I can't connect to my pcm. If it does connect, it gets to 5% then
stops and I have to unhook the car's battery to reset my pcm. I have tried two different computers now. On the laptop I could get it to connect and go to 5%.

On the home pc it won't even connect at all. COM ports are correctly
set...it won't even try connecting to the pcm if I try different
settings.

The lights on the cable are flashing randomly on the pc end of the
adapter, and on the other end I get 1 or two lights blinking every now
and then.

I haven't even been able to READ my pcm file from the car, let alone
edit and reprogram it.

I dunno what to do...it's frustrating the heck out of me and I'm ready
to package it up and ship it all back. I never had this kind of
problem with lt1 edit.

Any help is appreciated.

 

hmm sounds like a problem with your computers setting and not LT1/LS1 edit.

does your laptop have a serial port ? or are you using a USB to Serial Port adapter?

 

I have both options, and I've tried both ways, the only way I get ANY connection is when I use the USB to serial adapter.

My serial cable isn't long enough to go through the window to the home pc, so the usb otion is the only one I have to that end.

The software sees the ports just find and tries to establish connection, but doesn't get far...

 

how much cable are you running? RS-232 serial cbales have a max length of 10 feet becuase the RS-232 provides a weak signal, after 10 feet to get a reliable connection you would need some kind of booster. If you are running a 10' serial cable coupled with a USB cable that is another several feet long this might be part of your problem. Might want to try lugging the desktop pc out to the garage (yah it's a pain, i've lugged my 70 pound steel full tower out several times before). Otherwise can you get a connection with other software besides lt1/ls1 edit such as datamaster or freescan?

edit: woops missed the part about hte laptop in your post. Another thought though if you are trying to save the PCM as a .bin file is try to use a DOS utility. From what i've read windows-based programs often have trouble with sieral communications to the PCM. I've always used a DOS based utility to grab mine though so i am basing that off what i've read in forums alone.

 

NEver heard of a serial cable becoming weak after 10 feet.............................................. .

But anyhow, what Brand of USB to SERIAL adapter are you using ? The cheap ones will not work.

 

this one: http://www.cablestogo.com/product.as...1501&sku=26886

I bought it from tigerdirect.com

 

the RS-232 standard calls for a 10' max cable length due to signal attenuation in the line. I was just offering it as a possibility. I'm not saying that a 10' serial cable is a problem in and of itself...but if he has a 15' USB cable following a 10' serial cable the communication from the PCM might be getting week after going through the max RS-232 cable run length and then some more USB run without a boost. For the same reason you need a repeater after 100meters of 100baseT Cat 5 cabling.

At any rate, i didn't notice in my original post that he had allready tried plugging the serial cable directly into the computer without the USB adapter. Still, i would suggest trying to read the PCM from a DOS based utility.

 

I've heard of lots of problems with USB to serial adapters. Many people use PCMCIA (Cardbus) serial cards to use the tuning software.

But if you're having problems getting the software to connect with the cable plugged into a serial port on the laptop and not on some external USB port replicator, and you're CERTAIN the ports are configured correctly. Then depending on the OS, it is either a bad (corrupt) comm driver file or a bad cable. Do you have something like Autotap to scan the car with? If that cable works, on the same serial port that the LS1 Edit cable doesn't, then I'd be inclined to say you've got a bad cable.

My LT1 Edit cable is in 3 parts. One is the ALDL connector to a converter box. Then the converter box, then a serial cable from that box to the laptop. I guess one of those parts could be bad. I've not tried it, but I wonder if the cable parts are interchangeable from like Autotap to LT1/LS1 Edit? My Autotap cable is in the same setup of 3 parts. The only visible difference is the different module.

 

What's the data rate on the LS1 ALDL? 9600 baud is usually fine to 50 feet. I've succuessfully interfaced RS232 instruments up to 125 feet at slower speeds. These are up 24/7 in a hospital environment!

I know the OBD1 LT1 data stream is at 8192 baud but I don't know the LS1 specs.

Because those schmucks lock it to one vehicle it's not like you can test the cable on a different car. You've already tried it on a different PC which does tend to narrow it down. Make sure there are no other devices that might be configured for the com port, like a serial mouse driver.

Do diagnostic tools work fine on the car?

You've already taken some necessary steps to test and I would request another cable. If it's not the cable you have some noise being introduced into the system.

 

My edit cable didn't lock until I loaded a tune to my PCM the first time. I read it 3 times before sending to it.

I've also heard that wireless network connections can interfere... IF you have one, try disabling it and see what that gets you.

 

Yes, wireless cards can and will utilize 100% of the CPU if they think they need it. Always disable/remove wireless cards when working with the PCM.

Good hint

 

this cable is most likely your problem. people have had the same troubles with cheap cables just like that one.

A Belkin UBS/SErial adapter has been proven to work but its $75

I use a KEYSPAN adapter which has also been proven reliable. I bought mine for $55 at compusa almost 2 years ago. now theyare only $40.
http://www.compusa.com/products/prod...975&pfp=SEARCH

 

Here's another option: http://www.compusa.com/products/prod...5534&pfp=srch1

 

I'm not sure on that. I work for the company that runs the nat'l lightning detection network. Our lightning sensor have a 50 foot run of RS-422 which goes to a RS-232 converter becuase the RS-232 isn't stable for us @ 50' running @ 9600 baud. Cable is run 3 feet under ground for them too so there should be basically no interference from other power/electric sources.

 

ill give you one tip.. DONT use usb to serials adapters. Way more problems than their worth. Just get a long serial cable, or a port replicator and problem solved.. assuming the problem is not within you computer.