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Megasquirt ECU Problems
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Bockscar  



Joined: 16 Nov 2010
Posts: 392
Location: Sandy, Oregon

PostPosted: Fri Feb 10, 2012 3:01 pm    Post subject: Megasquirt ECU Problems Reply with quote

Hey guys I am having a hell of a time getting the megasquirt 1 ecu to talk to my computer. I've assembled both the megasquirt pcb and the megastim pcb. When I plug the megastim into the megasquirt pcb, and then power it with 9 volts, 2 of the LEDs on the stim blink.

The primary problem is that I can't the software on my computer (either Tuner Studio or MegaTune) to see that the ecu is there. It sees the com port, but nothing is being returned. The catch is, I'm using a USB to Serial adapter, and I'd like to think that is the entire problem.

Has anyone had an success with the USB to Serial adapters or should I just get my hands on an old laptop?
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fiat22turbo  



Joined: 18 Jan 2006
Posts: 4040
Location: Portland, OR

PostPosted: Fri Feb 10, 2012 3:44 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

I've not tried the USB TO serial adapters, but I think there is a ready made serial to USB converter availanble for the MS-1 from DIYAutotune.com

You could also look at the serial to Bluetooth adapter from TunerStudio as a proven alternative.

Many of the issues with the usb to serial adapters seems to with either the baud rate or the flow control, which is a good place to start.

Good luck!
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Bockscar  



Joined: 16 Nov 2010
Posts: 392
Location: Sandy, Oregon

PostPosted: Sat Feb 11, 2012 2:21 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

It turns out EFI Analytics (The makers of TunerStudio) actually sells a Serial to USB cable so I may end up going that route. I'm currently using some no-name brand USB cable and I'm hoping that is the problem.

The baud rate is set to 9600, which is what I need for MS-1. The flow control is set to none, which I believe is correct.
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Bockscar  



Joined: 16 Nov 2010
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Location: Sandy, Oregon

PostPosted: Sat Feb 11, 2012 2:29 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

Wait a second.. On the website it says that with the serial to bluetooth you can interface between Shadowlogger (The MS data logger for Android) and your MS ECU.. That sounds like an outstanding idea. I've emailed EFI Analytics for more information.
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!tom  



Joined: 28 Aug 2006
Posts: 1941
Location: Victoria, BC Canada

PostPosted: Sat Feb 11, 2012 3:00 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

USB to RS232 (serial) adapters can cause lots of headaches. The problem is that USB uses a fundamentally different way of moving data than the serial port, so you can get interruptions in the data stream over the serial port that cause problems.

SeaLevel brand ports seem to work the best from my experience at work (we've evaluated many brands). However they are pricey.

I've also noticed a setting in Windows 7 that I've never seen before that is available with some USB to RS232 adapters.

In Windows 7, go to Control Panel, select Device Manager, and open your COM port. Go to Port Settings. . .



Click on Advanced. . .



I resolved some serious timing problems by adjusting the Latency Timer field. You may benefit from decreasing the USB Transfer Size to reduce buffering.
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fiat22turbo  



Joined: 18 Jan 2006
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Location: Portland, OR

PostPosted: Sat Feb 11, 2012 1:15 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Bockscar wrote:
Wait a second.. On the website it says that with the serial to bluetooth you can interface between Shadowlogger (The MS data logger for Android) and your MS ECU.. That sounds like an outstanding idea. I've emailed EFI Analytics for more information.


That BT adapter will work for communication with a PC using TunerStudio.

BTW, just received an e-mail from EFIAnalytics with a $10 off coupon for the BT adapter.

Coupon code is:

BTFORSPRING

Wireless Megasquirt via Bluetooth

Class 1 RS232 Bluetooth
Proven, tested and preconfigured to work.

- Class 1 range, You can tune frm the neighbors garage.
- Preconfigured for your MS1, MS2 or MS3
- No modifications required for your MegaSquirt or MicroSquirt.
- Highest read of any Bluetooth Adapter we've tested.
- Powered by Pin 9 on v3.0 or v3.57 boards or use an included power adapter.
- Certified for use with Shadow Logger MS on Android

*TunerStudio beta version 1.18 or higher recommended for Bluetooth use.

$59.95 with coupon code
Use Coupon Code BTFORSPRING at checkout


Configured for MS1 or
other 9600 baud Systems
Order Now Configured for MS2, MS3
or other 115200 baud Systems
Order Now
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Bockscar  



Joined: 16 Nov 2010
Posts: 392
Location: Sandy, Oregon

PostPosted: Mon Feb 13, 2012 3:08 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

I bought a serial card for my desktop computer, and picked up a straight through serial cable. The MegaSquirt still won't connect. The computer isn't finding anything on the other end of the serial cable. Did I skip a step or something? Do I have to load the processor with firmware or something? I've followed every step in the documentation and it still won't connect with my computer. Not really sure what to do at this point. I'm starting to feel like this project is dead.
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fiat22turbo  



Joined: 18 Jan 2006
Posts: 4040
Location: Portland, OR

PostPosted: Tue Feb 14, 2012 4:52 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

If you bought it from DIYAutoTune, then they more than likely pre-loaded it with the latest code.

