Work then stopped - Communication with laptop :( -FIXED -NOT

pristic · Post by **pristic** » Tue Jul 08, 2008 12:28 pm

Howdy,

Please help.

First, how safe is the default map to use with a turbocharged 1132cc Mini?
I turned the boost right down to be sure... but let me know what you think.

I had no probs during setup, using a Belkien Serial to USB adapter.

Everything was fine until I wanted to load a new map.
I punched in all the figures, pressed Write and it showed a little error at the bottom... from then, no communicaton.
Rebooted, didnt help, tried different com port, nope, unplugged, plugged nope, nothing.

Shut everything down and disconnected it all, reconnected and it read the default map, then again stopped reading within 5-10seconds.

Error was a timeout error (not sure exact words)

What should I try?
Please help, rolling road booked for 2 days away and need to be able to load new maps.

Cheers,
Peter

pristic · Post by **pristic** » Tue Jul 08, 2008 1:05 pm

Just to add.

Powering up and down didnt help
Tried different USB plugs on the laptop, no difference
Tried unplugging EVERYTHING and nope, nothing works

What version of windows? -- XP Pro
USB->Serial adapter, or built in serial port? -- Belkien USB to Serial adapter
Do you see the error when the engine is running, or just with the ignition 'on'? -- Same error engine running or not
Does it show the runtime activity when the engine is running? -- Nope same thing

It intermittently came up once, got the map off the MJ but then it stopped again

Im going to try installing the Prolific USB driver -- after uninstalling the belkien one. Any probs?

Anyway, let me know anything else to try.

I will go and disconnect the actual power from fusebox to EDIS and MJ to see if that helps too.

Peter

Post by **brentp** » Tue Jul 08, 2008 2:32 pm

Peter,

Do you have a computer with a regular serial port? If need be, take the MJLJ out and power it on the bench with a 9V battery. Some USB to serial adapters have problems, so it's best to base-line with a 'real' serial port.

Thanks,

Post by **brentp** » Tue Jul 08, 2008 2:41 pm

One more thing regarding the default map: this is the one we use on a twincam 1.6L turbocharged engine- a Toyota 4AGE. we've boosted it up to about 15-17 PSI.

pristic · Post by **pristic** » Tue Jul 08, 2008 2:49 pm

Hi Brent,

It worked fine with the same serial_>USB adapter... both with a 9v battery (first day I got it) and also when I installed in car.
After that, it decided to pack it in.

Any other tips - I dont have access to a laptop with standard serial port unfortunately

Peter

Post by **brentp** » Tue Jul 08, 2008 6:42 pm

Hi Peter,

Earlier you mentioned you had a different USB-Serial adapter with the prolific drivers? if so, I'd give those a shot.

Do you have any other computer with a serial port? If so, you could get it on the bench just to verify connectivity.

Also, when you try to connect, what error do you get at the bottom of the screen- does it say "timeout", or "error reading cylinder count"?

pristic · Post by **pristic** » Tue Jul 08, 2008 10:03 pm

Hi Brent,

I have only 1 USB to Serial adapter but have some prolific drivers... ill try that.
The error at the bottom is "error reading cylinder count" and if I try to get the map or write a map it says "timeout"

I really dont have any computers with serial port

Ill give a mate a call who has a megajolt.

Please answer this... He is using MJ3 (I use MJ4) will the software be ok from his laptop to load my new maps or does he need v4 software?
I dont want to mess his computer up and stuff... we have a competition on Saturday we both need to be ready for.

Thanks,
Peter

Post by **brentp** » Tue Jul 08, 2008 10:15 pm

He will need to install the V4 software on his laptop. The V3 and V4 software can be installed side-by-side with no problems. Just don't have them running at the same time, of course, otherwise one will be squatting on the serial port.

Regarding the USB drivers- is the Belkin adapter you have based on the Prolific chipset? Which model is it?

pristic · Post by **pristic** » Tue Jul 08, 2008 11:58 pm

Hi Brent,

I cant tell the chipset - not sure how.
The model I have is the F5U109

I just checked settings and have adjusted like this:

Bits Per Second: 4800
Data Bits: 8
Parity: None
Stop Bits: 1
Flow Control: none

I had 9600 Bits Per Second - will that make any difference you think? Ill try in a couple hours after work.

Ta,
Peter

pristic · Post by **pristic** » Wed Jul 09, 2008 12:54 am

OK, got my hands on an old laptop with a native serial port on it.
Looking for the power supply for the laptop,If I can find it, ill try that and see what happens.

Cheers,
Peter

Post by **brentp** » Wed Jul 09, 2008 3:34 am

Hi Peter,

The configuration software sets the baud rate internally, so you don't have to worry about that setting. In any case, the baud rate used is 38,400.

Keep us posted,

pristic · Post by **pristic** » Thu Jul 10, 2008 3:52 am

Ok, narrowed it down a little.

Here is what happens (tried 3 drivers - all the same issue)
I open MJ software, turn on MJ power... I hit 'Get map' and it gets the map, I start the car up, its showing me all the readings, tacho, load, etc etc so all good.

If I press anything after that (get map, write map) it gives the "Time out" error... I then cannot see any readings - no tach or anything.
So I turn off car and power down MJ, unplug USB adapter, do it all over again (in any order (ie/ start car then open MJ software, etc) same exact thing happens.

I tried getting it all running, not pressing ANY buttons.... just watching the readings (tacho, etc) and its all fine, no matter how long I sit there.
I then loaded my map, still working fine... hit 'Write map" and it loses connection, timeout.

Any ideas? Still struggling to find another laptop with native serial port or a power supply for the one I have.

Please help. 1 full day left before competetion

Peter.

PS: Have not tried another USB converter yet, no-one has one except one guy who I cant get in touch with

Post by **brentp** » Thu Jul 10, 2008 6:37 am

Thank you for the update.

I may have access to that same Belkin adapter- I will look for it and see if I can re-create your condition.

Are you able to purchase a different USB-Serial adapter locally?

Brent

pristic · Post by **pristic** » Thu Jul 10, 2008 9:51 am

Ok,

Its sorted.
Stupid, expensive rubbish Belkin converter was the prob. Found a little computer shop locally, grabbed another one for $30 and worked straight away!

Uploaded map, everything is great!!

WOOOOHOOOOOO!!!!!!!

Thanks for your help Brent.

Peter

pristic · Post by **pristic** » Mon Jul 14, 2008 12:16 am

Well, thought it was all sorted, but still some bugs in my system.
It works now perfectly car on or off...

BUT

If you nail it on the dyno (7000rpm) the software freezes... not sure at what RPM it froze, but it does.

Ill try to physically distance things from MJ using Serial cable... but any other suggesstions? I can now change maps, etc etc but on a dyno it kept freezing.

Cheers,
Peter

Autosport Labs

Work then stopped - Communication with laptop :( -FIXED -NOT

Work then stopped - Communication with laptop :( -FIXED -NOT

FIXED!