Files
obdash/README.md
T
justin 03223dfd6c Rename project to OBDash + per-metric colored multi-axis
Rename: the app is vehicle-agnostic, so 'ford-obd' was wrong. Rebranded all
code/docs/profile authors to OBDash; Gitea repo renamed justin/ford-obd ->
justin/obdash (remote + description updated). Ford the make and the
ford-6.0-powerstroke profile are unchanged (that vehicle really is a Ford).

Multi-axis upgrade (per request):
- MultiAxisPlot now gives each METRIC its own Y axis, each axis colored to
  match its line; the primary metric owns the LEFT axis, others stack right.
- Click a line to promote it to the left axis (sigClicked -> set_primary).
- Cleaner teardown (no removeItem warnings); axis label no longer doubles the
  unit; Normalize round-trips.

Validated headless: colored per-metric axes, promote-to-left, gauge view,
normalize toggle, profile switch; obdcore + diagnostics tests pass.

Co-Authored-By: Claude Opus 4.8 (1M context) <noreply@anthropic.com>
Claude-Session: https://claude.ai/code/session_016yT89n4zR4qbrySoSiEyZs
2026-06-30 15:25:26 -04:00

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# OBDash
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](https://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 typed `CLEAR` confirmation,
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
Runs on **Windows, macOS, and Linux** (Python + pyserial). The only per-OS
difference is the CH340 USB driver:
- **Windows** — install WCH `CH341SER`; adapter shows as `USB-SERIAL CH340 (COMx)`
in Device Manager → Ports. Install Python from <https://www.python.org/downloads/>
(tick **Add Python to PATH**), or just double-click `RUN_OBD.bat`.
- **macOS** — install WCH `CH34xVCPDriver` (Mac App Store or wch.cn). Port appears
as `/dev/cu.wchusbserial*`. `pip install pyserial`.
- **Linux** — `ch341` driver is built into the kernel (no install). Port is
`/dev/ttyUSB0`; add yourself to the `dialout` group for access
(`sudo usermod -aG dialout $USER`, then re-login). `pip install pyserial`.
The tool auto-detects the port on all three; pass it explicitly if needed
(`COM5`, `/dev/cu.usbserial-1420`, `/dev/ttyUSB0`).
## 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
```
### Crank monitor (dedicated no-start view) — `--crank`
The one to use for a crank-but-won't-start. Big ICP readout with a wide bar
(the `|` marks the 500-psi firing threshold), a **rolling ASCII trace** of the
ICP build-up, **peak-hold**, FICM/battery/RPM with sag tracking, and a pass/fail
verdict. Start it, then crank.
```
python obd_reader.py COM5 --crank # crank monitor
python obd_reader.py COM5 --crank --dash-log crank.csv # + record a CSV
```
```
ICP [#################################|##----] 539.8 psi
PEAK 540 psi FIRING PRESSURE REACHED
FICM Main 47.5V (min 47.5) [DOC] Batt 12.6V (min 10.7) RPM 200
ICP trace (psi vs time, last 16 samples)
600 |
500 |----------------------------------------------#### <- firing line
| ######
| ########
+--------------------------------------------------
```
**Read it:** ICP should climb **past 500 psi within 12 s** of cranking
(`FIRING PRESSURE REACHED`, green). If it **stalls below 500** (red, trace flat
under the line), that's the high-pressure oil bleed-off — STC fitting / oil-rail
O-rings. On exit it prints the peak and a verdict. `q` quits, `r` resets.
## Graphical app (preview)
A cross-platform desktop GUI (PySide6 + pyqtgraph). Vehicle-agnostic — all PIDs,
scaling, DTCs, and presets come from the JSON profiles in `profiles/`.
```
pip install -r requirements-gui.txt
python run_gui.py # tick "Mock" + Connect to explore with no adapter
```
Features so far:
- **PID browser** (left) grouped by system, live values, confidence badges
- **Graph view** with **true multi-axis** overlay — one Y scale per unit (psi/V/rpm/…),
or a Normalize (% of range) mode
- **Gauge view** — arc gauges with peak-hold, one per signal
- **Table view** — value + min/max + confidence
- **Diagnostics** — read/clear DTCs (guarded), no-start codes flagged
- **Profile menu** — switch/import/edit vehicles; **File menu** — record/replay/export captures
![Multi-axis graph](docs/gui-p2-multiaxis.png)
![Gauge view](docs/gui-p2-gauges.png)
The whole app runs against simulated data (`MockLink`), so it can be developed
on any machine and only needs the vehicle for real captures. See
[ARCHITECTURE.md](ARCHITECTURE.md) for the roadmap.
---
### 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 12 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.