Connection problems - ecus.
Turbo Mini Forums

Hi, having problems connecting a dta ecu to my computer via a serial converter. Wondering if anyone else has had this problem, got the converter all installed and recognised as a comms port, but wont connect to the ecu (runtime error 8020) whats the problem in you experiences, bad pin converter maybe?

Most common issues are due to the USB/serial converter driver. Always use the latest up to date driver from the chipset manufacturer. If your converter is a cheap shit one and you have no idea what chipset it has, buy a better one. Chances are it wil be a Prolific chip set, and the drivers for these were problematic. even though they resolved most of the issues with driver updates, many of the cheap shit ones still send out the older drivers with them. Some people never have problems while others just cannot resolve them. You don't tend to hear much about it thses days so things must have gotten better.

If you do buy a new converter I recommend you buy one that uses an FTDI chip set, since they tend to be more robust.

as above,

I have had good success with PCMCIA to 232 convertors

not sure what mine is as im not that good with computers but its from maplins and think the make is prolific.

just got the latest drivers and now i got this:



+the odd 8020

any ideas of what could be tricking it/ or telling it its in use?

It's a very common problem, usually is down to the adaptor or it's drivers.

http://www.dtaforum.com/viewtopic.php?f=8&t=534

9.85 @ 145mph
202mph standing mile
speed didn't kill me, but taxation probably will

As above, the Prolific chipsets had a bad reputation (although I have a couple that work fine with the latest drivers).

The FTDI chipset is the one of choice for me, it's the standard chipset on the MS3 (to give it a USB connector as an alternative to the old DB9) and I use it on my IOx board (as a chip, not as a cable convertor) and it just works.

I also use a PMCIA convertor on my very old laptop (because it only has one USB port and I use that for a mini mouse), it also works fine.


First thing to check though is whether all the other settings for your virtual com port are correct, ie, baud rate, flow control etc. - the Windows defaults aren't usually what the ECU wants, not with an MS2 anyway.

(EDIT - typo)

Edited by Rod S on 26th Aug, 2013.

Schrödinger's cat - so which one am I ???

Ive been trying different drivers etc. will try again tomorrow, how can i find out what to set the comm port settings to, the manual dosnt have much on it about this, basically says download program and play.

Im really starting to wonder is i need to 9-15 lead rather than the block i have.

Not the best with computers when it gets into depth, but its a good learning curve. Mostly ive learnt its rather stressful... Lol

9.85 @ 145mph
202mph standing mile
speed didn't kill me, but taxation probably will

Do you not already have the DTA lead?

http://www.gmcmotorsport.co.uk/engine-mana...le/prod_13.html

9.85 @ 145mph
202mph standing mile
speed didn't kill me, but taxation probably will

To update i have had it working with my 9-15 pin converter block on an old laptop, but was too old to run the program without seizing. So i think it is narrowed to the prolific converter. Think the easiest option may be to buy a newer old laptop kust for use on this as it connected staight up to the one i borrowed before it overloaded the computer.

Sprocket no havnt got the dta lead but a 9-15 block that does work in an older computer with a comms port (the slow computer mentioned above)

Schrödinger's cat - so which one am I ???