The correct way to do this is with a serial to PCMCIA card.
Unfortunately, I can't tell you which to use, because it's dependent on which operating system you are using as well as the software and hardware you are trying to connect with. Some USB adapters do this better than others.
So, when an adapter is made and it's corresponding drivers are written, a translation has to be made between these two types of communications.
A USB connection is half-duplex, meaning that it can transmit or receive, but not at the same time.
A serial connection is full duplex, meaning that it can transmit and receive at the same time. Unfortunately, it might be a trial and error thing for you. The USB to serial adapters are all over the map as far as quality goes, and some of it depends on which operating system you have. The only 'gotcha' - it will be all surface mount component, so the 'kit assembly' will not be something the average guy can put together Here is the link: The AKM USB to RS232 adapter is being designed around the FDTI FT232BM chip. While others have tested it, and it would not work for them. Some people have commented that the Belkin F5U103 USB to RS232 adapter works. One of the issues I have discovered is that although a number of manufacturers offer USB to RS232 adapters - what works on one computer may not work on another. It is a complicated problem and I have yet to see a foolproof solution.
In the Freescan manual we have not developed or tested any USB-RS232 adaptors. When Freescan was originally developed USB protocols were not considered. If you have a laptop with just USB ports then you will require a USB-RS232 adapter to plug into to the ALDL interface. Modern laptops are no longer build with RS232 serials ports. It will require no additional hardware or adaptors. We are currrently working on an intergrated ALDL/USB solution for USB only PC's. I will try to look at them within a day or on the same day and give you some feedback. Still available on the LEW page above.įreescan Users are very welcome to email me their log files for diagnosis. I will be distontununing this adapters once the stock is gone in preference to the all-in-one USB-ALDL interface above. It have been tested on all windows systems even Vista. This development will allow all users upgrading to laptop PC's that just have USB ports to have the old ALDL-serials interface leads. We certify only one USB-Serial adaptor solution with the ALDL interface cable. These leads are now available from Lotus Esprit World E-shop. It also has a 5 mm jact adaptor for ease of conencting to the car. The lead has the interface and the USB-serial chipset all build into the plug. We have been testing it now on a number of laptops and it seems to offer a good working solution. The lead come with drivers for all Windows OS including Vista. We have now have USB-ALDL combined interface lead. I intend to use these pages to post continuing developments of Freescan and additional user support.
Click on picture below to take you to the LEW E-Shop.Ĥ-cyl Diagnostics Packages Available from Lotus Esprit World Lotus Esprit World (LEW) will supply you with everything you need to communicate with your Esprit's ECU via your laptop. Kato at LEW has helped turn this in a very professional looking manual and together we now offer a number of options. Several years I wrote Version 1.0 of a FreeScan manual and trouble shooting guide. All you need to run FreeScan is available at the Club Esprit E-shop. 5V), bi-directional (half-duplex) format and runs at 8192 bps. You will also need an interface cable that connects your PC serial port to the GM ALDL port. It is recommended to have a 90 MHz or better Pentium and at least 32 MB of RAM.
This software is a must for all Esprit owners with GM Fuel Injection.įreeScan runs under most Windows platforms (especially 95, 98 and NT4), it needs 800 x 600 minimum display resolution and one free serial port. Many Esprit's are currently running at less than 100%, don't let yours be one of them. This software can help with tracing problems with your Esprit including reading internal error codes and also making sure everything in running as it should. These cars were all fitted with the GMP4 Delco fuel injection. (Superior diagnosis to anything a Lotus Dealer may possess)įreeScan is a windows-based program that is able to communicate with the ECU which controls all 4-cylinder Lotus Esprit models built between 1989-1999 (SE, S4, S4s, GT3). Supports all 4-Cylinder Lotus Esprits models with GMP4 DELCO Fuel-Injection.