Autosport Labs

Hi,

Your computer must have multiple COM ports installed. Perhaps one is the serial port on the back of the case, and the other is the internal modem? In either case, the hc08sprg.exe will attempt to use either one.

Only when the hc08sprg.exe program gets the signal from the MJLJ processor will it proceed with the flash programming.

To see which COM ports are installed on your computer, go into Device Manager and expand the 'Ports' section. There you'll see the installed ports on your computer.

If you're able to determine which COM port you have your MJLJ plugged into then use that one.

Be certain of which COM port you need to use before attempting the firmware upgrade- otherwise you'll just be frustrated.

Backing up just a little bit- I'm assuming you were able to communicate with the MJLJ before you started the firmware upgrade attempt?

For the upgrade process I trust you're following these steps? http://www.autosportlabs.net/V3.2.x_/_2 ... ware_image

It is super important you follow the required power cycling sequence-

1. no power to the MJLJ
2. issue the upgrade command
3. after seeing the 'waiting for hc08... ' message - apply power to the MJLJ
4. you should see the programming software spring to life.

So report back!

thanks brent
yes i followed all those steps, will have a look about the COM ports tomorrow. Theres only 1 on the outside tho, is an old laptop tho!
As for communication before the upgrade...i had problem talkin to the mj so i thought the upgrade may have helped. it did work before on another PC so it could be a problem with the COM port on my laptop!
once i have checked for COM ports, if there is only 1 i will assume something is wrong with it, then test it on another machine (or maybe with a usb converter).

If still no luck there must be a problem with the MJ. Do problems often happen with them?

thanks

Thanks for the update. It may be worthwhile to try the upgrade on that other PC.

this is a copy of a conversation i had with a friend who is a ford technician that mite help you work th ford variable valve timing or VCT


Stu says:
vct is solenoid pulsed by pcm

NICK!!!!says: so it works off a pwm or a variable width pulse

Stu says:
The camshaft adjustment is map-controlled, but also responds to mass air flow, intake air temperature and coolant temperature via the PCM.

The solenoid valve is supplied with voltage pulses from the PCM that determine the required current.
Stu says:
Note:
If the PCM detects a fault in the VCT system it no longer supplies the solenoid valve with a voltage, and the VCT adjustment unit returns to its original position. This prevents any adjustment.
Stu says:

The adjustment of the camshaft is performed by a piston that moves along the axis of the camshaft.

This adjustment piston has an inner and outer helical gear.

The helical gears that engage in the adjustment piston are connected to the camshaft timing pulley (outer gear) on the one hand and the camshaft (inner gear) on the other.

Depending on the required setting of the camshaft, pressurised en
Stu says:
Depending on the required setting of the camshaft, pressurised engine oil is delivered either to the front or the back of the piston to move it backwards or forwards along the camshaft axis.

The helical gears translate this axial movement into a rotation of the camshaft in relation to the camshaft timing pulley.

The build height of the adjustment unit was reduced by using two pairs of helical ge
Stu says:
using two pairs of helical gears.
Stu says:
The camshaft timing pulley is directly linked to the crankshaft via the timing belt and is therefore not rotated in relation to the crankshaft during adjustment.

When the applied engine oil pressure forces the adjustment piston to move axially, the helical gears produce the following rotations:

— Rotation of the adjustment piston relative to the camshaft timing pulley via the outer helical gear
Stu says:
— These two rotations add up to give the overall adjustment angle of the camshaft.

In this way the camshaft can be adjusted by up to 20 degrees compared to the camshaft timing pulley.

The adjustment angle depends on the operating conditions of the engine.
Stu says:
Oil circuit of the VCT adjustment unit

Advancing the camshaft

Oil is supplied via the solenoid valve, through the oil supply slots on the camshaft and the hollow bolt into chamber 1, which then becomes pressurised.

The adjustment piston is moved axially on the helical gears.

NICK!!!! says:
they do the same as rover but they use hydraulics

Stu says:
The camshaft timing is advanced.

As a result of the axial movement of the adjustment piston, the oil in chamber 2 is displaced through the gaps in the gears.

The oil can then flow back through the oil supply slots on the camshaft and the return bore in the control piston solenoid valve to the cylinder head.

Stu says:
Retarding the camshaft

Oil is supplied via the solenoid valve, through the oil supply slots on the camshaft and the hollow bolt into chamber 2, which then becomes pressurised.

The adjustment piston is moved axially on the helical gears.

The camshaft timing is retarded.
Stu says:
As a result of the axial movement of the adjustment piston, the oil in chamber 1 is displaced through the gaps in the gears.

