how to install an on-board computer on a car yourself

Any modern car is equipped with a standard on-board computer - a device that allows you to obtain basic information about the functioning of all components and mechanisms of the vehicle. In addition, the on-board computer allows you to control additional car options, such as a multimedia center, air conditioning or heated windows and seats.

Some car models (usually basic versions of cars), or outdated cars, do not have an on-board computer. The article will discuss how to independently install this high-tech multifunctional device on a vehicle.

On-board computers differ in purpose, which directly affects the characteristics of these devices. When choosing a BC, it is necessary to take into account the purposes of use, and only after choosing the “area” of application of the device, you can proceed to studying the characteristics of the models.

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Characteristics

Bookmakers are divided into universal and narrowly focused.
Devices of the first type determine geographic coordinates, can play multimedia files and have the ability to connect to the Internet. As for narrowly targeted on-board computers, their scope of application is vehicle diagnostics, control of electronic car systems, as well as plotting the vehicle’s route. As for the characteristics, they completely depend on the type of device. Thus, universal BCs are of little use for diagnosing a vehicle, while narrowly targeted ones, for example, intended for plotting a car’s route, are not suitable for downloading and playing multimedia content.

Important! Depending on the type of on-board computer, certain characteristics of the device play an important role. For example, screen resolution and diagonal are important for multimedia files, or for viewing maps when planning a route. Well, the presence of a huge number of options for controlling the car’s electronic systems is suitable for narrowly targeted on-board computers.

Self-diagnosis of the instrument cluster Kalina/Priora

Decoding error codes in the dashboard:

How to reset errors on Kalina? You can reset the errors yourself using the on-board computer, or contact a service station with special diagnostic equipment.

Let us remind you that you can find detailed photo reports in the Lada Kalina repair category.

Found an error? Select it and press Ctrl Enter..

Features of the models

As mentioned earlier, on-board computer models vary depending on their application. So, narrowly focused ones are divided into:

Trip computers

On-board computers of this type allow you to plot the route of the vehicle. Features of the device include the ability to automatically determine coordinates and full navigator functionality. Additional indicators include information about travel speed, fuel consumption and weather “overboard”.

Control computers

Designed to control electronic systems. They allow you to manually regulate the operation, starting from the fuel dampers of the power unit and ending with the climate control system.

Diagnostic computers

The device is also called a service computer. It is intended for troubleshooting the vehicle. It is important to note that an on-board diagnostic computer is quite rare. The functions of this device can be equipped with universal on-board computers. As for the functions of the service BC, these include: Monitoring the status of the vehicle's electrical supply devices. Allows you to identify problems such as short circuits, overvoltage, malfunction of car sensors and lighting devices, and electrical leaks. Monitoring wear of brake pads and discs. Oil and coolant level monitoring. Diagnostics of the performance of all vehicle systems. The ability to save received data has been implemented.

Important! In addition to the above, the device is capable of storing information about the occurrence of certain problems. Afterwards, based on the information, a special report is generated, which provides information about the performance of the vehicle systems, and the report also provides recommendations on systems that require repair.

Operation of injection cars

It is imperative to comply with the requirements that will facilitate the operation of the car. In order for the on-board computer “State” of the VAZ-2110 to produce errors as little as possible, and to increase comfort, be sure to adhere to the following recommendations:

Carry out soundproofing - this will get rid of unnecessary noise. For example, the fuel pump is quite loud. And it can be inconvenient.
Be sure to treat all body elements with anti-corrosion compounds.
The vehicle should only be refueled with recommended brands of fuel. If you fill with low-octane gasoline, the engine will not work properly.
Timely maintenance will solve any problems regarding the operation of the motor.

Nuances of choosing an on-board computer

When choosing a bookmaker, a number of factors are taken into account:

Brand of control unit.

Depending on the CU model, you need to select the appropriate on-board computer (BC, combines work with the CU).

Type of power unit.

Depending on which engine is installed in the car, the choice of BC depends. Thus, carburetor engines practically do not have suitable BCs; for a diesel engine, you can already find some BCs, and for injection versions of engines, the most extensive selection of on-board computers is provided. It is worth noting that manufacturers of cars with an injection engine prepare a place for installing and connecting the BC, although the device itself is not included in the kit.

Scope of application of the on-board computer.

Even before purchasing, you need to decide for what purposes the device will be used. If the device shows the temperature “overboard”, fuel consumption and economy indicators, and mileage, then you can purchase a cheap model. If, however, you need a serious diagnostic electronic unit, then you will have to spend money on purchasing a more expensive model.

BC operating temperature.

When purchasing, it is important to remember that the on-board computer will be forced to function in both cold and hot weather. Therefore, it is important to choose a device that is resistant to prolonged exposure to extremely high and low temperatures.

Rules for driving a car with an injector

A car equipped with an injector is less susceptible to ambient temperatures. However, in severe frost, the injection Lada also experiences difficulty starting. Here it is worth using the on-board computer with the function of heating spark plugs. Every time the temperature drops below a certain value and the car is turned off, a special heating of the tips is carried out to ensure a stable engine start.

