Communicating with Datamaster
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Jun 2001
Posts: 1,625
Likes: 1
From: Zagreb, Croatia
Communicating with Datamaster
I bought ALDL cable and tried to connect car with Datamaster but
with no luck so far.
First I tried with Windows hyperterminal and when com port speed
is set to 300 baud I get response ( a lot of strange signs ) and
acording to ALDL cable instructions that means that cable is working
and there is some sort of communication.
Than I tried to connect Datamaster but I allways get same message;
that ALDL is working but data is not recognized and that PCM type
may be wrong.
I'm sure that I have the right version of Datamaster for my car ( $8D ).
What else could be the problem?
I tried to disconnect ALDL cable and than when I try to make connection
I get different message; that there is no comm between ALDL........
Only thing that I'm thinking of is that maybe the problem is in my laptop,
because I'm using USB to RS232 converter.
What do you think?
BTW, my car is '90 and some details are in the sig.
with no luck so far.
First I tried with Windows hyperterminal and when com port speed
is set to 300 baud I get response ( a lot of strange signs ) and
acording to ALDL cable instructions that means that cable is working
and there is some sort of communication.
Than I tried to connect Datamaster but I allways get same message;
that ALDL is working but data is not recognized and that PCM type
may be wrong.
I'm sure that I have the right version of Datamaster for my car ( $8D ).
What else could be the problem?
I tried to disconnect ALDL cable and than when I try to make connection
I get different message; that there is no comm between ALDL........
Only thing that I'm thinking of is that maybe the problem is in my laptop,
because I'm using USB to RS232 converter.
What do you think?
BTW, my car is '90 and some details are in the sig.
Race Director
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 12,261
Likes: 85
From: O'Fallon Missouri
Originally I bought a laptop without a serial port. Tried several USB-to-serial adapters, none worked. Finally, returned the laptop and purchased one with a serial port.
Hope you have better luck.
-Mike
Hope you have better luck.
-Mike
Team Owner
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 20,301
Likes: 240
From: Summerland B.C. Canada
Iv'e read a few success and failure stories on this subject. Maybe a search in archives will yield what adapter works best.
My $85 laptop with serial port works everytime.
Good luck
My $85 laptop with serial port works everytime.
Good luck
Race Director
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 16,836
Likes: 337
From: Database Error Indiana
I use a Belkin adaptor. I got it from AKM cables for $15 when I bought the cable. The AKM cable is expensive though. I'm using a Dell Inspiron 5100 computer. Are you sure thats the correct version of Datamaster. Its worth the effort it takes to get Datamaster working. The program is a great tool and you can learn a lot about the car when using it.
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Jun 2001
Posts: 1,625
Likes: 1
From: Zagreb, Croatia
I borrowed laptop from a friend and it has serial port.
I've established the connection with only ignition ON but
engine not running.
But if I try to get any data recorded it won't work.
Should engine be running to be able to collect any data?
I'm asking because I can't start the engine now and I would
really like to be sure that it will work.
I've established the connection with only ignition ON but
engine not running.
But if I try to get any data recorded it won't work.
Should engine be running to be able to collect any data?
I'm asking because I can't start the engine now and I would
really like to be sure that it will work.
Corvette Stories
The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts
Top 10 Most Explosive Corvettes Ever Made: Power-to-Weight Ratio Ranked!
Joe Kucinski
150 hp to 1,250 hp: Every Corvette Generation Compared by the Specs That Matter
Joe Kucinski
8 Coolest Corvette Pace Cars (and Replicas) of All Time
Verdad Gallardo
Top 10 Corvette Engines RANKED by Peak Torque (70+ Years of Muscle!)
Joe Kucinski
Corvette ZR1X Will Be Pacing the Indy 500, And Could Probably Race, Too!
Verdad Gallardo
Top 10 Corvettes Coming to Mecum Indy 2026!
Brett Foote
Top 10 C9 Corvette MUST-HAVES to Fix These C8 Generation Flaws!
Michael S. Palmer
10 Revolutionary 'Corvette Firsts' Most People Don't Know
Joe Kucinski
5 Reasons to Upgrade to an LS6-Powered Corvette; 5 Reasons to Stay LT2
Michael S. Palmer
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Jun 2001
Posts: 1,625
Likes: 1
From: Zagreb, Croatia
The message is: NO PCM sync....recycling
And when I do test comm: Test com passed, CCM detected
But test com passes even with ignition OFF.
I tried with engine running and it's the same.
