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Car Forum / Driving, Maintenance, Tuning / Maintenance and Repair / March 2006

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OBDII

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Oleg Lego - 20 Mar 2006 20:51 GMT
I had a need, a few days ago, to control the throttle on my pickup
(2000 Ford F-150) remotely.  It occurred to me that the OBDII
connector might provide a path to do so.

I understand that the OBDII stuff is concerned with diagnostics, but
was wondering if it is anything like CAN, where any device on the net
can send and receive packets. If this is so, would it be possible to
send appropriate commands to any of the system components?

I have extensive experience in microcontroller and PC programming, and
happen to have a couple of ELM OBDII chips doing nothing.

Thanks
 Larry
Ed - 20 Mar 2006 21:48 GMT

Larry,

I recently subscribed at www.Alldata.com to get online access to
diagnostic & repair
info on my '95 Park Ave. It refers to the "Tech-2" instrument, which
seems to be the
GM scanner used by Mr. Goodwrench. From what I've read there it can be
used
to send signals to the EGR valve to position it before taking
readings. So, I would say
it CAN be done. However, I then bought an Actron CP9145 scanner, which
does not
appear to allow that. IOW, I can read codes with it, but can't send
info to the vehicle.
Or at least I can't find anything in the manual telling me how to do
it.

Obviously, I'm no expert in these matters.

Ed

>I had a need, a few days ago, to control the throttle on my pickup
> (2000 Ford F-150) remotely.  It occurred to me that the OBDII
[quoted text clipped - 12 lines]
> Thanks
>  Larry
Shep - 20 Mar 2006 21:51 GMT
A bi direction scanner such as a Snap On mt 2500 can command many functions
but some are not available and it varies by car and mfg.

> Larry,
>
[quoted text clipped - 30 lines]
>> Thanks
>>  Larry
ray - 21 Mar 2006 03:28 GMT
> I had a need, a few days ago, to control the throttle on my pickup
> (2000 Ford F-150) remotely.  It occurred to me that the OBDII
> connector might provide a path to do so.

Follow the linkage from the gas pedal to wherever it ends.  If it's an
old-fashioned linkage, then there's no easy (built in) way to control
the throttle remotely using a computer interface.  If it ends in a
wiring harness ("drive by wire" setup (like a 98-up Vette)), then you
MAY be able to do something like what you're looking for.

Ray
Oleg Lego - 21 Mar 2006 04:44 GMT
The ray entity posted thusly:

>> I had a need, a few days ago, to control the throttle on my pickup
>> (2000 Ford F-150) remotely.  It occurred to me that the OBDII
>> connector might provide a path to do so.

>Follow the linkage from the gas pedal to wherever it ends.  If it's an
>old-fashioned linkage, then there's no easy (built in) way to control
>the throttle remotely using a computer interface.  If it ends in a
>wiring harness ("drive by wire" setup (like a 98-up Vette)), then you
>MAY be able to do something like what you're looking for.

Ahh! Didn't think to do that, but it's a good idea. I do know the
throttle can be controlled electronically, because I have cruise
control. Unfortunately, it might be controlled by something that moves
the gad pedal (I'll have to check to see if the gas pedal moves when
the cruise control kicks in).

Thanks!
ray - 21 Mar 2006 19:00 GMT
> The ray entity posted thusly:
>
[quoted text clipped - 15 lines]
>
> Thanks!

even then, you might have a mechanical throttle.  But... the cruise
control module might provide the "interface" you need to pull and
release the throttle linkage.  (you sound handy with a soldering iron...)
Oleg Lego - 21 Mar 2006 20:30 GMT
The ray entity posted thusly:

>> Ahh! Didn't think to do that, but it's a good idea. I do know the
>> throttle can be controlled electronically, because I have cruise
[quoted text clipped - 5 lines]
>control module might provide the "interface" you need to pull and
>release the throttle linkage.  (you sound handy with a soldering iron...)

Yup.. mechanical throttle. When the cruise control cuts in, the pedal
goes down. When it cuts out, the pedal comes up. Looks like a good
place to start. I sure know which end of a soldering iron to pick up!
Been in the computer biz (fixing and programming) for pretty close to
40 years.
Mike - 22 Mar 2006 04:15 GMT
> The ray entity posted thusly:
>
[quoted text clipped - 13 lines]
> Been in the computer biz (fixing and programming) for pretty close to
> 40 years.

 You don't mention why you need to control the engine speed but why not use
the IAC motor circuit ? Thats's what the computer uses to control engine
speed.
Oleg Lego - 22 Mar 2006 18:23 GMT
The Mike entity posted thusly:

>> The ray entity posted thusly:

>> Yup.. mechanical throttle. When the cruise control cuts in, the pedal
>> goes down. When it cuts out, the pedal comes up. Looks like a good
[quoted text clipped - 5 lines]
>the IAC motor circuit ? Thats's what the computer uses to control engine
>speed.

I'm not at all familiar with the 'IAC motor circuit'. I was hoping
that the OBDII was basically a hub in a network that had various
sensors and actuators on it, and that I could just use the OBDII
connector, a micro or two, and perhaps my laptop to control things
like throttle.

