I had to re-program my DCU and didn't have any problems setting the dash button functions. When I went to secure the DCU underneath my dash, I had the radio on and noticed that the sound would mute and my headunit would change its display to a mute icon and ATT ON text. Depending on how I moved the DCU, the muting action would waver in and out.

The first photo shows where I've had my DCU secured to, it's that space above the waffle-looking plastic shroud to the right of the steering column.

The second photo shows my radio display when the mysterious muting action occurred. I was wondering if maybe this mysterious electrical wave is what's causing the malfunctioning DCUs to lose their programming. S2KMan, or anyone else, what do you think?

I've now moved my DCU to a spot underneath my radio and will see how long my programming lasts.

 

I never took a close look at the DCU, so does it control the mute function, or do you use a separate relay? Either way, is it possible that you were intermittently grounding out the mute lead on your head when moving things around?

 

[QUOTE]Originally posted by MacGyver
[B]I never took a close look at the DCU, so does it control the mute function, or do you use a separate relay?

 

MacGyver,

I have an extra DCU that had a problem witht the voltage regulator. If I sent you this DCU, do you think you can resolve some of the programming problems people are having. I know Scott (S2Kman) has been real busy lately and has not been able to help us.

Thanks,
Kaptain Insano

 

It's a possibility, but I can't guarantee turn-around time. My advisor is on my ass trying to get me to finish my thesis, I have a new bodykit that needs some serious TLC over the next several weeks, and I have a couple of electrical projects for the ride that I need to get to (hope to have a prototype for one done before Fall Colors).

If the voltage regulator is flakey, you should just replace it (that's what I would end up doing if that was the case). If there is something in the circuit design that's forcing the regulator to be flakey, you can replace away and the problem will crop back up shortly. Can you give me an idea of what type of programming problems you are having?

 

MacGyver,

No worries on the turn around time as most of the owners of the DCU have waited over a year for the device to work completely. What I was mentioning before was that the voltage regulator is not working on the unit I am sending you but I don't think it is the cause of the programming problems as many people have had this problem. The mojority of the programming problems are explained in this thread:

https://www.s2ki.com/forums/showthread.php?...?threadid=35196

As a summary, the problem most people are having is that after they program the DCU, it appears to work for some time. Then, mysteriously, it just loses its programming. I checked for loose connections but there are none. I can reprogram the device immediately and it would work again.

email me you address, and I will send it to you.

Thanks,

Kaptain Insano
kaptaininsano@hotmail.com

 

So just how busy has he been? Can anybody reach him? Are we all just stuck with our non-functional DCU's? He's had my broken DCU since late June, and no response since July. Mine just stopped one day, it powers up but will not program at all.

Do you think he would be willing to release the schematic and software so we could at least try to trouble-shoot it ourselves? I'm about ready to build my own, I'm so sick of not having dash controls.

I'm real surprised there is a power supply issue, I remember he put a TO-220 style 1 amp regulator on the board, and I can't see the unit drawing more than 50 mils at the most, and that's during programming.

I don't remember which micro he used, but it's one of the larger ATMEL jobbies, which has eeprom memory with typically a lifetime of 100,000 write cycles, so there's not much excuse for it losing programming, unless there is some software issues or a serious spike got through the power supply.

 

Hey scooby2, what did you use for a light source for those photos? Looks awfully clear, and without the usual 'flash-splash' I get on those under-dash shots.

 

[QUOTE]Originally posted by modifry
So just how busy has he been?

 

No flash, sun light directly behind me, top down, that's it. (yeah, it actually gets sunny here 3 times/year)