Weird Issue Programming Dave's Dome Relay

[81dmc]

I can easily put the unit into programming mode, however, I am having trouble reprogramming the dim timer with the key on trick.

I have verified that the relay gets power at pin 87 during key on. No matter what I do, the unit will only go into the normal programming mode.



Another issue I have is if I flip the dome light to the on position and flip it off before 5 seconds, the relay will enter programming mode. Is this normal?

[Michael]

I had similar issues programming the time delay. I wanted 5 or 6 seconds instead of the pre programmed 20 seconds. It never wanted to save my programming. I can't remember exactly what I did but I think it was a small deviation from Dave's instructions like not turning the key off after programming and instead I would release the glove box button and turn the key off at the same time.

It's also possible you may have the wrong LED lamps installed. His only works with LEDs that do not have switching regulators. Superbright leds will not work (and neither would my LEDs I got from DMCH 11 years ago). I went to Advance and bought 3 different kinds, found the type that works, and took the others back.

[Bitsyncmaster]

I have not made any changes to the dome unit in a long time. Let me know what revision number you have. There has only been the first rev A board with a revision number labeled on one side of the unit and the rev B board with the latest revision number labeled as B2.

I intended on the user waiting after doing a program mode change but let me know exactly what you are doing and I will test the same way.

I remember one user had a problem with one LED bulb in the glove box light but found another one that would work for him. He then sent me one of the good LED glove box lights so I'm also running that one in my car. But I don't think I ever tried changing the timeout in my car.

[81dmc]

My board shows "B" on the bottom.

Glove box lamp is still incandescent, and I’ve also tested incandescents in the dome lights with no difference.

Below is video with descriptions of issues.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E4dTJvqpla4

[Bitsyncmaster]

What is that clicking sound when you have the key turned on?

It was my intent that you have the dome lights set to auto and use the glove box light to enter programming mode. I will have to check if switching the dome light from off to on messes up my logic in the dome unit.

Make sure you are not running anything on the purple wiring for any extra electronics. I had one customer use that purple power wire that is on the bulkhead connector to the diagnostic plug for his engine ECU power.

[81dmc]

What is that clicking sound when you have the key turned on?

It was my intent that you have the dome lights set to auto and use the glove box light to enter programming mode. I will have to check if switching the dome light from off to on messes up my logic in the dome unit.

Make sure you are not running anything on the purple wiring for any extra electronics. I had one customer use that purple power wire that is on the bulkhead connector to the diagnostic plug for his engine ECU power.

Clicking noise is the Dakota digital fan controller in fail safe mode. There is no engine in the car, so it doesn't see the sensor.

I'll have to double check the wiring for the purple wires. I am extremely sure I left those wires for the lighting circuits, but it's been awhile.

[Bitsyncmaster]

Clicking noise is the Dakota digital fan controller in fail safe mode. There is no engine in the car, so it doesn't see the sensor.

I'll have to double check the wiring for the purple wires. I am extremely sure I left those wires for the lighting circuits, but it's been awhile.

It may be the dome unit is seeing a power glitch from your fan controller. Try disabling it and see if the programming problem goes away.

[81dmc]

No change.

Purple wires are isolated for dome only as expected.

[Bitsyncmaster]

I just followed the instructions but I should have said in the instructions that the dome lights should be the auto position. Otherwise you can not see the one second flashes to count your timing. Also step 2 says to keep the glove box switch down (pressed) which you have to keep doing until your done. So your other hand turns the key on and off still while holding down the glove box light.

I set mine to 10 seconds, worked and set it back to 20 seconds and that worked.

To enter the program mode for changing the dome light delay time.

1) Sit in the passenger seat with the doors closed. Hood and engine covers must also be
closed. (All lights and ignition key must be off)
2) Open the glove box and before 5 seconds elapse, press and hold the glove box switch
down.
3) Turn the ignition key to on. The dome light will start flashing at one second intervals.
Using the flashing dome light, count how many seconds you want to program the new delay
time to be. When you turn the key to off, that new time will be saved.

You can set any time from 1 to 255 seconds.


I guess you could close the glove box rather than hold the switch down.

[81dmc]

Dome Lights are in auto position when I try to reprogram time.

Also, does yours go into program mode if you turn the dome on, wait 2 seconds, and put it back to auto? Mine does.

[Bitsyncmaster]

Dome Lights are in auto position when I try to reprogram time.

Also, does yours go into program mode if you turn the dome on, wait 2 seconds, and put it back to auto? Mine does.

I never turn my dome lights off auto mode. And I always keep it in battery saver mode.

So are your doors open or shut when your dome lights (both?) are off and you want me turn one on, wait 2 seconds and switch it to auto?

Maybe you have a bad unit. Let me know if you want me to send you another one.

[81dmc]

I never turn my dome lights off auto mode. And I always keep it in battery saver mode.

So are your doors open or shut when your dome lights (both?) are off and you want me turn one on, wait 2 seconds and switch it to auto?

Maybe you have a bad unit. Let me know if you want me to send you another one.

All doors are closed and glovebox is closed.

Turn on the dome light in the front, wait 2-3 seconds, then flip back to auto.

At this point, I’m in program mode with the occasional flash.


If yours doesn’t do it, then maybe I can send this one to you to test it?

Hell, maybe it’s one of the diodes in my harness...

[Bitsyncmaster]

All doors are closed and glovebox is closed.

Turn on the dome light in the front, wait 2-3 seconds, then flip back to auto.

At this point, I’m in program mode with the occasional flash.


If yours doesn’t do it, then maybe I can send this one to you to test it?

Hell, maybe it’s one of the diodes in my harness...

Yes mine will also go into programming mode if I have the front dome light switched off and right after I close the door I switch it to auto. I'm not sure if I can fix that with a software change. It would take some time trouble shooting the software.

[81dmc]

Yes mine will also go into programming mode if I have the front dome light switched off and right after I close the door I switch it to auto. I'm not sure if I can fix that with a software change. It would take some time trouble shooting the software.
Mine does it if I just turn the dome light on and then off at any time. I have had it happen while I am driving at night. Simply turn it on to look at something and turn it off before 5 seconds passed, and it will be in program mode. Also, I don't have an off position for my dome light, since it is an after market replacement.

What will mostly solve this:
If the key is in the on position, the unit will not go into programming mode under any circumstances. Make it where, to get into programming mode, one has to start with the key off.


While this solves one issue, it doesn't solve why I can't reprogram the timer... any ideas on that?

[Bitsyncmaster]

You could make that, if the key is in the on position, the unit will not go into programming mode under any circumstances.

Make it where to get into programming mode, one has to start with the key off.


While this solves one issue, it doesn't solve why I can't reprogram the timer... any ideas on that?

It's been so long since I looked at the software. I thought I had it never go into program mode with the key on.

[81dmc]

It's been so long since I looked at the software. I thought I had it never go into program mode with the key on.

Maybe I can send you my unit for testing? PM address if you want.