Help with Autoprom

[newowner'91]

I just received my Autoprom on Thursday and have been attempting to perform dataloging. Unfortunately, I have not been able to get any information from the ALDL as a stand alone function. I have tried the emulation, copy a bin from an existing chip and those functions appear to work. I have downloaded TTS and their ALDL Test program. I have performed that test with a USB to Serial port adapter connected only to the Autoprom (Autoprom is not connected to ALDL) and I can pass the test. Once I connect the ALDL to the autoprom I can not pass the connection test. Can someone please help. :confused:

[Bluevette85]

Here's what you need to do to use the Autoprom's ALDL interface alone:
1. Slide the switch away from the serial port on the Autoprom
2. If using Tunerpro, Go to preferences and change the interface type to
MAX232.

To use Autoprom for data logging and emulation at the same time:
1. Slide the switch toward the serial port.
2. Change the interface type to Autoprom.
3. In this mode, you need power from the header connector to the ecm or the power plug on the Autoprom.




[Modified by Bluevette85, 8:14 PM 2/7/2004]

[Raheel]

I am running into the same problem. I am trying to use the data logging in the stand alone mode with no luck. I have tried your (Bluevette85's) advice but it didn't work. With max232 it does not even try to connect whereas if it is set to AutoProm, it atleast attempts to connect but fails.

I have set the horizontal switch away from the serial port position.

The vertical switch when set to down poistion, shows all trouble codes. That tells me the cable is connected correctly.

The vertical switch should be in the middle position for normal data logging according to the instructions. I have tried it but it did not connect.

Does the PC's serial port have to be configured for any specific baud rate?

Thanks

[Bluevette85]

The vertical switch should be in the 'up' position to datalog. This puts 10k ohm of resistence across ADLD pins A+B and allows the ecm to send data.

This could be the problem.

[Raheel]

That is true for the '165 ECMs. For others (which is the case for me), it should be in the middle position (no resistance between A and B).

I am talking to Mark and he mentioned that there are issues with the IBM ThinkPad in the hardware pass-through, but should work fine in software mode (the horizontal switch towards the port). Craig has a hardware fix for this in the works.

It hasn't worked for me yet though. Mark tells me the datastream definition isn't included in his software package for a 1227727 ECM which is what I have in my 1990 coupe and that l would have to make/find this.

Can anyone help me make/find this datastream definition file? Where do I even look?

[Craig Moates]

Folks,

Sorry for the confusion you guys are having. This is a brand-new product with a pretty steep learning curve. It's aimed at the DIY Tuner, and as such, it does require a pretty healthy understanding of how to diddle with this sort of thing to get it to work. Your patience and support is much appreciated, and this sort of input is very useful when it comes to putting together FAQ and instructional information.

The 'Hardware Fix' you mention is a USB version of the AutoProm. I'm hopeful that it will work, and should be testing it by the end of the week.

I believe that part of the problem with the USB-to-Serial converters is that most of them may not be capable of selecting a 'non-standard' baud rate of 8192. They pass the TTS Serial Test since they echo OK, but when it comes to synching at 8192, they can't cut it. The 160 baud works, since it is just a 2400 baud oversample.

I've restricted the content here to the ALDL aspect of the AutoProm, since that seems to be one of the more challenging parts of 'getting things going'.

Here's some notes, observations, and info which should be helpful:

Relevant files such as Firmware Updates, ADS Files, ECU Files, and other useful info can be found at http://www.moates.net/fileman/

ALDL and Passthrough Mode
1) For ALDL communications, the vertical switch should be 'up' in the 10k mode for 165 ECMs and 160-baud ECMs such as TBI setups. For other 8192 data such as from a 730, it should be in the center position.
2) For passthrough mode, the horizontal switch should be away from the COM port connector. The AutoProm should function with WinALDL for 160-baud or Moates/DataMaster software in this mode. It should also work with the TunerPro software if the proper mode is selected. In this mode, no external power is required, and the AutoProm can function as a stand-alone datalogging interface.
3) If you're using a USB-to-Serial converter, the passthrough mode is not likely to work. It may work, but experience has been mixed at best. It seems to work OK for 160 baud, but not always for 8192.

CMOS, Windows, and Port Settings
1) If you're using a laptop with a COM port, you may need to enable it within the PC's CMOS setup menu. This is typically accessed by pressing the 'DEL' or 'F1' key during PC startup. Disable any 'IR/DA' ports and make sure the COM port is enabled.
2) Under Windows, double-check your COM port settings. Same info applies to a USB 'Virtual COM Port'. Go under 'Start->Settings->Control Panel->System->Device Manager' and select the 'Ports' option. Look under COM1 or whatever you're using and set the settings to at least 115,200 baud rate with 8-N-1. Go to the 'Advanced' tab and make sure you select 'Use FIFO Buffers'. On the FIFO slide bars, select all the way to the right for the transmit, and one click from the left on receive. This can solve problems with some of the slower laptops.
3) Under TunerPro or whatever software you're using, make sure that the proper COM port is selected. Look under the 'Tools->Configuration' option or whatever, under 'ALDL/EMU' and use the pulldown bars to select the proper port for both EMU and ALDL. This is the same location in the program where you select which ALDL interface to use.

DataStream Definition Files
1) Look to see if an ADS file already exists for your application. The web location listed above should contain it if it exists. If you create something that works, upload it with notes to that same location.
2) Become familiar with the ADS editor as part of TunerPro. This isn't that easy, but it's not too difficult either. With a few tries, you should be able to create an ADS file for your application if one isn't already available. Look at the 'ALDLStuff.zip' file at the location described earlier on the web.
3) Make sure you are selecting the appropriate file for your application.

Data Logging
1) Particularly for 1227165 applications, you may have to press the 'Connect' button several times (like 5-10).
2) If you successfully connect, you should see your sample rate near the top right corner of the window. Should be around 10Hz.
3) The error counter should not continue climbing. If it does, then something is wrong.
4) If connecting in 160-baud mode, and the error rate climbs while showing a frequency of like 5Hz, turn the car off and wait for 20 seconds. When you turn the key back on, datalogging should initiate properly.
5) If you're logging in 8192 mode with a USB adapter and you are getting errors during logging, go back to the configuration menu and set your sample rate to 8Hz instead of 10Hz. This should take care of that.
6) If you're trying to log data using a USB adapter with the AutoProm in passthrough mode, it may not work. The 160 has been shown to work OK, but the 8192 is a mixed bag.
7) Datalogging should work in all cases (USB adapter or not) when going in 'normal' mode on the AutoProm (switch toward the COM port). Remember that in this mode you will need to power the AutoProm with something other than the serial port, such as the ECM-to-AutoProm ribbon cable or an external power supply.
8) The car needs to be in the 'key-on' condition to make an ALDL connection. It doesn't need to be running, but the ignition should be on.


Hope this helps. I'll try and generate more clarity and detail around documentation. I've neglected it in favor of advancing the hardware.

-Craig




[Modified by Craig Moates, 9:03 AM 2/9/2004]