Chrysler 41te Trans Control

[racerstev]

Are you asking if we need the range senser inputs? We really don't but it would be nice to just move the shifter to change gears manually.
As long as we can get 2 loggable pressure inputs (analog) we should be good. Don't see much use on a spare digital unless we use it for the
range sensor.

Steve

[tjabo]

Thanks Steve. What kind of signal are these range sensor inputs? (My brain has been on other things, so I apologize if my question is stupid!)

Thad

[Bernard Fife]

Steve,

The spare digital input is a bit useless - but it I can foresee it being used to check other digital inputs when troubleshooting - things like brake signal, shifter inputs, etc.. It could also be used for logging things like when NO2 is active, etc. The limiting factor is that this port pin is input only (i.e. it cannot be configured as an output as most of the other pins can), and is not an ADC channel. So if it is not used for something specific (like the 2/4WD switch or the 4th shift lever input) it isn't very flexible. We'll try to load as many of the application-specific digital I/O requirements onto this pin for that reason (and let the user select between them in MT/TS).

Lance.

[tjabo]

Thanks Lance!

From what we have here so far in terms of information about our trans, can you give me any input about how to build the two parts of build step "E" that are in question? Maybe I should just build them as standard for now and alter them later if necessary?

Unfortunately, since I got to this build step I have just had my brain wrapped around a couple of other things, and I haven't had sufficient mental resources to spend on this question. . .

Thad

[Bernard Fife]

Thad,

There are essentially two choices:

- build a digital (on/off) circuit (the default in the manual),

or

- build a variable voltage circuit (analog-digital converter = ADC).

I believe from a quick look at the previous posts that all the shift lever inputs are digital. The 4th input will go on the 2/4WD input pin (to be added to the code shortly), so it should be built as in the manual as well.

However, if Steve could confirm this, that would be very helpful.

Lance.

[racerstev]

Yes, the range sensor is digital..

Steve

[Bernard Fife]

Thanks Steve! Sometimes I get too many trans specs in my head, and it's nice to have the confirmation. Lance.

[tjabo]

Hey Lance,

I think I have the board complete with the digital inputs we decided on. I still have to finalize a case (keep forgetting to order it. ), and I have to do up the AMPseal and serial cables.

In the interim though, do you have any draft testing instructions you might be able to send me? I'd like to start thinking about the testing phase while I wait for my serial cable ends to arrive (or I might just by them at a local electronics store on Monday).

I'll try to get a pic taken of this board and post it up so you guys can tell me if anything looks glaringly wrong.

Thanks!

Thad

Okay, here's a crappy picture in two different sizes, it's not good, but it seems to be the best I can take today. Sorry you can't see detail in it. . .





Oh, and I haven't cleaned the flux residue off of this side of the board yet. I can take some detailed macro shots of smaller parts of the board if there is anything of interest to discuss or inspect. Thanks! ! !

[Bernard Fife]

In the interim though, do you have any draft testing instructions you might be able to send me?

Thad,

Looks good! I don't recall if you were one of the few to get a trans stim. Could you remind me?

Without a trans stim, you might make up a harness for the intended application/vehicle. Then wherever there's a digital input (ground usually) leave the wire stripped but label it. Where there's a variable voltage hook-up, you would connect a potentiometer output (with the 5V Vref as the voltage source for the pot). The for the outputs, an LED/resistor on each is usually sufficient for testing purposes.

However, it's probably easier to wire it to a regular stim, if you have an extra male DB37 connector. Then you can use the tach circuit for the VSS, the TPS/Coolant/IAT pots for variable voltage, and the LEDs for various outputs. If you want to go this route, let me know and I put some details together.

Eventually I will release an updated stim for trans applications, but I want to include as many applications as possible - so we need to wait to see what appears out of the wood work!

Lance.

[tjabo]

Thanks Lance!

You had mentioned a trans stim a while ago, but as far as I know you didn't send one.

I have an old (non-Jim) stim, and a new JimStim, so I was planning to use those to input engine and VSS inputs to the GPIO, with some of them coming through the CAN bus, and some hacked as we had previously discussed in this thread, but I don't think I currently have anything to allow me to observe the outputs to the trans. I can rig up some simple circuits like you mentioned if you can give me a pretty good idea of what is needed. I'm pretty sure I can handle some resistors and LEDs, and even some 5v feeds to pots! I can get another DB37 connector to use from the wiring out of the AMPseal connector if you think that's the best option. If it gets much more complex than that though, I can't make any promises. . .

I've put the word out to the Neon people to start making lists of outputs from the trans, and inputs to the trans that we need, so I can start trying to make sense of how to wire the connector and what to test. This might be as much of a challenge as building the board (or a bigger one?). I would really like to get this pretty well sorted out before I send it off to Steve, so I can say which wires to connect to what, and he can just concentrate on seeing how well he can make the controller and the trans work together.

Thad