So, where are all the original stand up computer tester?

[vwbill]

Hey, did VW use to have a glass booth where the tech. would work with a stand up computer and run the car in a dynamic state? Could they vary the condition with out physical adjustment or just take a reading of the state of the readings? Did they kinda look like those "Bear"(I think) monitor/scope station? Wonder if they are still out there somewhere in storage by VW or sold as scrap or salvage...........uuuuuuuhhhhhh! Sad!
I guess it would just be easier to build something yourself(use remote sensors and test box. A OBD II add on or salvage) or just use your multimeter and test lights/gauges... Bill

p.s. I swear I remember them taking my car in a booth and set it up???

[DeathBus]

yes, most have been scraped or sold to independents.

[type4org]

FYI, dealers are *required* to junk old tools nowadays.

jens

[DeathBus]

FYI, dealers are *required* to junk old tools nowadays.

jens

Yes thats why all my friends at the local dealership have the trashed aircooled tools at their homes.

[raygreenwood]

RayThere were several FI, D-jet testers on E-bay a couple weeks ago. yes, the dealer units had scopes and hoses and cables etc. I have all of the original end of the assembly line and check-up print outs for my 412.

[vwbill]

So, think of all those lost boxes and how many dealers had them, Damn!
I need to figure out how to make the test lead wire colors into a tester.
I guess I would need the resistance range and a volt meter and a amp meter. So, how would I make a LED light green for good in a resistance range? Do I match the wanted resistance and break that at the ground of the light with a adjuster dial. It has the flywheel sensor on the test plug so I guess that would be my TDC pulse or counter for RPM's and the test plug has the static strap on the number one cylinder so that is my firing pulse or rate for timing. The big Red/White Stripe is there so you can test the Battery loads; Does that give you the amps there too then? You have a ground to body also. Thx, Bill

p.s.I think I'm going to radio shack, lol!

[vwbill]

Ok, I was looking at a serial cable for a PC and it has enough pins but I wonder if I could take the data and read it into a editor or spreadsheet program and use formula's to tell it to go to a table of data/responses?
Do you think the pc cable would be ok for voltage if I fuse it at a male adapter bridge between the cable and the VW test plug? The spreadsheet idea actually sounds kinda cool and might work but so would a box with some switches and lights! I like the idea of the cable since I think they make a adapter with a male on one side and tip wires on the other to make the VW test plug adapter out of epoxy and a box mold with sleeves for the pins and two male blades for the big leads.... I would love being able to change data points some how! I guess I'm dreamin of the sweet laptop backup plan that will emulate a bad part, lol!! Bill

[raygreenwood]

This system was ahead of its time, but it had problems too. Have you noticed a strange looking silver and red decal in your cars...usually near the diagnostic plug? It looks like a pair of VW siloughettes siamesed bottom to bottom...with a cross hairs drawn through it...and a red # in the center like 18....which was what was on mine. That is the options code. Each car as delivered as certain factory equipment and options. Each car equppied like that....had a code #. That code # corresponded to a punch card that was inserted into the factory diagnostic unit to set the machine up for the equipment and tuning configurations for that car.

But...as the cars aged...or were poorly cared for...or fiddled with, the diagnostic unit became increasingly less accurate. Its only accurate on systems that are in good shape. Corrosion, poor connections and vacuum leaks and bad hoses screw up a lot of things. We all know how complex the hosing system was. Eventually, they had to do a lot of testing by hand still. Ray

[vwbill]

Hey can anyone with a auto tell me which pins on there test plug socket they are using? I dont have 9 and 15(second row from left third down and second over from right third down) but have one in 21 and 22(far right third down and fourth)(flywheel sensor)? I'm trying to pin point where the test wires actually go, lol! Thanks, bill.

[raygreenwood]

Still gotta say...they were waaaaay ahead of their time. This is the grand daddy of OBD. The diagnostic system actually worked pretty well. Are you all aware that VW had the first factory dealer network? And that was part of their claim to fame and sales? If not, you should read small wonder....great book. Written by the director of production for VW through 1969. Its the entire story..including the post war clean up of the wolfsburg plant. Ray

[vwbill]

You're so right!!!!!!!! I have been looking at the wiring for the test plug and it looks like the car had lots of functions that it could read along with the safety systems that are now standard equip.! Actually I dont think too many new cars have the seat sensor for starter system and seat belts Defeat!
I remember doing the card punch programs, lol!!
Those things actually worked gooood! Just if one got mixed or bent you had to rerun! You'd be hand typing a replacement fast.....
So do you think the Layout/wiring diagrams, instructions and program function are in some book out there or just with the old computer units?
Do you think I can reproduce some of the functions from the test plug?
I can see different ways to pick up a few of the functions like timing and the pump relays and coil resistance........? So I guess most the relays have a ground, a power, travler, sender. Isnt it just a remote switch?
Cool car!! bill