I'm having some issues getting the ECU to talk to my laptop (MegaTune, specifically)... anyone have any ideas?

The megasquirt forums would generate a better response than here.

http://www.msefi.com

I know that... but at the moment no one is responding and I have a BMW-specific question.

more details please.

MS1 or 2? Windows XP? Serial port or usb converter? Code version? Home built or pre-built? Are you ashamed to live in such a horrible state?

more details please.

MS1 or 2? Windows XP? Serial port or usb converter? Code version? Home built or pre-built? Are you ashamed to live in such a horrible state?
Coming from SD, that's pretty funny. :)

watch it, goat boy... :D

I think i sorted out the com problem (at least I diagnosed it, fixing it is still in the works... I've got a v 027 MT trying to talk to 024 MS, so that's not helping, and I need to tell MT that its MSnS Extra in the configuration and have no idea how to do that).


the BMW-specific stuff has to do with setting up ignition controls with MSnS Extra and an M20.... namely, HOW?

2.25 Megatune

flash your firmware to HR_10c or whatever the latest hi-res is, or flash to 029y2 or whatever the latest standard MSnS-E is. Copy the msns-extra.ini file from the zip archive to your ..\Megatune 2.25\. directory, open up megatune configurator and set firmware version from B&G Firmware to MSnS-E James Murray etc etc etc

Ok, you need to have the same code variant in megasquirt and megatune or it will not work/work properly. Then you need to go to the MS configurator (in the start menu) and select your code, idle valve, and O2 sensor settings. Make sure you save it and you should be good to go. Make sure you put the correct extra code in the MT folder first.



Are you going to make a PNP adapter and use the stock harness?
What board version do you have?
Stock single coil or wasted spark? - The MSextra manual is very comprehensive when it comes to spark

oh, and hows the corn doing?

on item one... I know I need the same code, I just don't know where/how to find it/install it... I've never seen anything describing how to make these changes, just that they need to be made...

the configurator is the same thing, I start reading the readme and its in geek-speak for programmers... again, nothing specific except for enough "if you screw up, you explode your engine" warnings to scare the crap out of me...

the forums are similarly deep with "the problem is x" not "here's a step-by-step on fixing it"

sonuva...

www.msextra.com


Like any system, you need to RTFM from step on. As Goat said, the MS1 manual is VERY comprehensive.

I and others will help all we can but we can't hold your hand if you're not willing to read!

http://www.msextra.com/manuals/MS_Extra_Software_Manual.htm

The software I linked to is dated. The only place to get up-to-date firmware, which is developed VERY often, is on www.msextra.com under MS1/E forum and or MS1/Development (if you want High Res revisions).

thanks jon, thats the link i was looking for. I'm more of an ms2 guy :)

I think the issues is that I'm running an MS with older firmware, and MT doesn't know it...

I'm trying to read the manuals, believe me...

it is all based on building and setting up a system from scratch, and I've got a 2-year-old setup I bought 2 days ago that I don't have the right files for...

alright, got the extra version of MT, but it is coming with firmware 29, my box only has 24...

mroe reading...

I think I'm supposed to be reading the MT manual to fix this, but hell if I know.

Ok here's what you're confusing.

You're not running an extra version of MT

MT is MT is MT.

They have a version on the forum/site that is PACKAGED with the firmware. That doesn't matter! Its still MT 2.25.

You will not find "024" code any longer. That is like... 7 generations old now. Its what comes on the MS1 chips sometimes, but its not comprehensive at all! Upgrade your firmware!

So what you've ultimately got is:

MT 2.25 - just an application
Firmware (029 or HR_x) - firmware
*.ini file - this is the file you need to put in your MT directory to identify to MT what version of MSnS-E you are running.


