renegadetechworks.com - Information

TechWorks ECS Controller Jumper Settings ECS M01 PCB Rev1.2

2015-03-08T20:36:09+00:00

The Following applies Only to TechWorks ECS Controllers that are using the ECS M01 PCB v1.2 AND Firmware Version 1.8 or greater.

The following pictures show how to configure the TechWorks ECS Controller Jumper settings for the following

o Use Large LEDs or Small LEDs

o Use Rotary Switch or Push Button Factory Switch

TechWorks ECS Controller Strut Fuse Positions

2015-03-08T20:36:09+00:00

The Following applies to ALL TechWorks ECS Controllers ECS Models ( M01, M02 & M03)

The following picture below shows which fuse is associated with which strut

Determining what mode struts are in manually

2015-03-08T20:36:09+00:00

This post provides a description of a simple set of tests that you can perform on your struts to tell what mode they are operating in.

There's various reasons why you might want to do this:
-If your ECS system has failed and your getting blinking lights or your getting no lights at all
-Or you've disconnected your ECS system altogether but have the ECS struts still mounted and not sure what state they were left in.
-Or you've decided to mount ECS struts in your Non-ECS equiped 3/S so you can use aftermarket lowering springs and you've bought somebody elses used struts and want to know what mode their in.

Note: many comments have been made before that if the ECS system has failed it will automatically put the system in "sport" mode. This is true only if (a) the ECS module is functioning correctly & (b) if all the struts are operational. Many times this is not the case.

What you need for the test:
- A multi-meter: set to continuity test mode.
- A set of alligator test clip leads
- access to the tops of your ecs struts.

Procedure for the test
----------------------
The procedure basically tests to see what state the internal Switches (S1 & S2) of each strut are in. i.e. are they open or closed. The state of the switches together corresponds to which dampening mode the ECS strut is configured for.

(1) You can either test the pins directly on the top of the strut OR you can test the pins of the cap-connector harness that connects to the top of the strut.
The latter is somewhat easier since it's easier to get at the pins - but you need a good working cap harness.

CAUTION: If you test the pins directly on top of the strut take care not to bend or break them.

The instructions below show using both methods.

(2) Connect one end of the multimeter to the Ground wire of the strut that is used by the internal strut switches. You will be testing for continuity between this ground pin & the other two S1 & S2 pins.

NOTE: The ground wire of the strut used by the internal switches is Pin 2 directly on the strut or Pin 6/Green wire of the connector Harness

(3) Connect the other end of the multimeter test probe to the S1 (Switch 1) of the strut and write down whether it is an Open connection or a Closed connection relative to the ground pin.
Note: S1 is Pin 1 directly on the strut or Pin 4/Red Wire of the connector harness.

(4) Now repeat (3) except Connect the end of the multimeter test probe to the S2 (Switch 2) of the strut and write down whether it is an Open connection or a Closed connection to the ground pin. Same ground pin is used.
Note S2 is Pin 3 directly on the strut or Pin 3/Blue Wire of the connector harness.

Now based on your readings for S1/S2 look in the table below and you will be able see the what mode the strut is in.

For example if your readings showed that S1=Closed & S2=Open then your strut is in Hard Mode.

TechWorks 3000gt ECS Controller LED Options and Sizes

2015-03-08T20:35:16+00:00

Here are some descriptions, pics & dimensions of the Add On LED Displays for the 3000gt Techworks ECS Controller. The LEDS can be used as an add on to your factory OEM setup or if your doing a retrofit. If you are adding them to your factory setup , your Tour/Sport lights will continue to work as before.

To install the LEDs you have to run 3 wires from the controller to the LEDS and provide suitable mounting location. Mounting them is usually done with adhesive.

We now have two versions of the LEDs Option A - large Individual LEDs and Option B - an integrated smaller LED assembly :

Option A Larger LEDs: These are 4 individual LEDs strung together. Each LED requires either 0.473" or a mounting hole these are fairly large as an LED goes.

Option A Larger LED Outer LED Housing Diameter is 0.473" ( 12mm)

Option A Larger LEDs: The LED Diameter itself is 0.308" ( 7.8mm) - You can drill a hole this size and just have the LED itself poking thru

Option B Smaller LEDs: This is a single LED assembly that has 4 smaller LEDs mounted into an small round installable assembly that only requires a single 11mm hole to expose the LEDs

Option B Smaller LEDs: The Diagonal distance across the LEDs is 0.474" ( 11mm) - You can drill a hole this size and just have the 4 LEDs poking thru

Techworks ECS User & Installation Manuals

2014-08-22T19:33:49+00:00

Manuals For TechWorks ECS Model 03 Hardware (with accelerometer) and V3.* Firmware

Renegade TechWorks ECS M03 Quick Start Guide_Version 3.3 Firmware

3000GT/Stealth ECS Retrofit Installation Manual Using TechWorks ECS M03 Controller

