Trouble with WinALDL

[ahill22584]

I am trying to log data using WinALDL from my 7747 ecm. Engine off, key on I get the flashing green 20, all data fields on the raw tab are filed and all the sensors show data. Once I start the engine, it starts flashing red, the raw tab only shows partial data and the sensors all are 0 or default values that don't change. This is not 100% of the time but close. I have driven it like this and it does seam to capture BLM data but I am concerned it's not right since I don't know if it's communicating like it should. I have a Windows XP laptop with a custom USB cable that I built. The fact that it works with the engine off makes me believe the cable is ok but I just started learning this stuff and don't really know what else to check.
Has anyone else had this issue or have any ideas what to check?
Thanks in advance.

[steveo]

it's possible that the slight rise in voltage from your running alternator is screwing something around, bad alternator rectifier, maybe some interference from non-resistor or damaged spark plugs or wires, something like that. for fun try unhooking the alt power wire and see if datalogging works OK with the engine running.

that aside, ditch winaldl and use tunerpro RT, you'll be better off. nobody uses that thing anymore

[ahill22584]

Steveo, thanks for the reply. I tried disconnecting the alternator and made sure my plug wires weren't touching the wireing harness but no change. I did get TurnerPro RT set up but it keeps flashing DA: Data Error at the bottom during recording. Any other ideas? I'm starting to wonder if it is my cable although it tested fine in TurnerPro.

[damanx]

Steveo, thanks for the reply. I tried disconnecting the alternator and made sure my plug wires weren't touching the wireing harness but no change. I did get TurnerPro RT set up but it keeps flashing DA: Data Error at the bottom during recording. Any other ideas? I'm starting to wonder if it is my cable although it tested fine in TurnerPro.

Would you mind describing your connection from the laptop to the ALDL serial port?

[ahill22584]

Would you mind describing your connection from the laptop to the ALDL serial port?

I followed the suggestions in this post http://www.gearhead-efi.com/Fuel-Injection/showthread.php?719-Uber-easy-DIY-USB-ALDL-Cable

I have a FT232RL board that I soldered spade terminals to since I don't have the actual ALDL port. I connected the TX and RX pins together and to what would be the E pin on the port (red wire). Then added a ground to the vehicle body (black wire). Then just a standard USB-A to USB-B cable to the laptop. I have now tried Windows XP and Windows 7 on two different laptops with the same result.

I used the drivers on Moates.net site CDM20824_Setup.exe

[damanx]

Ok, I'm not very familiar with using that set-up as I use the serial port ALDL cable since I have a Toughbook CF-30 for tuning.

I did once try to use a USB type connection and had nothing but problems because windows was having issues with the com-ports, but that doesn't sound like your problem.

Did you make sure the port speed in TunerPro is set correctly?

Also check this post:

http://www.gearhead-efi.com/Fuel-Injection/showthread.php?719-Uber-easy-DIY-USB-ALDL-Cable&p=13942&viewfull=1#post13942

[ahill22584]

Thanks for all the suggestions. I started rereading that post and decided to try moving the VCC jumper from 5v to 3.3v and that seams to have resolved the issue. I still get occasional data errors but it is working 99% of the time. I'd love to know why as this seams to be the reverse of what everyone says is correct but hey it works so I can log data now. Woo hoo! Thanks again. Great community here.

[AlexanderHL]

Thanks for all the suggestions. I started rereading that post and decided to try moving the VCC jumper from 5v to 3.3v and that seams to have resolved the issue. I still get occasional data errors but it is working 99% of the time. I'd love to know why as this seams to be the reverse of what everyone says is correct but hey it works so I can log data now. Woo hoo! Thanks again. Great community here.


Hi, I have the same issue when datalogging. Green light when engine is off and red light and noisy data when engine on. Im gonna try changing the jumper from 5 to 3.3 on my usb connector. But did you find out anything more regarding this?