Software Discription

What will I need to tune my vehicle?
In terms of software, you'll need to purchase the C.A.T.S. Tuner program and the appropriate ECM Definition File for the type of vehicle you're working on.

In addition to the software described above, you'll also need some hardware. What hardware you'll need depends somewhat on what type of vehicle you're working on. There are two basic types of ECMs; the older ECMs stored the calibration information in a removable EPROM and the newer ECMs which store the calibration information in FLASH memory (94 - 95 LT1 cars).

If you working with an ECM that has an EPROM, you'll need an EPROM programmer and an EPROM eraser. Virtually any EPROM programmer will work with the EPROM's used in these ECMs. We recommend the Pocket Programmer from Xtronics (www.xtronics.com). It is very reasonably priced and works well. Like the programmer, almost any EPROM eraser will work. Xtronics also carries an inexpensive eraser that works fine. It also makes things easier if you have a few spare EPROMs as well.

If you would like to be able to tune your vehicle in 'real-time', that is while the engine is running, you'll need the RT Tuner program ($99.95) instead of the standard Tuner program, the appropriate ECM Definition File and the Romulator EPROM emulator from Xtronics or the Ostrich or AutoProm emulator from Craig Moates (http://moates.net). Real-time tuning allows you to immediately see the affects of any changes you are making and can significantly shorten the tuning process. The RT Tuner program does everything the standard Tuner program does in addition to real-time tuning support so you don't need both programs. When you're finished tuning, you'll want to program an EPROM with your final calibration and disconnect the emulator so you'll still need an EPROM programmer.

If you are working on a FLASH based ECM (94 - 95 LT1 cars), you don't need an EPROM programmer or eraser because you can re-program the FLASH in the ECM by connecting your PC to your vehicles ALDL connector. You will, however, need a special ALDL interface cable to connect your PC to the ALDL connector in the vehicle. We recommend the cables from AKM Electronics (www.akmcables.com), TTS Power Systems (www.ttspowersystems.com) or Craig Moates (http://moates.net).

Please note that since the Flash based ECMs do not have a removable EPROM there's no way to connect an emulator to these ECMs so you can't do real-time tuning on these cars.

The Tuner and RT Tuner programs can be run under Microsoft Vista. Please follow the following steps to install these programs on a PC running Vista.

1. First you must be logged on as an administrator.

2. In order for the programs to install correctly the installation programs must be run in Compatibility mode. To install the program on a PC running Vista download the setup program for the latest version of the Tuner program from the 'Downloads' page on our web site.

3. After downloading the file unzip the setup program. Before running the setup program right click on it. Select Properties from the list and then click the Compatibility tab. From there, pick the default Windows XP SP2, click on the 'Apply' button and then click on the 'OK' button.

4. Now run the setup program to install the Tuner program.

5. After completing the installation you'll also need to set the Tuner program to run in compatibility mode. To do so, go to your Tuner folder (normally c:\program files\cats\tuner) and locate the Tuner program application file (Wintnr.exe). Right click on this file, select Properties from the list and then click the Compatibility tab. From there, pick the default Windows XP SP2, click on the 'Apply' button and then click on the 'OK' button.

Why are there multiple ECM Definition Files for the same Cadillac cars?

Unlike most other GM vehicles the calibrations used for these cars changed from calibration to calibration so that the locations of the calibration parameters in the calibration (.bin) files moved from calibration to calibration in many cases. When the calibration parameter locations change or different calibration parameters are used a new ECM Definition is required. To determine which of the Cadillac ECM Definition Files you'll need depends on the specific calibration you are working on. The calibration is identified by the Broadcast code (four letters) which is located on the ECM label and sometimes also on the Memcal. Compare your Broadcast codes with the ones listed for each of the Cadillac ECM Definition Files to find the correct one. If you have a Broadcast code that is not listed please contact us for more information.

