hey craig i tried that 232 link thing tonight, I built the other end of the cable, as described on the AKM web site, i think i did it right, but the AKM site said that the end going to the car needed a Female adapter, but the way i oriented it, it needed a male adapter, which way should it go? I will scan a picture in a couple minutes and post that, any and all help is apreciated, i have been at this a week already, and its starting to cost me $$$

 

here is the picture, i used solid strand wire from rat shack it was like $4 for 20 feet of it, and it is 4 strands wide, so i just used 3 of the 4 strands and called it good. Do you think that the wire, or the 9 to 25 pin converter is the problem?

 

btt

 

someone anyone, i need some help! would it make a difference if i didnt turn the laptop on until after i connect the cable to the car? Because with most com port things you have to connect it to the computer before the computer is turned on or else it wont find it.

 

Your cables are installed exactly backwards. See Andrew's site for details:

http://www.akmcables.com/assembly.htm

This should clarify, and serve as a good reference for others.

Like you said, to get it to fit together like you have it, you had to do things backward...

 

okay, i got it reversed at least now when i link to Hyperterminal it will let me type stuff, (but it doesnt echo it like it's supposed to) Anyway, when I launch your software, and set it for COM1 then go back and press 1 it says the sending data thing, then last byte from com port 0. I am beggining to think that Morley was right, and taht my data wire is broken from between the ALDL connector, and the ECM, because i cant get the Auto-X-Ray from work, to link either. I know that the cable i built is correct, because when plugged in it makes the idle jump to 1,000 RPM but when its out it idles at 500-600 RPM like normal! Please any suggestions are appreciated

 

take a multimeter and doa continutity test from the ALDL connector to the ecm on all the pins. ground, data. i would also unplug the ecm to ensure no false readings. iff you get more than say 0.001 ohms i think you have a problme. it should be 0. but a bit or resistance is ok. also do a wiggle test and makes sure that the pin in the ALDL connector is making good contact.

just my thoughts on the subject.

 

I'm also having trouble connecting to my 165 ecm with Craig's software. I can connect with Winaldl but as soon as I hit '1' in Craig's software, it knock the ecm out of ALDL mode and the idle drops from 1000 to 600. I'm using a cable by Steve Ruse with is similiar to the AKM cable you made. Please post if you get yours to work.

 

If it drops to 600RPM, that doesn't mean it's dropping out of Diag mode, just means that it's entering the 8192-baud mode. You sure it's not communicating? If it is doing like you say, it ought to connect at that point and give good readings. When in 8192, the idle & such does like it's supposed to according to the PROM...

 

Craig,

It echo's back four numbers then freezes. After waiting, I can hit 'Esc' and go back to the main menu. Hitting '1' again does nothing.

I have tried Datamaster too. It has a self test that sees a "GM160" ecm but it can't connect either. After it fails to connect, the self test doesn't see the ecm anymore.

I'm stumped!

 

so as long as its idling @ 1000RPM then its not connected, but the cable is correct? I am going to try and trace that wire back, but if i cant then i will try your different versions of your software

 

The 1000 RPM means that the 10k is in place on a 86-89. The rest of the cable could be FUBARed and it would still give you the 1000 idle.

 

I solved my connection problem!

I converted from a 870 ecm to the 165. The 870 uses a burnoff module that connects to the serial line of the ecm (aka pin E of the ALDL). Disconnecting the old 870 Burnoff Module connector allows the software to connect (this removes interference on the data line).

I hope this helps others that have had trouble using scanning software after converting from 870 to 165.