PC datalogger for VR-4 - it works!

[AderC]

I've been looking into whether there is a PC-based datalogger out there which will work on our cars, which as we know are not OBD-II compliant but use the Mitsi MUT-II protocol. While trawling round the web I came across some software called Evoscan, which claims to work with all 1996+ Mitsi's, including those that use the MUT-II protocol. This requires an OBD-II cable with a USB-Serial adapter, and I ordered the OpenPort 1.3 Mitsubishi cable from Tactrix ($89 US). I downloaded the Evoscan software ($25 US), but first attempts with the cable and software were unsuccessful, with connection timeout errors. Then I noticed something on the website about the Evo IV requiring pins 1 and 4 on the OBD socket to be joined. Looking into this further, it became apparent that all that is actually needed is to ground pin 1 as per the manual procedure for extracting fault codes from the VR-4.

I inserted a bent paperclip into the back of the OBD socket where the wire for pin 1 joins the socket, and grounded it out on the metal frame which holds the socket itself. This time, on connecting the cable and running the software, it connected without a problem. Screenshot of Evoscan is below:



There are 2 other pieces of software which I've also found that are compatible with this cable and I've tested with the VR-4:

Mitsulogger (which is freeware):



and EcuEdit (demo version with nag screens):



Enjoy!!

aDe

[Nick Mann]

Good info - well researched.

I can feel a rep point coming your way!

[Kieran]

Good info - well researched.

I can feel a rep point coming your way!

That twice!


"Dear Santa.... For Christmas I would like......."

[Axeboy]

Great

Cheap kit too...

[pezza]

Faaantastic!

[AderC]

I've now registered the demo copy of EcuEdit. This seems to be the most complete piece of software of the 3 that I've found, as it has it's own graphing capability (although the release version of Evoscan will have this too). The graphing tool will also read the logs from the Evoscan and Mitsulogger. Screenshot below:



I also forgot to mention a link in my original post - a lot of the info on the hardware and software I got from the OpenECU site.

Haven't had much time to actually use the logger yet, just a few minutes sat on the drive once I had it working. I intend to capture a full log on the way to work tomorrow.

aDe

[bernmc]

oo. wot a clever boy. Have some proper reputation points!

[AderC]

You wait 18 months for a rep point then 3 come at once

Cheers guys

aDe

[Axeboy]

How do you find Ecuedit?

just wondering if you can manage much with the demo?

[AderC]

The demo does everything that the registered version does, but it has some serious time-delay nag-screens (e.g. 30 secs to connect to ECU, 90 secs to start logging). At the end of the day it's one guy writing the software and trying to make an honest living, so I don't begrudge paying up and registering. Microsoft on the other hand.....

Evoscan is cheaper, but the graphing functionality isn't there yet (but it will be - it's only a prerelease at the mo) and Mitsulogger is freeware. You can always plot the data from either of these in Excel or OpenOffice Calc.

At the end of the day you can set up a laptop datalogger for less than £80 (cable around £60, Evoscan around £14 and Mitsulogger is free).

aDe

[Axeboy]

It all looks great.

Ive had a look at the ecuedit page, but its hard to find good info, obviously being just a one man operation.

have you fiddled with editing the parameters on the Ecu?

[AderC]

Haven't tried fiddling with the ECU parameters yet. Bit scary! There's some other software on the OpenECU site called ECUFlash which I think would be needed to download the ROM, but I don't think it's compatible with our processors yet.

Captured a full log on the way to work this morning. Will have a look at this tonight and post it up so people can load a "real" log into the software to try it out (and tell me that my car's running like a bag of poo!)

I used Evoscan to do the logging, as it's quicker to actually start logging than Ecuedit. Once the app is started it's once click to connect to the ECU and start logging. Ecuedit needs a few mouse clicks to get going.

One thing that happens while logging is that all the warning lights (CEL, ABS, AYC, TCL) start flashing when stationary or at low speed (<10mph). It's very disconcerting when stopping at a junction and the dash lights up like a Christmas tree...

aDe

[Paul C]

One thing that happens while logging is that all the warning lights (CEL, ABS, AYC, TCL) start flashing when stationary or at low speed (<10mph). It's very disconcerting when stopping at a junction and the dash lights up like a Christmas tree...

aDe

The data logger that connects via a palm pilot does this must be normal. I dont think it is possible to flash our ecu's had mine done before but ecu didn't store the changes.

[Nutter_John]

Yes the issue with our ECU's from what i have read is that we use an eprom and not a flash prom .

Any changes you can make will be lost of power off of the ECU , but if there is a way with the software to reload the settings every time you start the car then you should be ok

[Kenneth]

There's some other software on the OpenECU site called ECUFlash which I think would be needed to download the ROM, but I don't think it's compatible with our processors yet.

It is not compatible yet... I have tried to download the ROM, but cannot.
When I have the time ill do some research on the forums and see if I can find out some more information, or talk to the guy that does the program.

I have a spare manual ECU too, so if I have to ship it away I can do so.

[Davezj]

Can anyone feel a group buy coming round.

I looked into this evoscan and all looked ok but but it was the lack of a graphical display that put me off along with i don't have the spare cash to get the cable at the moment. Blew it on a hand held scope and a set IK22's. The IK22's might be a complete waste of money as the info i am getting now from the forum is they are the wrong heat rating, too hot and we need IK24 or even IK27 for seriously moded cars.

good bit of info on the data loggers

cheers dave

Has anyone tried using a standard OBD II with pin 1 grounded? Just a thought.

[orionn2o]

So we all just need to buy a bunch of cables! Sweet!

[orionn2o]

Quick question, can this software control or reset codes from the ecu ie the SRS airbag light??

[AderC]

From what I understand, you can't use an OBDII cable on its own without an interface between the cable and PC as there's a voltage conversion to be done between that used by the OBDII interface and that used by the PC serial cable. The Tactrix cable has this all built in to the cable.

ecuEdit has the fault code reader and reset ECU options on the menu, but haven't got Evoscan installed on my desktop so will check next time I'm on the laptop!

aDe

[orionn2o]

Yes the conversion is done (i think) by an FTDI 232 circuit which basically converts a type of rs232 signal into usb.

I dont think that is hard to do but getting the software for it to work is the tricky part!