Well, I think it's time to dive back into this. I've read a lot of people recently disconnecting CTIS because it's too complex or "buggy". I think it's because we don't have cool diagnostics to help them understand what is going on. SO, I am going to go down this road for all of you CTIS fans (and I will win over those who aren't). Here's what I am going to do:
Goal #1: The goal will be to diagnose and display any CTIS system, with the first focus on the M939's, and I think the LMTV's will be an easy second (if they are the same) on an LCD type screen or a smartphone.
Goal #2: Have them all work with this solution. Not just mine.There are different versions of ECU's.
Goal #3: Not be hardwired. I want to be able to take this off and on, not permanently modify it. aleigh has a different route than me (see earlier). Expect the first version to be VERY hardwired.
Goal #4: Target is to make this for less than $100, and more like $50 in the final end product. I bet the bulk of the cost will be the harness. ** I just pulled these numbers out of my butt, but I'd pay $100 for a diagnostic and visual CTIS indicator besides 5 lights.
My thoughts:
I am doing this for my own personal achievement, but a donation to the group. I love CTIS, and I think it's underrated. I will prove that.
I will document as much as possible on here to help out those who might build or "fork" this development. It's not mine to own.
I will not be asking for money for my time or parts, but maybe the developer, but do want some encouragement, and a couple of testers. And beer, whiskey or chicks, or all three.
Once this is gold, I might sell some finished products to cover all my costs and to fund more iron, but I'm not going into business here.
Why iPhone app first? I have one. I don't do Android. Maybe a smart dude on here can port it.
I will start a new thread, but reference this one.
Disclaimer:
I will not be held responsible if I fry someone's CTIS. I might do it to mine by accident trying this stuff, that would suck, but that's life.
It will not be an immediate project. Chips come from China, boards take weeks to build. I have a real job, a wife and other hobbies. I get bored sometimes too..
I will not ask for money in early development, but I may ask for ECU's. I will ask for help. There are some smart mofo's on here like aleigh, 74M35A2 and others who have started this, or are smart on the protocols.
This might be all for naught. This might just be another idiot light for your vehicle. Your tires might still deflate and you won't know why.
Think of this like a kickstarter before the cool San Francisco web site and marketing, the money and the wait (well, we will wait too).
Phases of development:
Phase 1: GHETTO style, alpha version connection from the ECU to a diagnostic LCD screen. Will need to fabricate the Y-Harness or just do it internally to the pins for now (super easy). This is basically an interpreter that will diagnose the CTIS codes, and give you some indication of what the ECU is doing. Think of this like a 'what am I doing now' display. Biggest challenge will be to get the thing talking. Do we need a termination resistor? We'll see..
Phase 2: Port to Apple phone via bluetooth or wifi. This will be a pretty visual app and I will probably have to farm this out to a developer that has skills. Might need some funds to pay him.
Phase 2.5: Probably a revamp of the harness. We'll learn a bunch while we go. Micro-Ize the whole thing, probably a redo of the board since I know what is finally needed. I will show off my mad Eagle PCB making skills and then fire up the 3D printer for the prototype case.
Phase 3: Get a real case, paint it OD. Maybe muck with the LCD screen and the Apple app.
Phase 3.5: Port to Android
Let me know what you all think.
