it would be great if we could get a software package that would connect the laptop to the ecu and get all of the info on the fly.

 

website doesnt work for me now, I will give it a try later

 

Not much new info yet, busy with work and the other things that come up this time of year. I'm having ISP issues so my web site has been down for a while.
But, I have figured out most of the programming protocol, I succeeded in turning my spare ECU into a brick (erased the flash, now it's stuck in boot mode - at least I figured out how the authorization password thing works!). The cable/board that I built to communicate with the ECU has some problems, traced to a bad part, so once I get a replacement the fun can continue. Meanwhile, I have been working on the PC side of things, getting the rest of the code written that runs the programmer.
Once I get that stuff done, I can flash the original program back into my spare ECU and make it work again!

 

Just cheering you on,, like what /how your handleing this,,,

 

Real work has taken up all of my spare time for several months. Now, it's time to revisit this project. Hopefully the break from it will allow me to discover some new things and get moving again!

I've done a bit of research and I have found that there is a commercially available USB-to-serial cable that can be set up for the 'weird' baud rates that the SCI requires. And it's readily available from most electronics distributors for about $20. The only other component needed is a cable to adapt the serial pin connector to the OBD connector. This means no special circuit board to make to get a laptop to talk to the truck, it will all be in software.

Once the cable arrives here the real fun can begin!

 

I'm glad you're still working on this, Jdonoghue.

 

My thoughts too,,,,,, Hang in there

 

You got my interrests up too... RIGHT ON!

Kepp up the work... I would love to see a software programmer for the 2nd Gen Dodges!

 

Got the USB-Serial cable Friday. Spent a good part of the weekend digging through my old notes, and the code itself. This morning, I was able to upload the original flash file to the test ECU and return it back to its original condition!

So, with a $20 cable, and the program I developed over the weekend, I can now erase and reflash. This is going to get real fun...

I have got my web site back online, and I added a section to track updates as this project moves along. It is at http://vs18k.dyndns.org

 

I tell you what in ECU. SMOKE. You let it out, it don't work no more.

 

Bookmarked your site.

 

So is this process that you are currently going through what many of the creators of the various chips, programmers, downloaders, etc. etc. go through when they make their devices for the 24-valve Cummins and other types of engines that are electronically controlled, but they don't share their findings for $$$$ reasons?

 

The marina my brother works at is sending him to Cummins school. He told me Cummins Marine and Agricultural have standard laptop mode selection(at least for the authorized mech w/ correct software)
I'm thinking Dodge re-engineered the chips w/proprietary stuff.

 

I've been following this for awhile now and I gotta say, your PRETTY FREAKIN SMART, dude!!! GREAT WORK!!!!!!!!

 

I have a ecm out of a 98.5 that went bad on me. Test mule?