Ranger Mods

Thought I'd post this here as the UG FAQ for this issue is dated 2012, but I suspect my 3 day old UG MX 1.4 is a bit more recent, but suffered the same issue of garbled display and constant rebooting. I only had 2 screens active, but screen 2 was not fully populated. It's possible others will suffer this fate. The startup time was taking 2-10 minutes so trying to break into the menu during boot wasn't working, so I needed a power-on reset routine.

Restoring a garbled display / doing a power-on Global reset:
1. Unplug UltraGauge
2. Set the ignition to the RUN position
3. Press and hold the MENU key.
4. Plug in UltraGauge.
5. Wait 5 seconds, Release the MENU key. The MENU system will start.
6. Select UltraGauge Setup.. --> Restore ALL Defaults.

You will then be prompted to confirm. Once confirmed UltraGauge will reboot and begin Scanning for the interface and protocol used. Once found UltraGauge will begin Gauge discovery.
The down side of a global reset is that it will erase any configuration and calibration previously performed.

The info is posted at http://www.ultra-gauge.com/customer_sup ... article=22

I have one that has been on my Ranger for 12 months and one I have had for a few months but just put on a new car so very good info. Both OK so far.

Update:
It was still not wanting to connect to the car most of the time. I've locked the protocol to 'CAN' and that seems to have helped.
I wonder if my unit is dodgy?

My ranger one has never had a problem. The new one I bought in February and fitted it a week ago. It hadn't left the house yard but car had been started numerous times and battery disconnected numerous times. Always booted up, they are slow first boot up. Drove 6 + hrs today no problem. A mate also have one only a few months old and no problems.

Yours may just be faulty?

CatHerder wrote: ↑Wed Apr 13, 2022 3:33 pm Update:
It was still not wanting to connect to the car most of the time. I've locked the protocol to 'CAN' and that seems to have helped.
I wonder if my unit is dodgy?

I have found the odd one does need to be locked to CAN.

Also on PX3s the turn off mode needs to be changed, mode 3 from memory.

You can also have issues connecting if there are other devices in the other OBD port, in this case press down on startup and leave it in safe mode. I generally do this if using multiple UG at the same time.

Quick update to close the loop.
The unit has worked without issue over the Easter weekend while out and about. I'm putting this down to locking it to CAN communications.

UG power-off was factory set to Mode2 (voltage level) , and this worked once the voltage settled after turning the car off. I have changed it to Mode3 (RPM < 512) and this works to turn it off more quickly and will leave it with this setting.

CatHerder wrote: ↑Wed Apr 20, 2022 5:13 pm Quick update to close the loop.
The unit has worked without issue over the Easter weekend while out and about. I'm putting this down to locking it to CAN communications.

UG power-off was factory set to Mode2 (voltage level) , and this worked once the voltage settled after turning the car off. I have changed it to Mode3 (RPM < 512) and this works to turn it off more quickly and will leave it with this setting.

Did you get a list of them for the modes? Don't believe it was in the manual and I kept forgetting to hit them up.

Does this help?
It's from the latest EM & MX manual.

Power Off Detect Mode

MODE 0 (default), 1,2 & 4
Modes 0, 1, 2 and 4 operate the same. The only difference is that a different parameter is read from the vehicles computer. If the vehicle’s computer does not respond with the requested parameter after “Power off retries" attempts, the ignition is assumed OFF.
These are the preferred options.

MODE 3
Whenever the vehicle’s computer returns a value of RPM less than 512 for “Power off retries” consecutive times, the ignition is considered to be in the OFF position.

MODE 5
When the vehicle is running the alternator causes the battery voltage to exceed 13.2V. When the engine is not operating, the voltage is the actual battery voltage which is typically less than 12.85V. If the battery voltage is measured to be less than the “Bat Low Threshold” for “Power off retries” times, the ignition is considered to be in the off position.
See the “Battery Low Threshold” setting for more detail.
If set to mode 5, the “Power on Detect mode” mode is internally forced to mode 2 and the “Power on Detect mode” setting is ignored.
(This mode is not recommended, and should only be used when all other modes fail)
NOTE: Some vehicles switch the alternator off to save fuel. This mode is not compatible with such vehicles.

CatHerder wrote: ↑Wed Apr 20, 2022 8:09 pm Does this help?
It's from the latest EM & MX manual.

Power Off Detect Mode

MODE 0 (default), 1,2 & 4
Modes 0, 1, 2 and 4 operate the same. The only difference is that a different parameter is read from the vehicles computer. If the vehicle’s computer does not respond with the requested parameter after “Power off retries" attempts, the ignition is assumed OFF.
These are the preferred options.

MODE 3
Whenever the vehicle’s computer returns a value of RPM less than 512 for “Power off retries” consecutive times, the ignition is considered to be in the OFF position.

MODE 5
When the vehicle is running the alternator causes the battery voltage to exceed 13.2V. When the engine is not operating, the voltage is the actual battery voltage which is typically less than 12.85V. If the battery voltage is measured to be less than the “Bat Low Threshold” for “Power off retries” times, the ignition is considered to be in the off position.
See the “Battery Low Threshold” setting for more detail.
If set to mode 5, the “Power on Detect mode” mode is internally forced to mode 2 and the “Power on Detect mode” setting is ignored.
(This mode is not recommended, and should only be used when all other modes fail)
NOTE: Some vehicles switch the alternator off to save fuel. This mode is not compatible with such vehicles.

Thanks. Explains why mode resolved issues on PX3 quickly.

Is the same for power on or are the modes different again?

Manual attached, but include the PowerOn onfo below.
POWER ON MODES
• Mode 0: This optional mode is primarily for vehicles which use the 9141 or KWP2000 protocols. Mode 0 continually
queries the ECM to determine if it is powered and active. If a response is received, UltraGauge assumes that the ignition
is on. This mode can also be used when mode 2 fails to cause UltraGauge to wake. However, mode 0 can result in
battery drain on 2000 and newer GM vehicles and vehicles which use the CAN protocol.
See the Battery Drain discussion for more detail.
• Mode 1: This mode actively monitors the communication bus for activity. If found, UltraGauge will then attempt to
communicate with the ECM. If the ECM responds, the ignition is assumed to be in the RUN position. If set, Mode 1 is
ignored for vehicles with 9141 and KWP2000 protocols, and mode 0 is forced. In very rare cases, certain vehicles may
exhibit battery drain when mode 1 is selected. If battery drain should occur, use mode 2. See the Battery Drain
discussion for more detail.
• Mode 2: (Default mode) Mode 2 can be used for all vehicles and protocols and is the most compatible. Mode 2 detects
the engine running and wakes UltraGauge. It accomplishes engine run detection by detecting elevated battery voltage
caused by an active Alternator. The Battery high voltage threshold used by mode 2 is by default set to 13.2 volts. This
voltage threshold can be adjusted via the Bat High Threshold Menu item. The weakness of mode 2 is that simply turning
the ignition to the RUN position will not wake UltraGauge. For this reason, Mode 1 can be used with caution. However,
while in mode 2, with the ignition on, pressing UP and MENU simultaneously will cause UltraGauge to wake and enter the
Menu. This is useful for configuration changes without the need to start the vehicle.

Thanks. Few oddities in there supplemental docs also.

An FYI for you as you may use it.

Out Format should be;

00 No change
01 /? 100k
02 /10K
03 /1000
04 /100
05 /10
06 No Change

I did not go any further except to confirm 11 is actual kPa to PSI.

Yeah, a lot of the OUT Format options can be accommodated in the maths settings. I assume they're just shortcuts that were created to minimise doing maths in hex.