Starting car using computer.. - Page 2

compucat · 02-05-2008, 09:55 PM

Hello Thunderstick,

pleased to see that there is at least on further XJS owner in this Forum.

Mine is a '90 Convertible, so there is plenty of space for the CarPuter plus a small 12AH back-up battery in the 'convenience bay' as the British say (no rear seat).

On the other hand, I have the same problem as you with placement of the display.

My present solution may be seen from the Photos (as you may see from the dates thereof, it was intended as a 'feasability study' and was intended to be supplemented by left and right side members made from wood with holes for extended axes for the heater and fan control), but alas, time is always a problem, so that it is still in the car and in daily use. The box at the rear of the display fits nicely in the DIN frame of the original head unit and houses the motherboard of the Xenarc 700TSV.

The bottom of the Xenarc frame was ground down to the minmum so that it fits snugly into the space
between the plate below the former head unit and the liner thereabove.

Would be interesting to see your solution in front of the ventilators (mine is a little bit to far down).

Best wishes from cat to cat

compucat

Kosti · 03-20-2008, 11:33 PM

I like this idea, but in my suituation, I have a subaru with a keypad immobiliser, I would like the keypad to be displayed on the touchscreen and for me to enter my code this way?

if I can somehow find out if I can wire up the keypad to the serial or parallel port and then use this approach to start the car, the only problem here is that the key has to be in the ignition barrel and the keypad has to be unlocked for power to be available to the rest of the vehicle.

p&gcustoms · 03-23-2008, 03:58 AM

get bypass ie this https://www.directedstore.com/cgi-bi...ategory%3DB_IN from directed electronics ie viper clifford alarms

txspazz · 03-23-2008, 07:44 AM

Using a remote start is definitely the way to go.

I have a few suggestions on that side.... when it comes to the software side, I could use a little help.

First off, I think other than "wow" factor, trying to use the computer is just making it more difficult, and in my book, a little less "wow".

A "add on" remote start (designed to be added to an alarm) will initiate the start sequence based on a (-) trigger.

The easiest way to initiate this trigger is by using an RF remote like with a "stand alone" remote starter or a car alarm with remote start.

You could also use RFID to initiate the start sequence using a stand alone rfid receiver.

The steering wheel lock is not an issue for you, but you do need to "take over" from the remote start unit as if it is installed correctly it will shut down after the brake pedal is pressed (of course you could get around this by not hooking up the wire to the brake switch, but the remote start will also time out after 10 - 20 min. If you wanted to integrate your USB or pass code, this would be the place to do it. Use the computer once the code is validated to activate a relay to power the ignition.

A much simpler way what wouldn't use the computer would be to use the wiring for the seat belt idiot light to take over the ignition from the remote start. Simply wire a relay that when grounded by fastening the seat belt powers the ignition. It's something you would do anyway if you typically fasten your seat belt.

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That said, I'm working on something very similar, but from the opposite direction. My carputer is only in the planning stages (it's been there for yours but will be materializing soon).

I have an alarm / remote start that I am looking to get the most computer integration with.

I'm using a Clifford AvantGuard 4 alarm / remote start. It is arguably the best vehicle security system available, and on its own, capable of doing everything you are looking to do. It is discontinued, but can occasionally be found on eBay. The newer and almost just as good Avantguard 5.1 is available from Clifford dealers.

The AvantGuard (AG) series of alarms have a feature called BlackJax which is designed as an anti carjacking feature. If the feature is turned on, any time a door is opened on the vehicle you must enter a code using a switch mounted in the vehicle.

One other feature of the AG series of alarms as well as the other G5 alarms is that it uses a serial data link to a PC. The software that is provided can start the engine, turn lights on and off and activate just about anything that is connected to the alarm.

The Clifford hardware gives you an incredible amount of control. The fact that you can control it with the pc gives you a ton of options if you know software type stuff (which I don’t).

If you are interested, you can download the software here . There is also an "installer" version of the software that does much more than the one in the link.

