USB not working-my wind. XP doesn't have a "Ports"

[andrewrenouf]

Hi all

Got my new USB Elanscan and was all excited that I might be able to diagnose what's wrong with my sick car!

Down loaded Elanscan software and USB driver. (I have an XP machine)

Followed instructions but in my "device manager" I don't have the "Ports" option (where one would normally set the USB port to COM 5 and under "advanced settings" set some baud rates, latency etc.

I don't have a serial port on my laptop. Is this why I don't have "ports" in device manager?

Any help most welcome! - Thanks - Andrew

[GeoffSmith]

Andrew, I haven't found a machine without COM/LPT ports to try it out on, so I'm at a loss. If you look under the USB controller in device manager, do you see 'USB serial converter'?

[Foo]

I don't want to ask a dumb question, but have you gone through the driver installation part of this after downloading it? because it's the process of installing the driver that adds the 'ports' menu to device manager. If you look before installing the driver, it won't be there (unless, as mentioned, you already have a COM port)

[andrewrenouf]

Thanks. I think I installed things in the correct order but just in case I thought I'd uninstall everything and try again

The program isn't in the list when I try to add/remove programs. I'm quite confused now.

I can't understand why it's not there (I downloaded it to a folder called "elanscan" in my documents rather than the desktop.

Any help welcome -

Thanks Andrew

[Foo]

This is a shot in the dark and please wait until you've exhausted anyone elses suggestions but... if you plug the device in, the item may appear in device manager.

Also look at the menus at the top of device manager and you'll find an option to 'unhide' some objects.

[andrewrenouf]

Foo in sheer desparation (I never thought it would work!) I plugged the USB lead in to my PC and hey presto "ports" appeared in the device manager!!

Fantastic! I set the latency to 1 as per the instructions and just popped out and plugged it into the car and it seems to work.

Thanks all!! God knows what it all the data means. I need to do some reading tomorrow.

Here's a zip file of the output of a quick 3 minute download. The engine was misfiring then so this dowload has probably got the answers of what's wrong.

I'm off to bed now and will try to do some swotting tommorow. If people can suggest what's wrong that would be great!

Thanks for people's help. It's so generous to give your time. I feel I'm getting close to getting the car going again!

Thanks - Andrew

[andrewrenouf]

I think I overwrote the proper file with a short blank file. I'll try again tomorrow and post a proper out put then. Thanks all again.

I'm sure its working now, the file has just being saved by an idiot user!

Back tomorrow

Thanks all - Andrew

[GeoffSmith]

Glad you got there.

I've had a very quick look and I think you have a problem with your coolant temperature sensor as there is an out of limit flag set. That's lower than -40°C, so the engine will run as rich as lawyer. Although it is reporting a sensible temperature now, the plugs could well be sooted up. I'll have another look in the morning if I get time.

[andrewrenouf]

Thanks Geoff, I replaced the CTS a couple of weeks ago as I had a CTS error code when I relied in the "flashing light" method of error code read-out on the dash (shorting out the 2 pins on the connector)

When I replaced the CTS it improved matters a bit (ie before, after 1 mile the car broke down and would not re start again for an hour until the engine was cold again)

Now with the new CTS the car runs badly and doesn't break down.

Perhaps I'll double check the plug on the CTS to make sure it's not corroded

Thanks - Andrew