Powering up a new GS 911 USB Version, what powers the LED status light?

[FIRE UP]

Gents
 I'm at a loss here. It's a long story but, I just received a replacement GS 911 USB unit and I got it all registered with Hex Code and I'm having an issue. The unit seems to be functioning just fine. All the scans and tests of anything I ask for, like testing brake lights, head lights, horn, turn signals etc. all seem to be working just fine. I also did a test of the interface itself and that turned out perfect.

But, the problem I'm having is, the LED status light on the unit itself, NEVER LIGHTS UP! It didn't on the last unit either which is why I got a new one. Now, this one does not light up either. I have searched the frequently asked questions and all I can find is that the LED status lights presents with certain patterns at given times. But, there is ZERO information as to whether or not the bike powers the GS911 LED status light, or the computer powers it up. The Beemer shop tech advised me the computer powers it up. I have tried multiple USB cords to try and power it up but, it's a no go. So, can I ask, for those of you with the USB version, what EXACTLY powers up the status LED on your GS911 USB version?
Scott

[WayneC]

The GS911 is powered from the diagnostics socket when plugged into the bike but not plugged into USB & is powered from the USB when not plugged into the bike, obviously there is power from both USB & diags socket when plugged into the bike & diagnostics socket

What you seem to be asking is how the LED is triggered rather than where it is getting power & as per the info below it is triggered by a firmware routine in a more intelligent manner than a simple on/off to show the status

The LED power/status indications are documented on this page https://www.hexgs911.com/connectors-buttons-and-lights/

Since you have the USB model the WiFi LED info is not relevant

[FIRE UP]

Wayne,
  I very much appreciate you getting back to me with an answer. So, from what you're saying, the power status of the LED on the GS911 can be triggered by being plugged into the diagnostic socket on the bike, or, it can be powered by the USB plug from the computer, correct? But, not both. Well, this is where the problem is. I have a brand new GS 911 USB version and since my bike is a 2015 BMW GTL-Exclusive, it has the round diagnostic plug. Sooooo, that means I had to buy the short *Round to Rectangle* adapter cord/cable to plug into the rectangle port on the GS 911.

 Well, on the last GS911, I didn't get any LED light when plugging in initially to the bike. I didn't get the LED to light by plugging into the USB port from the computer either. That GS 911 was also only a month old.

So, I got a replacement for it. Now, I have another brand new one and, as stated, I have no power up LED and no continued flashing, nothing. But, the unit does recognise the bike, and performs as it should. I can do scans and tests and fault readings and clearings and service resets and more. I just don't have anything that tells me that unit is powered up.

As for the link you sent, yes, I've gone to that one many times and while it does say that, that particular LED is the power status and states just how it's supposed flash, nowhere on that page, does it state WHAT powers that LED.  So this is why I asked which way is the unit powered up, the bike or the computer? Mine is not powered up by either one. Not sure which way to go now. Thanks again.
Scott

[WayneC]

The GS911, like many ECU's on the bike (V-Bat & V-Ign) it is designed to handle receiving power from 2 sources simultaneously when in operation & triggering is handled on the other leg of the LED to give the flashing or solid lamp indications, you will need to look further than the GS911 as you have had the same issue with multiple units, move past simply thinking in terms of what powers the LED, think in terms of what operates the LED

There should not be an an adaptor cable issue assuming you have the Hexcode adaptor, I have round pin GS911 & the other Hexcode adaptor to use it on the new models with OBDII diags socket, I have had no issues with the adaptor cable

What is the PC/Device you are plugging into & what operating system ? W10 ?, are you plugging in directly or via a USB hub ?

What GS911 PC Sotware (the old GS911 App or the new GS911 Diagnostics App) & what version are you using ?

Your model is K48 - K1600 GTL Exclusive US market with BMS-X so diags socket is 4 wire, V-Bat, Earth & CAN-L, CAN-H

The pin out should power the GS911 without issue, does the PC App Auto Detect the bike before doing an AutoScan ?

Answers to the questions will assist in understanding & moving forward

[FIRE UP]

The GS911, like many ECU's on the bike (V-Bat & V-Ign) it is designed to handle receiving power from 2 sources simultaneously when in operation & triggering is handled on the other leg of the LED to give the flashing or solid lamp indications, you will need to look further than the GS911 as you have had the same issue with multiple units, move past simply thinking in terms of what powers the LED, think in terms of what operates the LED
WayneC,
 Again, thank you for your assistance here. I'm quite sure you're over my head in when things get any more complicated than a positive and negative for turning on and off a light bulb. When you state think more of what "Operates" the LED vs what powers it, forgive me for my ignorance but, isn't that the same thing? To me, either way, you're turning it on or off or, flashing it. That's my simple understanding of how things like that work.

