Retrieving engine data out of Denso Thunderbolt V ICM

[kbeckman]

I see a few scanners can access the info out of a Thunderbolt V ignition module made by Denso. I'm looking to retrieve this data without having to buy a $300 scanner.

Does anyone know how to access this data?

There are 2 pins available on the side of the module, which along with the ground gives you TX and RX data, likely at a TTL (5V) voltage level. The chip inside these things is a TMP68HC11 micro controller, which communicates at 9600 bits/sec, so a standard TTL to USB adapter can talk to the ICM on your PC, via Hyperterminal.

There is likely a command you need to give the module to spit out the data, which is what I'm looking for.

I've looked at the Denso website, but they don't appear to have any data on ignition modules anymore.

 

[Fun Times]

For what it’s worth as a starting point just as an visual prospect for you of how it’s originally done to read the engine hours/RPM history using a marine type scan tool you’d be looking for Rinda Technology no longer available part number 94020 (but sometimes seen on EBay) which the wire harness can be seen inside the following link, https://www.rinda.com/acro/scantool_adapters.pdf
Top middle line with the colored wires Purple, Yellow, Red, Black, etc..
And just for a how to connect go to page 54, https://www.rinda.com/acro/merc_manual_v6.pdf

Just putting this here just in case you find it helpful.

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[Scott06]

I see a few scanners can access the info out of a Thunderbolt V ignition module made by Denso. I'm looking to retrieve this data without having to buy a $300 scanner.

Does anyone know how to access this data?

There are 2 pins available on the side of the module, which along with the ground gives you TX and RX data, likely at a TTL (5V) voltage level. The chip inside these things is a TMP68HC11 micro controller, which communicates at 9600 bits/sec, so a standard TTL to USB adapter can talk to the ICM on your PC, via Hyperterminal.

There is likely a command you need to give the module to spit out the data, which is what I'm looking for.

I've looked at the Denso website, but they don't appear to have any data on ignition modules anymore.

What data are you looking for ? I think on a TB V you can only get run hours

 

[Scott Danforth]

I see a few scanners can access the info out of a Thunderbolt V ignition module made by Denso. I'm looking to retrieve this data without having to buy a $300 scanner.

Does anyone know how to access this data?

There are 2 pins available on the side of the module, which along with the ground gives you TX and RX data, likely at a TTL (5V) voltage level. The chip inside these things is a TMP68HC11 micro controller, which communicates at 9600 bits/sec, so a standard TTL to USB adapter can talk to the ICM on your PC, via Hyperterminal.

There is likely a command you need to give the module to spit out the data, which is what I'm looking for.

I've looked at the Denso website, but they don't appear to have any data on ignition modules anymore.

Not sure what your looking for, however the TBV was designed long before the internet existed

 

[kbeckman]

Yes, I'm aware of the Mercruiser (AKA Rinda Technologies) scanner. Also the Quicksilver DDT with the right module, and the 2 cables can do this, but the data is very limited, just the number of hours by RPM.

As I stated, this isn't really worth tracking down a scanner and the cables, but I'm a retired electrical engineer, and this is likely not that difficult. This would be beneficial to people in determining how many hours are on an engine, and how it has been used.




Here is the module, in detail unlikely ever shared before now.

 

[kbeckman]

For what it’s worth as a starting point just as an visual prospect for you of how it’s originally done to read the engine hours/RPM history using a marine type scan tool you’d be looking for Rinda Technology no longer available part number 94020 (but sometimes seen on EBay) which the wire harness can be seen inside the following link,

The 94020 is actually a Mercruiser part # 84-861540A 1, which is easily obtained.



Rinda made the Mercruiser branded scanner, as well as their own version of the same scanner called the Techmate. The Quicksilver DDT can also do this as long as you have the 803999 cartridge, 861540A cable and the 822560A7 or later cable.

The rental looks interesting, as I may be able to capture the data being sent, as long as it's RS232 at the TTL level, but it could be RS485, which would complicate things.

I already know how to talk to the chip, but it's just binary data, and is difficult to understand without some other context.

 

[Scott Danforth]

The only benefit of knowing hours is maintenance schedule. Beyond that, if it's well maintained it will serve owners 1, 2, and 3 well.

Most people worry about hours don't realize that the average I/O motor will go well over 5000 hours without issue. At an average of 50 hours per year, that is 100 years of use.

As Elon Musk stated. Don't spend time optimizing something that shouldn't exist.