[DaveM]

That sounds like your phone to obd communication works, but not the obd tool to car communication. I've experienced that from time to time with my vag com cable too, and wasn't sure if it was the fault of my software or of the ecu. Sometimes i go so far as to power cycle the obd device (disconnect from laptop and car.. since you aren't using a laptop you don't need to worry about that connection) as well as the ecu- i toggle my battery disconnect switch to fully remove power from the ecu for a bit. After that things worked again. I think my whole procedure reeks of superstition, though.

Have now tried with a different adapter, the wifi one shown in one of the threads. Slightly different in that with no quotes it doesn’t respond with an acknowledgment wondering if that means it worked? The check engine light still comes on.

 

[Obeisance]

from the ELM 327 user sheet:

"?
This is the standard response for a misunderstood command received on the RS232 input. Usually it is due to a typing mistake, but it can also occur if you try to do something that is not appropriate (eg. trying to do an AT FI command if you are not set for protocol 5)."

I don't think the AT SP 0 or 4 are correct for the Lotus - I believe AT SP 3 is best.

Neither of those queries look convincing to me, since there is no response from the car.

 

[DaveM]

from the ELM 327 user sheet:

"?
This is the standard response for a misunderstood command received on the RS232 input. Usually it is due to a typing mistake, but it can also occur if you try to do something that is not appropriate (eg. trying to do an AT FI command if you are not set for protocol 5)."

I don't think the AT SP 0 or 4 are correct for the Lotus - I believe AT SP 3 is best.

Neither of those queries look convincing to me, since there is no response from the car.

Tried it again and this time it worked! And I just took the car in and it passed the emissions check this time. Not sure what I did differently but for others trying this, it took a number of attempts using different OBD adapters. The WiFi ELM one referenced previously, with an iPad and the free ELM iOS terminal app worked. I also bought the fancier app, but couldn’t get that one to work. It connected ok but couldn’t figure out how to change the built in commands such as AT so went back to the free one which requires manually entering all commands.

 

[jroberts86]

Tried it again and this time it worked! And I just took the car in and it passed the emissions check this time. Not sure what I did differently but for others trying this, it took a number of attempts using different OBD adapters. The WiFi ELM one referenced previously, with an iPad and the free ELM iOS terminal app worked. I also bought the fancier app, but couldn’t get that one to work. It connected ok but couldn’t figure out how to change the built in commands such as AT so went back to the free one which requires manually entering all commands.

Great! Your experience mirrored mine. Trying multiple times, different readers and writers, until it worked. Yes, part of my solution was to borrow my friends iPhone with his ELM software. But that alone still couldn't do the job. Key ingredient was stubbornness.

Still hoping I pass Cali smog...due in Jan

 

[lutterfer]

Great! Your experience mirrored mine. Trying multiple times, different readers and writers, until it worked. Yes, part of my solution was to borrow my friends iPhone with his ELM software. But that alone still couldn't do the job. Key ingredient was stubbornness.

Still hoping I pass Cali smog...due in Jan

Could you guys englighten me and tll me again what obd scanner are you using, cable etc and procedure??

i have looked for the ones they recommend and the page doesnt exist!


Best regards

 

[Catsailr27]

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[alcantor]

I've done it using my android smartphone with this application. Then there is a terminal, where you can type the commands to set the VIN.

You will need one of those ELM327 Adapter. Theses adapters exists in Bluetooth, Wifi or USB. For Android, the Bluetooth version is probably the best. If you're use an IPhone, it may be different. Years ago, the Bluetooth version could not work with Apple products, but maybe this has change yet...

The one I've used, is an open-source project, but I don't think he is selling anymore. So take one of the bluetooth adapter recommended by @Catsailr27. A 2$ dollar chinese adapter (yeah 2$!) could also work.

 

[lutterfer]

I've done it using my android smartphone with this application. Then there is a terminal, where you can type the commands to set the VIN.

You will need one of those ELM327 Adapter. Theses adapters exists in Bluetooth, Wifi or USB. For Android, the Bluetooth version is probably the best. If you're use an IPhone, it may be different. Years ago, the Bluetooth version could not work with Apple products, but maybe this has change yet...

The one I've used, is an open-source project, but I don't think he is selling anymore. So take one of the bluetooth adapter recommended by @Catsailr27. A 2$ dollar chinese adapter (yeah 2$!) could also work.

