How to test the MSPNP unit?
 

I'm having problems with communicating with the mspnp. Previously, I had a E-manage blue hacked into my 92 Miata Wiring harness. I took it all out, including my stock ecu and plugged in my mspnp. Wired up vacuum hose, removed the fuse and all the jazz. After awhile of dicking around I found drivers for my USB to Serial cable. Set the comm port to 1..Turned the vehicle on the on position and tried to fire up Megatune. Megatune didn't sync with the mspnp, and I tried to test to see if it responded via testing the comm port with megatune.

I know this cable works since I used it for my Greddy E-manage tuning software a couple months ago. The thing is I bought this unit off a user here on miataturbo.net. I'm not quite sure if this thing isn't fucked or not... Anyways I can test the unit? I don't see any LED lights indicating on or I don't hear any noises coming from the unit when I turn the ignition to ON.

I reinstalled my stock ecu and it fired up right away..Hopefully I didn't get screwed 600$ :(

Any ideas? Thanks

Here's a quick check. To do this check, you'll need the program portcheck.exe, which comes with most MegaTune versions, including the one on the DIYAutotune.com website. You'll find it in the MegaTune2.25 folder. If you don't have a copy, download it here:

http://www.diyautotune.com/downloads.../portCheck.zip

Power up the Megasquirt and connect it to your PC. You do not need to open the case and should not put the boot jumper in place for this test. Close MegaTune if it's running, and run the portcheck.exe program. When this program starts, it will scan the available COM ports.

If the port it's scanning is not connected to a working Megasquirt, or it's on the wrong speed, it'll say "No connection made." If it's on the right port and right speed, it will give you the version of the Megasquirt firmware that's on the Megasquirt. Note that some Megasquirt firmware versions will look like earlier versions with this test - for example, 029V identifies it as 029Q. This is for backwards compatibility.

If you get a port where it replies with "S" or something else that doesn't look like a firmware version, this port is probably a fake COM port that echos back everything that's typed.

Let me know what results you get. If you could post a screen shot, that would be great.

Thanks for the reply. I did what you said, connected the mspnp and turned the ignition to the on position. Clicked on portcheck.exe..and heres what I got..
http://i695.photobucket.com/albums/v.../portcheck.jpg

Doesn't look good does it? :(

Unless I'm just not getting power to the unit, but if I swapped the mspnp for the stock ecu and it worked I would assume it would have power. Unless the vehicle still magically(but horribly rough) would still start with a non-powered ecu.

:vash:

edit: Just took a test light to the white/red wire to confirm power coming harness. Going to try another computer just for shits and giggles...
edit: Still nothing. This is a bit frustrating..

have you installed the right driver for your RS232 to USB adapter?

Yeah. I think I got it fixed. The unit does power up. Matt suggested I open up the box to take alook to jump the 'boot' or something like that. Instead I found the ribbon connector that bridges the two boards connected wasn't on properly and the some of the male end pins were bent. Took a needle nose plier to straighten out some of the pins and plugged it back in. Voila! Turned ignition to on position and the unit lights up. I didn't touch it afterwards but I'm going to try communicating it with the laptop. I'm assuming it works right now.

Thanks Matt.

You're welcome. Let me know if you have any more questions.