For car enthusiasts and performance aficionados, accessing real-time engine data is crucial. The Dakota Digital BIM-01-2 OBD-II Interface acts as a sophisticated Dakota Digital Obd2 Splitter, allowing you to tap directly into your vehicle’s diagnostic port. This innovative interface extracts vital engine and transmission information directly from your car’s computer (ECM), feeding it to your Dakota Digital instruments for a comprehensive view of your vehicle’s performance.
What is the Dakota Digital BIM-01-2 OBD-II Interface?
Think of the BIM-01-2 as an intelligent interpreter, designed to speak your car’s language. By plugging into the OBD-II port, it cleverly “splits” the data stream, making key metrics accessible to your Dakota Digital GRFX, RTX, HDX, VHX, and VFD3 systems. This eliminates the need for separate sensors for many readings, streamlining your installation and providing a clean, integrated look. For older Dakota Digital control boxes with a 3.5mm headphone jack BIM input, a simple 394194 adapter harness ensures compatibility. It’s important to note that this interface is designed for control boxes with a black plastic module; earlier systems with aluminum modules are not compatible.
Key Data Points at Your Fingertips
With the BIM-01-2, a wealth of information becomes readily available on your Dakota Digital gauges. Most vehicles will readily provide:
- Speedometer: Accurate vehicle speed directly from the ECM.
- Tachometer: Engine RPM for precise monitoring of engine performance.
- Engine Temperature: Keep a close eye on your engine’s coolant temperature to prevent overheating.
- Check Engine Indicator: Integrate your check engine light for immediate alerts of potential issues.
Beyond these common readings, depending on your specific vehicle’s ECM and sensors, the BIM-01-2 can also unlock access to vehicle-specific data such as:
- Intake Air Temperature: Monitor the temperature of the air entering your engine.
- Transmission Temperature: Crucial for maintaining optimal transmission health, especially under heavy loads.
- Ambient Air Temperature: External temperature readings.
- Gear Position: Know exactly what gear you’re in (vehicle dependent).
- Oil Pressure: Essential for engine lubrication monitoring.
- Boost Pressure: For turbocharged or supercharged vehicles, track boost levels.
Keep in mind that the availability and accuracy of vehicle-specific data like Intake Temp, Transmission Temp, Ambient Air Temp, Oil Pressure, Boost, and Gear Position are dependent on your vehicle’s ECM and factory sensors. Dakota Digital cannot guarantee these readings across all applications, as they are dictated by the OEM and ECM capabilities.
OBD-II Protocol Compatibility
The Dakota Digital BIM-01-2 is engineered for compatibility with J1850 and CAN OBD-II protocols, specifically: SAE J1850 VPW, SAE J1850 PWM, and ISO 15765 CAN 500k 11-bit identifiers following the SAE J1979 PID protocol. This broad compatibility ensures it works with a wide range of OBD-II equipped vehicles.
If you have any questions regarding your vehicle’s compatibility, Dakota Digital’s sales and tech departments are available to assist you.
Gear Position Note for GM Connect & Cruise Packages
A specific limitation to be aware of: GM Connect & Cruise packages do not transmit gear position data through the OBD-II port. Consequently, the BIM-01-2 will not be able to acquire gear position information in these applications.
In conclusion, the Dakota Digital BIM-01-2 OBD-II Interface is an invaluable tool for integrating your Dakota Digital instrument system with your vehicle’s computer. Functioning as a Dakota Digital OBD2 splitter, it provides a wealth of engine and transmission data, enhancing your driving experience and vehicle monitoring capabilities. For those seeking seamless data integration and comprehensive vehicle insights, the BIM-01-2 is the ideal solution.
