Ecu software problems

[Vee8ight]

Hi, I'm trying to use the ecu software to check adaptives, check throttle pots, be ready for any faults etc etc.

I have an old laptop with a serial port, I've made a lead up using the diagrams, it connects and recognises the ecu, I can see the throttle moving, but that's it. I cannot reset the adaptives and the other data doesn't seem quite right.

Am I doing something wrong?

Darren.

[aide]

That does sound odd.
The ecu software won't "half" work.
The cable just uses three pins, if they aren't wired correctly it simply can't communicate.
Are you sure you're seeing some values and not others?

[pmessling]

Have you scrolled through to the other pages? There are 3-4 pages plus the live data line graph.

Resetting the adaptives is done via a pull down menu I believe. Can't remember properly of the top of my head. Long time since I've had it plugged in.

[Vee8ight]

The throttle pot reading changes with throttle position.

When I try the adaptives reset, it comes up with an error about not being able to read/send to the ecu

My lead does have the resistors in it, could this be the problem?

[crypto]

What type of ECU do you have, the MBE941 or the MBE971 ?
I've read about similar problems of the 971 in an other thread.
Maybe you are more succesful with the offical MBE software from their web-site?
I'm not using any resistors on mine.

[Vee8ight]

It's an early 4.2 (96) with a 941 ecu. Might make another lead with no resistors in it

[Cerbieherts]

The lead I use on that year/engine size has no resistors and works fine...

[Vee8ight]

Interestingly when I fired it up this morning, it run like crap, settled down after a bit, maybe I did manage to reset the adaptives?

[crypto]

Vee8ight said:

Interestingly when I fired it up this morning, it run like crap, settled down after a bit, maybe I did manage to reset the adaptives?

Maybe, or did you unplug the ECU or disconnect the main battery ?
Within the ECU is a memory for the adaptives. To hold the values, there is small battery within the memory chip. This battery may last 10-15 years, but your car is 96 and the chip was probably made in 95/96. In other words its quite likely that you loose everything when disconneting the main battery or the ECU (which is the same as resetting the adaptives).

[Vee8ight]

crypto said:

Maybe, or did you unplug the ECU or disconnect the main battery ?
Within the ECU is a memory for the adaptives. To hold the values, there is small battery within the memory chip. This battery may last 10-15 years, but your car is 96 and the chip was probably made in 95/96. In other words its quite likely that you loose everything when disconneting the main battery or the ECU (which is the same as resetting the adaptives).

Not disconnected ECU or battery.

Is there different versions of the software as I've found more than one place to download it?

[C3BER]

Yes and usually named old and new.

[Cerbieherts]

The backround with the blue car is the older software, the yellow car in the backround is the later one..

[Vee8ight]

I've just downloaded them both to try.

I think I may have found the issue, tho.......I was using the MBE software! I'm hoping this is the problem!

[Vee8ight]

http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=14&...

Explains that the MBE 5.5 software doesn't work correctly with the tvr MBE ecu.

So in theory with the correct software it should work fine!