MS3 and MS3X, home-built, with all the help of this thread.

Here's the problem: While testing the alternator circuit, I didn't remove the daughterboards, and now I can't get the MS to do anything. When I plug it into the computer, it recognizes the USB-serial converter, but I get no response at all from the MS, either on the stim or in the car.

It worked before I started (except the alternator circuit), but now it does not. I don't know where to start trying to figure out what's wrong. I've got 5v at all the proper pins on the main board when connected to the stim.

 

you did load firmware?

 

I didn't load any new firmware, just the stuff that was on there before. I'll try reloading firmware.

 

If you built it, then you have to load firmware.

In fact, you're supposed to load firmware during the build in order to stim test I/O.

 

Well, I loaded firmware on it once, but it's possible I somehow erased it, right?

 

I tried loading the firmware again, and it gets hung up "Attempting Wakeup".

 

I'm out of ideas. I have no idea how to test a board I didn't build when it won't connect to the computer. Does anybody have any suggestions on how to determine which board the problem may be on? I can only assume I fried something by applying too many volts, but I just hope I only fried one thing instead of all three or something.

 

I'm pretty sure you can find the problem, if you have an oscilloscope. Just find the MS3 schematics, which are freely availabl...oh wait.

 

I don't have an oscilloscope anyway.

 

Its very possible you could have fried the CPU on the daughterboard. I've done it twice to my MS3.

 

What are the symptoms of that? And is the only repair option a new ms3 board for $200?

 

Well, I bought a new MS3 board, hopefully that fixes the problem. Of course I had to fry the most expensive part.

 

might have been cheaper to ship it to DIY and let them test it.

 

Or better, ship it to Peter Florance to let him repair it.

 

Yeah Peter charged around $90 the second time around IIRC. Now that he knows what happens when they fry. First time was just under the cost of the MS3 due to all the diagnostics.

 

How do I get in contact with this Peter Florance character?

 

Peter Florance
PFTuning
757.685.3547
peter@pftuning.com