And when I do test comm: Test com passed, CCM detected
But test com passes even with ignition OFF.
I tried with engine running and it's the same.
Racer
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 276
Likes: 0
From: Marietta GA
I know you got a message that said the CCM was detected, but even so it might not be working correctly. From the note in the Datamaster manual for Corvette owners, you might try Options-Advanced-Disable ALDL Handshake and/or Options-Advanced-Disable Dash Refresh.
Both of those options deal with a CCM that is missing or not working correctly. I don't know if that's the problem, but it won't hurt to try.
Both of those options deal with a CCM that is missing or not working correctly. I don't know if that's the problem, but it won't hurt to try.
Pro
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 603
Likes: 0
From: 84 383 XFire Chandler, AZ
I use the Serial to USB converter from Radio Shack. It is expensive ($40) but I have used it with various notebooks and have never had a problem. I downloaded the drivers from their website - no floppy in notebook..
Le Mans Master
Joined: May 2000
Posts: 7,033
Likes: 12
My USB to Serial cable didn't work either so I currently use a 390X IBM laptop. It's a good cheap ($200ish ebay) serial ported laptop that I use for datalogging and to listen to music in the garage.
Last edited by hippy; Feb 14, 2006 at 01:45 PM.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 9,036
Likes: 13
From: Edmonton AB
Originally Posted by Sliding
O.K. It's working. It turned out that there was bad connection
at cigarette ligter connector.
at cigarette ligter connector.
anyway, in case it somehow helps someone else (or leads someone
to suggest a shorter/simpler procedure I can follow.)
Do you happen to have the Moates ALDU1 cable with the 10K resistor feature?
Regardless of whose cable you use, have you read "Could tell me how to
connect with the APU1/ALDU1 step by step?" in the Moates FAQ? There are
important steps here for configuring the USB port.
Do you have the free "ALDL_TEST" utility from TTS Power Systems? This
tool is useful for verifying your connection
Have you read "Setting up and acquiring ALDL Data" in the Help
file for Datamaster. You particularly want to follow the instructions
about the COM Port selection.
I don't know with certainty but I strongly recommend that if
you intend to use any other devices (like a USB mouse) that when you
go through the Moates FAQ steps that you set up the port with everything
configured/installed in exactly the way you will have it when you log.
Then when you log, make sure you plug your USB devices into the same
outlets as used during configuration - my mouse antenna goes in the top
outlet, the cable goes in the bottom.
After initial configuration, now when I log my '89 with 8192 and an
1227165 ECM, my drill is as follows:
Note that I found that is the cable was bumped or unplugged, this seemed
to disable the USB Com port when I used other logging software. The only way
to re-establish the port was to reboot the PC. The same may happen with
DataMaster - don't know because I have been careful not to disturb the cable.
.
Regardless of whose cable you use, have you read "Could tell me how to
connect with the APU1/ALDU1 step by step?" in the Moates FAQ? There are
important steps here for configuring the USB port.
Do you have the free "ALDL_TEST" utility from TTS Power Systems? This
tool is useful for verifying your connection
Have you read "Setting up and acquiring ALDL Data" in the Help
file for Datamaster. You particularly want to follow the instructions
about the COM Port selection.
I don't know with certainty but I strongly recommend that if
you intend to use any other devices (like a USB mouse) that when you
go through the Moates FAQ steps that you set up the port with everything
configured/installed in exactly the way you will have it when you log.
Then when you log, make sure you plug your USB devices into the same
outlets as used during configuration - my mouse antenna goes in the top
outlet, the cable goes in the bottom.
After initial configuration, now when I log my '89 with 8192 and an
1227165 ECM, my drill is as follows:
- Begin with the car & computer both off
- Hook up the ALDL/USB
- Make sure the 10K switch in in the middle (off) position
- Start the PC
- Open the TTS "ALDL Test" app and run the "Fast Test"
- Open DataMaster and select 'Record ALDL Data...' from below the 'File' menu
- When the 'Serial Data Acquisition' window displays, I check that the COM box
displays the correct port - Then click 'Open' beneath 'File' and create a new log file
- Next click the [Test Com] button
- Fire the car up.
- For my car/ECM, I need to move the 10K switch up for a few seconds, then
back to the middle position.
Note that I found that is the cable was bumped or unplugged, this seemed
to disable the USB Com port when I used other logging software. The only way
to re-establish the port was to reboot the PC. The same may happen with
DataMaster - don't know because I have been careful not to disturb the cable.
