Last Updated 19 April 2001
The Lotus Carlton uses the Delco (now called Delphi Automotive) GMP4 ECU,
part number 01228331, to control its engine. For more information on this ECU, click here. This unit has a data port on it (called the ALDL - Assembly
Line Duagnostic Link) through which test equipment can access the ECU. Most Vauxhall
dealers use a hand held device called a Tech 1 to connect to this data port, and to
diagnose engine problems. You can buy Tech 1's here in the UK for about £1500 (or $700 in the US - another rip-off). However, the Tech 1 has to
have a cartridge plugged into it so that it knows what type of car it is connected to.
Most Vauxhall & Opel cars are covered by a cartridge called the MSC, but not the Lotus
Carlton. It has its own type of cartridge, and surprise surprise, only the approved Lotus
Carlton dealers have them. After over 2 years of trying, I have now been able get hold of
this cartridge. The part number is (or should I say was) 90397228, but this has now been
deleted from the Vauxhall stock list. If you have access to a Tech 1, and you are
interested in making you own LC cartridge, email me for details on how to do it.
To to remove the dependency on the approved dealers, I am working with a
number of Autobahnstormers members, and other experts, on a software project for IBM PC's
and compatibles. This involves connecting a standard PC or notebook RS232 port to the cars
ALDL port via an interface box. These are my findings - So far.
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Trouble codes. A simple way of diagnosing ECU faults using only a paper clip. |
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ALDL Basics. Hardware and Software that you need to access the ALDL port. |
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ALDL Mode 0. What you need to send to the ECU to 'wake it up' |
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ALDL Mode 1. Reading the ECU data list. Every ECU parameter is returned in this data. |
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ALDL Mode 2. Dumping ECU memory and EPROM. |