the I2C bus.

The SID is also integral to many of the car's functions.

so it seems that that will be staying if i do this, however i have to figure out what the Headunit has, if the amp for the 9 speakers is in there, or where its at, and then i guess in order to remove the Headunit, you have to have it disabled at a saab dealer wtffffff

**weekendowel** · 08-22-2005, 12:37 AM

You can remove the headunit without disable it at a saab dealer, I did it and it works with no warnings in the SID.

**Maximus** · 08-22-2005, 01:25 PM

You don't need to remove the SID in order to make room for a LCD, just look at SAAB's own navigation unit.
The 9-5 is "easy" and the 9-3 will be a bit tricky, but possible.

I'm working on a case for the 9-5, first version will probably have a fixed panel but eventually I hope to be able to make a flip-screen version where the LCD will tilt down for access to the CD/DVD player. The main goal is to squeze all the components into the same case and so far it seems possible.

As for bus integration, the SAAB bus is I-bus, it's a CAN-bus system, but it's 2-wire as opposed to single-wire as in the BMW's, so buying a IBUS interface for BMW will not work on the SAAB. (nor will any software) There are a few IBUS projects going on for the SAAB's, myself included, so in time there will be something availible.

/M