hi there everyone

well first of all i don't actually know how to drive a car. there, that's it. but i am an electronics head and computer nerd in the extremus.

a good friend of mine has an 81 camaro with all the computer controlled bits. neither of us are entirely sure which sensors, solenoids, relays etc are working and which are not. i am still learning how a car works, but have a lot of experience in digital interfacing. so i am trying to figure out what everything does.

basically this is a request for any information about this computer and it's i/o, although i realise the posts on this forum are mainly about post-81 computers which seem to be a lot more advanced than this one. i have a wiring diagram which is a bit sketchy, but i will put some probes into the car, redraw it clearly and repost in a traditional readable unambiguous schematic style. especially as quite a few of the wires in this particular car are completely different colours than the diagram suggests.

eventually i am trying to create a computer system (pc based initially, then embedded with in-car controls) which will interface to all the existing sensors and solenoids but will let the user tweak the existing feedback loops in realtime. basically a more hackable car.

anyway, any information would be appreciated. meanwhile, i'll get the oscilloscope out.

ta

o.x

 

It's good you've noticed that most posts are about the newer computers. That's for a good reason. The older ones, especially like the ones in your buddy's camaro basicly only control spark . If you want to keep it carb'd, rip all that old computer crap out. If you want to EFI it, rip it all out and start from scratch. Painless wiring can hook you up with whatever harness you might need, depending on if you go with an aftermarket EFI setup or a factory GM computer. Good luck.

 

nastyz28.com is a great 2nd gen site. here's a link to the 81 ECM found there. Search that site for everything 2nd gen!
http://www.nastyz28.com/camaro/wire/81w-ecm.jpg