PDA

View Full Version : This Sucks, My Compass Broke



Zack
10-30-2006, 07:13 PM
Ha Ha Just Kidding.
Im Always headed in the right direction, so I decided to scrap it for this:
http://www.mercurymarauder.net/showcase/files/4/0/4/ScanGaugeII.jpg
http://www.mercurymarauder.net/showcase/files/4/0/4/SG-3.jpg

Thats a ScanGauge II you are looking at.
Night Shot:
http://www.mercurymarauder.net/showcase/files/4/0/4/SG-6.jpg

And 2 shots from the Driver's perspective:

http://www.mercurymarauder.net/showcase/files/4/0/4/SG-8.jpg
http://www.mercurymarauder.net/showcase/files/4/0/4/SG-9.jpg

I love where I put it.
Now, is it easy to do? Well for me, yeah. But it really is difficult.
The wiring harness for the ScanGauge must be dismantled and replaced with a longer Cat5 cable and soldered in place. The cable that comes with the unit is about 6 inches too short.
The compass assembly has to be partially removed, the lamp buttons need to be glued in to work and a host of grinding and cutting jobs need to be done to pull this one off.
Total cost, around $175.00
Well worth it! :beer:

FordNut
10-30-2006, 07:24 PM
Awesome! I want one...

sailsmen
10-30-2006, 07:36 PM
Very sharp.:banana:

1stMerc
10-30-2006, 07:50 PM
That is tight. Zack, yar a genius
Since i don't really use my compass either, i wonder if i can get my ScanGuage 1 to fit up there, hmmm, a little duct tape, pair of vice grips, some paper clips......

Add that to the list of things to do after MM IV

BTW does any one know how to take off the rear view mirror?

carfixer
10-30-2006, 07:55 PM
Zack, you are the man! That is pretty slick.

merc
10-30-2006, 07:58 PM
Zack, you are the man:)

martyo
10-30-2006, 08:51 PM
That looks good Zack. What data will it record/log?

Zack
10-30-2006, 09:11 PM
That looks good Zack. What data will it record/log?

Ive yet to read the book!
I know it will do the following:
TPS
Fuel Pressure
IAT Temps
Volts
MPH
MPG
Water Temp
Spark
RPM

And so on...

It has four different color screens! :D

Raudermaster
10-30-2006, 09:44 PM
Awesome job bro! Truly does look like it was a stock option offered.

DEFYANT
10-30-2006, 10:26 PM
Fantastic!

But now you'll get lost without the compass :razz: :D

Bigdogjim
10-30-2006, 10:28 PM
By the time Zack admits he is lost, a compass would be of no value:rofl:

mpearce
10-31-2006, 03:42 AM
I love where I put it.

Of course you do. After you read the book, tell us what else the scangauge displays? If it's anything like what the Buick people have, it'll be a useful tool. We have something similar in the T-Type...but that one will display knock/degrees of retard. Does your unit do that? Could be helpful at the track for some of us who don't have "the ear" for it.

-Mat

Marauderjack
10-31-2006, 04:02 AM
I thought about doing that but couldn't figure out how to get enough cord to reach it....How'd ya do it Zack??:cool:

Also, how did you get it to read FP....Neither of mine did and Ron DeLong (ScanGauge) said later this year they will have a software upgrade to do it but you have to send it back to them......Have you fixed it somehow??:beer:

Looks GOOD!!:bows:

Marauderjack:burnout:

SergntMac
10-31-2006, 04:03 AM
For the finer points of a ScanGuage, check here? I've been using a Scanguage I for three years now.

www.scangauge.com (http://www.scangauge.com)

Zack's version is suppose to be downloadable to software on a laptop for retention of the live data, but the ports are on the right side of the gauge and inside his OH console now. But, even without that, it's become a priceless tool for the money involved.

Nice job, Zack!

O's Fan Rich
10-31-2006, 06:06 AM
Don't worry Zack, I'm sure someone will tell you where to go.

Nice job though....

MarauderTJA
10-31-2006, 06:10 AM
Cool Zack...Can't use that location with the moonroof option...Nice job..

Zack
10-31-2006, 06:16 AM
More functions it has are:
Timing
MPH
MAP (Boost)
Open & closed loop display

magindat
10-31-2006, 06:48 AM
If it helps at all, this computer nerd can make you a cat5 extender for this install.

Zack
10-31-2006, 07:43 AM
If it helps at all, this computer nerd can make you a cat5 extender for this install.

I can make one as well Rich.
I didnt want the extra bulk under the dash,
Thanks

Mr Johnson
10-31-2006, 08:10 AM
I've got mine located in the slot behind the steering wheel. It's in there pretty good and hasn't been dislodged by any spirited driving yet.

http://www.clublexus.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=89 269&stc=1&d=1154651880

I love where you put yours though. Now all they need is the software upgrade to unlock several of the more interesting things on the bus that they don't yet display. BTW: It doesn't seem that the open/closed loop works on the Marauder (it does on my other cars).

fastblackmerc
10-31-2006, 08:16 AM
How hard was the wiring?

Zack
10-31-2006, 09:13 AM
How hard was the wiring?

There is none, it plugs into the OBD2 Port.

fastblackmerc
10-31-2006, 09:20 AM
There is none, it plugs into the OBD2 Port.

Nice & simple... I like that.

Loco1234
11-02-2006, 02:05 PM
Nice Zack...
Oh and that guy from VT called called Sr. yesterday so...
T minus one week
Thanks for droping the line for us...

