How to connect to Link ECU

Connectivity Link
1

Please note that Link G4X does not send the serial data and therefore does not work with these instructions. G4X can be connected using a CAN connection.

Also, Apple does not allow normal USB devices to connect to their devices, so USB connection option is not available on iOS.

Link ECU software configuration:

  1. Using the PCLink G4+ tuning software, connect a PC to the ECU using the normal USB tuning cable.
  2. Navigate to ECU settings>Configuration>Configuration. Here we need to set the Datastream mode and the baud rate. The suggested Data stream mode is “Continuous - 12Hz” and the suggested baud rate is 38400.
    realdash_link_configuration.png
  3. After making this change you need to perform a Store (Ctrl+S), then power cycle the ecu (power off then back on).

Hardware Connection:
The ECU needs to be connected to the tablet/smartphone using your normal USB tuning cable. At the ECU end this cable should be plugged in to the same port that you would normally use for tuning the ECU. The other end of the cable can plug in to any spare USB port on the tablet/phone, if yours only has a micro USB port then you will need a “Micro USB OTG adapter”. A flexible cable type adapter like shown below is suggested to prevent damage to the port from force/stress.
realdash_link_adapter.png
RealDash Configuration:

  1. Attach the USB cable to your vehicle and device. On Android, use appropriate USB-OTG adapter.
  2. Open RealDash, on first start select language, and then go to ‘Garage’
  3. Tap vehicle door and then the instrument cluster. Tap ‘Add’ on connection list
  4. Select ‘Link ECU->Serial Port->serial device name->’
  5. Select baud rate of 38400, or the value configured to Link ECU.
  6. Go to next screen until you are in connection settings page.
  7. In connection settings, select ‘Use Long Datastream’.
  8. Tap upper left corner ‘Done’
  9. Exit garage back to dashboard.
2

Connect to Link ECU over CAN.

RealDash offers two CAN connection types with Link ECU:

  1. Short Datastream
  2. Generic Dash Stream (DisplayLink)

Generic Dash Stream has more inputs, that is preferrable if available from Link ECU.

Setup on PCLink software:

  1. Open the CAN Setup window (PCLink > ECU Controls > CAN Setup).
  2. Select the CAN module to be used.
  3. Set the Mode to ‘User Defined’.
  4. Configure the Bit Rate to 1 Mbit/s
  5. Select a spare CAN channel.
  6. Select ‘Transmit Generic Dash’ from the Mode drop-down menu.
  7. Set the CAN ID to 1000.
  8. Make sure no other CAN channels are configured on the same CAN ID.
  9. Click Apply and then OK.
  10. Make sure a Store (F4) is performed.

Setup on RealDash.

  1. Go to Garage, open vehicle door and tap the instrument cluster.
  2. Click ‘Add’ button to add new connection.
  3. Select ‘Adapters (CAN/LIN)’, select your CAN adapter type and its settings until you are in a last page of connection settings.
  4. For CAN Description File, select ‘Link: Generic Dash Stream’.
  5. Select CAN Speed: 1000 kbps.
  6. [Optional] Go to CAN monitor to verify that CAN frames are received by RealDash.
  7. Tap upper left corner ‘Done’ and exit the Garage.