BUDS CONNECTION PROBLEM

Loose cable connection?  

Are you using the same Computer as before?

Have you tried to uninstall and then re-install the BUDS software? (sometimes a windows update will break the BUDS installation)

Check in BUDS that the communication baud rate is set as it was before... in general it should be set to highest rate, but in certain conditions with a lot of electrical interference, it might need to be lowered.

From the BUDS help file: "In the Maintenance Mode section the baud rate can be set (250, 500, 800 and 1000 Kbps). When experiencing problems with the connection between the ECU and the software reducing the baud rate might help."

I am using the same computer that I used before and have uninstalled the BUDS program and then reinstalled it. I reduced the baud rate to 250 and also tried different baud rates but no connection. Some work was done benind the panel last year so its possible that the connections could have been disrupted. Is there isn't any thing else that could cause the  connection problem?

If not I will have to have the behind the panel wiring checked by the electronics people.

Actually we have found that the number one connection issue is when there is simply a loose connection (often at one of the D-sub connectors).

Are you using a dual 9-pin d-sub Y-cable? If so, I would start by troubleshooting that for continuity with a multimeter. ( the schematic is published in our member's library). It also wouldnt hurt to ring out your rs-232 serial extension cable (if used) before venturing into the harness...

I checked continuity in the "Y" cable and its good. I am connecting the Dongle directly to the computer without any extension so unless the dongle is a problem it looks like the behind the panel wiring needs to be checked next. The red light on the dongle lights up when the dongle is pluged into the computer so it looks like the dongle is working.

If you have any other suggestions I would be happy to hear them before I call the Electronics tech.

Thanks for your help!