I have researched the aldl cable schematics and have come up with three basic versions. 1) Single transistor with a few resistors, I believe this would work with the '85 1226870 160 baud rate ecm only, yes? 2) Two transistors and some resistors which would work with the 165 ecm at the 8192 baud rate, yes? And 3) One microprocessor, I believe the Max 232 with several caps and resistors which works with any of the 8192 baud ecms, yes?

What is gained by using the Max 232 chip in the cable over the two transistors?

The reason this has come up is that I have a mastach cable which has the microprocessor which I believe to be the max 232 but it is not printed on the chip. Anyway, I can log data with this cable on my 165 ecm using winaldl no problem, can not get the tunerprort to connect. I use the same cable on my 730 ecm and tunerprort connects fine, the 3.1 version, can not get 4.0 version to connect to either one.

I have noticed that the schematics for the aldl cable using the max 232 chip have a voltage regulator installed for the serial port on the laptop, the mastach cable I have has no regulator that I can see.

I wanted to build a new cable and see if that would correct my problem of connecting, which schematic should I use? Two transistors or the Max 232 chip?

 

If the cable works with a 730, it will work fine with the 165. Note that for 8192 baud on the 165, you need to have 10k resistance between pins A & B of the ALDL connector.

TunerPro will connect up to your 165 just fine. (Even 4.0). There is no reason 3.1 would connect but 4.0 will not. The code base is identical. Make sure the settings are appropriate (MAX232/2-trans interface type, the correct COM port, etc).

Where in the Seattle area do you live? If trouble persists, let me know.

 

The mastach cable has a 10k pin which I checked with a ohm meter and it is fine, hence the fact that winaldl works I suspect. If you didn't have the 10k in a&b would you get 160 baud?

With the 10k pin in, engine speeds up, timing increase?

I have read that the winaldl program only works with 160 baud, so what is it reading on mine? 8192 or 160?

I am in Maple Valley you are in the Bellevue area correct?

 

WinALDL only does 160 baud, as is obvious by the .66 hz sample rate. =)

North of Bellevue.

 

I am sure that it is something simple that I am doing wrong. I am going to play with it again today and see if anything changes. I just got to looking at the cable because the tunerprort cable test (in 4.0) tells me that it is not connected or not getting the 8192 baud rate, but the dam thing works fine with 3.1, go figure!

 

Hmm, I just checked the latest 4.0 build. The connect to ECM button is broken. Oops! I must have broken it in one of the last 3 builds that were posted.

I'll fix that tonight.

 

So I should hold off on loading the shotgun?

I still need to get it to work on my 165 with the 3.1 version, works fine on the 730 ecm, 3.1 that is.

 

Yes, it should work fine on 3.1, but it may take a number of "Connect to ECM" attempts (sometimes up to 15).

 

I just played with it on the 165 with the 3.1 version, but I had no luck connecting, I also did not try connecting 15 times! Tried a couple thats it. Will try again tomorrow, off to Fry's to buy stuff to make another cable, the simple two transistor one.

With the matsch cable on my 165 ecm the only program that will work is winaldl, tried tunerprort 3.1 no joy, tried moates ecm852? Nada.

My cable has 4 wires for plugging into aldl. One goes to A, one goes to B (10K) for 165 ecm, then I have two more which plug into data socket, one is for 160 baud one is for 8192 baud I have never been able to get any data with the 160 always use the 8192.
And like I mentioned before this cable works fine on my 730 ecm using tunerprort 3.1, but not moates ecm852.

Can you let me know when 4.0 is up and running again? I will try it again.

Thanks!

 

I'll post a fix tonight. Make use of the "Internet Update" feature in the help menu. =)

 

O.K. I got the latest 4.0, I even got the connect button to work with my 165 computer, YAAAhh!!, call me a non techno nutjob or just stupid whichever, but where do you view the data? There is no tabs like on 3.1 for 'setup/ sensor data/ bit data/ monitor'. I looked thru the help menu and found the view I am suppose to see, but how do I get there?
I closed the page with the connect button and data stream browse button and I go to a page with blank tables/box?

One more question, using the cable test button in preferences I get a message, 'cable not found or not in 8192 baud' when I have my new simple two transistor cable connected (that I just made). If I use the cable with the max232 chip the cable test is fine, and I have to use this cable to get the 4.0 to connect.

Does the two transistor cable only transmit in 160 baud? It works fine with the winaldl program.

Which sends me back to the original post in this thread, what is the difference in these cables and where can they be used?

Thanks!

 

Magnus: I have been reading searches for the last couple hours, apparently this subject has been beat to death, I am sorry for not searching earlier before asking the same questions.
I have not found anything to explain when to use the simple two transistor cable or the one with the max232 chip. I now have both to play with so I guess I will find out what works.

I still have not been able to get the page that displays any data once tunerpro 4 shows I am connected? I also cannot get tunerpro to display on my 165 but I have plenty of things to try now after the deep reading!

Thanks for sticking with the non techies like myself and not getting to pis**d off at us!

Jeff

 

Either cable type will work. I believe the MAX232 is a more robust cable. 2 trans is simpler to build.

Open the ALDL toolbar by right clicking in the toolbar area and selecting "ALDL". Then hit the Dash/Values/Flags/Monitors buttons in the toolbar (D/V/F/M).

 

What's wrong with a max233? No caps either






I even got mine to fit inside a db-9 shell

 

MAX233 is fine too. It is identical in terms functionality to the 232.

 

O.K. Update: After working 16 hours I get home this a.m. and head out to the 165 ecm truck, (of course my brain is sharp as a marbel by now) and after a few no connects with my freshly made simple two transistor cable and tunerprort 4.0, I switch to the mastach 232 chip cable and WHAM!! There it is, data!! It was almost better than se-, well maybe not that good! But it was good! But simple minds are easily entertained.

So, for now things are good. Thanks for the help Magnus, I do not know what motivates guys like you and Craig Moates but all I can say is I hope it continues and your patience as well.
You must spend hours designing Tunerpro and then answering all the questions good and bad, and all you ask for in return is adonation of $30 simply amazing!!!

If you ever need any Chevy parts, mostly engine/trans stuff from pre 90's including TPI, drop me a line, I owe you one. Keep up the good work.

Next project is to tackle that DIY wide band o2 sensor!

 

Yes indeed. Thanks for the kind words. I have to say similar things to my wife. She's the one who ultimately suffers from all the time spent on design, coding, and especially support questions (where 50% of the time is spent). :-D Good thing I landed me a good wifey!

 

Here is a good explanation of the 2 transistor vs. max232 circuit:
http://www.aldlcable.com/sc/pages.asp?id=24

with a printed circuit board, the 2 transistor seems bullet proof. A pict is at:
http://www.aldlcable.com/sc/details.asp?item=obd1diykit

 

Good link

 

Sorry for bumping this but here is a schematic I have made from an interface I bought, I am not sure it is working properly either due to shoddy work or plain design fault but here is the copy.
http://www.unitednucular.com/misc/im...wered_aldl.gif

The connections for the DB-9(female on the left are) ordered this way:
5
4
3
2
1

And the ALDL ports are ordered this way:
D
(none)
ME
A
B

The three points in the lower left-hand corner connect to a T80-T toggle switch of the ON-ON variety, it really just either makes A-B connected either with or without a 10k resistor inbetween.
If you just want 10k ALDL and no SES mode you can skip it and just connect the two points to the right.

I do not yet have what I need to build it so I can't try it out yet but anyone here is welcome to try.