jash7

i want a cheap obdII cable to connect to my 98 mustang, but cables i've looked at are like 100! that seems a bit pricey. it doesn't need to come with software or anything i just need a cable that will go from the mustang to the serial port and it's gotta work with a program called PCMScan, i already bought that software.

jash7

anyone?

bbalazs

I think those cables are not containing only plastic and wires... are full of electronics, too.

I made my cheap cable from solid U-shaped wire, thickened with soldering metal, put into the appropriate hole trough a paper and fixed with synthetic resin. You can also use a gluegun. This method is faster than going to the shop and purchase one...
For a fixed version I would simply solder the wires under the connector and applying a normal socket on another end...

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bbalazs

OH, I see now, you do not want a cable, but an INTERFACE.
Watch my pictures, the last one shows you a simple K-line-to-RS232.

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jash7

so you know where i can buy a cheap one?

bbalazs

Buuuuuuuuuuy??? Unfortunately, not. I do not give money for a thing like that.

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jash7

so you just made yours? is it compatible with the program i mentioned before? how'd you do it?

bbalazs

Of course. It did take shorter than filling an order form, and waiting, waiting for ever...etc...
I do not know, but I think, it is compatible, as ALL iso-rs232 interface is. It does not anything else, but selecting and level-adjusting the impulses. (e.g. ELM chips are different, they also interpret and translate the messages.)

To design the circuit, printing, photoing, etching the PCB then soldering those components onto. Without design time, it lasted less than half an hour.

The cable I made was discussed earlier. The rs232 serial part was made of an old serial mouse cable and connector.

If it is needed I can send you the .pcb (tango2) file or .eps file.

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michbound

The OP's mustang uses the J1850 PWM protocol for that a simple serial cable will not work. A simple serial cable can be made to work for the ISO protocol found in most EU cars but if you have a vehicle with a non iso protocol you need a protocol converter.

OP check out our interfaces at www.obdpros.com, they also work well with PCMSCAN software.


Thanks
Paul
www.obdpros.com

jash7

thats what i need, but 84.00 just seems too pricey for something like that.

bbalazs

Then you can build an ELM327-based circuit. That is able to communicate with your car by that pwm protocol.
The datasheet and exact descripitoin is on the net.

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jash7

you have a link?

bbalazs

Google.
"ELM327 datasheet"

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