DSATX nightmare

jbradshw · 05-03-2008, 05:54 PM

So I've been using the DSATX for about a month now and it's working ok, except for the fact when ACC dies the PS dies with it. Note: I'm not too happy that I have to buy a Brainstem to fix this issue.

So I buy a Brainstem and unfortunately can't hook it up due to my current layout. A fellow member here pointed me to a website that sold an extension cable which was perfect. I plug the extension cable into the DSATX, brainstem into extension cable, and then plug the brainstem directly into my serial port.

Well like other people on here, with the brainstem connected to the computer, the computer won't turn on. So I unplug the brainstem from the serial port and sure enough it turns on. So with it still connected to the DSATX, I decide to turn on the computer, then connect it to the serial port. Sometimes this works, sometimes not (power shuts off immediately). I wasn't sure if this constituted hotplugging the brainstem because I always have it plugged into the DSATX (via extension cable) - only thing I'm doing is hotplugging it into the serial port.

I finally managed to get into hyperterminal and started hitting keys to make sure I was connected. I then see something to the effect of "Defaults loaded" or something like that. Then about 3 seconds later the power dies. Sure enough I can't turn it back on.

I disconnect the brainstem from the serial port. Again I turn on the computer and try to seat it back into the serial port. Again the computer dies.

Now my current state is I get 4 red blinks on the DSATX and it appears to be stuck in this state. I've completely shut off the car and back on. Pulled the fuse out and its fine. Yes there is a fan connected but this is definitely not a temp issue as the 4 blinks suggests.

This Brainstem has made things go from bad to worse quick!

MarcelP · 05-04-2008, 12:53 PM

I made it in such a way:
Attach your Brainstem. Connect your DSATX to a battery (+12V VIN and Ground).
Then connect with a laptop or any PC over "Hyperterminal" or similar to that brainstem, then you can configure it.
Sorry for my bad English, German is better!

I hope it helps you.

jbradshw · 05-04-2008, 01:00 PM

So I've tried resetting the DSATX - shorted pins A2 and B2 but I'm still getting the 4 blinks. It appears this thing is "stuck" in this mode.

MarcelP - I don't think I can get into the brainstem until the DSATX is "on". At this point I can't even get that to happen.

MarcelP · 05-05-2008, 01:15 AM

Quote: Originally Posted by jbradshw

So I've tried resetting the DSATX - shorted pins A2 and B2 but I'm still getting the 4 blinks. It appears this thing is "stuck" in this mode.

MarcelP - I don't think I can get into the brainstem until the DSATX is "on". At this point I can't even get that to happen.

That was with me also like that! As soon as a PC was attached and the Brainstem could I it not start!
One can configure the Brainstem in addition, without attached Car PC. Simply only 12v attach and Ground and already can you it with the Brainstem configure. With me also this error was, there was wrongly set the Overtemp. some time ago. Thus it did not concern.

jbradshw · 05-05-2008, 11:42 AM

So I tried programming it per the instructions with the firmware.

It got all the way up to Sending Page #67 and now its just sitting there. How long should this process take?

jbradshw · 05-05-2008, 12:02 PM

So it just sat there forever so I tried doing it again. I can't get the flash to finish. It gets to a random Sending Page # and just sits there.

Just to confirm the text file said to set the port to 115k so I did that in the flashing program and in Windows Device Manager.

MarcelP · 05-05-2008, 12:21 PM

With me it took only few seconds!

jbradshw · 05-05-2008, 01:38 PM

Yeah I'm about ready to throw this thing out the window!

Zootjeff, is there any possible way of getting this thing swapped with one that already has the firmware applied? I'm pretty much at my limits with wanting to deal with this thing any longer.