Few Q's getting started

Holden/Delco Tuning. ALDL, OBD 1.5. Circa 1989 to 2004.
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BIGALSRYD
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Few Q's getting started

Post by BIGALSRYD »

Hi all,

I know no one likes a newbie thread asking questions that have most probably already been answered but have been reading for a couple of days and just want to confirm a few things.

Basically if I want to get started (logging) I just buy one of vl400's comms boards, a wideband sensor and controller and download scannerpro.

Then if I want stay playing around with a tune my best option is an NVRAM board. My question is, if I buy an NVRAM board do I still need an EPROM eraser & writer?

Also if I have an NVRAM board, and purchase a EPROM writer I can do real time tuning with the NVRAM, then once I have a tune I am happy with, can I flash this to the memcal and remove the NVRAM, to use on another car, or is it best to use one per vehicle.

No doubt I will have a lot more q's in the coming days / weeks, but will try and use the search function wherever possible.

Cheers
VX L67 Getrag
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Re: Few Q's getting started

Post by VX L67 Getrag »

First question back which will help is what model is your car, what mods has it got done to it?

But mostly can do real time tuning with nv ram board & then when happy with it can put the final tune on the original chip after erasing it, or you can keep driving with the NV ram board for ever & a day, but in my car I've had issues with corruptions on my nv ram board!

Cheers VX L67 Getrag
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BIGALSRYD
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Re: Few Q's getting started

Post by BIGALSRYD »

Thanks mate, will be going into a vn with a 383 and mild cam at the moment, but will also be looking at tinkering with a vn v6 and possibly adding a turbo.
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antus
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Re: Few Q's getting started

Post by antus »

Hi there, welcome aboard!
BIGALSRYD wrote: Basically if I want to get started (logging) I just buy one of vl400's comms boards, a wideband sensor and controller and download scannerpro.
Almost. Scanner pro is obsolete and merged in to tunerpro 5. We are using tunerpro 5 now. Ideally you want to run OSE12P as its the best defined. the 160 baud protocol that the stock VN tune uses is so old and forgotten you may not have much luck with it and its not really worth bothering with. You generally would add high speed comms and change the software to something that supports it.
BIGALSRYD wrote: Then if I want stay playing around with a tune my best option is an NVRAM board. My question is, if I buy an NVRAM board do I still need an EPROM eraser & writer?
No you do not, unless you want to transfer the tune to a normal memcal. (generally a good idea to have something you can plug in and run with just in case).
BIGALSRYD wrote: Also if I have an NVRAM board, and purchase a EPROM writer I can do real time tuning with the NVRAM, then once I have a tune I am happy with, can I flash this to the memcal and remove the NVRAM, to use on another car, or is it best to use one per vehicle.
You can use the same one and move it around.
BIGALSRYD wrote: No doubt I will have a lot more q's in the coming days / weeks, but will try and use the search function wherever possible.
Cool, theres no problem with answering intelligent questions :thumbup:
Have you read the FAQ? For lots of information and links to significant threads see here: http://pcmhacking.net/forums/viewtopic.php?f=7&t=1396
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BIGALSRYD
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Re: Few Q's getting started

Post by BIGALSRYD »

So, last night we soldered in the comms board, downloaded the driver and installed tunerpro and flashtool and tried to connect. Could not get either to connect. Entered the right com port in to both, and changes the com to a few different ports and still no good. Anyone have any ideas where to start looking?

Also, with the RAM connected, the check engine light stays on. Is this normal?

Cheers
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Holden202T
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Re: Few Q's getting started

Post by Holden202T »

usb or serial comms board ?
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BIGALSRYD
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Re: Few Q's getting started

Post by BIGALSRYD »

Sorry, USB board, and Windows Vista, if that makes any difference.

Cheers
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Holden202T
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Re: Few Q's getting started

Post by Holden202T »

you need to have the echo box ticked in tp5 plugin settings for usb board .....

also try using the flashtool with auto detect echo set and see if it can connect .... that will confirm if you have a working interface.
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BIGALSRYD
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Re: Few Q's getting started

Post by BIGALSRYD »

yeah,tried flashtool with autodetect on and off, and tp with echo on and off. When trying to connect the tx light flashes a few times, but not the rx. Will try tonight with a different laptop to see if thats the problem. Anything else we should try?

Cheers
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Re: Few Q's getting started

Post by antus »

Check engine light shouldnt stay on. I think there is a problem with your nvram board. If you inserted it with the power on, the nvram can be erased, or possibly it shorted out and erased it from being knocked. Or there may be a short or bad connection on it somewhere. Check and sort all that out and get to the point where you can turn the key to on and not get a check engine light. Then go back to attempting laptop comms.
Have you read the FAQ? For lots of information and links to significant threads see here: http://pcmhacking.net/forums/viewtopic.php?f=7&t=1396
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