In-place updating CLI dashboard for watching data while cranking/running. Pure-ANSI (no new deps; works on Windows 10+ terminals). - Color-coded gauges (green/yellow/red) by no-start thresholds - Live min/max per gauge -> captures PEAK ICP during a crank - ASCII bars for ICP and FICM main voltage - Presets: crank (ICP/FICM/batt/RPM, fastest), vitals (default), full - Dead-PID auto-skip keeps refresh rate up when 09xx FICM PIDs no-respond - --dash-log PATH writes a CSV while you watch (streaming log preserved) - q=quit, r=reset min/max; cross-platform non-blocking key input Validated: render + decoders vs the truck's real scan bytes, and the full dashboard() loop via a mock ELM (ICP climb across the 500psi firing threshold, peak capture, battery-sag capture, CSV logging, clean exit). Co-Authored-By: Claude Opus 4.8 (1M context) <noreply@anthropic.com> Claude-Session: https://claude.ai/code/session_016yT89n4zR4qbrySoSiEyZs
3.2 KiB
ford-obd
Minimal ELM327 OBD-II code reader with a Ford 6.0L Power Stroke no-start triage, built for a cheap CH340 ELM327 USB adapter. Works on any OBD-II vehicle for generic codes/PIDs; the triage notes are 6.0-specific.
Created as a stopgap while forscan.org was offline — it covers reading/clearing codes and the basics, not Ford-enhanced diesel PIDs (see Scope below).
Features
- Read stored (mode 03), pending (mode 07), permanent (mode 0A) DTCs
- Decode P/C/B/U codes, with common 6.0 codes described and no-start suspects flagged
- Clear codes (mode 04) — guarded behind
--clear+ a typedCLEARconfirmation, then re-reads to show any code that returns immediately (active fault) - Key live values (coolant, IAT, MAP, module voltage, RPM, load, throttle) + battery voltage
- 6.0 Power Stroke no-start triage checklist (FICM, ICP, cam/crank, batteries, fuel)
Setup (Windows)
- Install the CH340 driver (WCH
CH341SER) so the adapter appears asUSB-SERIAL CH340 (COMx)in Device Manager → Ports. - Install Python from https://www.python.org/downloads/ — tick Add Python to PATH.
Usage
python obd_reader.py # auto-detect the COM port
python obd_reader.py COM5 # force a port
python obd_reader.py COM5 9600 # force port + baud (default 38400)
python obd_reader.py COM5 --clear # read, then optionally clear (asks to confirm)
python obd_reader.py COM5 -v # verbose: show raw ELM327 traffic
Live dashboard (real-time gauges)
Updates in place as you crank or run the engine — color-coded, with live
min/max so a crank's peak ICP is captured. No extra dependencies (ANSI;
works on any Windows 10+ terminal). q quits, r resets min/max.
python obd_reader.py COM5 --dash # vitals preset (ICP, FICM, IPR, batt, RPM, temps)
python obd_reader.py COM5 --dash crank # cranking preset: ICP / FICM main / batt / RPM (fastest)
python obd_reader.py COM5 --dash full # every PID
python obd_reader.py COM5 --dash crank --dash-log crank.csv # + write a CSV while you watch
No-start use: run --dash crank, then crank. A healthy 6.0 builds
~500+ psi ICP within 1–2 s; if ICP stalls below 500 (red), that confirms
the high-pressure oil bleed-off. FICM Main should hold ~48V. The --dash-log
CSV is your streaming log — paste it back for analysis.
Note: the FICM PIDs (09xx) are [DOC] (not yet confirmed on this truck); if
they read --, they auto-drop after a few frames so the refresh rate stays up.
Or just double-click RUN_OBD.bat on Windows (auto-installs pyserial).
On the truck: plug into the OBD port under the dash, key to RUN (engine off is fine for codes), then run the tool.
Scope / honesty
A generic ELM327 reads standard OBD-II only: codes, generic PIDs, port voltage. It does not read Ford-enhanced diesel PIDs (ICP, FICM main/sync voltage, IPR%) — those need FORScan. For FICM/ICP numbers, measure at the FICM with a meter, or use FORScan when it's available. Default baud is 38400 (measured on the CH340 adapter); try 9600 if you get garbage.
Requirements
pyserial (pip install pyserial). Tested against a QinHeng CH340 ELM327 v1.5 clone.