G-TECH Pro

Q. When will your PC software be available?
A. The PC software is now available and is called the G-tech Performance Analysis System Software (G-tech PASS for short). Please go to the main page where you find a link.

Q. When I try to save a run, all I get is a diagnostic error, how do I fix this?
A. Go to the stored runs menu and select delete all runs, this will resolve your issue.

Q. Do you have a Metric version of the G-Tech Pro Competition?
A. Firmware version 3.0.0 includes metric capability. Please go to the main web page and you will find a link.

Q. My RPMs do not operate properly. I have done everything suggested in the owner’s manual.
A. It appears that your vehicle is one of the rare cases where the RPMs don’t pick up properly. Please give us a call and we can probably suggest a few things that will resolve your situation.

Q. After doing a run, I go to the graphs. When trying to review my horsepower and torque graphs, I get a message that states “No Valid HP Data”.
A. This is a know issue. It happens, for instance, when you shift into a gear at 5000 rpm and shift back out of it at 6000 rpms. The Gtech does not consider such a narrow range of 1000 rpms sufficient for creating a good dyno plot. Please follow the instructions on how to adjust your driving for a good dyno plot in the section called ‘Optimal Driving Style for HP measurement’ (page 34 in the version 2.0 manual). This problem is usually only encountered by diesel trucks which redline at 3000 rpm or lower. To get best results, try to manually shift your gears. The automatic transmission does not always leave you enough control. For future firmware updates, we will resolve this issue by having the Gtech adjust it’s plotting decisions based on the type of car you drive. We have reduced this problem significantly with firmware 3.0.0, and we have also included a graph of straight HP vs Time, which works on any vehicle, regardless of RPMs.

Q. When is your next firmware update?
A. Our most recent firmware is 3.0.0. and was released mid june, 2003. Please check the website from time to time for more updates.

Q. I am a Roadracer / Autocrosser / Motorcyclist, when will you come out with software for me?
A. We expect to come out with Roadrace and Autocross firmware in mid to late 2003. It will be fully compatible with our current G-tech hardware.

Q. My mounting bracket occasionally falls off the windshield, what is wrong?
A. Make sure that the surface is clean. Make sure that the large nut is backed out. While pressing the bracket onto the windshield, apply pressure to the large nut, not the outer bracket. This will expel the maximum amount of air and create the strongest suction. Tighten the nut all the way and the bracket should stay in place for many months.

Q. My Gtech's faceplate seems to be cracking, what should I do?
A. Please call (310 452 0030) or e-mail us. We will be happy to send you a new faceplate and screw set. There was a minor problem with some of the earliest Gtechs released, if you bought your Gtech before Nov 2002, you may have this problem.

Q. I am unable to upgrade the firmware in my unit, what should I do?
A. Please call us first at 310 452-0030 during business hours (9-6 pacific time). We can probably help you resolve the problem.

Q. I would like to send my G-Tech in for inspection, where do I send it?
A: Please call use at 310 452-0030 and we will issue you a return authorization number. Merchandise returned to use without an RMA number cannot be accepted and will be returned to the customer.

Q: What is the maximum number of G’s the G-tech can measure?
A: +/- 10 Gs in the X,Y, and Z directions. If it is oriented just right, it can measure up to 17 total Gs.

Q: Can I use a Gtech on a motorcycle?
A: You can use the Gtech for a straight line drag race on level ground. If you don’t pop a wheelie, the Gtech will accurately measure all the quarter mile and braking statistics. Currently we do not have the Gtech firmware programmed to measure RPMs. This means you will not be able to look at Torque, HP vs RPM graphs, or use the shiftlights. We are working on firmware for motorcycle RPMs and should have firmware available after summer 2003 which will enable the current Gtech hardware to measure RPMs on motorcycles as well as cars.

Q: I want to power my Gtech in a way other than through the cigarette lighter.
A: You can go to radio shack and buy a cigarette lighter outlet on a cord and attach that anywhere to your car’s 12V electrical system. Some users have chosen to cut the Gtech cable at their own risk, and have attached it to their car’s electrical systems directly. If you do this (at your own risk) we strongly recommend that you put a 1 AMP fuse inline with your Gtech. Normally this fuse is inside the tip of the cigarette plug and if you cut that off, you will no longer have that protection.

