What's new
CK5
Register an account today to become a member! Once signed in, you'll be able to participate on this site by adding your own topics and posts, as well as connect with other members.

ECM info box or software

BadDog

BadDog

SOL
Staff member
Super Moderator
Author
Joined
Feb 24, 2001
Posts
8,003
Reaction score
232
Location
Phoenix, AZ
I've seen references to software (for a laptop) and portable diagnostic boxes that give you all sorts of info from the ECM. Anyone use these things or know anything about them? Web sites or other references would be good. I saw allot of references to it on 3rd Gen but I thought I would ask here first. Last thing I need is yet another web forum to get wrapped up in.
tongue.gif


Russ

85 K30 CUCV, 350 TBI, TH400, 205, D60/C14, 4.56 Locked
Some day: 4" lift, 44" tires, massive cutting, shorter wb and rear overhang.
 
I've got the EZ-link from AutoXray. It's the GM OBD-I kit listed here: <a target="_blank" href=http://www.autoxray.com/scanners.htm>http://www.autoxray.com/scanners.htm</a> Picked it up at the local Checker Auto Parts for $150. It's pretty handy. You can get more sophisticated software for laptops, but the stuff that's easy to use costs big bucks. If you want to learn to read hexidecimal computer code, there is some freeware and shareware out there that can help you learn to program your own chips.
shocked.gif
There's more interest in this stuff all the time, so there may be some newer cheap or free stuff out there that's more useful.

<font color=black>HarryH3 - '75 K5</font color=black>
<a target="_blank" href=http://www.angelfire.com/super/ThunderTruck>www.angelfire.com/super/ThunderTruck</a>
It's a great day to be alive...
 
Thanks, that's a start. Sounds like it should work fine with my 89 harness. $199 from them but I'll check Checker.
laugh.gif
Any complaints?

BTW, what do the programmable ECMs cost and where do you get them. That would be nice, just to be able to play around with the thing. Probably more than I would be willing to pay but, I'm curious.

Russ

85 K30 CUCV, 350 TBI, TH400, 205, D60/C14, 4.56 Locked
Some day: 4" lift, 44" tires, massive cutting, shorter wb and rear overhang.
 
My only complaint about the EZ-Link is that I can only actively monitor 1 sensor at a time. You have to use the arrow keys to step through to other sensors. A laptop version, that lets you select what to display and shows multiple sensors at once is the ultimate, but at triple the price (or more).
shocked.gif
The EZ-Link will capture 30-seconds worth of data from all the sensors for later review though, so for the money it's a pretty good deal. I think BlazzinOR has one also so he might jump in here with some input as well.

Accel/DFI sells some programmable ECM's, as part of their complete EFI conversion kits. But they are big money and I don't know if they sell just the ECM or if it would even work with the factory EFI. Programming the stock ECM's requires a few hundred dollars worth of equipment, a PC, and a lot of hours of learning what all those little codes mean.

<font color=black>HarryH3 - '75 K5</font color=black>
<a target="_blank" href=http://www.angelfire.com/super/ThunderTruck>www.angelfire.com/super/ThunderTruck</a>
It's a great day to be alive...
 
Yeah, I've seen/used EPROM burners before. I'm not interested enough to buy the equipment and learn the ECM program.

When you say the laptop version costs 3 times as much, are you referring to just the cost of software and adapter cable? Or the cost of the laptop factored in? I would think that it would be possible to produce a software/cable version capable of great things for a relatively cheap price. Do you have a source for those free and/or cheap downloads for laptops? A url maybe? Maybe I could pick up some more info that way. Any web search I can come up with on these things will have so much garbage to wade through, it would not be fun...

Russ

85 K30 CUCV, 350 TBI, TH400, 205, D60/C14, 4.56 Locked
Some day: 4" lift, 44" tires, massive cutting, shorter wb and rear overhang.
 
Russ...if you have the time call me tomorrow...err today. Will be up and runnin parts around 9amish...i have a MPSI Pro-Link 9000 i bought on Ebay for $125....my cartridge runs up to 93 in GM...94 for Ford...and i use it every day at work for Detroit Diesel....good way to go and ebay is the way to grab one for cheap. What ya doin sunday?

Azblazer

1979 K5 350 TBI
1976 K5 Chalet
If it ain't got arizona pinstriping.....you ain't wheelin the pee outa her!
 
That doesn't inlcude the cost of the laptop!
shocked.gif
We're talking $400 and up just for the software and cable.
frown.gif
I can't think of the name of the company right now. Brain fade...
wink.gif


Here's a link to some free software, but it looks like most of the info is returned in hex.

<a target="_blank" href=http://w1.601.telia.com/~u60113744/software/winaldl/winaldl.htm>http://w1.601.telia.com/~u60113744/software/winaldl/winaldl.htm</a>

<font color=black>HarryH3 - '75 K5</font color=black>
<a target="_blank" href=http://www.angelfire.com/super/ThunderTruck>www.angelfire.com/super/ThunderTruck</a>
It's a great day to be alive...
 
