Monitor OBD-1 Data stream
 

The '92-95 4runners/pickups generate an early data stream through the VF1 port when TE2 is grounded. LOTS of interesting stuff, like the injector open time, and so on. It's not standard RS232 -- close, but not close enough to read with a UART. User RJR wrote a program to read these codes (by "bit-banging"), but it requires a laptop with a parallel port (yes, the '90s are calling to get it back!) and some electronic assembly. Whew!

Enter Francois. https://zf-scantools.com/index.php?r...product_id=126 He developed a box that plugs directly into the Diagnostic port, and connects to your Android phone via BlueTooth. Everything you can want and more! Works very well.

Now, he's released a new and improved version (making the one I've got obsolete. Darn!) https://zf-scantools.com/index.php?r...product_id=126 For the money, you can't beat it.

He used to offer a unit with open wiring, that you could splice into the wiring at the ECU. Splice??! Not for the faint of heart, so he now only offers the direct-plug-in version. Easier to use, but then the box is left under the hood, where it is pretty hot. Mine worked fine under the hood, but I would take it out rather than leave it permanently installed. I worried about the heat.

Don't get TOO excited about accessing all this data; it comes out in a 90's era format, which means it only refreshes about once every 1.2 seconds. But with that in mind, it's irreplaceable.

If you're the kinda girl who would plumb in a fuel pressure gauge (and have a 92+ vehicle -- sorry Rad4runner), then this is the box for you.

I'm just a satisfied customer; I don't get any swag for this. But wait, Francois, are you listening?

:coffee:

That device looks pretty sweet! :great:

Even though the refresh rate of early diagnostic systems are slow by today's standards, having any data showing you what the computer is seeing opens up a whole new world when diagnosing engine-related problems. The data could give you some insight as to why the Engine Control Unit is setting a particular code. It wasn't until recently that I knew you could extract more than just codes from the Engine Control Unit on these trucks.

Do you know what type of data (if any) you could get from 1987-1991 EFI system? I am sure it is more limited than later Engine Control Units. Toyota started using the Diagnostic Box in 1987 to replace all of the separate connectors in earlier EFI versions.

^^ This question is mostly for curiosity. It won't do much good for my 22R. I am the diagnostic port for my truck! :hillbill:

:safari: