Terminator X issues
Thread Starter
Joined: Dec 2018
Posts: 446
Likes: 81
From: Midwestern Illinois
Terminator X issues Holley terminator X, 24X, using the holley 7" digital dash. The dash dosent power up, all of the LEDs on the ecu are indicating all systems good. Fuel pump primes, car cranks, engine runs. This is a new engine, shut key off because of no gauges. I hook my laptop up to use the gauges on terminator software, laptop won't sync because it needs to update firmware. So I hook up the 3.5" handheld, turn key on, no fuel pump prime, all the ecu LEDs are solid white, handheld just flashes, o2 sensor clicks in unison with the handheld flashing.
Everything worked perfectly back in March. I will do the firmware update tomorrow, but I'm thinking there is a communication issue between the ecu and the display?
Everything worked perfectly back in March. I will do the firmware update tomorrow, but I'm thinking there is a communication issue between the ecu and the display?
TECH Addict
Joined: Oct 2016
Posts: 2,513
Likes: 480
From: PDX-OR-USA
I found with my setup, Terminator X max, 7" dash, Can expansion, 3.5" Display, laptop can cable,,,, the order you plug things in matters, I am not close to my rig but IIRC their was a order that didn't work, In general I cant use the laptop cable at the same time as both displays. Eventually when I don't need the laptop connection available I'll Run the 3" as a display for stuff I don't need right in front of me.
Thread Starter
Joined: Dec 2018
Posts: 446
Likes: 81
From: Midwestern Illinois
After a few phone calls with holley tech, they have decided that there is a problem in the CAN part of the main harness. Per holleys request I'm pulling the harness out for inspection. Not bad for a car that has been together for 8 months, left the garage once, and logged 4 miles. Lol.
Yeah, unfortunately sometimes you just have to send them back their stuff. Hell, I'm the only tuner I know, who bricked a Terminator X max. And I did it 5 minutes after meeting a customer. Car was running and driving, I had to update it, and that was it. Then I had to explain, sorry, your car won't run till I ship back the ECM and get Holley to fix it. I still don't know why it happened, as Holley never did explain it. Never had it happen again, and hope I don't.
TECH Addict
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 2,177
Likes: 627
From: Florida
i had a lot of issues with using the 3.5" screen to record data. i never ended up finding a solution, and holley was no help. in hindsight i think maybe their super tiny power and ground wires in the can circuit were too small and the screen was browning out. both a usb cable and the 686 pro dash logged great, neither powered from those can wires.
ultimately i decided to get rid of the holley stuff, but overall it was a nice system that mostly worked fine.
ultimately i decided to get rid of the holley stuff, but overall it was a nice system that mostly worked fine.
Thread Starter
Joined: Dec 2018
Posts: 446
Likes: 81
From: Midwestern Illinois
Found my issue. My 12v switched power source which was tied into the cars original harness was losing voltage with load. Stripped that harness out of the car, found a plug that was no longer used in the dash harness so now my terminator has a dedicated 12v switched source.
Trending Topics
Yeah, unfortunately sometimes you just have to send them back their stuff. Hell, I'm the only tuner I know, who bricked a Terminator X max. And I did it 5 minutes after meeting a customer. Car was running and driving, I had to update it, and that was it. Then I had to explain, sorry, your car won't run till I ship back the ECM and get Holley to fix it. I still don't know why it happened, as Holley never did explain it. Never had it happen again, and hope I don't.
LS1 Tech Stories
The Best V8 Stories One Small Block at Time
6 Common C5 Corvette Failures and What's Involved In Repairing Them
Pouria Savadkouei
Retro Modern Bandit Pontiac Trans AM Comes With Burt Reynolds' Autograph
Verdad Gallardo
Top 10 Greatest Cadillac V Series Performance Models Ever, Ranked
Pouria Savadkouei
Top 10 Most Powerful Chevy Trucks Ever Made!
Hennessey's New Supercharged Silverado ZR2 Has 700 HP
Verdad Gallardo
Coachbuilt N2A Anteros Is an LS2-Powered C6 Corvette In Italian Clothes
Verdad Gallardo
Awesome K5 Blazer Restomod Comes With C7 Corvette Power
Verdad Gallardo
10 Camaros You Should Never Buy
10 LS Engine Myths That Refuse to Die
Verdad Gallardo I had heard it happened, I just don't know anyone else who it happened to is all I was saying. I know it sucked, but I've had it happen with HP Tuners also. I guess I didn't expect it with Holley.
Not all but most problems with the Holley system are user error. I've installed several and use them myself and have only had minor issues. Once was when I had a fuel pump relay short out and wiped out the software on the ecu and the truck wouldn't even try to start, I reinstalled the software and tune and everything was back to normal. The other times I've had to fix problems with them have been when they were not installed correctly, Not tuned correctly or other issues that were blamed on the Holley system when it was something else like vacuum leaks, Bad plug wires bad sensor and so on. The one thing I always try to tell people is to make sure the battery has a full charge before trying to start the vehicle and if it doesn't unhook the main harness before hooking up a charger and never use a jump pack or jumper cables while the ecu is plugged in. It doesn't always cause issues but I've seen enough issues from it that I don't chance it. For example, My truck sat for a few months and when I went to start it, it cranked slow but almost started. I decided to give it one more try and it barley started but ran terrible. It just would not run right until I reinstalled the tune. Other problems have been people not following the instructions when it comes to wiring, You have to hook the ECU directly to the battery and your switched power has to have 12v while cranking, I've seen a few that voltage drops below 10v and although they start that don't fire up easily.
I have no experience with the sniper system but it does seem as if they have some issues that are hardware related.
I have no experience with the sniper system but it does seem as if they have some issues that are hardware related.
A Holley system that has a problem... say it ain't so! Just another reason I recommend OEM PCMs unless you really need the features of an aftermarket one and even then I try to point them more towards a Haltech or Motec. I like the ease of the Holley interface but when something as simple as low voltage can wipe it and you have to reload the whole thing you did something very wrong in the development process of an automotive grade ECU. It's certainly not held to OEM standards that's for sure.
I do actually believe it had something to do with low voltage on the car. I hate doing firmware upgrades, but you don't get a choice when things aren't compatible. Whatever it was, it wiped it out, like had no power lights on it. They did fix it for free, but I didn't have a spare laying around, so the owner missed LS Fest.
I do actually believe it had something to do with low voltage on the car. I hate doing firmware upgrades, but you don't get a choice when things aren't compatible. Whatever it was, it wiped it out, like had no power lights on it. They did fix it for free, but I didn't have a spare laying around, so the owner missed LS Fest.