I just downloaded the latest Tuner update. How do I install it?
The Tuner update is a setup program that installs any updated files to you PC. To install the updates, just double click on the downloaded file to start the installation and then follow the on-screen instructions. By default the setup program installs the updates to the folder 'c:\program files\cats\tuner'. If you originally installed the Tuner program to a different folder you'll need to change the installation folder when you run the setup program.

After installing the update, run the Tuner program and select 'About' from the "Help' . Verify that the new version is shown on the About screen.

If it turns out that you are working with a Rev B calibration, then click on the 'ECM' menu and select "PCM_EEB' from the list and re-open the calibration file or re-read the PCM to view and edit the calibration parameters.

I'm having trouble communicating with the PCM in my '94/95 LT1. What should I do?

Here are some things that can cause communications problems with the vehicle:

1. Make sure there are no other programs running on the PC when you are reading or programming the PCM, including virus protection software, screen savers and power management functions.

2. Make sure you are using a standard serial port that is not being used for anything else. (USB to Serial converters will typically cause problems.) If your PC does not have a standard serial port you should use the USB version of the ALDL cables available from AKM Electronics (www.akmcables.com) and Craig Moates (http://moates.net).

3. If you are using a laptop with an IR (Infrared) interface, disable it.

4. Make sure your car battery is fully charged. Do not attempt to read or program the PCM with a battery charger connected to the battery.

5. Avoid anything that might generate electrical noise such as other cars running nearby or large electrical motors, etc. I've even had reports of laptop battery chargers causing a problem.

6. Make sure you have a good connection to the PC and the ALDL connector.

7. Check the in vehicle ground connections, especially if its an engine swap. A poor ground can cause some strange problems.

How do I know if I damaged my PCM with Tuner version 1.98?
As described on the Tuner updates page version 1.98 of the Tuner program has a bug that can incorrectly program your '94/95 LT1 PCM. In particular, if you made changes to your calibration using the Tuner program and then immediately programmed your PCM without first saving the changes to disk by clicking on the Save button or selecting 'Save' or 'Save As' from the 'Files' menu, the Tuner program the calibration file that was programmed into your PCM would contain an incorrect checksum.

The programming process proceeds normally with no error messages but when you try to start the car, it will not start or will start and stall, the service light will flash and the fans will be running.

You can correct this problem, by reprogramming your PCM again with a calibration file with a valid checksum. To create a valid calibration file, use version 1.99 of the Tuner program or if using version 1.98, save the calibration file before programming or load your calibration file from disk (select 'Open' from the 'Files' menu) and program your PCM without making any additional changes to the calibration.

If you are using WinFlash or the DOS FLASH utilities, you will not experience this problem.

How do I use the C.A.T.S Tuner Program?
The Tuner is a generic tool configured by ECM Definition Files that have the required information for a specific ECM or PCM. Obviously the hard part is knowing what the binary values define and how to scale them into useful engine units.

The program runs like most 32 bit windows applications, and is in simple English. No knowledge of binary or hex is required. Checksums are automatically updated upon saving the final result.

To use the Tuner program effectively, the user will need to understand the functions of the internal combustion engine and the basic operation of a closed loop control system.

I have the Tuner program running but most of the menus are inactive and nothing seems to work. You open a calibration file before most of the functions of the Tuner program become active. If you're running the evaluation version of the program you need to obtain a type $42 calibration file. This is a very common calibration and you can easily find an example calibration file on the internet. The calibration files are technically copyright GM so to avoid any possible copyright infringement issues, we do not include a sample calibration file with the evaluation program.

When I try to run the Tuner setup program, the main setup screen is displayed briefly and then the screen disappears and the program ends. This problem usually occurs because the riched32.dll file is missing from your 'System' subdirectory or the files is an incorrect version. Click on the following link to download the current version of this dll file.

To install this file, unzip it and place it in your 'System' (or 'System32') subdirectory. If there is already a version of this dll file in this subdirectory, do not over-write it. Rename the existing file 'riched32.old' first.

