About the leads required
The integrale uses a proprietory 3-pin Fiat diagnostic connector, this was originally designed to connect
to the Fiat FLT handheld tester. Modern engine management diagnostic systems utilise the OBDII
standard which has a standard 16-pin connector which all modern car manufacturers use.
Fortunately for us cables are available which have the Fiat 3-pin connector one end, and an OBDII socket
on the other, with a pair of crocodile clips for power. This will then connect directly to an
OBDII to USB cable, which when combined allows us to connect the integrale's ECU to a modern computer running
Lanciatrek. So we need:
integrale to FIAT 3pin / OBDII to OBDII / USB to Lanciatrek
Note that the 3-pin connector comes with a pair of flying leads that need to be connected to ground and power.
This is because the integrale's ECU diagnostic socket does not provide external power unlike the OBDII standard which relies on
power from the car. These wires power the interface within the leads.
SO YOU WILL NEED 2 CABLES AND A SMALL MODIFICATION TO THE FIAT END TO PROVIDE THE POWER.
Cable 1: Fiat Diagnostic Cable
Available from all the usual sources, eBay, Amazon etc. Search for 'Fiat Diagnostic Cable', they are approximately £10.
Do not go for the cheapest option as I have found that some don't have very good contact surfaces and even once plugged in
have intermittent connections (if any!). Another thing to be careful of is that some of the cables have an incorrect
3-pin plug on them which does not fit the integrale's socket. The correct connectors have a centralised, evenly spaced
set of pins with a plastic insulator between two pins. Some connectors also have flat, blade pins which again, do not
fit the integrale's socket.
To power the interface via the crocodile clips I recommend connecting a cut off USB charging cable to them. This enables
it to be powered by a computers standard USB socket (they provide 5v at 500mA and the cable only needs approx. 20mA).
Some leads I had that didn’t work started working when powered from a USB.
INCORRECTLY CONNECTING THE (UNFUSED) POWER WIRES MAY CAUSE ECU DAMAGE.
Powering the leads via USB is much easier and tidier to work with compared to connecting the crocodile clips to another power
supply. Also, before I began using a USB power source, once in a blue moon the car would not start whilst the diagnostic connector
was attached to the ECU but just lying under the carpet. Since I switched to USB power, I have not had this problem, hence USB
power is the tried and tested recommended path to follow.
USB connectors have 4pins / wires. The inner two pins are the data lines, optionally these can be shorted together as this
tells your computer that the cable is a dumb power cable and not a USB data link. The outer two pins normally have a red (5v)
and black (GND) wire. These need to be soldered onto the corresponding crocodile clip wires. Red to Red, Black to Black.
DOUBLE CHECK THE POLARITY OF THESE CABLES BEFORE CONNECTING THEM TO THE CAR. ITS YOUR SOLE RESPONSIBILITY
TO ENSURE YOU HAVE WIRED THE CONNECTOR CORRECTLY. DONT ASSUME THE WIRES ARE RED AND BLACK, TEST THEM SO YOU KNOW.
I WILL NOT BE RESPONSIBLE FOR ANY DAMAGE YOU CAUSE BY FOLLOWING THE ABOVE. IF YOU DO NOT ACCEPT THIS THEN PLEASE
DO NOT ATTEMPT TO MAKE A CABLE.
Cable 2: OBDII to USB Cable
This is the simple one available from the usual sources eBay / Amazon etc, search for 'OBDII USB KKL' ideally a
409.1 KKL lead (again typically £10). VAG-COM leads are often suitable, they are normally plug'n'play but if they do
not work they can normally be modified to work.
If it doesn't work and the 2 long pins on the OBDII plug are not connected together (test them with a meter), then
take the covers off and solder a wire between them so they are shorted together. On VAG vehicles these are
assigned as Pin 4 Chassis Ground and Pin 5 Signal Ground and are separate. But our cars only have one earth, by
joining them you are guaranteeing there is a good earth available for the cars data connection.
Previosuly there was an issue with some USB chipsets used within the OBDII cables, however all the programs
are now coded to work with both the FTDI and the CH340 chipsets which are the most common ones found in these
cables.
AS A FINAL PRECAUTION BEFORE CONNECTING THE CABLES TO THE ECU OR YOUR LAPTOP, CHECK THE POWER POLARITIES
ARE CORRECT WITH REFERENCE TO ODB WIRING DIAGRAMS AVAILABLE ONLINE AND THE FIAT 3-pin CONNECTOR AS PER THE INTEGRALE
WORKSHOP MANUAL.
The Result
You should end up with a cable that has a 3pin Fiat connector one end, and a pair of standard USB connectors the other end,
with a lump in the middle containing the OBDII plug and socket. The 3pin goes into the integrales ECU diagnostic socket found
in the centre console within the footwell and the USB connectors go into your computer (laptop) to provide the data and power
connections.
Once I have confirmed the cables are connected to provide the correct polarity I solder the power wires permanently in place,
covering them with shrink wrap. See the image below.
Evo 2 Users: The Evo 2 diagnostic connector is normally attached to the warning light within the dashboard via the
green and white wire in the above image. Hence to connect your diagnostic cable to the Evo 2, you need to simply unclip and part the connectors shown above. Once you have finished, re-connect the green/white wire. If you leave the diagnostic cable connected on an Evo 2 you will disable the ECUs ability to switch the dash warning lamp on/off.
Note: If the engine will not start when you switch the ignition on simply disconnect and re-connect the Fiat 3pin plug,
or the OBDII connector.
Testing Your Cable
Once you have a functional cable, its handy to test it to make sure it will work with LanciatrekLite and Lanciatrek.
To that end I have produced a simple lead testing app which is linked below, if you scroll down there is also a link
to my YouTube video which shows the Lead Tester App in operation.
