USB -> serial converter issue

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Jan 29, 2007 | 03:39 AM

SCTA

Thread Starter

Staging Lane

Joined: Dec 2005

Posts: 61

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From: Syracuse, UT

USB -> serial converter issue

My car is a 94 TA, I am having problems using a USB to serial converter. I am trying to use datamaster to log with and tunercat to tune with. Datamaster says that the link is fine but it will not connect to the PCM. Tunercat I have not tried yet. I have tried 4 different usb converters, (Belkin, Dytek, No-name 1 and 2). TTS says they have tried the Belkin with success, but that is all the support they were able to give me. The only one I have gotten to pass the ALDL_TEST program from TTS was no-name 2. I was able to tune fine on my old laptop but it had a serial port on it, my new one does not only USB. i have played with the timings on the port with no success. I was hoping someone has encountered this issue and knew how to fix it. Also would a PCMCIA express card work? If there's any other info I might be leaving on please ask, I need to get this working right away.

Thanks,
Bryce

Jan 29, 2007 | 04:29 AM

RedWS6 00

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Joined: Aug 2003

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From: England UK

I use one made by D-Link and had no problems with EFILive or HP Tuners, not tried others. Reflashed the PCM many times and not had one faliure yet (well now I said that, I bet I jinxed myself)

Try a loop back test, on your 9 way D, link pins 2-3 together. Go into Hyperterminal, choose the com port etc... and baud rate will do, perhaps 115K, then what you type in hyperterminal should get echoes back on your screen, everything you type will be double if you have local echo selected in the settings. But if you have tried so many Serial devices they cant all be duff.

Are you USB, or USB2? perhaps there is some compatability issue.

Is there somone that can check your PCM just incase its got locked or something? Can you try your old laptop with the standard serial port? I know lugging a PC to the computer but be a task in itself but may be worth ago to prove its not the USB to serial converters.

Jan 29, 2007 | 04:43 AM

SCTA

Thread Starter

Staging Lane

Joined: Dec 2005

Posts: 61

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From: Syracuse, UT

I sold my old laptop before my new one got here. If I had known about this issue I would have kept the old one just for tuning. Just my luck. It is USB 2.0. The PCM is ok. I have tried it on multiply cars with the same results. I found out the brand for both no names is Prolific Technology.

Last edited by SCTA; Jan 29, 2007 at 04:52 AM.

Jan 29, 2007 | 05:55 AM

koolaid_kid

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From: Indianapolis

Although there are many brands of converters, there are actually only 2-3 chipsets used in all the converters. It is possible that the chipset you are using is not compatible. Have you verified that the serial port assigned to the converter is the same that you are setting in your tuning/logging software? Just a thought.

Jan 29, 2007 | 08:50 AM

moehorsepower

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From: Texas

I had the same problem, used the Belkin, worked at times, fried a PCM, Tried another brand, did not work at all, I heard of Keyspan is suppose to be good, I just went back to my old laptop.......