So i finally got help from a firiend and we almost got it, except for the 9th digit which stands for "check digit" and i keep getting an X, the rest of the numbers are ok!

Anyone here has any idea of what we are missing? is there a command to change the X to number 3?

regards

 

[alcantor]

HI,

In your screenshots, I can see that you're setting the 2 last digits correclty with : 3B 02 32 33 FF FF FF

But I cannot see the first command, it should be: 3B 01 33 4C 33 33 32 <-- The first 33 should be your check digit.

 

[lutterfer]

HI,

In your screenshots, I can see that you're setting the 2 last digits correclty with : 3B 02 32 33 FF FF FF

But I cannot see the first command, it should be: 3B 01 33 4C 33 33 32 <-- The first 33 should be your check digit.

 

[lutterfer]

Is there a command to change past the last 7?
3b01 changes the last 5 before the last 2 if that makes sense, I need to change digit 9

 

[alcantor]

3b01 changes the last 5 before the last 2 if that makes sense

That is your mistake, I think. 3b01 changes pos 9, 12, 13, 14 and 15. Position 11 is fixed to 'H'. Position 10 depends on ECU revision.

 

[lutterfer]

That is your mistake, I think. 3b01 changes pos 9, 12, 13, 14 and 15. Position 11 is fixed to 'H'. Position 10 depends on ECU revision.

If that were the case wouldnt i be left with the las 2 digits missing? Position 16 &17

 

[lutterfer]

If that were the case wouldnt i be left with the las 2 digits missing? Position 16 &17

I think i understand what youre saying, by default the computer will set HL so with 3b01 i will program the last 5 and with 3b02 i will program the 2 digits BEFORE HL is that what youre saying?

 

[alcantor]

Sorry if my english is not always good. Hopefully this image will make it clear once for all and for everyone!

 

[lutterfer]

Thanks a lot for the image, i had to write down the commands on a note pad before, being that im not familiar with programming but i made it work at the first attempt, piece of cake!!


I owe you a beer whenever you come to San Diego

View attachment 1314910
[/QUOTE]

 

[pnwcudaman]

Well..read this thread and my head exploded. Pretty sure my eyes will stop bleeding in a day or so...
Thinking of posting an add up looking for someone local to Portland Oregon to hire to get this darn thing fixed so I can register it. I've not yet ever driven it.

 

[alcantor]

I owe you a beer whenever you come to San Diego

Cool, if do ever flight above the pond, I'll take that beer!

I've not yet ever driven it.

I feel your pain, being hold back just because of this.... This thread is hard to read, that's true. The only thing I can offer you is the convert your VIN into the commands to type. But you still have to connect to your car by yourself.

 

[Krazykevin]

I corrected my VIN successfully and wanted to put all of the steps I took in one post. It honestly was easy and these apps worked flawlessly.

ECU: 2005 FED ECU
VIN updated digits: 9, 10, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17
Adapter: VEEPEAK OBDCheck BLE+ (on amazon here)
Phone: iPhone 15.4.1
Apps: OBD Terminal for ELM327 (app store here) $2.99 and OBD Fusion (app store here) $9.99

I used this website (link) to convert my desired VIN to ASCII. Note the "text" and "hexadecimal" settings:

I used this to break down there the commands needed to go:

I wrote out the VIN and commands (spaces are important AFAIK. For example the first line is "AT SP 0" then hit enter, and wait on the ECU to respond):

I turned the key to "on" but did not start the car, then plugged my VEEPEAK adapter in, and launched the OBD Terminal app. I hit connect and used the FFF0 setting for "service":

I typed as shown (have to switch to full keyboard). After the last command was acknowledged, I turned the key off and waited a couple minutes:

Lastly I started the car and used OBDFusion to confirm that the VIN updated correctly. You can use any OBD app here. There are plenty of free ones, I just already had OBDFusion.

 

[alcantor]

Thanks for the nice post! It was time to summarize all the information, this thread was a nightmare to read!

I'm using the "Car Scanner Pro" application on android to do it. I think it's also a good alternative to what you're proposing.

It doesn't need the "AT SP" commands at the beginning this app does it for you.

The "09 02" command, is the command to request the VIN. It should response with the VIN in hex. You have probably missed the space in your screenshot!