Ben

iTrader: (33)

I know that there are at leat a half dozen Xede owners here. Let's see if we can start getting Xede information compiled on this site.

I'm having some difficulties. First, Steph was kind enough to send me Xede V3 software so that I could start getting comfortable with the interface before getting my hands on the product. I did my best to play with the software, but it seemed to be kind of limited in functionality until it's hooked to an Xede unit.

So this morning I went to hook the laptop to the Xede for the first time. They would connect, but unfortunately not truly communicate as the Xede is V2 and the software I had is V3. I downloaded and installed V2 software to my laptop, so now I have both versions. Which gives me a little concern as I don't know if there will be any issues with having both versions simultaniously installed. I have not attempted to connect to the Xede with V2 software yet.

Which brings me to the quandry. Should the xede be upgraded to V3? Am I missing features or abilities with V2? If it should be upgraded, what is the procedure? Do I need to hook up with V2 first and save the map?

Next issue. I get a flashing CEL at 3450-3700 RPM (as indicated by tach, so possibly optomistic). It only occurs with steady throttle and going up a slight incline. So there's a load aspect. Seems to be between 15" and 10" of vac according to the vac/boost gauge. The CEL is misfire and is not cylinder specific. P0300 if memory serves. I understand that the xede can cause this code due to timing pulse intercepts that don't perfectly match what the stock PCM wants to see.

I need to clear this CEL to get the car through OBDII emissions. I understand that I can 0 out the xede's timing map so that this adjustment does not occur, and the stock PCM will be happy.

Next issue. Features.
Is the Xede doing wideband integration? Last I checked it was not. Car runs 10:1 in boost as it sits.
Boost control? S4 spools up pretty good wastegate only, but I've seen how much better EBC can be.

On a positive note, I don't have any start or restart major issues, which seem to be a common problem with this unit.

Ben

iTrader: (33)

Xede Evo info is pretty easy to find. Here is an applicable passage for Evo application

July 10, 2003
While we're waiting for the new plug-in boards, we decided not to leave well enough alone and make some firmware improvements to the XEDE. So we incorporated new ignition control logic that limits the rate-of-change of ignition advance changes. What does this mean? Let's say that you have a "0" in one cell in your ignition advance table and "-3" in the adjacent cell. If the cells are placed close enough, the ignition retard will ramp up too quickly and potentially trigger a CEL for misfire detection. We've only seen this happen once or twice (out of 30+ cars) so it's certainly not a chronic problem. Bur our new firmware update limits the rate-of-change for ignition advance changes so that no two successive engine events result in excessive crank angle signal changes. We've also incorporated some rather neat ignition control logic that fixes some quirks in the factory ignition advance mapping/control. The result: More immediate torque upon throttle application.

Also the Evo version runs EBC

M-Tuned

iTrader: (6)

Sell it like I did and buy a Megasquirt

I may have a bunch of maps from mine. Can't remember if it was ver 3 or ver 2, but they are quite well sorted.

Ben

iTrader: (33)

OK, so I tried with the V2 software.
The laptop connects to the Xede. But there is no run data displayed. The Live Data View screen shows nothing, just 0% on all parameters. When I try to Download Maps from Xede or Download and Show Maps I get an error "yyyy". I also tried Xede Information under Diagnosis and got a message "Collecting info..." followed by an error.

So. So far it's pissing me off.

Ben

iTrader: (33)

I restarted my laptop. Removed Xmap 2. Removed Xmap 3. Restarted. Re-loaded Xmap 2. Restarted. Same problems continue.

The error I get when trying to download to the connected Xede is
Download halted
Invalid map bank header: read 'yyyy'

But each y has an amuelete (spelling?) over it. You know, the two parallel dot thing.

Here's a little screen cap of the interface, car running.

Mikeymx5

iTrader: (2)

I have found the xede to be a pain as much as a pleasure. I like easy inspection so a piggy is the way to go.

One the flashing check engine light, some time smoothing out your map can fix this. if your timing map jump all over the place it can cause some off transitions for the xede to replicate.

V2 you can upgrade this through the software.... I have had lots of trouble connecting to the Xede and found that it can be cause by a cheap power inverter injecting engine noise into the laptop. When upgrading your firmware turn the car on but dont start it, plug your laptop into an extension cord, you should be OK then, just make sure you have a good battery.

Wide band integration - its possible through a few maps. I have found this great for a tuning aid but i wouldnt suggest it for long term as Im not sure what happens if your wide band fails.

This week Im going to setup launch control on the xede and test it out. Its pretty easy to do but im working on a secondary switch to go along with the clutch, because I only will need it for the primary launch and not for shifting, so you dont want your rpms to be cut to 3K every time you shift.

Personally the xede has its goods and bads, if you know how to work it.

Ben

iTrader: (33)

thank you for the reply Mikey.

This laptop has a very good battery, and that's what it's running on. No DC->AC inverter; I don't even own one.

It's hooked up to the Xede serial via a RadioShack cable. So it's not a USB issue either.

I'll have no problems tuning the individual maps I'm sure, once I can retrieve them from the Xede. I've got experience with Link, EMU, and MS.

I am afraid to do anything to change the V2 software to V3 until after I can get V2 do work for me. I don't want to make this even worse...

Ben

iTrader: (33)

Spoke with Steph @ BEGi. She got me taken care of in 2 minutes.

To share with others who experience this issue in the future.
Just run Xmap V3.2 and ignore the warning about the version mis-match at the beginning. I put 3.2 back on my laptop, clicked OK through the warning, then asked the laptop to download from the Xede. Worked perfectly.

I then opened the timing map and changed all the vac timing advances to 0 and burned to EEPROM. I'll clear the CEL and drive. Hopefully I won't get the P0300 with the timing unaltered and thus pass OBDII emissions.

Mikeymx5

iTrader: (2)

Are you running a mazda speed? I usually dont get any check engine lights. but my timing is not very aggressive.

Ben

iTrader: (33)

No, 99.

I read/reset the P0300 and set all advanced timing zones to 0.
Car definately does not idle as well now. But hopefully the light will stay off long enough to get the readiness checks done and pass inspection.

IntrnlStorm

iTrader: (3)

Did you pass emissions? I will be installing my Xede over the next couple of Winter months with a couple of other goodies that I have. Hopefully all goes well.

Joel

Ben

iTrader: (33)

Yes, emissions was not a problem.

ddurieux

is there any other software that we can use with the Xede???