Manuals For TechWorks With Version 1.7/1.8/1.9 Firmware

Renegade TechWorks ECS M01 Quick Start Guide_Version 1.7/1.8/1.9 Firmware

Renegade TechWorks ECS M01 User & Installation Manual_Version 1.7/1.8/1.9 Firmware

Manuals For TechWorks Controller With Version 1.5 Firmware

Renegade TechWorks ECS M01 Quick Start Guide_Version 1.5 Firmware

Renegade TechWorks ECS M01 User & Installation Manual_Version 1.5 Firmware

RenegadeTechworks ECS LED & Selector Switch For Mitsubishi 3000gt/Stealth

2014-08-22T19:29:31+00:00

Example of how you could mount the LED status lights & rotary selector switch to the small console tray where the cruise switch is mounted. This particular tray style is from a 1998 VR4.

NOTE: The Rotary Selector Switch only works with the original Model 01 controller , it is NOT SUPPORTED on the MODEL 03 Automode capable Controller.

Epoxy the LEDS to the back of the tray

Cover the top surface with smoked plexiglass or plastic.

Display Example Using Fiber Optic Cable

2014-08-22T19:11:44+00:00

So Here is an alternate mounting idea for the retro fit LED status lights using fiber optic cable.

The fiber optic cable used in this example was qty 4 - three foot lengths of Toslink fiber optic audio patch cords. You can order them from www.monoprice.com for like $3 apiece. In this example I'm abusing my very expensive Monster Toslink cable - which is no better than what you can get from monorprice.

If you need extra mounting depth OR you want to have the 4 ends of the fiber cable very tightly grouped together- you can strip away the plastic end connectors.

In this example - I drilled four small holes into the cruise switch tray. I did not strip away the ends in this mounting example. The depth of the plastic shield relative to the tip was just right for mounting to the back side of the tray below.

This would NOT be a good place to mount the fiber optic ends of the cable because of the directionality of the cable. It has a very narrow field of view. A better place for the fiber cable would be directly in the console or the bezel immediately around the console so that the cable ends face the driver. The console tray still shows how small the fiber holes are though.

The other end of the cables are untouched.

The back side showing how the fiber cable was epoxied to the back of the console tray and also my quick hack duct tape tubes to temporarily provide a way slide the LED status lights into a stable position so they butt up against the end of the fiber optic cable. Something more permanent is needed here.

and some pictures of what it looks like....

another pic...

Retrofitting ECS Struts Hardware into a '95->99 w/ Factory Non ECS

2014-08-22T19:10:35+00:00

What OEM H/W required for retro-ing ECS Struts into a '95->99 w/ Factory Non ECS

(1)FRONT SUSPENSION: The same Front suspension mounting H/W dimensions are used for 1991-1994 3000gt VR4 AWD ECS equipped Cars AND the later model 1995->1999 VR4 AWD NON ECS (Electric Sunroof) models. This statement is refering to the physical sizes and geometry of the suspension hardware only. meaning things like the spring sizes (not rates), strut cartridge physical mounting dimensions (pearch size etc) , these are the same size & mounting geometry & Hardware.

(2) REAR SUSPENSION: The strut cartridge & mounting H/W dimensions for the 1991-1994 model year 3000gt VR4 AWD ECS equipped Cars IS DIFFERENT compared to the later model 1995->1999 VR4 AWD NON ECS (Electric Sunroof) models. Specifically the strut cartridge spring pearch is smaller an so therefore is the spring.

However - on the car supspension frame mounting points i.e the dimensions and geometry where the complete strut cartridge assembly mount to are the same. This means you can swap out the non-ECS strut assembly and replace it with a rear AWD ECS strut assembly. This is also true for the rear struts in the late model 3000gt SL versions that did not have ECS. You can swap out the strut cartridge assembly and replace it with an early model rear ECS SL strut assembly.

So specifically What OEM Hardware is required for doing a retrofit of the Mistubishi OEM ECS strut & spring assemblies into a later model year care where no factory ECS was supplied?

The intent of the retrofit is to add back in some form of ECS control into the car - using either an aftermarket or a custom controller or retrofitting the complete original full factory ECS system (have fun with that).

This scenario applies to 1995 ->1999 3000gt VR4 AWD or Dodge Stealth variants. These later model cars had instead from the factory different fixed rate springs & non-controllable fixed rate struts. With the factory ECS option removed that also meant the removal of all ECS specific sensors, ecs wiring harness feeds, ecs connector, ecs computer etc

ANSWER:

For the Front struts you technically only need to replace and order the following:

(1)Strut Hex Cap nut (40089c) ,

(2) the Spring (40176) (the OEM ECS spring is different from the OEM Non-ECS spring - the rates are different) ,

(3) the strut cap electrical connector (40081)

and (4) the strut ECS cartridge itself (40041).

For All the other mounting hardware for the front should be the same. However you might still want to replace any of the rubber mounting pieces due to wear .

For the Rear struts you need to replace everything - all the mounting Hardware, the strut cartridge and the springs.