Himszy · 03-23-2008, 07:19 PM

Hmmmm interesting thread.....

I currently start my car with my PC. I have an aftermarket alarm Falcon Predator with Pager. It has an Aux feature that I use to start the computer so by the time I'm in the car it's already booted up and waiting for my code. It boots straight into my own FE which has a keypad. You type in the code and it sends a command to a USB based relay* in the back. This then activates the start switches. I have two toggle ones and a lit Engine Start button. Each switch is a postion that you turn the key through. Had it in now for a little over a month and has worked perfectly. As p&g customs said, I had to use the transponder bypass module to get it to start but that's not a problem. I do have remote start on my car but I never use it. It's a manual so not really suitable....

*The advantage of this is that if the PC crashes power to the USB devices still gets through so it doesn't immbolise the car. When I was testing it I put the 'KillCar' code in the wrong bit and when I went to play my music everything in the car turned off and had to quickly pull up on teh side of the road. :-D

DVLRCR · 03-23-2008, 07:33 PM

i couldnt be bothered reading all of that, but you can get simple coms between your car-puter and a micro controller. The micro controller can then do all sorts of funky things like switch relays, get a keypad input etc etc etc

Kosti · 03-23-2008, 10:00 PM

Quote: Originally Posted by Himszy

I put the 'KillCar' code in the wrong bit and when I went to play my music everything in the car turned off and had to quickly pull up on teh side of the road. :-D

Lucky dude!

ReZzZ320 · 03-24-2008, 06:35 PM

Interesting thread. Would be nice if you could use a USB flash disk as a car key just like the BMW 1-series which uses a remote that slots in a port instead of a regular key

Himszy · 03-24-2008, 08:35 PM

All this talk about USB keys.....personally I'd rather use my phone and get it's serial number over bluetooth.....Much easier and then your not trying to find stuff in your pocket.

I never go anywhere without my phone but you could always have a coded bypass thing should you get flat battery.....

ReZzZ320 · 03-24-2008, 09:13 PM

Quote: Originally Posted by Himszy

All this talk about USB keys.....personally I'd rather use my phone and get it's serial number over bluetooth.....Much easier and then your not trying to find stuff in your pocket.

I never go anywhere without my phone but you could always have a coded bypass thing should you get flat battery.....

security-wise you are taking a big risk

Himszy · 03-25-2008, 08:56 AM

Care to explain.......I don't see how.......

ReZzZ320 · 03-25-2008, 07:26 PM

Quote: Originally Posted by Himszy

Care to explain.......I don't see how.......

if a secure wireless connection can be penetrated so can a bluetooth connection

Himszy · 03-25-2008, 10:03 PM

In theory yes, but in practise it's extremely unlikely......

I'd have thought your more likely to get mugged for the keys first...

GizmoQ · 03-26-2008, 02:02 AM

Quote: Originally Posted by ReZzZ320

if a secure wireless connection can be penetrated so can a bluetooth connection

I agree with Himszy, yes there is a risk, there always is, but ask yourself is it more likely your car's bluetooth gets spoofed or some punk throw a brick through the window and grab what he can or a pro break-in in under a minute, locked/alarmed or not, and drive off. Honestly, 99% of the places my car is liable to be the risk is a million times more likely one of the latter will happen. I only hang out with the hackers and crackers three or four times a year and most could care less about my car.

The insurance industry tells us every chance they get the #1 security deterrent is a locked door. Lets say a wardriver does happen upon my car, he has to hack my wifi security, then hack ny network security, then hack my file security and then he can open the doors and start the car, but still not be able to drive off. Hell if I were him I'd be so frustrated in the first 10 minutes, ... I'd pick up the brick and be done with it.

h3rk · 05-29-2008, 10:24 PM

I was just wondering if any of you have downloaded cliffnet wizard, to explore the possibility of this usb connection control and indication of all input/output/function of an alarm/remote start solution like the avantguard5.1. It doesn't solve this project but it may provide a good conduit for seeing something like this through.