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FAQ

This FAQ will be updated as questions are received and processed by EFILive.


 

Setting up

What is the difference between EFILive V4 Evaluation and EFILive V4 Professional versions?

See Pro vs Eval.


How do I obtain a license for EFILive V4?

Purchase a Professional license or Download a free evaluation license.

 


Why do I see a the following dialog box when I first start EFILive V4?

The first time you run EFILive V4 the Scales.xml file will not exist. EFILive will create it for you when you click on OK. The message has been left in the software because under certain conditions the Scales.xml file sometimes gets deleted. If you see this message and it is not the first time that you have started EFILive V4, please contact EFILive support at support@EFILive.com.

You should always make a backup of the Scales.xml file whenever you change any scale formulas. That way if the Scales.xml file is wrongly deleted you can recover your scale formulas easily.


 

Evaluation

Why are some series in the charts' display grayed out?

You are using the evaluation version which is limited to displaying only one series on each of the four charts.

See Pro vs Eval.


Why are some dashboard items grayed out?

You are using the evaluation version which is limited to displaying only two dials, two sliders and three lights.

See Pro vs Eval.


Why can I only see eight ALDL items?

You are using the evaluation version which is limited to displaying only eight ALDL items.

See Pro vs Eval.


Why can I only see eight DTCs?

You are using the evaluation version which is limited to displaying only eight DTCs.

See Pro vs Eval.


Why can I only see eight Bit Flags?

You are using the evaluation version which is limited to displaying only eight Bit Flags. 

See Pro vs Eval.


 

Communications

Why do I get Com timeout: Data frame truncated errors?

This error usually occurs because EFILive V4 stops reading data from the ALDL connector too soon. To make EFILive V4 wait longer, so that the data frame is received in full, increase T3 timeout setting.


Why do I get Com timeout: Data frame truncated errors?

This error usually occurs because EFILive V4 stops reading data from the ALDL connector too soon. To make EFILive V4 wait longer, so that the data frame is received in full, increase T3 timeout setting.


I am using Windows NT or Windows 2000, why can't I start my vehicle once the cable is connected between the computer and the vehicle?

Windows NT and Windows 2000 scan the serial port for serial mice whenever it is not being used by EFILive V4. Do not turn on the ignition nor attempt to start your vehicle until after EFILive V4 is running.

See Bug report: EFI4.1-0013


Why does the Malfunction Indicator Lamp (MIL) illuminate while I am logging ALDL data to my computer?

To achieve fast data transfer rates, EFILive V4 will take control of the serial bus. This means that the BCM stops transmitting data to the ECM/PCM. The ECM/PCM displays a warning by illuminating the MIL that it cannot establish serial communications with the BCM. This may also be accompanied by the electric cooling fan being switched on.

Once EFILive V4 stops logging ALDL data the MIL light should be extinguished and the electric cooling fan should stop. The Diagnostic Trouble Codes (DTC) may be cleared using the appropriate command.

Future versions of EFILive V4 will be designed to prevent this problem from occurring.


 

 

Vehicle definitions

Will EFILive work with my vehicle?

EFILive V4 is designed to work with ALL vehicles that use a GM, Delco-based 8192 or 160 baud ECM or PCM. 

Vehicle requirements.
US based vehicle requirements.


Is there a quick way to enter vehicle definitions?

Yes, see the following topics:
Pasting Attributes.


Is there a quick way to enter DTCs, Bit flags and Enumerations?

Yes, see the following topics:
Pasting DTCs
Pasting Bit Flags
Pasting Enumerations.


 

 

Performance

I am running EFILive V4 on a slow laptop, is there any way to speed up the data logging process so that I can achieve 10 frames (or greater) per second?

To obtain the highest frame rate possible while logging or displaying data you can choose to disable selected tab pages. The tab pages, which display: Macros (F6), Aldl (F7), Dashboard (F8), Charts (F9), DTC (F10) and Status flags (F11) can be individually enabled or disabled by using SHIFT-Fn where Fn is the function key for the tab page.

So to disable the Macros (F6) display you would press SHIFT-F6. To re-enable the Macros (F6) display you would press SHIFT-F6 again.


Why does EFILive V4 always use 100% of the CPU when it is logging data?

The Windows operating system is not a true "real-time" operating system. In order to achieve accurate timings it is necessary to "take over" the CPU. It is also important not to relinquish control of the CPU to other tasks. For this reason you must not attempt to run any other software while using EFILive V4 to display or log vehicle data.  


 


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