ok, i built my cable, i had the transistor in back wards the first time, because it wouldnt even give me the no link thing when i tried to link to the software, now i get this screen (attached image) i have gone over my cable several times, and have a 10k resistor across A&B, is the resistor the problem? also after it sits on that screen for like a minute it beeps then enters the program, but only like 3 variable on each page change, and they keep changing with the car off, so is it even reading at all? PLEASE HELP ASAP

btt

someone has to know something, come on guys 25 views, and no replies!

Are you sure you aren't in "offline" mode?
Also I notice that the echo/response doesn't look right, mine has actual numbers there, not just zeros.

Oh hell, I just noticed, you are using version 852 of his software. I was never able to get 852 to work with the 2 transistor cable, get version 851 from his site and use that.

i can only find 850 on his site, will this work?

Don't know, I never tried it. If you want to PM me with your E mail addy I'll send it to you, or try 850 and see if it works.

tried the 850 software, maybe there is something wrong with my cable, maybe i'll try building the one transistor cable, and try my luck with that, but the 851 software would be greatly appreciated!

http://moates.net/zips/ECM851.ZIP

Try here also:

http://moates.net/gmecm/faq.html

Let us know what you discover...

Well I have never been able to getthe 1 transistor cable to work with Craig's software, I think it is really just for Winaldl and 160 baud scanning.

thats what i meant, try the one transistor cable with the other software, does this sounds more like a cable problem than a software poblem?

Might be the cable, try the 851 software to be sure, then we'll be starting with a "known" good combo.

okay, tried the 851 still gives me the exact same screen, so maybe i got the sending and recieving ones crossed where they come out of the plug, im gonna try switching them around and see if that helps

ok, i reversed the two data wires, and it doesnt do anything now, its the same as if you try to make it link without the cable even being hooked up. Okay, so what should I look at next? is it possible that the transistors got damaged from the heat during being soldered? any way to check that?

If you have a meter with an hfe function it would be "easy", I think they would have to be removed though.
Have you checked to make sure the diode is in correctly? This will cause it to fail also.

What is the Laptop you are trying to use? Have you gone through the BIOS to make sure IR/DA is disabled and the port is properly enabled?

What O/S are you using? Needs to be Win98 or older...

Have you been through the FAQ info page?

yes, i have been thru the info page, i am using a toshiba tecra 730xcdt 16mb RAM 2gb Hard Drive 100 or 150mhz P1, yes i have shut off all of my ir/da port stuff, and have my com ports enabled, i am running win98 2nd edition. I went to some site on the internet about diodes, and it said that the end with the black band goes to ground, is this correct?

Not sure what the problem might be, You appear to have the diode in correctly ( black end to ground). Possibly one or more of the components are bad (transistor, resistor or diode)
You are running basically the same computer I am (Toshiba Tecra 500 CDT) so there shouldn't be incompatibilities there.
If I have the time this weekend I'll make up another 2 trans cable and test it, if all is well with it I can snail mail it to you.

hey morley, thanks, BTW do you have any pictures of your cable?

Can't get a good picture of the actual electronics of the cable, too small to come out clearly.

okay, im gonna try making another one on saturday, i will let you guys know how it goes, BTW for the 9 pin female connector did you use the solder type, or the crimp type?

I've used both types of connectors, but even with the crimp on's I solidered them too.

hey morley did you get a chance to build another cable? i built another one, and its giving me similar responses, im beggining to think its the ECM, what do you guys think?

you have the diode the right way dont you?

Can you get it to flash codes by shorting out the A&B connectors?

Can you try out a different laptop?

I've got some extra MAX232/233 stuff that's kinda half done I could part with for a song...

so yes, i believe that i have the diode in correctly, the black banded end goes to ground, correct?

yes, i have had to retrieve codes from it before, by grounding the A&D pins, so I know that much works, I dont have access to any other laptops, I was gonna build one of those maxx 232 cables, but it looks like a lot of work, and im just beggining in electronics. How much would you charge for a finished one? anyway i could send you like a deposit, and borrow it, just to find out if my setup is going to work, thus ruling that it is the cable that is wrong.

No, I didn't get a chance to build another cable, sorry. They changed our hours at work and it was the wife's B-day this past weekend...busy times. I have off Fridays now so I'll make one this friday. I also have a couple Max 232 cables (1 completed one half done) haven't had a chance to test them yet though. I wouldn't want to send you one until I got it tested just so we know the cable is good.
I seriously doubt it is your laptop's fault (config maybe), or even ECM if it is flashing code 12 when jumpered. It really sounds like it is either the cable, laptop configuration, or possibly the ALDL connection is bad. The serial data wire may be broken or not making a good connection.

hey morley, craig is going to loan me one of his cables, so right now dont worry bought building another one.

BTW what guage wire do you guys use?

i work at a tire/mechanic shop they have an auto-x-ray, we tried hooking it up today, and no matter what we tried (car running, not running with key in on position, esc disconnected etc..) all it would say is no-link or connection error type message, could this be an indication of a problem between the aldl connector, and the cars computer?

Sure is. Start tracing pin E back to the ECM. I'm betting there is an open on that wire somewhere.

pin E is the data wire correct?

Yep, and pin M if it is wired in your car.