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Obd2 Or Other Engine Diagnostics, Anyone Have An Idea?
- Thread starter MW
- Start date
OctoberGlory
Elio Addict
CAN BUS was new to me until today. I didn't realize there was anything besides OBD. I imagine it's a bit early to know what Elio will use, but I'd like to find a data logger I could start using on my Accord now and then move to my Elio.
The official word hinted at in a recent Elio Tech Talk about the engine and confirmed directly in my discussions with Elio VP Jerome Vassallo in Birmingham a few weeks ago is that OBD-II support will only be provided for diagnostic fault codes but no streaming data will be provided.
So this means that existing OBD-II scan tools will be able to plug in and read the codes however many of the gadgets and apps which rely on streaming OBD-II data will not work as this data will not be available.
The reason for this limitation is that to save money Elio Motors will use an ECU currently only available in developing countries. The ECU they are using is the Continental EasyU2+, as seen in an engine series Tech Talk, and while it is plenty capable of engine management and fault code reporting functions it simply is not powerful enough to host the streaming of sensor data over the OBD port.
OBD-II actually uses the CAN BUS standard for communications and this is actually the standard now required to be used by law. The CAN BUS is simply the networking standard which allows the various sensors and controllers to communicate similar to how a computer network works.
FYI, the Skyzmatic system gets around the limitations I mentioned previously about the ECU by connecting directly into the Elio's CAN BUS and thus accessing the sensor data directly.
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OctoberGlory
Elio Addict
I really haven't paid much attention to the Skyzmatic system due to the reported cost. Hopefully as we get closer to launch dedicated data loggers will become available that are far less expensive. I'd like a unit I could plug in and forget about for a month or two. Then bring it inside and do a data dump to my laptop for analysis.
Sr.MailMan
Elio Aficionado
Elio will have a OBD-II port to be 50 state compliant, for automobile emissions checks. What info comes out of it is still up in the air... as quoted in this thread.
My 2009 Triumph has a OBD-II port and is Euro 3 compliant. ( or it was,before "mods") L.O.L.
My 2009 Triumph has a OBD-II port and is Euro 3 compliant. ( or it was,before "mods") L.O.L.
Actually, many car manufacturers implemented their OBD-II compliant diagnostics over CAN-BUS in the early 2000's and have moved beyond that to even more advanced data streams. CAN-BUS is nearly obsolete, while the OBD-II diagnostic standard soldiers on. OBD-II is technology-agnostic and merely specifies what outputs have to be coded and how they are coded for reading in a universal format.
Interesting considering, if I pay a grand or so and get the upgrade, I'd have all the features of a fully functional OBD-II through an app plus a little more like Internet and Bluetooth. That data has to be streamed from somewhere...
I feel like there specifically truncating OBD-II to push their upgrade package.
Chaz
Elio Addict
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I agree the information is there, it just needs accessed. Unless they replace this ecu with another one when you get the upgrade.
The Elio vehicle is federally classified as a motorcycle and as such OBD-II support is completely optional and not even necessary for California's CARB emissions requirements. Having said that it is also a fact that as long as the Elio supports the required array of sensors and emissions diagnostic codes as well as outputting that information in OBD-II format it actually would meet the federal and CARB standards for OBD-II support. The streaming telematic data component is not required by law.