What's Your M4 Look Like?

**Sicarius** · 06-21-2009, 11:57 PM

Curiosity got the best of me. Fired it up as per the FAQ and it's working fine. Didn't test auto-shutdown, though, as I hard-wired the acc. connection.

Firmware version 1.1; that's a little old.

**jpinkerton** · 06-21-2009, 11:59 PM

But it's working, and your transformers are facing same direction as the store/manual shows. Thanks for the info sicarius!

**Sicarius** · 06-22-2009, 01:12 AM

I don't think those are transformers. They are labeled L1, L2, and L5 on my board and appear to only have two connections each which leads me to believe they are inductors ("L" being the symbol for an inductor, like "R" for resistor and "C" for capacitor).

That being the case, they could go in either way with no difference.

**Bxsteez** · 06-22-2009, 01:21 AM

Originally Posted by Sicarius

I don't think those are transformers. They are labeled L1, L2, and L5 on my board and appear to only have two connections each which leads me to believe they are inductors ("L" being the symbol for an inductor, like "R" for resistor and "C" for capacitor).

That being the case, they could go in either way with no difference.

Hmm i didn't notice the L reference designator on the board before. This would make sense then.

**Heather** · 06-22-2009, 09:04 AM

We will be happy to look into your RMA, it arrived Friday I think, and it is being expedited, ie looked at before others because I had wanted to look into what the problem is.

To be clear, we have not received a bad batch - we have had very few issues with the M4 hardware lately. Again, as Enforcer explained, we do not control the manufacturing process, mini tuner does. We appreciate purchases from the mp3Car store, as your purchases go to support the forum - but there should not be confusion regarding what we are which is a reseller, except in the case of CarNetix and a few other custom products.

Thanks for posting this detailed information - this will greatly expedite the RMA process and Goce will be in contact regarding the status of it.

**jpinkerton** · 06-22-2009, 09:24 AM

Heather please know, like I told enforcer I didn't mean for this to be a story about my experience with the M4, I just wanted to find any other M4's that looked like mine and worked, as every other working M4 I found pictures of, the inductors/transformers were in the opposite position as mine.

Also, as I said, I would purchase from the MP3Car store again without hesitation based on just the communication I receive from the staff, and the quick way everything is handled. Goce is actually the one that suggested to me there may be a bad batch.

I would still be interested to know if anyone has an M4 that looks like mine and works.

**ecog** · 06-22-2009, 11:04 AM

Manual/store image on left, mine on right. Notice the parts labeled TMP T7705 are facing the OPPOSITE way, all 3 of those black ones are.

Hi everybody,

Just to clear something up, the parts labeled TMP T7705 are inductors, which DO NOT have a polarity. So it doesn't really matter which way you mount them they will perform the same.

That's not to pass judgment on the quality of the M4 (either way), but just because it looks different it doesn't mean it's not right.

So, I saw you had a little pol on the thread, and in a similar spirit I'll grab about 10 or so M4s from stock hook them up to a PSU tester and I'll post the results here.

**jpinkerton** · 06-22-2009, 11:11 AM

We never noticed the L reference on the board - I never personally saw it until I viewed the blown up version from the camera.

Appreciate the help ecog!

**blk02si** · 06-22-2009, 11:32 AM

Hrm, are both failed M4's trying to push the same mobo? Maybe there's an incompatibility there. If you ground the green wire on the output side of any atx power supply it will kick on and you should get 12v across yellow, 5v across red, 3.3 across orange with a multimeter. If you get those readings the supply is good. So did you try this method, and/or a different motherboard?

Don't even worry about the start-up shut-down controller hookup until after you have the supply circuits stable. Put it in dumb mode and power up, after the os is installed and stable, then worry about hooking up the controller circuit.

**jpinkerton** · 06-22-2009, 11:40 AM

Originally Posted by blk02si

Hrm, are both failed M4's trying to push the same mobo? Maybe there's an incompatibility there. If you ground the green wire on the output side of any atx power supply it will kick on and you should get 12v across yellow, 5v across red, 3.3 across orange with a multimeter. If you get those readings the supply is good. So did you try this method, and/or a different motherboard?

Did try JUST a fan off the fan header on the M4. Motherboard works with desktop PSU.

Don't even worry about the start-up shut-down controller hookup until after you have the supply circuits stable. Put it in dumb mode and power up, after the os is installed and stable, then worry about hooking up the controller circuit.

Tried the dips in the dumb mode, and P1. Pulled fuse in between changing them.