Need help dataloging!! - Using winALDL - Third Generation F-Body Message Boards

vbMike · 11-06-2005, 10:49 AM

Help me!!!

Alright I'm obviously new to this computer tuning. I've already done hours of reading and I figured the best way to get started is to get some datalogs of my car so I can analyze them and then learn how to tune. It seems that I am having some problems just getting any data to look at.

Here is what I have:
I bought an ALDL cable from www.aldlcable.com.
I have an old but reliable HP Omnibook 5500CS P100 with Win95.
My car is an 87 Camaro IROC with the 5.7 TPI MAF and Auto trans.

1. I assume that I have the 165 ECM based on what I have read. Is this correct or would I have to check the computer to know for sure? I'm pretty sure that it is still the factory original ECM.

2. If I do have the 165ECM does this communicate at 160 Baud or 8192? If it can transmit at 8192 that awesome because that would be a lot faster.

3. I am trying to use winALDL to log the data. I have hear that winALDL only operates at 160 baud. Is this correct? If my car can communicate at 8192 baud then I should be using a different program to take advantage of the higher baud rate?

4. I have read that I need the 10k resistor between pins A & B to get into ALDL mode and get the data flowing. I have found this to be correct. Once I am in ALDL mode and have established communications can I remove the resistor? The car seems to run rough in ALDL mode and stalls out from time to time.

5. I am trying to use winALDL to log the data. If there is a better program to use with this ECM let me know that too. The cable that I have is getting it's power and ground from the cigarette lighter. It is reading data from both pins E & M which go to the same place in the DB9 connector. Here is a wiring diagram of the cable I am using.
ALDL Cable wiring diagram
In winALDL I have set it to the 165 ECM. The com port is COM1 which is correct. I set the baud rate to 4800. I couldn't get anything with the baud rate set to 2400. I plug in the ALDL connector, then the cigarette adapter, then the DB9 into the laptop. Next I open winALDL and turn the ignition to the ON position. The data starts to flow. It is apparently communicating at 160 Baud because I only get about 1 read per second. Everything seems to work. When I push the gas peddle the TPS sensor value changes. The box at the top of winALDL has the number 25 and flashes green. I then start the car and the data flow stops. The number at the top of winALDL changes between 2,3,4 and flashes red. I have not been able to get any data while the car is running! Only when the ignition is turned on. What is going on??? I have tried it with and without the 10k resistor between pins A & B. I also tried using datamaster but couldn't seem to get any data with that program either but I might not be using the software correctly.

Any info regarding all or some of these questions would be apprichiated.