If you chose to not upgrade your firmware - which would be foolish as 024 is ancient... go to the MS1/Development section on msextra.com and get the latest HiRes - you would need to find an 024 archive firmware file and extract the *.ini file from there to your MT directory. You would then satisfy MT, however, that would be like having a brand new PC and putting Windows 95 on so you can play a DOS game. Get the latest firmware, copy the ini (copyini.bat in the zip file) to your MT directory, flash the firmware to the MS, set configurator to look for "MSnS-Extra" firmware under Version, open MT and party hard.

will upgrading the firmware screwup the current tune or not?

lets start with that.

Absolutely it will - but your current tune isn't worth anything, because you'd have to run ancient firmware that doesn't support a lot of things. Additionally, algorithms for calculating fuel and spark and all things under the sun have changed. Its a horrible idea to rely on a tune burned into the ECU for so many reasons. Wherever you got the MS from, if they sent it with a tune, get the *.msq file - this is the settings. But again, it won't do you any good because you have to run a retro firmware. Bad bad bad.

and how do I know which .ini file and which directory it goes into... that is still confusing to me. and the readme in teh configurator is confusing as hell...

don't worry about the tune. There are several known good tables on e30tech to start with. Regardless though, you need to upgrade the firmware.

and the 2nd link in post 11 is almost a step by step guide.

How is this a BMW specific question???

You're making it harder than it has to be. Download the firmware. Look inside. There is a batch file called Flashfirmware or flash.bat or something like that. There is a file called "Copyini.bat" run those. The end. Then open megaconfigurator, hit the drop down for "version" and change it from B&G or whatever it is to "MSnS-E"

I don't know how else to describe it

Absolutely it will - but your current tune isn't worth anything, because you'd have to run ancient firmware that doesn't support a lot of things. Additionally, algorithms for calculating fuel and spark and all things under the sun have changed. Its a horrible idea to rely on a tune burned into the ECU for so many reasons. Wherever you got the MS from, if they sent it with a tune, get the *.msq file - this is the settings. But again, it won't do you any good because you have to run a retro firmware. Bad bad bad.

ok... the tune IS good, (M20 threw 155/165 AT THE TIRES), and I can't get the settings and can't take the time to re-tune from scratch right now (currently daily driver).

it won't even GET the settings right now... that's the aggravating part... as I want/need to add some cold-start enrichment... that's the only thing wrong with the tune (spark isn't set up/running at all)

Dude seriously if its only a fuel tune, don't worry about it.

It won't "get the settings" because you are not set up in MT to support 024 firmware which you won't be unless you know some archive that I don't off the top of my head, as 024 is like.... circa 2005, or earlier!

Fuel curve is SUPER easy with auto-tune and MegaLowViewer VE Analysis. If you had a spark map I'd try harder to get the tune, but if its just fuel, forget about it, its not that big of a deal.

It targets an AFR table and adjusts fueling until you're there. Its way better than what was around in 024 era. Upgrade firmware we've outlined more times than not now, you just have to go do it.

You're making it harder than it has to be. Download the firmware. Look inside. There is a batch file called Flashfirmware or flash.bat or something like that. There is a file called "Copyini.bat" run those. The end. Then open megaconfigurator, hit the drop down for "version" and change it from B&G or whatever it is to "MSnS-E"

I don't know how else to describe it

ok, i have the "download firmware" program, but it appears that it will effect the change to the MS... which I can't do (have to get home tonight).

now, on the copyini.bat and flash.bat, are those altering MS or MT? or telling MT to alter MS?


megaconfig: ok, so I'm under "car1" (this is correct?), and I need "code variant" and it shows MSNS_EXTRA.... at the top... correct?, now, above that , there is actually a dropdown for msns-extra.ini.024 , is there a way to specify that for now? or am I totally bent on that one.

so... my thought is:

log an ass-load of data, and then upgrade the firmware, and use autotune... although the VE analysis seems to want a current MSQ file, that I can't provide, to do the analysis...

which sucks.


btw, you've all be way more help than the MSextra forum today... you actually replied! :D

What download firmware program?

Goat can you help him out I need to wrap up some server config before I go home tonight.

huge thanks man... I am in way better shape than before...


and by firmware downloader... see attached screenshots

OK, you seem to be on track with the correct files.