How do I identify the correct ECM Definition File?
Like most GM products, calibrations are defined by a part numbers, a traditional 8 digit number and by a short form description know as a "Broadcast Code"

Example:

Broadcast Code	P/N	ECM or PCM P/N	Program ID	Scan tool ID
ARJU/7493	16147492	01227747	$42	6301
ANHT/2498	16134297	01227727	$8D	5081
ASWH/1727	16141562	01227727	$55	6121
ATNX/5668	16145667	01227730	$8D	5571

Broadcast Code:
The four letters are unique to the actual software, the '/' and 4 digits are the last 4 digits of GM's part number for this particular calibration.

P/N:
This 8 digit number is the part number of a calibration installed in memory (EPROM) and and other hardware required to install it in you ECM or PCM.

ECM P/N:
The ECM (or PCM) p/n describe the specific hardware that the code is to be used in.

Program ID:
The template ID is always a two bit code that describes the "layout" of the calibration, in other words exactly where thing are located and the calculations performed.

While the layout is the same the numerical calibration will differ for each Broadcast Code

Scan Tool ID:
The Scan Tool ID allows a mechanic to identify the exact calibration by reading a "Scan ID" form any Scan Tool.

After quick review of the above information, it should be obvious that the ECM or PCM part number doesn't describe the software, we prefer to use the broadcast code and the Program ID byte. Our ECM definition files are set up to match specific calibrations therefore we name them after the ID byte.

Referring to the example, the TunerCat $8D configuration file will run with ANHT and ATNX even though they reside in different ECM's both are $8D templates. What this means is the spark table will be located in the same place and be scaled the same, and so will all the other tables in the $8D calibrations, (These happen to be Camaro & Vette calibrations).

The $55 calibration is a Buick/Pontiac/Chevy passenger car, after the first 12 or so bytes the calibration is completely different than the $8D calibrations.

What kind of calibration files work with the Tuner program?
Binary files (EPROM image), sometimes known as a binary dump are the required data format. These files are the most compact and are a direct EPROM (or Flash ROM) image.

I get a file error message when opening a calibration file. What's the problem?

If you open a valid calibration file but have chosen the incorrect ECM Definition File, the following error message will be displayed:

To correct this problem, click on the 'ECM' menu and select the correct ECM Definition File before opening the calibration file.

If the calibration file is corrupt or in a format that the Tuner program does not recognize the following error message will be displayed.

The calibration file must be a binary file that is an exact binary image of the EPROM. This means that the binary file must also be the correct length for the type EPROM used in your ECM. The file extent must be '.bin'.

Do I need to understand binary or hex numbers?
No, The C.A.T.S Tuner works with decimal numbers expressed in conventional units e.g. RPM, milliseconds, Volts. The translation to the native binary is automatic.

How Do I work with EPROM's?
You will need an EPROM programmer and most likely you will want an UV eraser so that you can re-use EPROM's.

Most GM ECM's use 2732, 27128, or 27256 EPROM's. Most any part number variation is ok, the processors are relatively slow, so don't buy fast chips. (See our EPROM Pin out page for further information.)

How Do I work with PCM's with Flash PROM's
The FLASH PROM(s) are not removable, so the best way is to download directly trough the PCM's communications port. C.A.T.S. software provides for this, but you will need the interface adapter so that you can hook you PC to the PCM.

The Tuner program has built in utilities to read and program the PCM through the car's ALDL communication connector.

We do not sell hardware. See our Links page for some suggested source of flash programming interface.

The ECM Definition Files have provisions for password protection. This provision was included for users who are developing their own ECM Definition Files using the Definition File Editor program. While we do not use this feature with our Definition Files, these files do contain a 'default' password that the Tuner program ignores. These passwords (including the default password) are keyed to the 'last modified' date of the Definition File so if this date is changed, for instance by editing the Definition File with any program other than the C.A.T.S. ECM Definition File Editor, the default password will no longer be correct.

Also if an ECM Definition File is e-mailed without being zipped, the 'last modified' date will be changed when the file is downloaded. This is one reason we always zip the Definition Files. If you want to e-mail a Definition File that you have created, you must zip it first.

The registration cost of the Tuner program is $69.95. This registration cost includes the $42 ECM Definition File.

