impaled

i am getting an error message with my tuner cats and one of the potential issues is the rs232 to usb interface. i installed the proper driver. any advice?

Jditlfm

iTrader: (26)

only converter i have got to work is the keyspan one.

poconojoe

iTrader: (43)

I have an issue that my driver keeps changing my USB comm port to port 10, instead of port 2 where I keep setting it. Any time it doesn't work, that's the first thing I check. I have the adapter that radio shack sells, the more expensive one of the 2 they sell. I know this isn't an uncommon issue with these adapters. I've seen this happen with other equipment, that required these units. I've had the best luck with the Beldin units, but I poofed mine and didn't get around to sending it back yet and Radio Shack was around the corner when I needed a new one

koolaid_kid

iTrader: (21)

poconojoe has a valid point. Go into the Control Panel and verify that the serial port setting is the same as in TunerCat. They must match, normally ranging from port 1-4.

Golf&GM

iTrader: (22)

What error are you getting exactly? Is it just throwing a comm port error or something more specific?

I've used the Belkin serial adapter and haven't had any issues whatsoever, but every other adapter I used was plagued by connection problems.

Also I'm assuming this is for your Iroc? I would double check that your ECU file is correct because IIRC 1985 ECUs were different than all other years and require a different file to read them correctly.

impaled

not the IROC. for the formula. it is using the correct port and the message i am getting is an "unable to communicate with PCM"

poconojoe

iTrader: (43)

Uninstall your USB to serial driver and reinstall it. Are you using a bench cable or is the PCM in the car? Are you sure you have ignition power to the PCM?

impaled

i am using the OBD2 to RS232 cable, into the converter into the usb port.

impaled

i am sure i have power. i have checked the CIG/ACCY Fuse and plugged the code reader in and it worked fine. so i know i have power.

koolaid_kid

iTrader: (21)

Does the USB-to-serial converter/cable have any leds in it? I don't use a Belkin, but mine works (for a different app) and it has leds for power, Rx and Tx. I can see the power led when it is connected to the pc, and the Rx and Tx leds blink while communicating with the PCM.

impaled

no LED indicators...

Golf&GM

iTrader: (22)

The first thing I would check is to look a the pins on your RS232 cable and PCM connectors to make sure they're clean and not bent. Going from OBDII to serial and then to USB is a lot of converting, one little spec of dust or a kink in the wrong place could throw it off.

impaled

i also forgot to mention that the driver i have is even for vista (which i have).

koolaid_kid

iTrader: (21)

Are you trying to run Tunercats under Vista?

Golf&GM

iTrader: (22)

Did you follow these VISTA instructions to the T?

http://www.tunercat.com/tnr_desc/faq.html#21

impaled

yes. i called them prior to ordering and they said it worked on vista.

impaled

yes i did. now i am getting a "failure to communicate with convertor" message as opposed to the "invalid response to PCM" error after reinstalling USB to serial drivers and changing the data block settings.

Golf&GM

iTrader: (22)

I almost guarantee that it's an issue with the converter communicating with Windows or the cable itself. There's a lot of converstions going on that add to the conplexity and Vista just adds another level. Can you datalog with any other program?

impaled

tuner cats dosesnt datalog, and i am waiting for my autotap to arrive (datalogger). i have never had problems with vista somewhere.