i have a ibm thinkpad with a serial port. i recently picked up a megasquirt (first batch of ZEMS) i plug it up and the car starts up. i tried to connect laptop with serial cable and it wont make a connection.
i tried the test and it did a test on ports 1 & 3 for connections and nothing on either.
i know the serial port works because i used to to program my lc1 and gauge.
any suggestions?

 

check and make sure that all of the pins in the DB9 cable that you're using have continuity. Some that I've seen dont, and this may be your problem. Also, did you successfully do the whole thing with hyperterm that it recommends in the assembly instructions?

 

Also did you use the Configurator to set MegaTune to the appropriate firmware type and sensor type?

 

the ZEMS module he has was prebuilt and has a known working serial connection on it because thats how they flash the baseline settings onto it. Im thinking its the cable issue mentioned.

 

So should i just try another cable?
i think it might be a problem with my cable.
so firmware shouldntt have anything to do with it?
its a new cable i bought at staples

 

well, just take a test-light or multimeter set to ohms and test each pin on the cable to see if you have continuity on them all. This way we can at least pin down or rule out the cable

 

ok so i check for the continuity with the byself then without being hooked up...
its brand new just bought it a few days ago, but your saying some cables come without continuity in all pins?

 

do i have to do this with the zeal plug n play also? all i did was hook up vac lin to map sensor, hooked up wire to fuel pump, started up megatune with KOEO and tried to burn a base map to it. but no connection,

 

The wrong MegaTune configuration will usually still connect, assuming the same processor (MS1 or MS2). You will need to get the config correct in order to decode the tuning constants properly, which is why you need to go through the config steps mentioned.

In your case, I suspect your last sentence outlines your problem. You do not mention supplying 12v or ground to the MS box. If you don't power up the box, there's no way communications will work!

 

well it doesnt connect even with engine running.

 

usb to serial or just serial and if just serial did u select the right com port?

 

just serial. yes i did. i also ran the program that checks your ports. it checked ports one and three and no connection

 

new DIYAUTOTUNE serial cable same problem :-(

 

someone please help!!

 

I know for sure that the unit has good serial comms. We test every unit before shipping.

Most likely if it's not the cable, its your megatune configuration. You probably don't have it set to connect on the right port.

Does megatune display any messages when it starts up? A dialog box saying something about "offline mode" perhaps?

Ken

 

ya i figured it out thanx everyone!!! now just gotta check out the my cranking settings.
when cranking it jumps. smooth cranking, then stops for a second and cranks again.

 

sounds like a bit of tach noise. Usually the culprit is dirty grounds. Cleaning up the grounds usually fixes the problem.

Ken

 

ok awsome thanx!!