You can either send a check or money order (USD) to us or you can purchase on-line using PayPal or a credit card. See our How To Order page for details.

When we send you Definition Files, they will be zipped into a single file. If appropriate, this zipped file may also contain an updated FormLib file and may include Definition File help files. To install these updates unzip all the files contained in the zipped file into your Tuner subdirectory (usually c:\program files\cats\tuner), over-writing the old versions of these files.

This is usually cause by a outdated version of the FormLib.tff file. To download the latest version of this file, click on the following link:

After downloading this file, unzip the FormLib.tff file and place it in your Tuner subdirectory, over-writing the old version.

As a registered user, you are always entitled to any updates that we make to the software and any of the ECM Definition File which you have purchased.

To check which versions of the Tuner program, FormLib file and ECM Definition Files you are currently using, run the Tuner program and select 'Version Information' from the 'Help' menu. Compare your versions with the 'Version Info' page on our web site.

If you need updates to any of your files, please send us an e-mail and tell us which files you need. We will then e-mail them to you.

I am a current user of the OBDII Tuner program. Do I now get support from JET?

No. We are still supporting our current OBDII Tuner customers. You should contact us for updates to the software and Vehicle Definition Files as well as purchasing new Vehicle Definition Files.

1. First make sure you are running the current version of the WinFlash OBDII program. To check which version of the WinFlash OBDII program you are using, run the WinFlash program and click on the Help menu. Select 'About' from the drop-down list to display the program version. To check on the latest version available click on the following link:

www.tunercat.com/obd2/updates/wf_updt.html

If you are not running the latest version of the WinFlash program then download and install the update to the latest version from this link.

2. Check the Com Port buffer settings on your PC. To do this click on the 'Start' button, then go to Control Panel and double click on 'System'. Then click on the 'Hardware' tab and then click on the 'Device Manager' button. Next double click on 'Ports' and then double click on 'Communication Port(COMX)' where 'X' is the serial port number that you are using. Select the 'Port Settings' tab and then click on the 'Advanced' button. On this next screen verify that the 'Use FIFO' checkbox is checked. The default buffer settings are usually OK but you might have to experiment with these settings a little. Smaller buffer sizes reduce the chance of communication errors but too small a setting can cause buffer overruns.

3. Run the WinFlash program and select 'Comm Port' from the 'Setup' menu. Try reducing the Data Block Size and see if that helps.

4. Make sure there are no other programs running on the PC when you are reading or programming the PCM, including virus protection software, screen savers and power management functions.

5. If you are using a laptop with an IR interface, disable it.

6. If there is a modem installed on the PC, try disabling it. Sometimes they can interfere with normal serial port communications.

7. In some PCs the BIOS allows for manual comm port settings or you can let the Operating System set the settings. On these PCs go to the Bios setup during boot-up. In the Bios setup disable the IR port (if installed) and select 'Auto' settings (operating system) for the Modem.

8. If you are using a USB to serial converter make sure that you have the latest drivers for it and that the converter can support block data transfer at 57600 baud.

9. If the vehicle is equipped with OnStar make sure that you pull the associated fuse(s) to disable it.

To disable the OnStar system in 1999 - 2002 vehicles remove the following fuses:

SEO1 (Special Equipment Options/OnStar)

To disable the OnStar system in 2003 - 2005 vehicles remove the following fuses:

INFO (Vehicle Communications Interface Module)

RADIO (Entertainment System)

If you still have problems reading the PCM try removing the following additional fuses:

TBC BATT (Body Control Module - under hood fuse box)

TGC IGN 1 (Body Control Module - under hood fuse box)

SEO ACCY (Special Equipment Options/Assy)

TBC 2A (Body Control Module)

TBC 2B (Body Control Module)

TBC 2C (Body Control Module)

Is there any data logging software that is compatible with the C.A.T.S. OBDII interface cable?

Yes, the MxScan data logging program available from Monodax (www.monodax.com) is fully compatible with the C.A.T.S. OBDII interface cable.