Need Help ASAP

[AE86 MJLJ user]

Hey guys, got several problems to address. First off, when i start up the tuning program, it says An Error Occured: There was a problem reading the configuration. Really confused on this one, any help would be appreciated. Next up, I cant get my computer to communicate with the MJLJ. It says Could not Connect to Controller. Is this because of the previous problem? What problems could there be? Lastly, what power source on a 4AGE do you guys use for the coils? I really need help on these things guys, any comments at all would be appreciated. my e-mail is shadowpenguin12345@yahoo.com if you wish to send advice through that medium. Thanks.

[brentp]

Hi,

I've posted some debugging steps for testing the serial communications. You can review them here:
http://picasso.org/mjlj/?q=node/view/111#281

What else can you tell us about your problem? Did you do the assembly? You might want to double check all of that work as well.

Do you have any other serial devices you can use to make sure your computer's serial port works correctly? Something like a modem would be helpful.

Lastly, is there another computer you can use to test this on?

Brent
Brent

[AE86 MJLJ user]

I purchased the complete MJLJ unit, so that cannot be the problem. I have been using a laptop to try to configure the MJLJ yet when attempting to run the program on my desktop, the same thing as posted earlier appears. I am using a USB to serial bridge to configure the MJLJ, could this cause a problem in the configuration? I will keep posting as I eliminate problems.

[brentp]

USB-Serial adapters can be problematic.

First thing is to prove your serial port works correctly. What other devices work on that serial port?

Also, do you have the power connected correctly? See the online books for reference:
http://picasso.org/mjlj/?q=node/view/14

[AE86 MJLJ user]

I am pretty sure that the power for the MJLJ is spliced into the ECU power but i will double check. I will test the serial connections to see if that is the problem, yet i still do not understand why the tuning program gives me an error message saying that it cannot read configuration. Is this also caused by not being able to connect to the controller? I didn't think it would but I am not exactly a computer expert. Any help on this would be appreciated.

[AE86 MJLJ user]

Ok, update. I tried testing the connection through hyperterminal. In the lower left corner it said "connected" and then the amount of time that it has been connected. I typed in the capital "C", but did not get a response from the MJLJ. Why's this? When i went to see if it would let me update or "get" configuration, It gave me an error message saying "could not update configuration." This is a little bit different than the message before saying simply "could not read configuration" so I am thinking that there may be a connection. Could there be something wrong with the software itself? I'm starting to get pretty frustrated at this point. Any suggestions or possible cures to my headache?

[AE86 MJLJ user]

I am going to buy a new serial cable today to see if this helps solve the connection problem. If anyone else thinks of anything else i can attempt it would be GREATLY appreciated. I am thinking that there issomething wrong with java or the MJLJ program that i downloaded because it tells me that there is an error reading the flash or something along those lines. I dont think this is referring to the actual connection, but a verification would be nice. If someone has a list of all the program URL's that i ABSOLUTELY need so i can DL them again and try to start over that would be greatly appreciated.

[AE86 MJLJ user]

I just noticed something recently. On the screen shots for the configuration there is a button on the bottom right corner that says write flash and the get and update configuration buttons are on the far left side. When i start up my program, after i get past the error message that always comes up, there is no write flash button and the get and update configuration buttons are in the middle of the bottom of the screen. Also, on the heading for the program it says no file loaded. Thought i might as well post this information as it might help someone identify what my problem is so i can proceed in fixing my problem? I am desperate for help hehehe.

[brentp]

That screenshot is an old version of the configurator program. You're using the newer version. the update and "write flash" operation are combined into one button.

Brent

[AE86 MJLJ user]

ok, that clears that up. I am in the process right now of procuring and installing a new engine. Once it is installed and i will continue my endeavors to run MJLJ. I have almost figured out how to ge tit to connect to my computer. The only problem I see now is that it does not recognize the serial ports on my computer. This could just be something wrong with my computer since it is 6 years old. I will use my newer computer and see if i have any luck with it once the new engine is installed.

[viatron]

Had comms problems myself to start with and also thought it may have been the usb to serial converter but turned out it was the serial cable, be aware that a VGA extender cable looks identical!! I am now using a null modem cable off an old external modem and it works a treat.