GROUP BUY: USB CONSULT!

[3Q Jay]

Downloadfed the trial version of OBD Scan Tech. THis one also wants to find ECU address EF (i guess that is the default), but allows user to change to EE. EE on this software also returns the ECU p/n 67u00, so it does appear to communicate. aside from the pop-ups every 5 seconds asking me to register, this one may be pointing in the right direction: it does return data for the same selected parameters as mentioned in the previous post (using datascan 1_52), but the data is impossible: for instance the fuel temp reads 288° F, CAS RPM reads 72000 (no typo!) even when engine off, key on.i'm thinking there must be some sort of clocking issue relative to the major frame of data. perhaps an artifact of the new ECU PROM.

like to get some feedback before swapping out ECUs--but that may be the next step. interestingly, Bruce seems to be getting reads with his 4-channel NICO ECU.

[bruce.weiland]

Jay and others,

Got a chance to try my consult today. It worked great!

I used the conzult free trial software, very limited function, and it worked.

Then I used ECUTalk 1.3. It worked very well. I had all 19 (2 1/2" ~ 62 mm) gauges up on my laptop. They were monitoring real time. The only one that looked strange to me was timing BTDC which was 50 degress with a very occasional decrease from that point under hard acceleration.

The gauges were labeled, RPM, timing, throttle, air flow, aac, O2 sensor, injector, battery, duty cycle, O2 sensor RH, injector RH, duty cycle RH, speed mph, water temp, Econ mpg, A/F base, A/F base SL, A/F base RH, A/F base SL RH.

I don't know what all of these mean, but it was fun watching the gauges.

Oh, and I checked the codes. There weren't any other than 55 reported by both pieces of software.

[bruce.weiland]

Jay,

My rpm, mph, and H2O temp were right on. The instant economy mpg seemed accurate too.

I have a very powerful laptop (desktop replacement) running XP, but Jamie says it works with 98 and 2000 and based on my results I believe what he says.

I have a couple of less powerful tablets. I will see if I can get around to trying one of those tomorrow.

Bruce

PS This was with the NICO 4 program ECU

[Q45tech]

The Consult I has a 12 MHz cpu which might be the equivalent of a 100 MHz cpu running windows.......................don't confuse the needs of the operating system with the needs of the diagnostic program.

I'll bet a laptop running 266-500 MHz [P2 or P3] will be fine.

[silver2k2]

Yup Runs fine on my PII 366 shop laptop

[slipnfall]

Yes CPU speed isn't critical for the data transfer: I mean think of the PCs we were running when BBS's featured 9600baud modems...

The problems are with small amounts of RAM, especially if you are data-logging. Typically the hard drives are slow and just can't keep up. The RAM fills up and funky things happen.

Anyways, Jay I'm sorry I don't have some more definitive answers relative to the NICO ecus. Keep trying different software, some other NICO members should have theirs soon.

Speaking of which: the last of the boards will ship tomorrow(they're packaged and labeled as I type). Sorry for the delay, it's been a busy last week! Thanks for hanging in there w/me.

[bruce.weiland]

Futher tests.

Yes CPU and possibly memory are not that critical.

My desktop replacement laptop has 2 Gig of memory, 17" 16:10 display, an Athlon 64 3700+ and 7500 rpm hard drive and works perfectly. Except for the 10 lbs it weighs and its 45 min battery life.

So, I tested one of my tablets. It runs about 9 hours on a charge, but has a 10" display, 256 mb of memory, a mobile Celeron 733MHz, and a slow hard drive.

IT WORKED JUST AS WELL, WITH DATA LOGGING!

Jay email me and we will discuss your set up. I will sent back my phone # and we can talk.

So, we don't need a terribly powerful computer to use our consults.

Both my computers are running XP sp2.

[slipnfall]

No certainly not: I use a Thinkpad T20, a P3-700Mhz with 768Mb ram andit runs flawlessly.

When I said low RAM, I meant seriously low. The one user had problemswith Win98 and 32Mb ram.

Thanks for your help Bruce, 'much appreciated.

[ponzy]

it's not that of being pushy..but i haven't receive any email regarding shipping info......just in case you havent shipped it yet pls send it to 07002....thanks........

i still have problem with idle rpm..... its fluctuating from 450-750.....sometimes it's just stayed on 500..l....and it has MIL on....i hope at least i can narrow the problems out of the consult........ prolly tomorrow i'll shop for the software that you guys will reccommend....

thanks....

joseph

[3Q Jay]

guys, i'm hittin a wall here.

i've got a pentium-M 1.4GHz, win xp pro, and 640MB RAM. i don't think it's the laptop, but i'm willing to listen.

tried the ECUTalk, per Bruce's suggestion. does not offer option to manually select ECU address. won't autofind my ECU. This setup is working for Bruce on an active G50.

played the trump card and switched ECUs. no change.Both ECU's on the G50 that i've tried are Robert Bowen so I'm thinking that's not it either.

