possible to hook my pc up to my car?

[liam012]

ok so i know they're an old machine but i'd love to be able to hook up a pc or lappie and do some diagnostics and what not - get all different reports back from the sensors and stuff!
i am sorry if its a silly question but for someone who is in to computers and cars its the next logical step!
thanks
liam

[kam-325i]

It can be done, but i think it is only on the motronic systems, not jetronic.
Youl need software and connection lead.

[JOSEMI]

i am sorry if its a silly question but for someone who is in to computers and cars its the next logical step!

The idea sounds great to me, so you can hook up the PC and analyze the car from it from home !!!

Jose

[liam012]

are we talking like $$$$ for hardware and software? is anyone around here into this?

[Brianmoooore]

LPG ECU hooks up to the laptop on mine. Can monitor/set up/adjust all kind of things fuel related on the move.
Someone on the zone should be able to come up with an interface and connections for the engine ECU.

[Ant]

PeteE30Tourer was working on an inline break out box for probing connections, still a work in progress last I heard

The ECU in the E30 does not have any real onboard diagnostics, even on the MoDIS machine at your local dealer only battery voltage, temp sensors and AFM Voltage/airflow and temp are available, will tell you what relays the DME is switching though, but then again we all have ears

things have come a long long way since then

I've always had better results with a multimeter than anything else on mine.

[TheDutch]

I successfully built myself an interface to use with Carsoft, but as the others have said, it was only really good for reading fault codes and there was little else that could be done with it. I can help you out with schematics etc. if you fancy doing the same.

Neil

[hoshy]

NEil can you post me details of what you built please. or a nod towards the info.