I have an XFI communication problem for the IT experts..

[MattSwindle]

I can't get it to connect..
keeps saying "ecu not found"..
been screwing with it for 2 days..

all settings are the same as when I used it with the FAST classic ecu and the TCI trans controller and doing some stock computer stuff.

>green light on the XFI unit...
>using Prolific usb to serial adapter
>com port is set to com4..same as in "device manager"
>device manager says the device is working
>I downloaded all updated drivers from Microsoft..Prolific and FAST..
>only com ports available(Toshiba-satelite) are 4 and 6..apparently the rest are internally used
>the XFI info says it can only use com ports 1-4

but the damned thing will not connect..!!
the FAST support guy said it's my computer..
I can't believe I suddenly have a $700 dollar computer I can't use!!

anybody got any ideas on where I can go from here..

Thanks Ahead for any info!
Matt

 

[Spooled231]

verify pinout config from serial cable from laptop to XFI

http://www.turbobuick.com/forums/performance-ecm-upgrades/220974-issues-connecting-ecu.html

Matt,

Look at post 8 within the link. I had the same issue with "ECU not found" and another with the Casper jumper harness with the wide band wire backwards.

John Martin
1986 Buick T-type
9.71 @ 140

 

[MattSwindle]

mine's a FAST harness..
checked the wiring to the FAST print..all is well..

on Yellowbullet someone said to use..:
"an IOGEAR is the adaptor that you need ...GUC231-A is the part number
- Go to Best Buy - $28..."

another guy said only the one from FAST would work with his..

just Mo' damned money..sheeesshh..

 

[Fuelie600]

I can't get it to connect..
keeps saying "ecu not found"..
been screwing with it for 2 days..

all settings are the same as when I used it with the FAST classic ecu and the TCI trans controller and doing some stock computer stuff.

>green light on the XFI unit...
>using Prolific usb to serial adapter
>com port is set to com4..same as in "device manager"
>device manager says the device is working
>I downloaded all updated drivers from Microsoft..Prolific and FAST..
>only com ports available(Toshiba-satelite) are 4 and 6..apparently the rest are internally used
>the XFI info says it can only use com ports 1-4

but the damned thing will not connect..!!
the FAST support guy said it's my computer..
I can't believe I suddenly have a $700 dollar computer I can't use!!

anybody got any ideas on where I can go from here..

Thanks Ahead for any info!
Matt

I have heard of some guys having trouble with their off brand USB to Serial adaptors. I use the one from FAST along with their driver, and all is good. Might want to give FAST or Jack Cotton a call. Brian

 

[SloGN]

I can't get it to connect..
keeps saying "ecu not found"..
been screwing with it for 2 days..

all settings are the same as when I used it with the FAST classic ecu and the TCI trans controller and doing some stock computer stuff.

>green light on the XFI unit...
>using Prolific usb to serial adapter
>com port is set to com4..same as in "device manager"
>device manager says the device is working
>I downloaded all updated drivers from Microsoft..Prolific and FAST..
>only com ports available(Toshiba-satelite) are 4 and 6..apparently the rest are internally used
>the XFI info says it can only use com ports 1-4

but the damned thing will not connect..!!
the FAST support guy said it's my computer..
I can't believe I suddenly have a $700 dollar computer I can't use!!

anybody got any ideas on where I can go from here..

Thanks Ahead for any info!
Matt

The key span usb to serial adapter works very well. doews your laptop have vista by chance?

 

[Fuelie600]

I have a Toshiba w/ Vista, and the FAST adaptor/driver works fine for me. I use port 2 only because it's location clears my lap top holder better. By the way, the driver from FAST is for XP, but works w/ Vista.

 

[MattSwindle]

I have heard of some guys having trouble with their off brand USB to Serial adaptors. I use the one from FAST along with their driver, and all is good. Might want to give FAST or Jack Cotton a call. Brian

may be one of my next things to do...