I hope to have everything back together before snow fall....
this way we can test it out a bit...LOL

ckadiddle
11-02-2006, 02:07 PM
If it helps at all, this computer nerd can make you a cat5 extender for this install.
Dat seems to be a man of many talents.:coolman:

mpearce
11-02-2006, 02:20 PM
Does it tell you if you're knocking? If so, how much?


-Mat

Hotrauder
11-02-2006, 02:39 PM
Zack, Put Becky on. I want to know if you ever sleep and when was the last time she saw you motionless for longer than a nano second. Neat mod and more than I want to tackle and I have nothing but time. Nice job. Love it but then what have you done that I don't like? Dennis...well other than you know...We are going to miss you this weekend and next week.

Zack
11-02-2006, 03:06 PM
Does it tell you if you're knocking? If so, how much?


-Mat

No it doesn't Matt.
I always found those knock detectors in turbo buicks a complete joke.

By having those means you're running a tune that could destroy your engine, and the driver doesn't know what detonation sounds like.

No offense.

Sully008
11-02-2006, 03:46 PM
Very nice install, Zack. I was contemplating getting the Scan Gauge II and figuring a place to put it. I may have to be the copycat in this case...

Motorhead350
11-02-2006, 03:49 PM
Very nice clean fit.

fastblackmerc
11-02-2006, 09:21 PM
Cool Zack...Can't use that location with the moonroof option...Nice job..

:confused: Why can't you use it with a moonroof :confused: The moonroof button is further back.

Breadfan
12-01-2006, 01:54 PM
Sorry to bring this thread back, I found it again on a search and it renewed my interest in this mod.

Read it again, go re-interested, may consider doing it.

I can easily solder the connections, I see what you mean looking at the Scanguage site

But being a computer/electronics guy I also have used Cat5 coulplers before (think I got a few in one of my boxes).

Think a coupler would work and make the install easier? Just add another foot of cat5?

Edit: A coupler like this: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E168339991 02

I can't image a signal to a scanguage is more sensitive than a network connection so I would expect the added line noise would not be an issue.

Zack
12-01-2006, 02:29 PM
Sorry to bring this thread back, I found it again on a search and it renewed my interest in this mod.

Read it again, go re-interested, may consider doing it.

I can easily solder the connections, I see what you mean looking at the Scanguage site

But being a computer/electronics guy I also have used Cat5 coulplers before (think I got a few in one of my boxes).

Think a coupler would work and make the install easier? Just add another foot of cat5?

Edit: A coupler like this: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E168339991 02

I can't image a signal to a scanguage is more sensitive than a network connection so I would expect the added line noise would not be an issue.

Yep, that would work.
Once I start a project, I will do everything in my power not to leave the house til its done.
I had a length of Cat-5 available and a soldering gun...
The rest is history!

The problem is....
Your coupler would end up in the headliner or in the A-Pillar and most likely and cause some fitment and asthetic issues. I did not want to add a 4 foot section of cable under the dash and wind up with the other 6 feet attached to the scangauge bunched up above my feet.

Breadfan
12-01-2006, 07:27 PM
Yep, that would work.
Once I start a project, I will do everything in my power not to leave the house til its done.
I had a length of Cat-5 available and a soldering gun...
The rest is history!

The problem is....
Your coupler would end up in the headliner or in the A-Pillar and most likely and cause some fitment and asthetic issues. I did not want to add a 4 foot section of cable under the dash and wind up with the other 6 feet attached to the scangauge bunched up above my feet.

Thanks Zack. I agree with you, once I start on something it's hard to get me to walk away from it until it's done. :)

I'll give it a shot, see if it will fit somewhere up there without making a mess.

I really like the mod you did, I never use my compass. Gonna order my scanguage this weekend. :)

Kudos for the innovative idea!

Breadfan
12-01-2006, 11:17 PM
I just thought on my way home, there is a way around the coupler in the headliner.

Cut the scanguage Cat5 cable about 1 foot from the ODB connector, and crimp a new RJ45 jack on there. Put the coupler and your new longer line there, that way the coupler is up under the dash.

Only thing that would be tough is making sure you crimp in the same order. You can see through the old RJ45 but sometimes it's hard to tell.

Zack do you know if they used a standard Cat5 cable with regular colored twisted pairs? Do you know if they used any of the standard plug patterns (568-A or 568-B)? http://www.lanshack.com/make-cat5E.aspx

CRUZTAKER
12-01-2006, 11:40 PM
You never cease to amaze me prozack.

You realize your intelligence and self sufficiency without the cover of others is making someone feel inadequate....:rolleyes:

Ironically your post would have gone otherwise unnoticed by me as I have little knowledge nor desire to perform such unique installations (however I am quite capable of fabricating any wiring harness), but the title hit home with me.

The pos Impalla I am currently driving has a compass built in, and has acted erractically (among other functons of this so called motor vehicle), so I found a button to allow recalibration of the compass.

I push it, and it promptly tells me to "drive in circles". I am in my empty hotel parking lot and I do as I am told. This computer makes me drive in like 18 circles before it figure out where the hell it is facing on this wonderfull earth.

At this point I am so freeking dizzy I promptly drive into the light pole in the middle of the parking lot that I have circled beyond human reason!

Best mod that ever happened to this car. Cracked and broken front facia.

Booya to corporate vehicle insurance coverage.:baaa:

Marauderjack
12-02-2006, 04:09 AM
Breadfan....

Call Ron DeLong at Linear Logic and I'll bet he can get you a longer cable!!

Phone: 888-433-5664

Marauderjack:burnout:

jgc61sr2002
12-02-2006, 06:56 PM
Nice job.:D :up: Looks great.

MENINBLK
12-02-2006, 08:07 PM
Does it play MP3s ?