Okay, here's the deal: V4 purchased from Autosport 2008. Installation in the car went fine.
Wired up, it runs on the default map just fine, advances and everything.
I have tried my XP laptop with USB adapter to no avail.
Tried the wife's XP desktop as well with the unit wired to 9v battery, and when I hit global configurator options I constantly get the no comms message. I can't troubleshoot with hyperlink without even knowing what the hell it is or how to get to it. It is reading the com port and the port is properly configured (38400 baud, etc).
I've checked continuity from the serial adapter pins right through to the solder joints on the board - everything is okay.
This is getting extremely frustrating. I'm tempted to send the unit back and ask you to load my proposed map. What can I do with this thing? All suggestions extremely welcome. I don't have any techie friends to call upon. Thanks.
Help - no matter what I do I can't configure - no comms
Moderators: JeffC, rdoherty, stieg, brentp
Help - no matter what I do I can't configure - no comms
1960 AH Sprite, 1312 cc
Hello,
Sorry you're having problems. Hopefully we can get you going quickly so you can enjoy your system!
Great testing so far- you've done your research. It looks like it's alive and you've verified it's controlling ignition advance -that is good.
The troubleshooting steps with Hyper Terminal provides an alternate way to see if you can get a response back from the controller without using the Configuration Software.
Hyper Terminal comes with Windows XP, and is available under "Accessories" under the start menu. When you first start it up, it asks you to make a connection. When it does, start with the instructions here:
http://www.autosportlabs.net/Troublesho ... erterminal
Try testing this with the desktop PC, using a 9V battery, verifying the power LED illuminates brightly.
With the desktop, you may want to check under "Device Manager" to verify the COM ports you have installed, and to ensure the COM port jack on the back of your computer is the one you're using (and not the one for the modem, for example).
What USB-Serial adapter are you using for the laptop, by the way?
Finally, is there yet another computer with a built-in serial port you can test with?
Try the above and let us know what you find out. Thanks for your patience!
Sorry you're having problems. Hopefully we can get you going quickly so you can enjoy your system!
Great testing so far- you've done your research. It looks like it's alive and you've verified it's controlling ignition advance -that is good.
The troubleshooting steps with Hyper Terminal provides an alternate way to see if you can get a response back from the controller without using the Configuration Software.
Hyper Terminal comes with Windows XP, and is available under "Accessories" under the start menu. When you first start it up, it asks you to make a connection. When it does, start with the instructions here:
http://www.autosportlabs.net/Troublesho ... erterminal
Try testing this with the desktop PC, using a 9V battery, verifying the power LED illuminates brightly.
With the desktop, you may want to check under "Device Manager" to verify the COM ports you have installed, and to ensure the COM port jack on the back of your computer is the one you're using (and not the one for the modem, for example).
What USB-Serial adapter are you using for the laptop, by the way?
Finally, is there yet another computer with a built-in serial port you can test with?
Try the above and let us know what you find out. Thanks for your patience!
USB cable is a Radio Shack. I hesitate to violate my workplace's ban on using outside software - I'll try the hyperlink first. You know, the car really runs like a bear on the default map, so I can't wait until I can get what I know to be reasonably aggressive values plugged in. It's comforting to know that you monitor the site. I'll post my results later -
1960 AH Sprite, 1312 cc
Okay - this is what I tried. Jooked up to COM 1 and double checked port identity. OPened Megajolt v 4.0.2 configuration program. Hooked up unit with 9 v power - bright green light on unit. OPened up hyperterminal and set it up to COM 1. Entered C - showed a character on the main screen but no other characters followed. Guess that means I was able to send a signal to the unit but it did not respond. I bought the serial cable with the unit from you. Now, I', using my wife's relatively ancient compaq desktop - guess I'll try my work computer. Rather discouraging. Have spent hours on this now - perversely, when I try and access global cotroller options, I get a 'could not read global configuration data from controller - could not open port' message. yet I assume that if the hyperterminal link work, at least one way, it must mean the port was open. I'm open to suggestions...
1960 AH Sprite, 1312 cc
In HyperTerminal, confirm you set the settings as
Bits Per Sec: 38400
Data Bits: 8
Parity: None
Stop Bits: 1
Flow Control: None
When you send a capital "C" to the controller in the window, it should send back a series of 'garbage' characters, similar this: "LF2d}–¯Èáú"
Are you seeing anything like this?
If after a quick test on your work computer you don't see results like this please contact us at sales@autosportlabs.com and we can arrange to test it for you.
Regards,
Bits Per Sec: 38400
Data Bits: 8
Parity: None
Stop Bits: 1
Flow Control: None
When you send a capital "C" to the controller in the window, it should send back a series of 'garbage' characters, similar this: "LF2d}–¯Èáú"
Are you seeing anything like this?
If after a quick test on your work computer you don't see results like this please contact us at sales@autosportlabs.com and we can arrange to test it for you.
Regards,