The oil can then flow back through the oil supply slots on the camshaft and the return bore in the control piston solenoid valve to the cylinder head.

i think that dictates that with the power off the valve the timing is in the starting position as if there is a fixed cam, and when there is full power on it its in full advance and the pulse width is changed that allows you to vary it as the revs go up! for ease of operation u mite as well have it setup to go to full advance from a certain rev point similar to a vtec cut in! say at 5000rpm it goes to full whack.

i think that dictates that with the power off the valve the timing is in the starting position as if there is a fixed cam, and when there is full power on it its in full advance and the pulse width is changed that allows you to vary it as the revs go up! for ease of operation u mite as well have it setup to go to full advance from a certain rev point similar to a vtec cut in! say at 5000rpm it goes to full whack.

thanks for all your help guys, i think its a problem with the laptop as the COM port was set to 1 and it stil wasnt working. i have order a serial to usb switch so can test it on a newer laptop! lets hope this fixes the problem and lets me upgrade.
also does anyone have an idea on how to rig up a rev counter? this will help loads when i come to map the mj...

thanks for the info on the VVT i have passed it to my mechanical friend as it makes no sence to me

I hope you've ordered a USB to serial adapter rather than what you indicate you've ordered ..and that you haven't bought a 99p special from eBay. Some people can get them to work, others fail completely and end up paying proper money for a proper one...

Rev counter - use the Search facility , there's lots of posts about them. Come back with any specific questions...

adapter!! that was the word i was looking for lol was sat her for about 2 mins thinkin of it so put switch in the end (havin one of those days!!)

wasnt 99p was about £7 or so, will give it a go if it dont work ill just buy a better one

thanks

An Adapter based on the Prolific chipset has proven to work well for almost everyone.

Are you / were you able to test it on the other computer you have?

Regards,

ok so my new USB to Serial adapter arrived at last. have installed the drivers on a new PC and set the COM port to 5.
ran the MJ reset again but its still not working. I tryed test the config 3.0 software and i can even talk to that now!

do you think its a problem with the MJ as non of the wiring has been changed from when it did work? or shall i rip it out and rewire it again?

ill get there soon lol!

Just take the MJLJ out the car, wire up a 9v battery to it and connect the serial lead - that should work just fine...

sorry for the delay guys, been a bit hectic lately!

still cant seem to get it working! i cant understand y.. tryed it on dif machines, got a usb to serial adapter, had the car wire voltmetered and there def power going to it, wat else can i try??

i could try wiring up a 9v battery but i dont think it will help as the car has power going to it. also im not sure how i could wire tht up..

anyone got any ideas were to go from here??

thanks

T Zetec :

Glad to see another Zetec user come along. I using a modified 2 liter with weber 45's and a MAP sensor rather than TPS (per Brent's recomendation) I have a MAP that is slightly changed from this site (I made it a lttle less aggressive)

http://homepage.ntlworld.com/steve_randle/


You can check out my progress at:

http://www.spritespot.com/gallery/Bugeye-Zetec-Install


Hope that may help you a little,

Rod H.

Hello to all,

I have had a similar problem with one of my MJLJ installations, for an unknown reason (i don't have understand the cause), after some test for picking the rigth signal for the Bosh LE3-Jetronic injection, the MJLJ has ceased to comunicate with the PC (prolific USB adapter). The surprise is big, when i have founded the MJLJ dont work, Only the EDIS working, i have take another MJLJ and plugged in, All works fine now in the car. The day after, i have gived some tests, changed some diodes without results, the MJLJ dont comunnicate with the PC (9v power supply). Finally i have taken the MC68HC908KX8 from this fault MJ and inserted into another working MJ, now this MJ dont work. At this point, i have taken the processor from the working MJ and plugged into the BAD MJ and it comes to life! Definitively, the processor has a problem, i think a firmware lost or whatever. I have tried the firmware update but no communication.

The strange is i don't have understanded why and how this has happen. When i have gived the tests, all the wiring connections are made in the Coil output, no +12v involved with MJ. Is difficult to me to explain (sorry for my bad english),

Because this old BOSCH injection takes the timing from the coil (with distributor), when transformed to MJLJ we now have 2 coils in wasted spark. Now, i had made the circuitry for the tach signal using 2 diodes and a Zener, the car started well, the tach of the car work fine, but if accellerate, the engine goes bad at 4000 rpm like a Rev limiter (the rev limiter in the MJ is set to 7500). With LGP gas the revs goes up, but not convincent.

A member of this forums, BMW320 suggested to me a different circuit, using the 2 diodes in a different manner, without the zener and with a pull up resistor. This circuit senses the the ground when the EDIS energize the coils. This circuit resolve the problem, now the engine is revving up without problems. Now i have installed this in 2 cars (turbos). The problem with the lost MJ is started after my friend had disconnected all and mistake the original position of the wires (the old circuit) when i have tested the new circuit in the other car and this works fine, he want to update his car and test it. But he dont remember the original connections of the other circuit, we have made some combinations and after 2-3 combinations finally we have finded the right one, but at this time, the MJ stops working.

His car in original form, has a Coil with 4 wires, connected 2 in the right and 2 in the left. In one of this connectios, the BOSCH injection takes the tach signal, in other pin the fuel pump starts, in other pin the +12v and the last, the ignition signal from the distributor (with digital module and pickup sensor). the right position of each pin is well known, the problem is because we need to leave only one or two of this connections in the old coil and made a bridge in the other 2. Well is a long story and i don't have the rigth words to short it...

If do you have another MJ can made the same test, try to communicate with the new MJ with your PC.

Brent: It is possible to test the Processor in the MJ with a simple multimeter?? (the 5v and grounds are fine for my fault MJ). In the next order of MJ do you can send an extra processor? If you want, i can send to you the "defunct" processor for an "autopsy"!!??


Chears,