However, if you red this document, you should be able to confirm and/or load the necessary code:

http://www.megamanual.com/v22manual/mcode.htm

Hope this helps,
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Bockscar  



Joined: 16 Nov 2010
Posts: 392
Location: Sandy, Oregon

PostPosted: Tue Feb 14, 2012 5:02 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

fiat22turbo wrote:
If you bought it from DIYAutoTune, then they more than likely pre-loaded it with the latest code.

However, if you red this document, you should be able to confirm and/or load the necessary code:

http://www.megamanual.com/v22manual/mcode.htm

Hope this helps,


Actually I emailed the guys at DIY. Turns out if you buy the kit that you assemble yourself, the firmware is not preloaded. However if you buy the pre-assembled kit, you can opt to have them install it for you. Since I am using MS-1, the firmware is written in assembly and there is no terminal. While I am a Software Engineer by trade, I don't want to have anything to do with assembly or dumb terminals so I just ordered a new pre-assembled kit with the firmware installed.

Anyone want to buy a MS-1 kit without the firmware installed? I have spare now..
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fiat22turbo  



Joined: 18 Jan 2006
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Location: Portland, OR

PostPosted: Tue Feb 14, 2012 7:41 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

I can speak to my Dad about using his PROM burner to load the code for ya. He actually likes to write in assembly (yes he is a bit odd) so he's pretty good at dealing with that nonsense.

I also have a spare MS-1 ECU that is assembled, if you want to trade instead (I'll check if it is loaded though) that way you can cancel your order and not wait for the shipment to arrive.
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Bockscar  



Joined: 16 Nov 2010
Posts: 392
Location: Sandy, Oregon

PostPosted: Tue Feb 14, 2012 9:02 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

fiat22turbo wrote:
I can speak to my Dad about using his PROM burner to load the code for ya. He actually likes to write in assembly (yes he is a bit odd) so he's pretty good at dealing with that nonsense.

I also have a spare MS-1 ECU that is assembled, if you want to trade instead (I'll check if it is loaded though) that way you can cancel your order and not wait for the shipment to arrive.


Thanks for the offer, that'd be really useful. I actually ordered the pre-assembled kit this morning and they've already shipped it. It should be here by Thursday. I'm planning on spending this next weekend programming the thing and getting it all setup.
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fiat22turbo  



Joined: 18 Jan 2006
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Location: Portland, OR

PostPosted: Tue Feb 14, 2012 9:32 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

Okay, I'll check the one I have to make sure it is useful and let you know what I find and we can go from there. That was you can have two, just in case.
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Bockscar  



Joined: 16 Nov 2010
Posts: 392
Location: Sandy, Oregon

PostPosted: Thu Feb 16, 2012 8:37 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

fiat22turbo wrote:
Okay, I'll check the one I have to make sure it is useful and let you know what I find and we can go from there. That was you can have two, just in case.


Good news, the unit I just bought for DIY worked! It looks like there's something funky happening with my stimulator though.. I'll check into it later.

Is there a place when I can get a decent fuel map to get started?
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fiat22turbo  



Joined: 18 Jan 2006
Posts: 4040
Location: Portland, OR

PostPosted: Thu Feb 16, 2012 9:22 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

Cool. Yeah, I've not had a chance to test the one I've got. I do have a Stim for it that I can't use (I use MSExtra code) so if you still need a spare....

Focus on getting it to start (which is where I'm stuck at the moment) consistently and let the wideband smooth out the big wrinkles in your fuel map. I think there are a couple of 931 curves around, but not everyone uses the same injectors, let alone code or MS variant, so it may not be a plug/play. More like Plug and Pray with a 931.
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Bockscar  



Joined: 16 Nov 2010
Posts: 392
Location: Sandy, Oregon

PostPosted: Thu Feb 16, 2012 9:31 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

fiat22turbo wrote:
Cool. Yeah, I've not had a chance to test the one I've got. I do have a Stim for it that I can't use (I use MSExtra code) so if you still need a spare....

Focus on getting it to start (which is where I'm stuck at the moment) consistently and let the wideband smooth out the big wrinkles in your fuel map. I think there are a couple of 931 curves around, but not everyone uses the same injectors, let alone code or MS variant, so it may not be a plug/play. More like Plug and Pray with a 931.


I'll spend some time looking it over and figuring out where I went wrong with it. For example, the RPM pot doesn't appear to work at all..

Sounds good. I've been reading the MegaManual all day. I'm going to spend the weekend working it out. I'm pretty stoaked about it. I think I do need to pick up a wideband O2 sensor though. Can I grab a generic one from an autoparts store, or do I need to fish around online?
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