Logger cable not working with any logging software

tom04841 · 07-17-2005, 12:38 PM

I bought a logger cable for my laptop, and it didn't work with 3 programs...tunerstein, TMO, or MMCD.

So I decided to remake the cable end since when i took off the casing the diode was backwards. This is what i did:

Pin 2: Diode anode
Pin 3: Diode cathode (banded end), end of resistor, and black wire (goes to pin 1 of harness)
Pin 5: Other end of resistor, and red wire ("Y"'d and goes to pin 10 and 12)

Guess what? STILL DIDN'T WORK"

So i tried switching pins 2 and 3, STILL NOTHING!!!!!!!!

What the hell is wrong?

Spoolio · 07-17-2005, 12:53 PM

are you gettin a transfer rate?, try to plug it in with the key on, then start the car up

tom04841 · 07-17-2005, 12:57 PM

All I get in the test section of MMDC is "serial comm error". I have tried plugging it in before i turn on the laptop, after i turn it on, before starting, after starting, with key just on "on" ....i have tried everything!!!!!

Spoolio · 07-17-2005, 12:59 PM

ive used technomotive's software to be easiest, make sure when u have the right com port, there ushally is 4 com's u can choose from just make sure u check in ## computers settings what com it is.

tom04841 · 07-17-2005, 01:08 PM

When i try to connect on TMO, the program locks up

Turbo Talon DL · 07-17-2005, 02:35 PM

I have the TMO logger software, it took me a few days of fumbling around with the com port settings on my dad's laptop to get it to run. Now his hardwire ethernet connection doesnt work. I did notice the sample rate of the TMO is pretty slow tho

tom04841 · 07-17-2005, 02:38 PM

That is my problem, i can't get to the port selection.....the program freezes up on my laptop, but works fine on my home pc

steve · 07-17-2005, 02:58 PM

Time to cover the required background information. For anybody else who piles on this using a Palm you need to state which model and OS revision.

I assume your using a Laptop for all of these? Which Laptop, which serial port and what OS.
I don't run MMCd on anything but a Palm so I can't say how well it works under the emulator.

Have you verified that the ECU can output it's heartbeat on pin 1 with the datalogger disconnected?

For a PC you need to have a female DB9 connector. Looking at the back of the connector.

____________
1 2 3 4 5 /
6 7 8 9 /
________

Pin 2 gets the Cathode of the 1N914 switching diode, one end of the 10k resistor, and the wire to pin 1 of the DLC
Pin 3 gets the Anode of the 1N914 switching diode.
Pin 5 gets the other end of the 10k resistor, and the wires to pin 10 and 12 of the DLC

On a Palm looking from the back of the male DB9 connector
5 4 3 2 1 /
9 8 7 6 /
________

Pin 2 gets the Anode of the 1N914 switching diode.
Pin 3 gets the Cathode of the 1N914 switching diode, one end of the 10k resistor, and the wire to pin 1 of the DLC
Pin 5 gets the other end of the 10k resistor, and the wires to pin 10 and 12 of the DLC

Passive cables like this depend on the computers serial port supporting non-standard RS-232 signaling. Only one USB to serial adapter is known to work for datalogging. I don't have the model offhand.

Even with the cable disconnected TMO doesn't lockup, it just brings up the logger Preferences when you try to connect and gives an error that the datalogger isn't connected to the ECU.

tom04841 · 07-17-2005, 07:37 PM

I have a Compaq Armada 7792 with windows 98.

The ECU does have a heartbeat.

TMO locks up even with the cable disconnected.

I am thinking that the serial port may not work with the passive cable. If so, i guess i will have to make one like on MMCD site. Do you know where i can get the cable? Radio shack doesn't have them.

tom04841 · 07-18-2005, 08:16 AM

Would the passive cable work with a Palm Pilot? I can pick up a Palm VIIx for $30 if it will work.

steve · 07-18-2005, 08:43 AM

It should as long as the cable is good.

Steve

tom04841 · 07-18-2005, 04:48 PM

What type of Serial cable do i get that has the circuitry in it to modify to make an active cable? Is it a Serial to USB cable, then add the components? I really like the idea of having the laptop so i can review my logs right on it.

L2RTSiAWD · 07-18-2005, 05:24 PM

Changed the thread title. Let's try and keep calm when creating threads.

tom04841 · 07-18-2005, 05:59 PM

Sorry, just really frustrated

steve · 07-18-2005, 06:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tom04841

What type of Serial cable do i get that has the circuitry in it to modify to make an active cable?

There is no such thing. It's the level shifting circuit and the power wire that make it an active cable rather than the resistor and diode of the passive circuit. The cabling is just the wires to run to the DLC connector. You have to build the active circuit from scratch and wire it to the DLC and your computer.

Steve

Stapl3 · 04-28-2007, 03:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by steve

For a PC you need to have a female DB9 connector. Looking at the back of the connector.

____________
1 2 3 4 5 /
6 7 8 9 /
________

I want to verify that this is correct and it's not opposite. I'm thinking you mixed it up because of the pictures below taken from the 4g61t forum.

I cant seem to get a cut and try diagram from all this searching. I'm starting to second guess everything.

steve · 04-28-2007, 08:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Stapl3

I want to verify that this is correct and it's not opposite.

Take a look at what I wrote again and the images you posted. You'll note that the image I reposted says it's the outside view of the female connector, in other works looking at the connector from the front not the rear like I wrote.

Quote:

Originally Posted by steve

For a PC you need to have a female DB9 connector. Looking at the back of the connector.

__________
\1 2 3 4 5 /
\6 7 8 9 /
_______

Do you see now how what I posted and that picture agree?

Look at the picture of the cable you posted. Find pin 1 using what I posted and the image above. It is the same pin? If not you need to keep looking at them until you get the brain warmed up.

Steve

Stapl3 · 04-29-2007, 05:08 PM

Thanks for the post.