NOTE: if you are doing the complete retrofit you obviously have the option to use aftermarket springs (like Tein H-Techs or S-Techs) instead of the factory OEM ECS springs. This is what I did for my retrofit. Tein H-Techs gave my 1998 VR4 about 1" of drop and reasonably firm ride but not overly so.

Parts Diagram for FRONT ECS STRUTS Assembly (applies to AWD drive and SL versions)

Parts List for FRONT ECS STRUTS Assembly (Applies to AWD & SL Cars)

Parts Diagram for REAR ECS STRUTS Assembly- For AWD Cars only.

Parts List for REAR ECS STRUTS Assembly (AWD Cars Only)

Parts Diagram for REAR ECS STRUTS Assembly (SL Cars Only)

Parts List for REAR ECS STRUTS Assembly (SL Cars Only)

Picture below shows the Dimensional Differences in Rear ECS Struts for 3000gt AWD/VR4's VS. 3000gt SL's (non-AWD). The same dimensions would apply to non-ECS struts cartridges being used in the same cars.

Picture Below is of all the components for doing the ECS Retrofit for an 3000gt VR4 AWD car.

Retrofiting ECS Controller System into 3000gt / Stealth Using TechWorks Controller

2014-08-22T19:10:35+00:00

ECS System Retrofit

The Tech Works controller can also be used in 1996, 1997, 1998 or 1999 Mitsubishi 3000gt or Stealth cars that do not have the Mitsubishi Factory OEM ECS system. It allows you to be able to retrofit the electronically controllable struts back into these later model year 3000gt cars or earlier model year cars that did not come with the ecs option.

To do the ECS Retrofit into 3000gt or Stealth you:

· Remove your non-ecs struts and replace them with Mitsubishi 1995 model year standard factory OEM ECS struts & mounting hardware. You can use the OEM Springs or use after market springs such as Teins.

· Install the Techworks Controller and connect it to your vehicle +12v & Ground

· Run a 4 wire cable from the controller to each of the 4 struts

· Run 6 wires from the controller to your console area for connecting the LED display, Tour/Sport Lights and the Push button ECS Switch .

The Complete TechWorks ECS Retrofit Manual Can Be Found Here: 3000gt / Stealth ECS Retrofit Using Techworks Controller

Retrofit Overview

When doing a retrofit using the Techworks ECS controller you have the following options for doing the retrofit

o Status Display Lights and Controls:

o Push button Control Switch: you can retrofit in and use an OEM Factory ECS pushbutton switch (that you provide) or you can use an aftermarket simple Pushbutton switch that you mount in any location you choose.

o The pushbutton switch needed is a single pole normally open / momentary closed type.

o If you want to retrofit in the OEM pushbutton switch there are instructions in this manual on which pins to use

o Sport /Tour Status Lights or TechWorks LEDs – you can do just one or both of these options

o Sport / Tour lights: you can the existing factory Tour/Sport light mounting location in the console and wire up OEM lights or you can use a simple small single color LED & resistor in the factory location instead. You can also mount these two lights in a custom location of your choice

· The Sport / Tour Lights are connected to the controller using 3 wires - two power wires & a common ground wire

· For LED choices search on Amazon for “LED with Resistor”

o Techworks 4 LED Multi-color Display - This a Techworks option and these LEDS are special multi-color programmable/controllable LEDs. For these you would custom mount in a location of your choosing. There is a small version & a large version of these leds.

· The Techworks 4 LEDs are connected to the controller using 3 wires - a Data signal wire , +5v wire , Ground wire.

o Connecting Everything: Wiring runs and wiring harness

o Since your doing a retrofit – it means that your car doesn’t have the OEM wiring runs and wiring harness plugs to plug into the controller.

o You will have to install & connect the wiring runs for the switches, lights, LEDs and struts as needed.

o The Techworks controller has two different sets of wiring ports that are supported. You can use either of these to accomplish the retrofit

o 24 PIN Techworks Molex Retrofit Connector Adapter Harness

o The Techworks Controller has a 24 pin Molex port that has everything you need to support all the combinations possible.

o You can order the adapter harness from Techworks or you can use an 24 PIN ATX Motherboard Power supply cable to plug into this port. If you order this from Techworks is will come with all the leads labeled.

o If want to use the Techworks LEDs OR if you want to hack the controller software and use the I2C communications buss then you must use this connector

o Using Factory OEM F12 / F13 Connector Ports

o If want to do a “pure” oem retrofit then you can cut the F12/F13 connector ends off the factory wiring harness for a car that originally came with ECS. The F12/F13 Connectors plug into the Factory ECS controller and the Techworks unit directly supports these connectors for the plug n play OEM replacement option

o A limitation of using just the F12/F13 connectors is that you will only be able to retrofit using the sport /tour lights. You will not be able to wire up the LEDs nor will you have access to I2C buss if you want to hack the controller.

Retrofit System Diagram Using The 24 Pin Molex Retrofit Adapter