diagnostic cable - question

[Chewitt]

do I have to buy the seemingly expensive cable from Clev or can I just use a standard serial to usb cable (or serial cable with USB adaptor)?

unless anyone has a spare one they want to sell me "cheap" like!!!

[Fume troll]

You can use a serial to serial (or serial to USB adaptor) if you plug into the serial port inside the ECU. I think some ECUs have a port on the outside too - mine doesn't. You need to make up a cable like this

http://tvrcerbera.co.uk/Gallery/displayimage.php?a...

to do it.

See here:
http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a...

Cheers,

FT.

[shortlad]

Not sure whether what you suggest would work and you're right it is a bit expensive... Once you have it though you can connect as often as you want and it's certainly a lot cheaper than going to a TVR dealer.

If you was nearer to me I would lend you mine but we're quite a distance apart.

[Chewitt]

er so can I just use serial to serial with no "bodging with resistors" ???


however, I think then (from the other thread) it seems easier to make a 3 pin to serial then USB than serial to serial then uSB.
this one...
http://tvrcerbera.co.uk/Gallery/displayimage.php?a...

better go to Maplins....

[Fume troll]

Chewitt said:

er so can I just use serial to serial with no "bodging with resistors" ???


however, I think then (from the other thread) it seems easier to make a 3 pin to serial then USB than serial to serial then uSB.
this one...
http://tvrcerbera.co.uk/Gallery/displayimage.php?a...

better go to Maplins....

Yeah, you don't need resistors.

But the other cable's about as simple to make, and (assuming your fly lead from under steering wheel works - mine doesn't) easier to use.

Cheers,

FT.

[Chewitt]

cheers folks - esp Fumetroll

[Chewitt]

so.....

i've made a connection using a direct usb to serial cable and a bit of nifty wiring but I can't get it to comnnect. Did some TVR-obics to get the ECU out and apart and...No serial port inside aarrgghh but it does have Red Rose written on the box and on a chip in there (in biro of course).

so rather than experiment with the 3 pin wiring does anyone know which pin on the serial connector the wires go to?

I have a white with red tracer, white with green tracer and a black wire in the 3 pin connector. Would fiddle but wary of buggering the ECU.

any help or ideas....

ta

Edited by Chewitt on Tuesday 19th August 15:53

[NMidlane]

If anyone wants one of these cable on the cheap let me know.

I built my own but the parts you have to buy in bulk. (One company was minimum 10,000 pins not sure I needed that many

Anyway I got my cable working serial connection on laptop (quite rare now) to the under dash connector worked like a dream once baud rate set to 9600 and software handshake enabled on serial port. I'm waiting for a USB to serial connector to see if I can get it working with that on my newer laptop.

I currently have enough for six cables (could get more if demand is there). I can knock them out for £10 a piece including postage to UK if anyone wants them.

Otherwise I'll use the connectors as weird Christmas tree baubles

[WorAl]

NMidlane said:

If anyone wants one of these cable on the cheap let me know.

I built my own but the parts you have to buy in bulk. (One company was minimum 10,000 pins not sure I needed that many

Anyway I got my cable working serial connection on laptop (quite rare now) to the under dash connector worked like a dream once baud rate set to 9600 and software handshake enabled on serial port. I'm waiting for a USB to serial connector to see if I can get it working with that on my newer laptop.

I currently have enough for six cables (could get more if demand is there). I can knock them out for £10 a piece including postage to UK if anyone wants them.

Otherwise I'll use the connectors as weird Christmas tree baubles

I could do with one of these cables, I take it, it is for the speed six engine or are they for all TVR?? I have no idea about the software but i guess i need to learn....are the connections to the computer a USB connection?? if not can you make it that way?

cheers
alan

[NMidlane]

Wor Al

Current cabling is serial DB9 Female to the three pin male connector that I believe is on late Cerb's and early Tuscan's. Mines a 51 plate MkI 4.0 Tuscan.

I've got a USB to Serial cable somewhere so I'll see if the convertor works and also if I can go straight USB to 3 pin connector as that would be better for all of us. I'm a bit of a novice when it comes to mechanics but computers are my thing so I'll let you know if I get the USB option sorted in the next couple of days. My only concern is getting the software to understand the USB port is a serial connector etc, but I'll get on to it.

If you look under your steering column above your fuse box (if its similar to my Tuscan) there is a three pin connector. Some Cerb owners may know if it is different from the Tuscan.

I'll post a picture of a sample cable shortly.

Cheers

Neil

PS I'm up in Newcastle/Low Fell on the 20th if you want one dropped in

[NMidlane]

I'll see if I can get a USB one knocked up in the next couple of days and test it with the software.

This is a picture of the serial one people can have for a £10. (I hope)

[onny]

Neil, YHM.

[WorAl]

NMidlane said:

I'll see if I can get a USB one knocked up in the next couple of days and test it with the software.

This is a picture of the serial one people can have for a £10. (I hope)

Neil, I have NO computer knowledge at all, i take it you're trying the USB on the Left hand end to connect to the computer? I ask this as i dont know what connection i have on the car and that is away being repaired at the min.

I will find out over next couple of days and if it is the right connection and you get USB connection sorted out, I'll have one from you on the 20th when you're up here.

Cheers
Alan

Edited by WorAl on Thursday 4th December 08:20

[aquatix]

I will definitely have a 3 pin to USB lead when you have sorted it - ideally with 3m of cable.

Currently using a serial to USB adapter with software to create a virtual serial COM port (on Windows XP laptop with no serial socket). At best I can get about 20 seconds of continuous data before the connection resets, and sometimes only a few seconds.

Does your computer wizardry extend to modifying the diagnostic software to read directly from the USB connection or is there any other way of doing it ?

[NMidlane]

The problem is that the serial connection and USB talk different languages for want of a better analogy so there will need to be some electronic translation but I'll have a play and see how easy it is to include a translation device ( I would have thought the USB to serial convertor you have would do that as standard). Changing the software on the laptop probably won't help it would need to be on the ECU board itslf to output via usb standard signaling so probably easier to translate it from serial to USB on route.

Onny cable posted today.

[aquatix]

Not sure what is causing the drop-outs in connection, but suspect it is the software for the USB to serial port as others seem to have the same thing when using laptops without a proper RS232 interface. I've ordered a PC card with a serial connection to see if that makes a better job of it.

Is the current diagnostic software on the MyTuscan pages still the latest and best one to use, or is there a newer version anywhere ?

[The Tivster]

Neil, YHM