OBD-II Communication Programming

[MikeWasHere05]

So I'm thinking of starting a new personal project and I'm wondering how feasible it is to create some kind of ECU communication device (like VAG-COM or APR's ECU Explorer). I did a quick few googles and it doesn't look like theres any kind of well established API for this kind of stuff. I haven't done console programming in a while, but I have experience in VB, C++ and a little Java. I also have low level experience, specifically with the ATMega series of microcontrollers coupled with avr-gcc.

Does anybody know any information on this topic? There has to be some kind of communications standard utilizing a generic USB->OBD connector like everyone has.

Thanks
-mike

[MikeWasHere05]

Did some more research and found information about the ELM323 and the J1979 table. Turns out the vag-com functions that we pay so much for (fuel trims, etc.) are standardized and relatively easily accessible. Check out http://www.scantool.net

[MikeWasHere05]

Did a little more research, found out more information about the ELM327. Turns out an ELM327 USB interface can be had on eBay for as little as $65 shipped. From the looks of it, generic information wouldn't be horrible to get. It would just involve creating a pretty front-end to a basic terminal back-end that can send small requests to the interface. I think where the vag-com and such costs come into play is with the Audi-specific stuff that needs to be reverse engineered.

So basically, if I can build a program that can send 01 05 to a COM port (with the ELM processor that would be requesting PID 05 of Mode 01, or the ECT) and then decipher the data that would come back (relatively easy as well) I can plug in the cord and start playing with data?

Anybody? From Ross-Tech? APR? I don't think a seventeen year old is really going to threaten your business

[Don Supreme]

Keep us updated....

[AudiMan]

might be a waste of your time but if you enjoy doing it, who am i to say you shouldn't?

[CARTEL]

Mike, I was here, but now I'm totally lost... Good luck.

[SubCool]

Ya, so what happen here? I have been searching online like crazy to use my Elm327 as a Vagcom - it really is stupid that i cant find a result so far.

How has the program worked out?

[MikeWasHere05]

College overcame me. :(