Interested in home built consult.

[mattd1979]

I want to buy one of the consult clones that I could use on my Q and I have heard of a couple different ones in that past but now I want to see if I can get one and which would be more dependable. I saw one that was just the cable and software and onother that was a homebuilt setup that you could buy from the creator. It has been so long ago that I was reading about this that I don't know who they were. If there is anybody here that has bought one of these or made their own then please let me know. I have access to a consult II at work but I can't take it home with me or know if it is as in depth with the tests as the consult I was.ThanksMatt

[Q451990]

zerothread?id=140484

I haven't gotten mine to work yet, but honestly I haven't done much with it for months... will try again this fall hopefully.

Heath

[Skibane]

A couple of other potential sources:

blaZt EnterprisesPLMS DevevelopmentsZControl.net

I have no experience with any of these.

The interface boards look pretty simple. All of the "smarts" is in the PC software that you use to run it - and apparently, finding software that works with Qs is the problem.

[5seryan]

Didnt Someone from the UK post a link to some software with the Q a few months back? I dont know if it was consult type programming and I dont feel like ssearching for it right now. Just a thought .

[Skibane]

ECU Talk might be what you're thinking of - a software package by NewKleer (an Aussie). Here's a NICO thread where he mentions it.

[NewKleer]

in the past there have been:http://www.ecutalk.com/diyconsult/ (i dont have any more of these)http://www.sr20forum.com/showthread.php?t=117848 (some random people might still have boards/parts from previous runs)

currently, best bet is to contact jamie who's made these:http://eccs.hybridka.com/viewtopic.php? ... .php?t=357

thats pre-made though (i think).

http://eccs.hybridka.com/viewtopic.php?t=108 - rybowen here has in the past sold kits/pre-made versions of calums one from the second link above.

[Jberger]

I've been using the BlaZt cable and NissanDataScan.com software, it's not a true Consult, but it beats the heck out of taking measurements with a multimeter all the time.

Here's my experiance so far, I bought the cable setup from Jerry, Blazt's US Distributor who lives in Canada. First he sent me the serial cable, even though I ordered the USB model. The cable worked fine, but I needed a USB unit to interface with my Laptop and PDA, so I worked out the swap. The USB cable I recieved did not work for me, so after a LONG time, we worked out a swap for another serial cable and I'm using a keyspan USB/Serial adapter to connect to the laptop. The entire process took months, but I now have a working system. In fact I just got it all together and working this week.

Don't order the USB cable, just get the serial cable and a USB/Serial Adapter (Keyspan and Purple Computing make the best adapters) The USB based cable requires special drivers and is generally a pain in the ***. The serial cable is a no brainer and virtually bulletproof.

I haven't used the "ConZult" software, but the Nissan Data Scan software is very easy to use and works fine, even with the Jim Wolfe ECU. I replaced a TPS sensor and had it recalibrated in seconds with the laptop based system, much better than the old voltmeter for that job.

The software does generate a TON of logging that is useful for tracking down problems, but it's only data, you have to perform all of the interpreting. Which means you'll be consulting the FSM a ton and trying to figure out what is normal and what is not.

You can perform active tests like Power Balance using the built in tests, as well as common tasks like reseting the base idle, pull codes from the ECU, etc.

Hopefully more folks will adopt the laptop based solutions and we can share logs and build a knowledge base on how the data is relivent to the Q.

[slipnfall]

I saw my name come up(Jamie), so I figured I'd throw in a plug. While I agree that the RS232(Serial) versions are more bullet-proof and easier to setup, they are an interface that is slowly fading away. Very few laptops come with a serial port anymore(esp the cheaper ones). The way I see it, is why buy *two* adaptors? Your best price on a decent USB-RS232 converter is going to be $20. Also, those adaptors require the *same* type of drivers to be loaded as any of the direct USB CONSULT cables. So it is really no different/easier. You'll find my cables easy to install, no wiring, and the USB drivers are packaged in an installer, so no manual extracting of files, etc. I have not had a *single* return on the USB interfaces, because they are designed solid. Shoot me an email if interested.

[NewKleer]

what usb chip? looks like ft232am/bm or there abouts? (but didnt find it mentioned anywhere)

for those that will only use USB (ie, they dont want to hook it up to their pocket pc or anything, and only have a laptop with no serial) then USB is better than serial + usb.

but for situations that arent covered by the above (eg u have a pocket pc u might want to hook up), then serial + FTDI chipped converter is the best solution - can use serial when you have serial, and usb when you dont.

[qsiguy]

I sent you an email slipnfall.

[slipnfall]

Oh yes, I must have glazed over that part. Yep Palm devices and the like with serial ports only don't have much of a choice.

I do have RS232 boards also.