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16th August 2020, 13:28 | #1 |
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Rover 75 Saloon Join Date: Dec 2019
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Creating a computer dashboard for the Rover 75...
Hi all,
I'm a bit of a computer nerd and I've been wondering how challenging it would be to create a digital dashboard for the Rover 75. (Diesel model) It's my understanding that the Rover 75 and MG ZT function using 3 main serial bus lines: K-Bus, CAN-Bus and Diagnostic Bus. One of the interesting consequences of using a bus topology is that all the information on the bus can be read by any device connected onto this bus. Using this principle it should be relatively simple to engineer a device that wires itself onto one of the main bus lines of the car and reads the data. This could then be processed and data displayed on a digital dashboard similar to what you see on modern cars. As for data structure, I would assume that the internal bus systems run on a packet based system where they would have a header and a payload. The header would contain the information such as the originating ECU and intended ECU recipient and the payload would contain whatever data is being transmitted. So my question would be this: what bus would be the best to try to connect to in order to obtain information such as vehicle speed, engine RPM, trip computer data etc? I would assume this would be CAN-Bus. I would also guess that this information can be found from the diagnostic bus - which would be easier to connect to because of the diagnostic port however I would need to investigate whether the data is always transmitted to the diagnostic port and simply read by the T4 device or if the T4 device sends a request packet to each ECU to gain this information - this would be more challenging as I do not have a T4 to reverse engineer however I could try to reverse engineer TOAF. As for why I want to do this - I'm bored and think it would be cool, plus I'm dying to know what MPG I'm getting and I don't have that fancy LCD display on my dashboard like the top of the range cars get |
16th August 2020, 13:34 | #2 |
This is my second home
Rover 75 Saloon CDTi Join Date: Oct 2015
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Sounds like an interesting project, but if your just after MPG info could you maybe get an aftermarket device that plugs into the ODBC socket or even upgrade your car to the high-line dash?
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16th August 2020, 13:39 | #3 | |
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Quote:
The other reason for doing it this way is to gain some experience of hacking which appeals to me. I also have 0 budget for this as somebody who is heading off to Warwick University in late September |
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16th August 2020, 13:54 | #4 |
Posted a thing or two
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Just remember the IPK is basically a central hub for the K bus
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16th August 2020, 14:00 | #5 | |
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Rover 1.8T Tourer Join Date: May 2007
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Quote:
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16th August 2020, 14:59 | #6 |
This is my second home
Volvo C70 Convertible and JZR 3 wheeler Join Date: Nov 2006
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Not sure how you’d actually display the info, but I’d hate to lose/compromise the lovely off-white retro clocks.
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Only my opinion, obviously, so please don’t shoot me if it doesn’t match yours! |
16th August 2020, 18:19 | #7 |
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16th August 2020, 19:54 | #8 |
Gets stuck in
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It does sound like an interesting project, and will help you pass covid time until uni opens.
I would like to see the result of backward engineering TOAF which is I think a backward engineered (but not as comprehensive of course) T4 program. You might even be able to come up with some improvements.
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ZT-T190, Anthracite, LHD, Left the Line on June 24, 2002, Sold new in Switzerland, spent time in Germany, Imported to Canada in September 2021 |
16th August 2020, 20:10 | #9 |
I really should get out more.......
Rover 75 Saloon Join Date: Jul 2011
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I believe Toaf is more related to INPA than T4 but I suppose they both have common origins. There was word out in Poland about an Android version of Toaf but I’ve heard nothing since, pity as so many of us have Android headunits and it would be ideal to use. At the moment I’ve got basic stuff on the Android via a wireless bluetooth and Torque Pro but to be able to run Toaf would be a big bonus.
Please! |
16th August 2020, 17:30 | #10 |
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Could turn it into a YouTube series as you progress. Be a great way to keep track.
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