General information on programming control modules
| General information on programming control modules |
The control module must be programmed after performing the following work on the system.
| • |
Changing a potentiometer
|
|
| • |
Changing a control module
|
|
| • |
Removing/fitting a complete soft top
|
||||||||||
It can sometimes be necessary to reprogram the control module when certain other components have been removed. This is noted after each component replacement in the section "Adjustment/replacement”.
| Important | ||
|
This description applies to control modules 45 58 144, 46 10 812 and 46 95 961. If the car is fitted with control module 43 07 450, it must be rectified according to the description in SI 812-1566. |
||
The three main movable soft top components
| A. |
Soft top
|
|
| B. |
Fifth bow
|
|
| C. |
Soft top cover
|
|
| Mechanical end positions |
There are three main movable soft top "components" in the soft top system: The soft top (A), the fifth bow (B) and the soft top cover (C). The maximum movement of each of these is mechanically limited in the soft top system. Some of the mechanical end positions can be adjusted within certain limits. For example, the end position for raising the soft top can be adjusted with a mechanical stop located where the soft top mechanism is mounted on the body.
| Programmed end positions |
The TSAS control module operates motors that drive the various components of the soft top mechanism. The control module must be informed when any of the components reaches a mechanical end position. Otherwise, the control module will continue to operate the motor against the end position, which will result in the control module eventually breaking the circuit to the motor and generating a diagnostic trouble code for excessive current consumption.
The mechanism has three potentiometers (position sensors) to provide the control module with continuous information on the precise position of the soft top mechanism. One is for the soft top, one for the fifth bow and one for the soft top cover. The potentiometers deliver a value between 0 - 255, depending on the position of the soft top mechanism. The potentiometer values that correspond to the mechanical end positions are programmed into the TSAS control module. In this way, the control module is aware of when the mechanical end positions have been reached and can stop operating the motors.
| Interplay between mechanical and programmed end positions |
It is evident from the description on the previous page that the programmed end positions must never lie outside the mechanical ones. If they did, the control module would continue to operate the motor in question despite the mechanical end position having been reached. The control module would eventually break the circuit to the motor and generate a diagnostic trouble code for excessive current consumption.
End positions must instead be programmed just inside, or in certain cases equal to, the mechanical end positions. The motor in question will then stop before the mechanical end position has been reached, giving the motion a smooth retardation. For example, if the main motor potentiometer indicates a value of 204 when the soft top has reached it upper mechanical end position, i.e. when it is completely raised, the control module should be programmed with the value 201. By deducting 3 units, the main motors will stop just before the mechanical end position has been reached and the soft top will stop smoothly against the windscreen frame.
For lowering the soft top, 1 unit should instead be added to the value indicated by the potentiometer when the soft top has reached its bottom mechanical end position. If the bottom end position corresponds to a potentiometer value of 49, the control module should be programmed with the value 50. When the soft top is lowered, the control module will then count down from 201 (the programmed top end position) to 50. The main motors will then stop and the soft top will be lowered by its own weight to the mechanical end position (potentiometer value 49).
In the diagnostic tool, the top end position is called "HIGH LIMIT" and the bottom end position "LOW LIMIT".
| Overlap positions |
To enable the soft top to be raised and lowered quickly and smoothly, the TSAS control module must control two different movements in the soft top system simultaneously. For this to be done without the risk of the various parts of the soft top system colliding, the TSAS control module must be aware of exactly when to commence each movement. To supply the control module with this information, the control module has been programmed with two more values for each part of the soft top system besides the two end positions. These values are called overlap positions, one high and one low. For example, when the soft top reaches the top overlap position while being raised, the TSAS control module will start to lower the fifth bow. The function of the different overlap positions is illustrated in the following table.
It is very important that the overlap positions are correctly programmed. Incorrect values may result in the various parts of the soft top system colliding with each other and being damaged.
|
1
High soft top overlap position
|
When the main motor reaches this position while raising the soft top, the control module starts to lower the fifth bow.
|
|
2
Low soft top overlap position
|
When the main motor reaches this position while lowering the soft top, the control module makes sure the fifth bow is in its highest position. If it is not, the control module will stop the soft top motion and raise the fifth bow to its upper position.
|
|
3
High soft top cover overlap position
|
A. When lowering the soft top:
When the soft top cover motor reaches this position, the fifth bow starts to be lowered (past the soft top cover) so that it clears the head restraints.
B. When raising the soft top:
When the soft top cover motor reaches this position, the main motor starts its upwards motion.
|
|
4
Low soft top cover overlap position
|
When the soft top cover is closing and it reaches this position while raising the soft top, the fifth bow starts to be lowered.
|
|
5
High fifth bow overlap position
|
When the fifth bow motor reaches this position while lowering the soft top, the soft top cover latches will open.
|
|
6
Low fifth bow overlap position
|
Here, the main motor will start its downward motion while lowering the soft top at the same time as the fifth bow changes direction.
|
This project is supported by memberships and donations. If you use this site, please consider Joining SCNA and/or making a donation.
Our Friends
