Noob help - can't read 04 WRX - out of ideas...

[blackhole]

I'm a noob to flashing, so I've read every FAQ and all of the troubleshooting I could find here and still have been unable to connect to the stock ECU on my 04 WRX MT Wagon with either Ecuflash or ecuExplorer.

Any thoughts / suggestions on what I'm doing wrong?

Thanks for your help,
Kyle "BlackHole"

Hardware/Software:
-Tactrix OpenPort 1.2 cable
-Win2k fully updated on older IBM T21 laptop
-latest versions of EcuFlash and ecuExplorer installed
-flash jumper installed
-both under dash and pass footwell diagnostic connectors connected

Tried:
-followed all published instructions on how to flash (here, enginuity, etc.)
-confirmed that car was behaving as expected of diag. mode
-confirmed that Windows Device Manager sees OpenPort cable and is installed correctly
-un & re-installed EcuFlash and ecuExplorer
-unsuccessfully tried w/o the flash jumper installed
-EcuFlash popup error message says to check log. But no log can be found.
-eliminated one error message by moving FTD2XX.dll to winnt/system32 folder
-different ignition key timings versus EcuFlash "OK" button

Notes:
-Device Manager says the OpenPort cable is on COM5, but EcuFlash will only attempt to connect on COM4. All other ports yield error messages.

EcuFlash display:

[00:30:41.317] Version 1.28.716
[00:30:41.337] 8 memory models read.
[00:30:41.948] 71 ROM metadata models read.
[00:30:41.948] checksum module "subarudbw" loaded.
[00:30:41.948] flashing tool "wrx02" loaded.
[00:30:41.948] flashing tool "wrx04" loaded.
[00:30:41.948] flashing tool "sti04" loaded.
[00:30:41.958] flashing tool "sti05" loaded.
[00:30:41.958] flashing tool "mitsukernel" loaded.
[00:30:41.958] flashing tool "mitsukernelocp" loaded.
[00:30:41.958] flashing tool "mitsubootloader" loaded.
[00:30:48.668] ssm2_init
[00:30:48.878] ssm2_init
[00:30:49.088] ssm2_init
[00:30:49.299] ssm2_init
[00:30:49.509] ssm2_init
[00:30:49.719] ssm2_init
[00:30:49.930] ssm2_init
[00:30:50.140] ssm2_init
[00:30:50.350] ssm2_init
[00:30:50.560] ssm2_init
[00:30:50.921] kernel get version
[00:30:51.432] validating denso kernel ram area addr: 020000 len: 0008

[ahains]

The comm port issue sounds suspicious. Can you disable the built-in comm ports in the bios?

[m3n0ch3]

hmm not sure but it looks like your tactrix cable is not hooked with the 1.2 drivers but rather a standard serial interface driver...

uninstall the drivers and reinstall the tactrix drivers then connect the cable, it should show up in your port list

[blackhole]

Thanks for the ideas. Here's what I've found:

1) OpenPort 1.2 drivers in Device Manager:
-identified as "USB Serial Converter" under USB controller
-identified as "OpenPort 1.2 ISO Interface" under Properties
-uses FTDI drivers version 1.0.2154.0 [ftdibus.sys, ftdiun2k.ini, ftdiunin.exe]
-identified on Port 5

So this seems to be installed properly.

2)Comm ports - there is something fishy-looking here as the BIOS very clearly puts the serial port on Comm 4. I'll work on it and report back.

Thanks,
Kyle "BlackHole"

[blackhole]

FIXED! Thanks for the help!

ahains was on the right track - it was a port conflict, only it was self-created. To make a long story short, even after disabling/switching all of my ports around EcuFlash still wouldn't connect. I didn't even think about what else was running on the computer - HotSync for the Palm was running in the background, tying up that physical USB port. Turn off Hotsync and everything is well.

I feel like [and am] a dumb noob. But at least I can flash now.

Kyle "BlackHole"