It's not quite the nice pretty one in the first post that looks more like a Rubberized DVI plug. This is more of an old school hard plastic parallel type plug. I like the location of the LED in the first post with the little rubber grommet better than the way it is in this plug.
The only thing I am concerned about, is the way the wire is run into this plug. I can not see inside, as the casing it is hot glued together around the pins. It looks like there is nothing to keep you from pulling the wires right out of the plug though. There is a square "cable retainer" on the lead wire in the back of the plug, but it is smaller than the round hole that it is inside of, and nothing to stop it from pulling on the soldered connections, that I can see at least.
In the top picture below, from the first post, that cable retainer looks quite a bit more robust....
I did just hook it up, and it works great, and I guess that is what really matters.
.
EDIT:
Ok, it's just not my day When I said it worked above, I got the green LED to light up for 2 seconds in a test, so com with the fuel pump is good.
When I just plugged in the Serial <-->USB adapter, into my laptop, nothing happens. Windows did not prompt for drivers, and nothing new in device manager. I removed the one off this PC that I use for my home automation receiver, plugged it into the laptop, and was prompted for the drivers. I installed them, and now communications is working with the ALDL cable.
I then plugged the adapter that I ordered with the ALDL cable into this PC, and the same thing, it never prompted for drivers, or recognizes in any way that it has been plugged in. Looks like the adapter is probably bad.
[This message has been edited by JohnWPB (edited 03-06-2010).]
John. the winaldl cable you got actually has better strain relief then the old picture. (can't get the molex hoods anymore) The square you see in the opening is a multi ribbed strain relief that I remove one rib. There is then a two part metal clip that sandwiches in the groove left by removing the rib. Makes a very secure cable that will not pull out with normal use, Guaranteed!
I also tested the usb cable on my laptop right before I put it in the package so I know it was working at that time. Have you had other usb adaptors on your laptop before so it might think it is the same one. You might open your hardware device manager with the cable plugged in and see if it shows a usb-serial adaptor. If it does uninstall the one that is there, unplug the cable and plug it back in. Normally that will wake up the system to see the new hardware. If you think it is bad return it and I'll certainly send you another. Questions let me know... DR
[This message has been edited by Dodgerunner (edited 03-06-2010).]
Ok, it was hard to tell looking at it, with the square strain relief thingy on the cable, in the round hole at the back of the plug, I could not see the way you secured it inside. It sounds like its gonna hold up good
As for the USB adapter, I am not sure on that one. I am a computer tech, and MS certified and all that blah blah blah.
When I plugged in the adapter, there was no indication that I attached it (The "Da-Dink" windows sound). I then opened device manager, and saw nothing listed under the "Com & LPT" tree. I removed it and put it in another USB plug on the laptop, still nothing. I then tried plugging it into my desktop PC directly to the motherboard (No hubs ect).. still nothing. Even when or if drivers are present, you should get the audio confirmation that a USB plug was inserted or removed.
I then took the one I use for my Home Automation signal antenna and plugged it into the laptop. I immediately got the audio notification, as well as the "new hardware found" balloon. I installed the drivers, and then opened WinADL and selected the com port, ran out to the car for a test, and it is working perfectly.
Just to test further, I took the one I got from you and plugged it into the PC that controls my touchscreen in the wall, and still no audio notification / no new hardware balloon, and that has never had a USB-Serial enumerator installed on it.
I then plugged it into my nephew's laptop, same thing, nothing... His laptop is a "clean install" (Other than the Virus that teenagers refer to as MySpace It's 2 months old and running Win 7.
It is definitely not a driver issue, as windows never even recognizes it being plugged into any of the PC's.
I do believe you tested it, but I can not get it to be recognized on 4 different PC's here, so something must be screwy somewhere. Something must have happened in shipping or something. I will just order another one online, as I HAVE to leave the one I have hooked to the Home Automation server where it is.
Don't worry about replacing it, I just ordered 2 of em for $6.00 shipped. It saves me the hassle of having to go to the post office and ship it back to ya and all. Thanks for offering to exchange it though, much appreciated! http://www.meritline.com/us...8.aspx?source=fghdac
[This message has been edited by JohnWPB (edited 03-06-2010).]
There is no need to send out another one. I REALLY appreciate the offer, but I ordered a couple, as it's always good to have a spare. I must say that is downright good customer service on your part though!
It's not something I need right away anyways. The engine still needs to be pulled back out to swap the Auto transmission in it now, that is bad
Last bump. I had two orders so built three extra cables. I have used up most of my parts stock so these will be the last three for at least the summer. Unless I run into some other projects needing a parts order this might even be it for the remainder of the year. Have to many other projects I need to work on. (My 87 restore, 4T60 rebuild, 3800sc install, maybe a paint job. )
Thanks for all who have bought cables in the past.
Dodgerunner...
[This message has been edited by Dodgerunner (edited 05-22-2010).]
When I said it worked above, I got the green LED to light up for 2 seconds in a test, so com with the fuel pump is good.
