openinverter forum

Hi all,

The Original ECM from the diesel engine is still in my Volvo V50 viewtopic.php?p=81063&hilit=v50#p81063. On the original conversion they connected an mbed NXP LPC1768 to the ECM (crank sensor, cam sensor and engine temp) and the CEM for the fuel sensor. It looks like it is can controlled via the original (deleted) motorcontroller. How can I figure out how to control this (via the Zombieverter)?
- There is no code to be found (only Hello world) on the mbed (when I connect it to my laptop and it shows up as an USB station).
- There is an external EEPROM connected to the i2c. I tried to get the code from it via a dump with a arduino, but that gave only a long list of the numbers 255. In the beginning a few others, but not enough to be the code.
- One pin gives a constant pwm signal (so I assume there is some sort of program on it)
- Can the code be stored on an other place which is'nt shown on the usb interface? Is it possible to extract the needed can commands if I find the code?

My options are:
- Program the zombie to give the embed the correct commands (if I can find out what these are)
- write a new program for the mbed (that is difficult for me as I have no experience with this board an the support is stopping in 2026 so no usable interface anymore by then)
- change the embed for an arduino and write new code for it
- use the Zombieverter to provide the 2 pwm signals (with different frequenties) and the 0-5v fuel and temp sensor. Can this be done? Do I have to add this to the firmware? I only see one programmable pwm signal.
- A way better solution????

This is the last thing I have to figure out to get the car driving and ready for the annual checkup (APK, MOT). When the ECM thinks the engine is running, the powersteering starts working. And I expect ABS (and other possible) problems when it thinks the engine is not running while driving.

Thanks in advance

Do you have a CAN log of a running Volvo with the same ECM in it?

Get a CAN log of your car now with the ECM in it and the engine not running. Then you can compare.

I have the can logs from Damien his V50, these work on mine.

The issue is that I don't have a can log from the previous electric motor controller (the Magtec system) that was controlling this micro controller. Therefore I have no idea what kind of commands this needs. If i can find out what commands it needs, I could reuse this controller. Otherwise there should be found an other solution. The micro controller is not sending anything by itself over the canbus (checked with a oscilloscope).

How does Damien do it with his V50 with M3 Drive Unit?

Another approach is to find out what the diesel engine sensors are doing. From a crankshaft or camshaft sensor you can expect a clock pulse, perhaps with two missing teeth, the temperature sensor is probably analog and can also be simulated. It should be possible to check whether everything is as expected with a diagnostic device on the OBD.

muehlpower wrote: ↑Fri Jul 04, 2025 6:49 am How does Damien do it with his V50 with M3 Drive Unit?

The V50 is the next in line and currently in the Barn, there is no solution for this yet. The plan is though to replace the original ECM.

Here is some of my issues with Leaf powered Peugeot 406c
You need to get a service manual for the ECM your car uses.
Usually it is described how the sensors operate and which values ECM accepts as normal.

I almost completely convinced my car its engine is still running at idle. A/C compressor control interlock opens and the car interface operates normaly.
https://leafdriveblog.wordpress.com/202 ... r-working/
https://leafdriveblog.wordpress.com/202 ... age-drive/
https://leafdriveblog.wordpress.com/201 ... do-signal/
https://leafdriveblog.wordpress.com/202 ... al-errors/

I am now dealing with Megane interface. I got RPM working, accelerator pedal sensors and i think i am close to getting temperature control and fuel injection thing...

Coming soon to a VCU near you...

Damien! You're doing it WROOOONG!
Message 0x0300410E is sent in a 10ms interval! Your car will explode if you only send it every 100ms!

I am making little progress. It is an very steep learning curve. Using Damien his can logs is interesting (not realy working like in his video). Message 0x0300410E is starting the powersteering (and a lot of lights on the display, but not the engine malfunction light (that has been removed from the dashboard )). The power steering keeps running even when there is no more message sent. So blowing it to pieces with every 100ms a message is an real possibility . I found that sending signals to the ECM is difficult, but looks like it is possible. At least I can trick it easy so it thinks the motor is running so the powersteering starts working. But the rev counter is not reacting smooth to it. The fuel gauge is also possible to get working with a pwm signal. The temperature gauge is not working on a pwm signal.
End of august I have an appointment at the garage for the APK (the dutch version of the MOT). That is also the first opportunity for an real test drive.
I am working on a Zombieverter display so I have some information while driving (plan B is an laptop with the web interface for monitoring essential information while driving).
Of course when it is coming to an VCU near me, that would make my life much easier

Give me a few weeks and it will be plug and play.

I wonder if it is going to work on my V50. I don't know exactly what is done to the wiring, it is certainly not standard anymore. In my experience till now, nothing is plug an play on my car . I think it would be a nice upgrade to make the wiring more back to original and have the Zombieverter taking control.