Q: My car runs on a voltage higher than 12V. Can I still use a Gtech?
A: The Gtech can operate at voltages from 9-20VDC. The higher the input voltage, the warmer your Gtech might get. We don’t recommend exceeding 15VDC.

Q: I turn on my Gtech and a number of the LEDs blink in various patterns for 10 or more seconds, the the screen reads: DIAGS FAILED and shows ACCX ACCY ACCZ ( or part thereof).
A: A sensor has failed inside of your Gtech. Please call 310 452 0030 so we can issue you a return authorization number and arrange for a warranty exchange.

Q: I turn on my Gtech and
Diagnostic
30A
0
0
F
Appears on the screen.
A: A sensor has failed inside of your Gtech. Please call 310 452 0030 so we can issue you a return authorization number and arrange for a warranty exchange.

Q: My Gtech powers up (the blue backlight and red lights behind the buttons come one) but nothing appears on the screen, even after waiting a few minutes.
A: A sensor has failed inside of your Gtech. Please call 310 452 0030 so we can issue you a return authorization number and arrange for a warranty exchange.

Q: My Gtech is reporting more than 100% free storage space and is not storing runs properly.
A: Please go to Stored Runs and choose Delete all Runs. After this, things should behave properly again.

Q: I am doing an RPM calibration and have adjusted one of the setpoints to 4200 rpms. I press OK, but no message is given that the calibration point was recorded. Instead, the RPM value got adjusted to 4500 RPMs.
A: Currently the RPM setpoints must be multiples of 500, like 3500, 4000, 4500, 5000, etc. Please only choose multiples of 500 for successful operation. We will be changing this in the next firmware update.

Q: The HP result from my Gtech is lower than the manufacturer’s HP specification for my car’s engine. Why is that?
A: The Gtech measures HP after all possible losses, including Drivetrain, Rolling, and Aerodynamic resistance. All these real life processes rob your car of power. Manufacturer’s specs are usually for an engine under ideal laboratory conditions.

Q: The HP result from my Gtech is different from the results from my local rear wheel Dyno.
A: The Gtech can give values which are lower or higher than a traditional Dyno. Lower figures are sometimes seen due to aerodynamic losses incurred during driving, or increased rolling resistance of the tires on a real road surface as opposed to a smooth dyno drum. Higher figures can result from cars which require ram air or have intercoolers which only work properly at high speeds. In any case, the power measured by the Gtech is truly the amount of power left to propel your car forward, which is really what matters when tuning a winning vehicle.

Q: Why can’t I calibrate my RPMs at my vehicle redline?
A: Please upgrade to firmware version 3.0.0 and things should be more flexible.

Q: What is the best way to calibrate my accelerometers.
A: Do one calibration when you first turn on your Gtech, when it is cool. Complete the procedure quickly, by bracing the Gtech against something to prevent vibrations. Too much vibration will cause a black square to blink on the screen, and it will not go away until the Gtech is held perfectly still. Now keep your Gtech plugged in for some time (15 minutes or more) and let it warm up. Then do another calibration procedure when the temperature has stabilized. To be sure, you can monitor the internal Gtech temperature on the X-Y-Z-Gs screen. Typical cool temperatures are 60-70F, typical warm temperatures are around 100.F When you have completed this calibration, don’t do any more calibrations without erasing the calibration values first.

Q: I completed two calibrations but the Gtech is still bugging me to do another. Why is this?
A: You may not have followed one of the steps correctly (you may have held the Gtech backward from the instructions) and the whole calibration was rejected. Firwmare version 3.0.0 tells you when you make a mistake immediately, consider upgrading your firmware.

Q: A black square keeps blinking on the screen during accelerometer calibration.
A: This indicates that there are too many vibrations and the Gtech must be held very still for the square to go away. Please brace the Gtech against something to help hold it still. You can call use at 310 452 0030 if you are having further problems.

Q: I accidentally started a calibration procedure (RPM or Accelerometer) and want to abort.
A: You can try pressing M to get out, if that does not work, you can always unplug your Gtech at any point during calibration. Results are not stored until the procedure is completely finished.

Q: The temperature on the X-Y-Z Gs screen reads 230, is my Getch above boiling temperature?
A: For older firmware versions, the temperature shown on this screen is not in Fahrenheit or Celsius, but of a type which the Gtech understands. Please upgrade your firmware to 3.0.0 and internal G-tech temperature will read out in degrees F.