Uber-easy DIY USB ALDL Cable

[RobertISaar]

LOL, i can take 2 pics and write a paragraph, and that's about all that's necessary to explain how to make this type of cable. it's just that easy.

that link though..... quite interesting. it would require converting from UART to USB(or UART to serial) to use it with a computer(could use the adapter i listed earlier from the looks of it), but since it uses ELM327 instruction sets, it can be used with tunerpro to do some basic logging at least...

however, if the "large memory buffer" turns out to be large enough, it COULD be used to flash the PCM as well.... with the right software anyways, but that's always been the hard part.

[EagleMark]

Darn software...

[RobertISaar]

i can't write windows/DOS software worth a damn, otherwise i'd volunteer.... i only seem to work well with 68HC11/similar stuff.

did some digging as well:

http://www.obdsol.com/downloads/stn1110_vs_elm327.pdf

ELM327 has 1.5KB of RAM... the STN piece has 8KB. it also has 4 times as much PROM space and has a processing speed 10X faster as well...

IIRC, the big issue with attempting to use the ELM327 to flash the PCM was due to the ELM unit not being able to handle enough bytes of data at a time for transferring to the PCM.... with this much of a RAM bump, it seems like this at least has a shot at working. need to find someone who knows their OBD2 flashing protocalls to be certain.

[gregs78cam]

Good read here......But you already know that Robert........

http://60degreev6.com/forum/showthre...similar-device

[FSJ Guy]

This one

http://www.sparkfun.com/products/8165

looks like it's designed to be plugged into the other end of a USB cable. It has the TX and RX pins that you speak of. Other than that, I have no clue what I'm talking about. :D

I'd definitely be interested in being able to semi-permanently mount a USB connector under my dash to plug in an ALDL cable.

[RobertISaar]

that one LOOKS like it could work. there does seem to be Rx and Tx pins that could be used for the ALDL end, but i'm not 100% certain of it. you would need to tie them together before the ALDL M pin obviously, then assuming there is a ground pin, and that's all the connections necessary.

i don't know why everybody doesn't just buy them from the link i posted, unless you want a potentially more stable supplier?

[FSJ Guy]

that one LOOKS like it could work. there does seem to be Rx and Tx pins that could be used for the ALDL end, but i'm not 100% certain of it. you would need to tie them together before the ALDL M pin obviously, then assuming there is a ground pin, and that's all the connections necessary.

i don't know why everybody doesn't just buy them from the link i posted, unless you want a potentially more stable supplier?

Sparkfun is about 45 minutes from my house. They allow online ordering and onsite pickup. :D

For $20, I think it's worth a shot. Thank you!

EDIT: Part is on order. For the minimal shipping charge, I'll just let USPS deliver it! It would cost me twice as much to DRIVE down there! LOL!

I'll update what happens when it arrives. Hopefully I won't let the smoke out!

[EagleMark]

Everytime you post that link costs me an hour looking around...

OK here's the start of OBDII flash, I did my part now someone needs to do the software...
http://www.sparkfun.com/search/resul...&what=products

[Hard Driver]

Where's the pic and write up ?

[supercoop]

thanks for sharing Robert, i will have to order one an try it out.

[71-nova-lt1]

would this work?
http://www.ebay.com/itm/FT232RL-USB-...item25765256ef

[71-nova-lt1]

^{ok so i got the chip how to i set it up so the computer reads it and so does tuner pro}

[freestyle5150]

NOOB here \ first post..... I read all 11 pages, but just want to confirm........ this is the proven board:
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Arduino-FT232RL-USB-to-Serial-Module-USB-to-TTL-level-USB-Cable-dupont-248-/260917151841?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item3cbfdf c861
also, will this allow me to program on board computer to improve performance \ gain HP?
I think what you guys are doing is awesome...... any advice would be greatly appreciated.
94 impala ss LT1

[buddrow]

Robert, have u had a chance to test this setup on the '7747 ecm's yet?

[buddrow]

Robert, is this the same item u found on ebay? http://www.frys.com/product/6997547#detailed