I use a program called Turbo-link. It was designed for the Turbo buicks. But it allows you change the vehicle type. 1986-1992 GM Pickups/light duty trucks/Suburbans/Tahoes/S-10s with Throttle Body Injection (TBI)
It has a buffer and monitors all sensors in real time display, Plus error codes. Check them out at http://www.turbo-link.com .

It can also print..

<a target="_blank" href=http://coloradok5.com/gallery/90k5blaze>http://coloradok5.com/gallery/90k5blaze</a>
The Few, The Proud, The K5 Blazer
 
I use a program called WinALDL, and it's FREE
smile.gif


You can download it from <a target="_blank" href=http://www.winaldl.webhop.net>http://www.winaldl.webhop.net</a>

The cable costs about $9 to make, and the program is great! I use it to tune my '92 Camaro (TBI). Boy, it sure is nice not guessing on what sensor to replace anymore. This software has really revolutionized the way I performance-tune my car.

Thomas.

-- '84 1-Ton Blazer --
When the goin' gets tough,
the tough go 1-Ton
smile.gif
 
Sweet. I'll give it a shot. Any words of wisdom or warning? Thanks.

Russ

85 K30 CUCV, 350 TBI, TH400, 205, D60/C14, 4.56 Locked
Some day: 4" lift, 44" tires, massive cutting, shorter wb and rear overhang.
 
LOL ..... thirdgen.org is where I hang out for my Camaro. There's a guy called Jonas on there who actually wrote WinALDL. He's a good guy, and always answers any questions about the software.

No warnings or words of wisdom for ya. It's a pretty simple setup getting the program to work. You need Win 9x or 2000 I believe, and also must have Internet Explorer installed for it to function. The program allows you to choose your ECM type and also set variances for the sensors (like TPS)

I like WinALDL for many reasons. 1st, you can view all sensor data at the same time. 2nd, it creates tables for you. For example, you can view the spark count (knock count), and also view a spark table; which gives you the # or knocks in reference to RPM and MAP readings. It really is usefull when tuning your engine to the max performance without causing damage.

Thomas.

-- '84 1-Ton Blazer --
When the goin' gets tough,
the tough go 1-Ton
smile.gif
 
What about a Palm Pilot for running this? Wonder if that would work? Not sure how much those are running anymore, but they seem pretty capable : )



Dorian
My tech/links page: <a target="_blank" href=http://www.dorianyeager.com/index2.html>www.dorianyeager.com/index2.html</a>
Why insist on counting when the ring gear has the tooth counts stamped in?
 
I don't know if the processing power and memory of a Palm are up to the task. But there's still the issue of having the right software to make it work.
frown.gif


<font color=black>HarryH3 - '75 K5</font color=black>
<a target="_blank" href=http://www.angelfire.com/super/ThunderTruck>www.angelfire.com/super/ThunderTruck</a>
It's a great day to be alive...
 
Found the high end software. It's made by these guys: <a target="_blank" href=http://www.rinda.com/auto/auto.htm>http://www.rinda.com/auto/auto.htm</a>. They list a "GM Edition" for $299 and a "GM Plus Edition" for $579.
shocked.gif


<font color=black>HarryH3 - '75 K5</font color=black>
<a target="_blank" href=http://www.angelfire.com/super/ThunderTruck>www.angelfire.com/super/ThunderTruck</a>
It's a great day to be alive...
 
Sweet! But too rich for my blood given the other options. Maybe if I find it on EBay cheap. Or if I really get into this stuf.

Russ

85 K30 CUCV, 350 TBI, TH400, 205, D60/C14, 4.56 Locked
Some day: 4" lift, 44" tires, massive cutting, shorter wb and rear overhang.
 
oh BadDog I thought you were gonna buy the software and burn a copy for all of us???

<font color=blue> Jeff - may the force be with you</font color=blue>
<a target="_blank" href=http://coloradok5.com/gallery/Jeffs-Stuff>link to k5's</a>
 
I was kinda hoping you would buy it. I'll burn it if you buy it.
laugh.gif
Then we just gotta duplicate the cable...

Russ

85 K30 CUCV, 350 TBI, TH400, 205, D60/C14, 4.56 Locked
Some day: 4" lift, 44" tires, massive cutting, shorter wb and rear overhang.
 
LOL if I could afford the software buring it wouldn't be a problem
wink.gif


<font color=blue> Jeff - may the force be with you</font color=blue>
<a target="_blank" href=http://coloradok5.com/gallery/Jeffs-Stuff>link to k5's</a>
 
I built the cable last night and ran WinALDL today. Nice program. Now if I can just figure out what it is telling me. No error codes, and the things I understand (like TPS) seem to be working as expected. On with the learning...

Russ

85 K30 CUCV, 350 TBI, TH400, 205, D60/C14, 4.56 Locked
Some day: 4" lift, 44" tires, massive cutting, shorter wb and rear overhang.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Latest Posts

Top Bottom