dsm link plug

[93GSXCLIPSE]

Hey everyone. Recently, I traded my 95 Talon Tsi Fwd for a 95 Talon Tsi Awd that is fully built. I have always tuned with the s-afc1, but this car supposedly has dsmlink installed in it. He did not give me a laptop, but I do see the plug to which the laptop would plug into. I was just wondering what all I would need to run this dsmlink. There are 2 wires I see. One just looks like a serial cable, but the other wire is like a "plug"? It's a cylindrical plug and I have no idea where that would be plugged into. Please let me know what all I would need to get this dsmlink setup up and running. Thanks much.

 

[assault187]

What you need is a serial to USB adapter 1st off. Most laptops these days dont come with the serial ports anymore so an adapter will be used to Input to a computer. You will also need the software to load on the laptop so you can use DSMLink. I believe you can order it from DSMLink.com or borrow the disc off a buddy. The other "PLUG" you described, I have no idea what that may be, though someone else on here may.....Post a pic of this other plug.

 

[My1GLaser]

You can download the DSMlink software for free from dsmlink.com. IIRC for a 2G, the cable that comes with DSMLink can't be duplicated and proves that your Dsmlink is genuine, since the software is free on their website. It is a serial cable pug end and you need an adapter to USB like ^^^^^said. Go onto dsmlink.com under FAQ and make sure the one you buy is compatible with DSMLink because not every adapter works perfectly. I know for my 1g, I had to buy a "Keyspan" brand adapter to get flawless operation. Good luck, and you will love DSMLink. It is unbelievable how much control you have over your car with it!

Also, you can run DSMLink from a Palm and the info is on their site if you are interested in that.

Make sure you get Tom or Dave to transfer ownership of DSMLink to your name so that you get access to the forum. There is more info and help there for the product than you can believe. Their support is second to none! Not that I am partial to the product or anything.

 

[Talesin]

If you have a laptop, check to see if you DO have a serial port. Makes things much easier if so, just enabling it and selecting that COM port in the software. If not, there is a list of compatible USB to Serial adapters on dsmlink.com, as well as the software you will need to download and run on your laptop. There is also a Palm version, if you already own a Palm Pilot with a serial dock cable; to use that, you will just need to buy a male/male DB9-DB9 'gender changer' so you can plug the Palm hotsync cable into a DSMLink cable designed for a laptop.

As for the cylindrical plug, my guess would be a power supply for the laptop that formerly resided there. Some people will splice a DC transverter and make a 'permanent' power point for their laptop in the car, for convenience's sake and less cable clutter. If it's larger, it could be a number of things... a disconnected stereo component would be the next guess. Where are these cables mounted/protruding into the cabin?

Have you taken out the ECU and opened it up to verify that it does in fact have DSMLink?
While it's out, take a few pictures as proof, and write down the DSMLink serial number on the EPROM, then contact the guys over at DSMLink to transfer registration of the chip to yourself (assuming you got a legal chip, and the previous owner wasn't a pirating scumbag) so you'll have full access to the DSMLink forums.

And yeah... usually a modular unit like a laptop doesn't come with a car, even if it was used for tuning purposes. I know I'd be reluctant to throw *my* laptop in if I sold my car, unless the buyer was willing to pay an extra two or three grand to cover its cost. Decent ones aren't cheap. You don't need a great one for DSMLink (if you don't have a lappy, an old P-II or P-III should do you fine, and will probably have a serial port built in, to boot!), but it makes life a lot nicer not to have to wait for the computer to do its thing.

 

[BoostFrenzy]

Wouldn't there be some problems with not having the original tune that was done on the other laptop? I mean, wont it just reset or can they actually load the one on the ECU to the laptop so it keeps on running right?

If you can do the second thing, then there is no problem. But if you can't, then there is a problem and you would need to redo the tune on it.

 

[thekellbeast]

If you have a legal copy of DSMLink, you can tell by pulling the ECU and looking at the chip. If you have a legal copy, call up ECMTuning or send an email to Dave or Tom and they'll hook you up with what you need.

Don't be the ass that helps steal.

 

[dave99gst]

The plug is the only part you cant get easy. IF you do have that part, its prob a real copy and you can get the software online. Does your plug look like the black thing in the lower left side in the box?

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[My1GLaser]

I mean, wont it just reset or can they actually load the one on the ECU to the laptop so it keeps on running right?

You are right. On the 2G, once the power to the ECU is disconnected the settings are erased.

 

[BoostFrenzy]

You are right. On the 2G, once the power to the ECU is disconnected the settings are erased.

Yeah. I really wish they would do the memory thing like the 1G for the 2G.