 

[MattSwindle]

The key span usb to serial adapter works very well. doews your laptop have vista by chance?

nope XP..
usb to serial adapters have become almost obsolete...
and certain brands are hard to come by...
did locate another brand..it made no difference..

 

[TURBO 6]

The cable from radio shack has worked for me, also an iconcepts brand. It's a shame you spend all that money and there's an obsolete serial port on the ecu. I'm about to buy an XFI and was hoping they changed it.

 

[Nasty Wendy]

The cable from radio shack has worked for me, also an iconcepts brand. It's a shame you spend all that money and there's an obsolete serial port on the ecu. I'm about to buy an XFI and was hoping they changed it.

My XFI has the serial plug however a cable was included that will adapt it to USB. So I should be able to use a modern laptop or a TRS-80 to tune the car.

 

[Dusty Bradford]

The sky is falling!! Matt Swindle is on a Buick site looking for help

Did you ever get it connected?

Looking over the info here I take it you did configure the laptop to use comm 1-4 so the FAST will communicate. Set the usb to comm 1 and then set up XFI for comm 1. This is usually the most common problem.

I hate USB adapters so I buy older computers with serial ports just for use on the car.

 

[MattSwindle]

The cable from radio shack has worked for me, also an iconcepts brand. It's a shame you spend all that money and there's an obsolete serial port on the ecu. I'm about to buy an XFI and was hoping they changed it.

Yeah..
I too was surprised it still uses serial...
why not a standard usb connection..I don't know..

 

[MattSwindle]

My XFI has the serial plug however a cable was included that will adapt it to USB. So I should be able to use a modern laptop or a TRS-80 to tune the car.

I've tried the one from Radiop Shack and my Prolific..
neither works..
getting the one from FAST..may work..
we'll see..

 

[MattSwindle]

The sky is falling!! Matt Swindle is on a Buick site looking for help

Did you ever get it connected?

Looking over the info here I take it you did configure the laptop to use comm 1-4 so the FAST will communicate. Set the usb to comm 1 and then set up XFI for comm 1. This is usually the most common problem.

I hate USB adapters so I buy older computers with serial ports just for use on the car.

Yo Dusty..!
how're ya doin' ?..Hey..I've been here a few times..(mostl;y the alky injection stuff)

no connection as yet..
yeah..I've got a blister from screwing with this thing..LOL
I only have ports 1,4,6 and 7 available..
the others are internally used...and the XFI paperwork says you can only use 1 through 4..
so that leaves me with only 1 and 4..and neither one works as yet..
I've uninstalled the FAST classic and T-Com software in case of possible conflicts..
I've updated drivers form FAST/Prolific/Microsoft/IOGear...
uninstalled, reinstalled drivers/software..blah, blah, blah..
Device Manager shows everything okay and shows the correct port
selection..
green light is on and 12 volts to "both" wires on the FAST ECU..

I can't comprehend what is different between the FAST Classic, T-Com
and stock computer(LT1 Edit) stuff and the XFI unit..

I've never had a problem till I got the XFI ecu..
I'm at a loss right now..
trying to get in touch with Heath at Comp/FAST..he's one of their
guru's..maybe he'll know of some insignificant (or significant) crap
I'm unfamiliar with..

 

[Dusty Bradford]

Borrow a computer with a serial port and try it if the new FAST adapter doesn't work. Other than that you may have to send the box back for a check-up to make sure something hasn't gone wrong.

 

[MattSwindle]

IT'S WORKING !!!

before..the "flash ecu" was not accessible in
the file menu..you could see it, but it was "light grey"..so I couldn't flash it..
due to tech mis-information or mis-interpretation..it led me down other paths..
with everyone's help and suggestions I continued to try things..

this time around..it worked..but only after
reinstalling the software..again!
(I only have the website download software available)
I did this before..but the only thing I did different was to install the 1.33 then install
the 1.34 ..
I wonder if there's something left out of the
1.34 version on the website..and you have to load the 1.34 version over the 1.33?
anyway..I'm up and communicating..
hope to start this thing up after a battery charge!