Gryphon screen not turning on???

JNC995 · #1 10-06-2009, 01:47 AM

Anyone else have problems with their screen not turning on when you start your truck? This is the second time it has happened. Last time I unplugged it and plugged it back in. It worked after that, but not something I want to have to keep doing. Is this normal, or is there something wrong somewhere?

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**JackandJanet** · #2 10-06-2009, 02:00 AM

You COULD have the "cable" problem with that year's model. You should get in touch with Corey at PHP if this continues.

- Jack

JNC995 · #3 10-06-2009, 07:14 AM

I just ordered this thing. Thought EDGE fixed the cables.

**JackandJanet** · #4 10-06-2009, 12:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JNC995

I just ordered this thing. Thought EDGE fixed the cables.

It really doesn't help to be angry about something on this forum. If there is a problem with the hardware you have, you need to go to the supplier of that hardware. Complaining about it here will not fix anything.

I know PHP will do everything in their power to make you a satisfied customer. But, you have to TALK to them for this to happen.

- Jack

JNC995 · #5 10-06-2009, 06:32 PM

Woah man, calm down. I'm not really complaining. Was just asking a question, to see if this is a common problem. I rarely have time to call PHP during business hours, but I know I will have to if it is a hardware problem that needs fixing.
If it is the cable that is causing the problem, then I think I have a reason to be angry. Anyway, I'm not angry on the forum, I'm angry in person, just expressing on the forum in my response. That's what the "angry smilies" are for.

Again, I'm not in anyway blaming PHP, nor would a faulty EDGE cable be PHP's fault anyway. Just seeing if I could find out what the problem was before I got a chance to call it in to PHP.

ASEMechanic · #6 10-06-2009, 06:59 PM

I'm apologize that I missed this post earlier. Let's see if I can make some sense on this.

Since I don't normally see this problem on the '04+ trucks, I'd have to believe that it's specifically related to the circuit board in the cable and not the unit itself. Edge had a few different problems with those cable, particularly with some manufacturing defects which were out of their control. We've replace a few cables for customers that have had issues, but we've been fortunate and the number of problems has been relatively few.

If the cable is the problem, then we're certainly happy to replace it. However, in regards to the screen not turning on, it's possible that the battery voltage is leaking down while sitting and causing the unit to lock up. When we do see this type of situation, a battery replacement nearly always seems to resolve the problem. A quick question... What have your ambients been dropping to at night? That may also have some hand in causing the issue.

If you could, set one of the displays to battery voltage and keep an eye on what the voltage is displaying when you first turn the key on. This would be a big help in diagnosing what the problem may be.

Keep me posted and if we need to replace the cable, we'll get it for you.

JNC995 · #7 10-06-2009, 09:42 PM

Sounds good. Thanks for the help. I will change that tomorrow, and see what it says. My truck is an 02, and I heard about the cable problems, just wasn't sure what the problem actually was.
The battery thing might be it though, b/c I know a few times, when I go out to start the truck after about a 1-2 day sit, its a little hesitant. Once I get the display changed over, I'll let you know.

What kind of numbers should I be looking for, and what is bad?

**JackandJanet** · #8 10-06-2009, 10:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JNC995

Sounds good. Thanks for the help. I will change that tomorrow, and see what it says. My truck is an 02, and I heard about the cable problems, just wasn't sure what the problem actually was.
The battery thing might be it though, b/c I know a few times, when I go out to start the truck after about a 1-2 day sit, its a little hesitant. Once I get the display changed over, I'll let you know.

What kind of numbers should I be looking for, and what is bad?

OK, we're all fine here.

When I see you have an '02, and this problem, I automatically think "cable". But, Bill is absolutely correct (of course) about the battery condition and I'm sorry I did not think of that too.

If you find the "resting" voltage on your battery is below 12.4 volts, it's not really charged. Now, this is a kind of difficult thing to measure in our modern (complicated) trucks. If you open the door and turn on the ignition (to activate the Gryphon), you are automatically engaging circuits that pull the voltage down. Even just opening the door to pop the hood does this - and, it takes a few minutes for the added loads to be put back to sleep.

The best thing to do is to buy a multimeter (it really doesn't have to be an expensive one). Pop the hood when you get home in the evening, and then, in the morning, after all the "surface charge" has gone away, probe the battery terminals with your multimeter. If you have over 12.4 volts, your battery is probably OK. I'd actually be looking for more in the neighborhood of 12.6 - 12.8 volts.

Unfortunately, checking the resting voltage on the display might be misleading, since you have to have the ignition ON to do this. I think I often see about 12.2 volts in this condition (with a good battery).

Your comment about the truck being a bit hard to start makes me STRONGLY suspect the battery now. As you start with a weak battery, it pulls the voltage WAY down, to the point where the Gryphon "thinks" it's been disconnected and it can't reinitialize properly once the engine starts. You might try disconnecting the cable from the OBDII port and then reconnecting it if the screen is blank after starting. If this fixes the problem, I'm certain you need a new battery.

And, sorry if I seemed to "come on too strong". I've just seen too many complaints directed at thin air about the quality programmers and tuners that support this forum that could easily be resolved through a bit of one-on-one contact. You were fortunate that Bill checked in here. He, and other reputable tuners like Mike Troyer or Justin Starkey don't always have time to do this.

Let us know what you find out, OK?

- Jack

ASEMechanic · #9 10-06-2009, 10:36 PM

One thing to surely look for is battery voltage dropping below 11.8 volts before cranking or 9.0 volts while cranking. I've seen some programs work fine down to about 8.0 volts and some dislike anything below 9.0. Not sure why though.

In any event, if you already saying that that the cranking is a little hesitant after sitting a day or two, I'd seriously consider a new battery. I'd bet if you load tested it (most auto parts stores can handle that for you) that it would fail.

Keep us posted.