[slipnfall]

No problem: I asked Wes for everyone's email address as well so I could send shipping notifications, but I just never got them.

Anyways, your USPS Priority Mail # is 420 20604 9101 0385 5574 9957 4754 39.

Jamie

[elwesso]

ooops, sorry, coming right up!

[Q451990]

guys, i'm hittin a wall here.

i've got a pentium-M 1.4GHz, win xp pro, and 640MB RAM. i don't think it's the laptop, but i'm willing to listen.

Sounds very familiar... I'm running essentially the same thing. I really think it has something to do with how the drivers were installed. Hard to say though. I had the same issues with Robert's DIY adaptor... we tried everything - including swapping adaptors and cables. They worked at his house, just not mine... and that was with both Qs and the truck. Keep trying... I'm sure you'll run across something.

Oh, and be sure the car is running when you try to initialize... I know I tried it a lot with the car off before I figured that one out.

Heath

[bruce.weiland]

Jay and anyone else who is still having a problem,

Here is the good news, or bad news depending on your perspective.

I down load the free Nissan Data Scan, as you requested Jay, which will idtentify the ECU and give a tack and speedo gauge.

The good/bad news. It worked flawlessly. I loaded it on my tablet that has 1/8 the memory of my laptop and about 1/5 the processor speed.

By the way, the ECU came back as "ECU Part Number 23710-71U04"

Hope this helps someone.

Bruce

[slipnfall]

Jay: with the device installed, go into the control panel->System->Device manager. Find the two instances of the adaptor: under the PORTS, and USB devices. Right click and Uninstall. Uninstall both and remove the board promptly. It's important to keep the board removed untill the time comes, below.

Reboot.

Here is a link to the manufacture's drivers. There is a new version out, which may or may not fix some problems.

http://www.silabs.com/tgwWebAp...p.htm

You need the VCP 'Driver Kit'. Download the appropriate set for you OS and run the program. This will extract the files to C:\SiLabs\MCU, and then run an installer. This installer will install drivers to C:\Program Files\Silabs\MCU\CP210x\ by default.

Durring the new driver installation, it will scan your system and then tell you that it needs to remove the other drivers (DLabs drivers). Go ahead and tell it to remove them.

Reboot when it prompts you to.

After your PC has rebooted, shut down, plug in the CONSULT cable, and start back up. The cable should be recognized automatically, but will show up differently in the control panel->system->Device Manager now. If windows bishez about certified or signed drivers, just click ignore, or continue, whatever it may be. In case it prompts you for a file, point to either of the above new directories. It should work the same(hopefully better!) from there out.

Jamie

[3Q Jay]

Jamie-Your instructions were perfect, and i was successful at uninstall, reinstall.Unfortunately, no change.

Heath-I also tried unplugging and replugging the grey connx while engine was running, then booting up the software, but still no success.

Bruce-that would seem to be a Bowen joke (a JDM p/n on the ECU).

keep those ideas coming......

Jay

[ponzy]

No problem: I asked Wes for everyone's email address as well so I could send shipping notifications, but I just never got them.

Anyways, your USPS Priority Mail # is 420 20604 9101 0385 5574 9957 4754 39.

Jamie

Label/Receipt Number: 4202 0604 9101 0385 5574 9957 4754 39Status: Arrival at Unit

Your item arrived at 7:22 AM on March 28, 2007 in WALDORF, MD 20602. Information, if available, is updated every evening. Please check again later.

jamie.......i think you got a wrong track number for me joseph 07002... pls. confirm....thanks

[slipnfall]

Yep, try this one: 0103 8555 7498 7358 9388

Sorry about that! If anyone else needs tracking info, feel free to email me. The last 4 were mailed today.

[sdkhalsa]

I had lots of connection problems with consult hardware that I bought over the internet. The board was fine but the grey connector had a very poor fit with the G50 data port. Provided with the board was a grey connector with square type pins -- flat pins are required. The fit is very exact!!! To remedy this situation I found a Nissan 14 pin connector made by Atek, http://atek.stores.yahoo.net/audica.html. It costs about $20, but works perfectly -- problem gone. Are you totally sure that you are making physical connection??? The software I use is Nissan Datascan which I like quite a bit and has saved me from many a tune-up problem.

[maxnix]

Received mine. Now on to the programs. Hmmmm...datascan?

Very nice job, Jamie.

Guess it still requires a dual male USB cable?

[slipnfall]

Thanks: yes you will need a standard A to B USB cable (same one used for printers + scanners).

