Degradation eventually becomes PL not connecting

[michbc3]

Degradation eventually becomes Power Logger not connecting

Hi Eric - For a month or so my Scanmaster (with 2.1 chip) has been giving me flaky readings when driving. For example MPH would sometimes blink from (normal) 35 mph to 70 mph. Same momentary doubling for other SM parameters (like coolant temp, etc.). Two weeks ago, the SM started displaying nothing but all zeros. I bought a new SM, installed the 2.1 chip and it also read the same zeros. Therefore, nothing wrong with SM.

Today I connected my XP laptop to the PL. Just once the laptop displayed lots of wacky PL readings in monitor mode (like coolant temp at -130). But now the PL no longer appears at all in the laptop's device manager and of course there are no longer any data readings.

Plugging the USB connector in and out of the laptop does nothing. Tapping F8 creates a laptop beep. Now the SM reads SCN2.2, then PL, then the display extinguishes completely.

The only positive thing I can say is that the PL green light lights once at key on and the engine still runs. Isn't the green light supposed to blink about once a second when the engine is running? Mine doesn't. Is that a clue? Is the PL bad?

 

[EricM]

As I recall, it blinks when it's logging. Have you tried removing the PL board from the ECM and re-clean the edge connector on the ECM? Maybe there's a bad connection.

 

[michbc3]

I wiggled the edge connector, but didn't clean or remove it. I'll give it a shot. Gotta start somewhere...

 

[michbc3]

Removed the PL edge connector from the ECM and wiped off some green oil. Not sure if that was for corrosion prevention or not. Cleaned it thoroughly, then sprayed and exercised the connection with red Deoxit DN5. I've used Deoxit for pro audio work and it holds up well. Also sprayed the european connector that leads to the PL interface board. So I'm very sure that all connections are good. Put everything back together.

Powered everything up/key on. Launched PLC. All COM port settings beeped when Monitor F8 button was pushed except for COM3. So I'm assuming that COM3 is communicating with the PL. However, there are no data or gauge readings on the laptop display - even when engine is running. Next steps would be?

 

[EricM]

I would look in the windows device manager, then connect the usb cable with key on, and see what port appears. You could be able to see what COM # it actually is. Other than that, it sounds like the PL board might be dead.

 

[michbc3]

That was a good test to do. The device manager didn't show any difference when the USB was plugged in and out. So I am placing an order for a new PowerLogger. The one in the car now was installed many years ago by a previous owner. So I am not out any money. I appreciate your excellent tech support.

I noted that the current description of the PowerLogger lists compatibility with Win 7, 8, etc. but omits XP. I assume that I can still use XP with the PL? I'd like to continue using the old XP laptop that I've kept aside exclusively for car tuning.

 

[michbc3]

I installed the new Powerlogger board today. With the engine running, I noted that the Scanmaster now works again. So that's a good sign of progress! I was rushed for time today and didn't have time to set up the laptop with the new drivers. I will continue with that work soon and report back. The holidays get in the way...

 

[michbc3]

An update. Yesterday I was unable to load the signed drivers included on the PL CD in my Win XP laptop. Perhaps I did something wrong. I keep getting confused...

However, the signed drivers loaded seemlessly (!) using my Win 8.1 laptop. AND the PL console displays the GN ECU readings just fine. Very pleased. So the new PL and PLC is working fine.

A few days ago the Scanmaster went back to it's routine of initial power up, then blanking-out. So the problem there must be the connection between the PL and Scanmaster. I will troubleshoot that. I'm very optimistic now.

 

[michbc3]

Scanmaster only worked twice on December 18th - now back to bad... It's display winks out after displaying SCN 2.2, PL 0.8. FYI, I have commo between laptop and Powerlogger on port 3 and data from ECM displays fine on laptop using PLC. SM has 2.2 chip, so I reflashed the PL successfully using file 053.S19. But SM display still dead. Tried a 2nd SM with different 2.2 chip. Made no difference. Waveform coming from PL I/O board to SM is not very clean even without engine running, but I can see it is 5V p-p when PL is running. What else can I try?

 

[EricM]

Did the Scanmaster G option accidentally get turned on in the PLC software?

 

[michbc3]

Eric - You nailed it again. I unchecked the Scanmaster G box, then reflashed the Powerlogger. My Scanmaster is working again.

I have to apologize for not getting back to you sooner, but your timely response on 1/14/2022 doesn't display on my WIN XP laptop that is using Firefox. Your reply was missing completely.

Yesterday I reviewed the Scanmaster posts on the TT support forum to see if I could pick up something that I didn't know or missed. I was using my WIN8.1 laptop and Firefox. I then noticed a red alert bell in the upper right that indicated that you got back to me. I shifted over to re-read this thread again and saw your response. I'll be sure to use WIN8 when using the forum in the future.