Windows / FTDI update disabling USB interface ELM 327

[g8rpi]

Hi,
I don't think it's filtered down here yet, but there is a potential issue with some EOBD / OBDII / ELM327 interfaces. A recent Windows update can disable the interface. Most of these interfaces that have a USB connection use a serial to USB "bridge" chip. The most common series of chip is made by FTDI. These chips have been cloned by other companies. The cloned chips are used in a lot (if not all) of the cheap chinese OBDII / EODB / ELM327 interfaces. FTDI issed a new driver earlier this year (Windows driver version 2.12.0.0). This driver detects cloned chips and disables them "bricking" the interface and stopping it working. More recently this driver was rolled up in a windows update that installed the USB driver without asking

. Apparently this automatic installation has now been stopped.
If you are using one of the cheap interfaces DON'T INSTALL ANY FTDI DRIVER UPDATES! For more information see http://www.zdnet.com/article/ftdi-admits-to-bricking-innocent-users-chips-in-silent-update/ or google FTDI brick.

Robert.

 

[sal12349956]

thanks... what's the remedy if you've already installed the ftdi update ?

 

[g8rpi]

thanks... what's the remedy if you've already installed the ftdi update ?

If you have a counterfit chip and the FTDI driver has disabled it you either need to change the chip to a genuine one or get a new interface.

You could try removing all traces of the new driver and re-installing whatever driver came with the interface, but this may not work.

Robert G8RPI.

 

[sal12349956]

The drivers that came with it were not compatible with Windows 8. Thanks for the reply

 

[sal12349956]

Would it have the same problem if I use a blue tooth elm interface?

 

[g8rpi]

Hi,
No, but watch out for loss of communication if doing something critical like key programming or ECU updates.
The genuine FTDI chips arn't expensive but you need someone who can solder surface mount components to change it.

Robert G8RPI.