Also, the VAZ engine sometimes overheats, which can cause valve burnout and costly overhauls. However, this is possible if the cooling system is faulty. If necessary, you can activate the Tropic function for the on-board computer of the VAZ 2110. When the temperature reaches more than the value set by the owner, the forced cooling fan turns on.

Self-installation of BC

After purchasing a suitable device, you need to connect the purchased equipment. For the bookmaker to function, you will need:

DC voltage source +12V (usually a car battery performs this function).
The power supply supplied to the BC at the moment the key is turned in the ignition switch. Thanks to this, the BC will turn on simultaneously with the start of the vehicle engine.
Voltage when the side lights are turned on. Thanks to it, the BC will automatically adjust the screen brightness and reduce it when the dimensions are turned on. This will also reduce battery consumption.
Weight.
Signal from the fuel level sensor. Many modern bookmakers cannot do without it. This is due to the fact that the computer needs sensor data to automatically calculate the level of fuel consumption.
Diagnostic lines (K-line). The channel is responsible for providing information about all car systems.

On some older models, a diagnostic block with signals is not installed. In order to obtain a voltage of +12 Volts, you will need to supply power to the BC from the ignition switch, and connect the side lights to the cigarette lighter. The mass can be taken from the body or from the cigarette lighter.

IMPORTANT! Before carrying out work on connecting the battery, you need to turn off the power to the battery.

To connect the BC to the fuel sensor, you need to carefully study the electrical circuit of the vehicle. Thanks to this, you can find the right cable to connect. Afterwards, all that remains is to decide on the connection location and connect the wire from the BC there. K-line is usually located on the diagnostic block. “Euro 2” connectors are equipped with them in socket “M”, and in “Euro 3”, in socket “7”.

As a rule, a temperature sensor is included in the standard configuration of the BC. It must be installed outside the vehicle. The most common location for attaching the device is the left side of the bumper. This way, the device will not be exposed to any unnecessary heat. Well, the wire from the sensor is routed into the holes between the engine compartment of the vehicle and the passenger compartment.

As for the installation time of an on-board computer on a car, it takes no more than 1–2 hours, but at the same time, it allows you to significantly save money (for example, the average cost of installing an on-board computer is 50 US dollars).

Where is the OBD connector located?

In both the first and second generation of cars, the OBD connector is installed in the same way - it is located above the right knee behind the dashboard trim.

All data will be transferred to BC. And only when carrying out work with the immo, which requires the presence of a “red key”, will the block need to be disconnected.

Connecting the mass to the BC in a Chevrolet Niva

In theory, we looked at how to install a computer on a Chevrolet Niva, but nowhere was it said about connecting the ground. Find the largest connector under the dash.

The 12-pin connector is on the left.

This connector, it turns out, has everything: ground, +12, ignition, backlight. The photo explains everything.

Wiring of a 12-pin connector.

Comments are unnecessary here. We wish you success.

How to reflash the on-board computer?

Reflashing the on-board computer software will allow you to obtain more accurate readings from the sensors, as well as correct a number of errors associated with the operation of the preinstalled system. Figuratively speaking, flashing a BC is no more difficult than reinstalling the Windows operating system. As for specific BC models, each has its own firmware version, but the algorithm for replacing the software with a more advanced one is individual:

A flashing program (for example, BootLoader.exe) is installed on the PC or laptop.
Next, you should connect the bookmaker to your personal computer.
The next step is to connect the power.
In the flashing utility, you need to set the value of the port to which the COM1 data cable is connected.
If the previous step is completed correctly, the “upload file” button will appear, and after its activation, a window will open in which you need to select a firmware file in the “hex” format.
Next, all that remains is to press the “Start ISP” button, and use the on/off key to restart the on-board computer. A loading indicator will be available on the PC display.
After the download of the updated software is completed, the message “download complete” will be displayed on the screen, and the system will also prompt you to start the controller. After confirming the operation, it is necessary to check the functioning of the new BC firmware.

Nuances of setting up a bookmaker

After connecting the bookmaker, it needs to be configured. To set up a bookmaker, you need to perform the following series of actions:

Turn on the vehicle ignition and start the engine.
Activate settings mode.
Select the type of electronic unit.
Select fuel consumption mode.
Select the indicators that will be displayed on the device screen and adjust the backlight brightness.
The final, important stage of setup will be determining the conditions for turning on the fan to cool the motor. To set the condition for turning on the “cooler”, you need to specify the engine temperature at which the motor requires cooling.

General information and features

Remaining fuel in the tank Forecast of mileage on remaining fuel Fuel meter Travel time Travel time Average fuel consumption per trip Average speed per trip Diagnostic codes of the system Engine management Engine temperature On-board voltage Throttle position Digital tachometer Digital speedometer Plasmer Tropic Alarm Dangerous engine overheating Crash on-board network Exceeding the speed threshold Non-volatile memory Supported cars - Lada Granta, Kalina-2, Priora-2, Datsun Compatible with Itelma M74 controllers

The BC is installed in a standard connector instead of a plug.

The X1-G state is connected to the standard diagnostic connector. No additional connection required.

The functions are distributed on both buttons, as in the photographs.

In diagnostic mode, if there is an error, its code is displayed on the display. A description of the error and possible malfunction can be found in the instructions for the bookmaker or download the program for the mobile application.