The cpyini one is to give MT the correct code to run with MS

The downloader is to put the new code on megasquirt and requires that megasquirt is plugged in and MT is closed down


Dont worry about the tune, they are easy to come by. There is an entire thread dedicated to sharing m20 fuel, spark, and afr tables on e30tech.


What you need to do is install megatune, than do the copyini thing. Then when the configurator opens, set the code version on the drop down list and save it.

After that you need to load the same code on to megasquirt. Hook up the MS and open firmware downloader and follow the instructions. After that you can load some of the tables from e30tech and finish all of the settings.



One thing you need to make sure of though is that the hardware is setup right. How was the PO getting an RPM signal (was he using the vr sensor or the - side of the coil?)

Do you have the wiring side of things down? If not i can help you there.

http://forums.bimmerforums.com/forum/showthread.php?t=856880&highlight=megasquirt

This should help wiring it up.

thanks... I need to find the copyini file.. as it wasn't apparent last time I looked for it.

my biggest fear is not replicating this tune, I've never seen anything else come close on the dyno.

trust me, map based tunes can vary from car to car so you would probably need a retune anyhow. The fuel part is very easy with the built in autotune feature. So what do you plan for wiring?

Honestly dude if the tune is JUST fuel and its an "amazing tune" I suspect you might have had a high reading dyno. Don't worry about #'s, just get the car running on new firmware.

srsly, the car is exceptionally fast, same dyno repeated runs from "stock" up through current configuration, and its pretty impressive... I trust the dyno runs...

I managed to get the PO to send me the msq file, so I need to open it in MT and copy the values on everything...

Well his MSQ is from 024, it'll be incompatible with any other firmware :)

You need to open it manually and look at the "vex tables", but they'll be mostly useless because everything is calculated different/better since 024, so really, if you want the ability to maintain the firmware with recent changes, you need to retune. If you don't want to do that, get the same PO to send you the 024 firmware... if he has it.

Well his MSQ is from 024, it'll be incompatible with any other firmware :)

You need to open it manually and look at the "vex tables", but they'll be mostly useless because everything is calculated different/better since 024, so really, if you want the ability to maintain the firmware with recent changes, you need to retune. If you don't want to do that, get the same PO to send you the 024 firmware... if he has it.

I have the firmware too (i think)... and was planning to open the VE tables manually, as u suggest, and at least use that information to begin the tune in 029.

its information... and I just got a reprieve, as my other car (DD) will be arriving in a week... which is a relief.

huge thanks, guys...

Just remember, if you take a VE table from 024 and move the numbers (values) from that to 029, it won't be the same. Algorithms have changed a ton between the two, and its probably just better to retune, but let us know.

I know what you mean, but it is still good to know the "ramp/curve" and use that information.

http://www.msextra.com/viewtopic.php?p=177497#177497

oh hell yea!

ok, so here's the "warm-up wizzard" from MSnS-extra 024... any idea on how to get it to actually idle on cold start, I'd be perfectly happy with a poor idle, since now its basically zero until I can feather it up to about 2500rpm and ride the clutch out to get it moving and get enough heat in it to actually fire...

almost makes me think I need an MSD or something to get it a little hotter spark...

I was just watching a video on you tube of a guy calibrating his on a datsun 280z and he had 165 for his 40 degree farenheit and lower which would be where your 4 degree celcius is. What is your current temp there? I would try a higher enrichment. In the video it was 40 degrees out farenheit and his car would not start at 160 and when he changed it to only 165 it started and idled perfectly.

Link to video:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zy14trk6lPk&feature=related

and here's the ASE values...

I was just watching a video on you tube of a guy calibrating his on a datsun 280z and he had 165 for his 40 degree farenheit and lower which would be where your 4 degree celcius is. What is your current temp there? I would try a higher enrichment. In the video it was 40 degrees out farenheit and his car would not start at 160 and when he changed it to only 165 it started and idiled perfectly.

will take under advisement. thanks!