Frequently Asked Questions
12/22/06 v1.2 Page 6 of 15
What does my StarSCAN lock up at the key cycle step of an SCI flash?
Why can’t I connect to a ’06 DR SRT-10?
A potential cause of communication and flash difficulties is a StarSCAN vehicle cable which has
one or more broken or damaged wires internally. Three common symptoms of this type of
problem are described below:
1. Occasionally, you may experience a “lockup” at the key cycle steps of SCI flash for
PCM/TCM flashing. This problem is normally seen during a flash of engine/transmission
controllers on ‘04 and ‘05 CAN bus vehicles.
2. It is also possible to experience similar symptoms when attempting to connect to a 2006
Dodge Ram SRT-10. In this situation the lockup occurs at the vehicle identification
screen on a StarSCAN
3. The final symptom is an inability to read the PCM on ‘06 Liberty Diesel.
If a StarSCAN exhibits any of these symptoms, the cable should be tested to ensure that there
are no broken wires. This continuity test can be done with a multi-meter set to measure
resistance or with a continuity tester. The wiring of the cable is straight through. In other words,
Pin 1 on the StarSCAN connector will be connected to Pin 1 of the vehicle connector (Figures 2
and 3). The following steps can be used to perform the continuity test:
1. Obtain a multi-meter and set it to measure resistance.
2. Connect one probe of the multi-meter to Pin 1 on the vehicle connector and connect the
other probe to Pin 1 on the StarSCAN connector. Care must be taken here to ensure
that the probes make good contact with each pin. There may be some difficulty in
obtaining contact between the probe and the metal contacts in the StarSCAN connector.
Note: A common trick to this problem is to insert a straitened paper clip into the desired
pin of the StarSCAN Connector. Doing this allows you to touch the multi-meter probe to
the exposed part of the straitened paper clip.
3. Read the measured resistance on the multi-meter. If the measured resistance is beyond
the range of the multi-meter, the wire is most likely broken. Common resistance values
for a StarSCAN cable are less than 1 ohm.
4. Repeat for each of the 16 pins on the StarSCAN cable. If a broken or open wire is
discovered within the cable for any of the 16 pins on the vehicle connector, a new cable
should be ordered from SPX Miller Special Tools at 800-801-5420.