I'd like to hear more about the 'IAC motor circuit'.

The reason I need to control motor speed is that I occasionally need
to use it to pull my tractor backwards when I am moving round hay
bales in the winter. The bales on the front-end-loader cause a loss of
traction on the rear wheels of the tractor. Often, there is nobody
around to help out by driving the truck, so I figure I can do it
single-handedly with a radio-controlled throttle.

Heck, maybe I should set my sights higher and see if I can
radio-control the whole truck. It would come in real handy at harvest
time.

Are you sorry you asked? :-)

Larry
Mike - 22 Mar 2006 19:32 GMT
> The Mike entity posted thusly:
>
[quoted text clipped - 16 lines]
> connector, a micro or two, and perhaps my laptop to control things
> like throttle.

  ODB II stands for onboard diagnostics II. It was an attempt to
standardize wiring and connectors so that a "universal" scan tool could be
used on all cars. It didn't work out all that well.

 The ECU ( engine computer ) has the job of air/fuel managenent and also
controls ignition timing. All sensors are hard wired directly to the ECU. No
network involved.

> I'd like to hear more about the 'IAC motor circuit'.

  Most IAC motors ( idle air control ) are pulsed stepper motors operated
by the ECU. They control idle speed by opening or closing an air passage
which is behind the throttle plate. More air = faster idle, less air = lower
idle

> The reason I need to control motor speed is that I occasionally need
> to use it to pull my tractor backwards when I am moving round hay
> bales in the winter. The bales on the front-end-loader cause a loss of
> traction on the rear wheels of the tractor. Often, there is nobody
> around to help out by driving the truck, so I figure I can do it
> single-handedly with a radio-controlled throttle.

  You would need to find some wiring diagrams to start. The manufacturers
don't want anyone to know exactly how the computer (ECU ) is programmed so
this info will not be available. But with a wiring diagram you should be
able to figure out how to manipulate the IAC motor. It's basicly power on
one wire, ground on another = motor travel out, switch polarity = motor
travels in. The IAC motor should be located on the throttle body.

 There was a product made to do just this on a jeep. It was not radio
controled. It was wired in and the control was mounted by the shifter. When
you got in a tricky spot off road with a manual trans jeep you could
electronicaly raise the idle speed so you could use one foot on the brake
and one on the clutch.Don't know if it's still in production but it would
most likely to be able to be adapted to your vehicle.

> Heck, maybe I should set my sights higher and see if I can
> radio-control the whole truck. It would come in real handy at harvest
> time.

  LOL. If you can pull that one off I gaurentee you will be able to sell
it. :)

> Are you sorry you asked? :-)

  Not at all. If you do decide to take on this project let us know how it
turns out.

> Larry
Oleg Lego - 23 Mar 2006 00:30 GMT
The Mike entity posted thusly:

>   ODB II stands for onboard diagnostics II. It was an attempt to
>standardize wiring and connectors so that a "universal" scan tool could be
>used on all cars. It didn't work out all that well.

OK, I was afraid that's all it was, but figured it was worth finding
out more.

>  The ECU ( engine computer ) has the job of air/fuel managenent and also
>controls ignition timing. All sensors are hard wired directly to the ECU. No
>network involved.

Ahh... I see.

>> I'd like to hear more about the 'IAC motor circuit'.
>
>   Most IAC motors ( idle air control ) are pulsed stepper motors operated
>by the ECU. They control idle speed by opening or closing an air passage
>which is behind the throttle plate. More air = faster idle, less air = lower
>idle

Would that give a pretty good range of idle? I figure I'd probably
need about 2000-3500 RPM, depending on conditions (ground it's sitting
on, how slippery, etc.).

>> The reason I need to control motor speed is that I occasionally need
>> to use it to pull my tractor backwards when I am moving round hay
[quoted text clipped - 9 lines]
>one wire, ground on another = motor travel out, switch polarity = motor
>travels in. The IAC motor should be located on the throttle body.

I'll see what I can find. Would that info be available to the consumer
from Ford?

>> Heck, maybe I should set my sights higher and see if I can
>> radio-control the whole truck. It would come in real handy at harvest
>> time.
>
>   LOL. If you can pull that one off I gaurentee you will be able to sell
>it. :)

Heh! Well, it's certainly possible, if by no other method than using
mechanical actuators to handle the controls. I'm not sure I'd like to
attempt it, but it's real fun to think about.

>> Are you sorry you asked? :-)
>
>   Not at all. If you do decide to take on this project let us know how it
>turns out.

I will. Thanks for the info!

Larry
Mike - 23 Mar 2006 06:39 GMT
> The Mike entity posted thusly:
>
[quoted text clipped - 60 lines]
>
> Larry

I think you metioned that you had cruise control. If so this may work
Scroll down to the bottom of the page to the Throttle/Winch Control.

http://www.kwanms.com/
Oleg Lego - 24 Mar 2006 05:49 GMT
The Mike entity posted thusly:

> I think you metioned that you had cruise control. If so this may work
>Scroll down to the bottom of the page to the Throttle/Winch Control.
>
> http://www.kwanms.com/

Interesting link! The idea of controlling the winch from inside the
car is a good one indeed.
 
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