I like DataScan, but ODB ScanTech looks pretty good too: anyone have experiance with this one?

[ponzy]

I got mine today. im pretty excited to try that on but first figure out what is the best software to buy. thanks jamie. Ang wes you pulled off this group buy stemming from last year. Next project -- stiffer springs?

[RyanH]

Hey all, got an email from Goody94Q45 (Mike) concerning people getting invalid COM port errors and such. He asked me to see if I can get it all worked out.

EDIT: Procedure:

Here's what you need to do (these directions should be good for 2000/XP/Vista, 98se will be very close):

Almost forgot, you need to have the cable plugged in, otherwise you won't see the controller.

Right-click My Computer

Click Properties

Click the Hardware tab (in Vista, just click Device Manager on the left pane)

Click Device Manager

You should see an entry called Ports (COM/LPT) with a plus sign to the left

Click the plus sign

You should see CP210x USB to UART Bridge Controller (COMx) where x is a number representing the COM port

Set your software to read the COM port listed

Ex: Nissan Data ScanClick SettingsClick CommunicationType the number in the Port: boxClick Save

All should be good now. If not, post here or email or if you really hate doing things this way, here's my number and you can give a call: 760-917-2173

Hope this helps you all out!

EDIT 2:Just read through the rest of the thread. As far as problems with the NICO ECU, I can't say as mine is the stocker. I've never seen any program I have used return obviously bad data once it connects to the ECU. Here's a list of what I've used:TECUECUTalk 1.2conZultNissan Data Scan 1.3Nissan Data Scan 1.51CalumSultDDL ReaderOBD Scan Tech Nissan
Modified by RyanH at 5:01 PM 3/29/2007

[goody90q45]

As far as problems with the NICO ECU, I can't say as mine is the stocker. I've never seen any program I have used return obviously bad data once it connects to the ECU. Here's a list of what I've used:TECUECUTalk 1.2conZultNissan Data Scan 1.3Nissan Data Scan 1.51CalumSultDDL ReaderOBD Scan Tech Nissan

Thanks for checking in Ryan. The instructions you wrote up were for checking and setting COM ports and in my case I've done it a dozen times along with installing/uninstalling the drivers.

So far you are the only one who's been able to fully connect to all the consult programs available. Do you have a serial port or USB connection on your cable? I've had the Blazt consult cable and driver since December and have had no luck connecting to any of the scan programs. I know there are at least a few others posting in this thread with similar difficulties. At the admission of at least one of the cable suppliers, the USB connection can be "finicky".

Any input from consult users who have been successful using a cable with USB plug would be appreciated.

[RyanH]

Mike, my cable is USB. In your device manager, is the cable showing up as a CP210x? I recall reading on some other forums that the CP210x series is one of the few chipsets that works for this application. I may have missed it, but what OS are you running? If its Windows Vista, you need to do this once to get some registry settings written so the software can communicate with the hardware: (this is assuming you have the same driver I do.)

Click Start -> Programs -> National Instruments -> Datasocket Server

Run that and all should be good. I do not recall if I had to do it in XP or not, but ts worth a shot.

Edit: Jamie, is there any way to confirm that my cable is using the same chipset as the ones you sold here in this thread? If so, and they're the same, I'll host the driver I am using so people can try that in case the problem lies in a more current driver.

[Q451990]

I now have the adaptor, Q, and laptop at home with me - so I'm going to try installing my NICO ECU today. I'll let everyone know if it works for me. The tests I ran earlier are using a stock 93 ECU.

Heath

[goody90q45]

Mike, my cable is USB.

In your device manager, is the cable showing up as a CP210x? I recall reading on some other forums that the CP210x series is one of the few chipsets that works for this application.

I may have missed it, but what OS are you running?

Thanks for your help Ryan and for confirming that the USB connection will work.

In the device manager the cable is showing up as CP2101 on COM4. OS is Windows XP. I'm running the Blazt driver so I lost you on the National Instruments> Data Server instructions.

[maxnix]

Hey, Ryan, where does the wrench go?

Nice post. Are there pictures of your Q45t up on the web?
Modified by maxnix at 12:01 PM 3/30/2007

[Q451990]

OK... I can now confirm that the adaptor works with my NICO/Bowen ECU! I'm pretty much ready to pull the trigger on the full version of the OBDScantech software. Does anyone have the full version - and can you confirm that you can perform a true power balance test with it?

I want to be sure that I will get actual RPM drop numbers for each cylinder, not just a cycle through to make sure you can feel the difference as each cylinder is shut down. From the trial version it looks like it may be possible but I just don't know for sure.

Thanks!

Heath

[maxnix]

I'll be the guinea pig for this application if need be. I like the scope feature.

Looks llike they never added the ABS feature.