There should not be an an adaptor cable issue assuming you have the Hexcode adaptor, I have round pin GS911 & the other Hexcode adaptor to use it on the new models with OBDII diags socket, I have had no issues with the adaptor cable

Well, yes, I do have an adapter cable but, it's an Amazon one. And when I had trouble with the prior GS911's lighting the LED, I had no way of telling if the adapter cable I purchased, might have been a bad one or not so, I ordered and received another one. That new one makes no difference. The older, and this new GS911 still shows no LED when plugging into the bike, with either the original or newer adapter cables. Again, I have no idea on whether or not possibly BOTH of those cable adapters are the issue.

 Would or could that be possible, two adapter cables being bad? Who knows. To this end, I've thought of ordering an adapter cable directly from the Beemer Shop to see if maybe this could be the answer.
 But, according to the tech at the Beemer Shop, the new GS911 I now have in my possession, was pre-tested prior to shipping, and a note was placed in the carton stating that it works. Upon receiving it, I immediately took it out to the bike and plugged it in. NOPE no LED. I changed adapter cords/cables, NOPE no LED!

 I called the tech at the Beemer Shop and he stated that Ted tested it. He also stated that the GS 911 is ONLY powered up by the computer, NOT the bike side. Hmmmmm.

So, with that being said, I thought I'd try various USB to printer port cables I have, just in case, the cable that was sent with the GS911, got messed up somehow. I have three other USB to printer port (the type of end on the GS911) and, nope, no change, NO LED, with any cable hooked to it, from any source.

What is the PC/Device you are plugging into & what operating system ? W10 ?, are you plugging in directly or via a USB hub ?
As for what PC/device, it's a brand new, 2 week old, HP 15" lap top. I'm plugging directly into it with the USB cord from the GS911. And, this is the new Windows 11 system. When I first tried to register/license this new GS911 on this new PC, apparently the 30 temp version of McAfee Virus protection, didn't like an intruder such as the registration process of the GS911 and the Hex Co[de system. It would reject the process stating that it prevented a virus. I tried it a few times and, each time, the little McAfee box would pop up and stop the registration process.

Sooooo, I grabbed my older lap top and, completed the registration process on that one without issue, since I have a different virus protection and, that computer is operating on Windows 10. Nope, no hub involved.

What GS911 PC Sotware (the old GS911 App or the new GS911 Diagnostics App) & what version are you using ?
I am using the new GS911 Diagnostics version, the one intended to be compatible with W7,8, and 10. It doesn't say anything with being compatible with W11.

Your model is K48 - K1600 GTL Exclusive US market with BMS-X so diags socket is 4 wire, V-Bat, Earth & CAN-L, CAN-H

The pin out should power the GS911 without issue, does the PC App Auto Detect the bike before doing an AutoScan ?
I'm glad you mentioned the "pin out" thing. Now, again, my version of electrical knowledge is for the most part, cave man. I'm under the thought that, if the GS911 LED is supposed to be powered up by diagnostic port and the adapter cable, then my thought would be, ONE of those four wires, would hot or, 12V or something of some voltage that would be enough to power the LED. Again, that may be way too simple of a description of how things work.
   But, if that would/could be the case, then which of those four wires might be the "hot" or 12V or lower voltage wire that I could l check for power? I didn't and still don't want to start probing any of those 4 wire/socket/ends to find the potential 12V without at least trying to understand that I wouldn't cause damage to any of the bikes electronics by probing. Are you seeing what I'm asking/saying?
 
Again, I most sincerely appreciate your assistance here in this matter. There are a couple of schools of thought here. One, since the new GS911 seems to be functioning in all aspects of operation, i.e. scanning, me doing tests of the brake lights, turn signals, and any other function of tests, and, doing an AUTO DETECTION of my bike, I could simply just not worry about the non-op LED power status light. Or, two, look at the situation that, this is an expensive tool, and the LED *should* work.

In my eyes, if I were to choose option ONE, and just not worry about the LED, if at sometime in the future I go hook up the GS911 and I get NOTHING on my computer screen, no scan, no recognition of the bike, nothing, and I have no LED working, I will not be able to tell just where the problem lies since I had no LED from the git-go. See what I'm saying? This is why I'd like it to work.

Answers to the questions will assist in understanding & moving forward

[WayneC]

Re "When you state think more of what "Operates" the LED vs what powers it, forgive me for my ignorance but, isn't that the same thing?"

No it is not, you are thinking the LED is powered separately to the rest of the GS911, it is not, you have an LED operated by a processor under a firmware routine & not at the 12v you are thinking of but at 5v as per the processor, applies to most modern devices

Re adaptor cable
There is the first issue, I would not touch an OBDII to Kostal 10 pin cable from Amazon or EBay with a barge pole, all of the ones I am aware of are made with clones of the Kostal 10 pin connector which are very poor plastics, molded & cannot be repaired, the locking ring breaks up, I am aware many have incorrect pin outs, the reason clone Kostal 10 pin connectors are used is that they are on restricted supply from Kostal so only Co's like Hexcode can get them, in addition there is a 1 pin difference between generic 10P to OBDII adaptors & the Hexcode adaptor cable.

Understand I can & have in the past made OBDII to Kostal 10 pin cables from genuine parts but I use the Hexcode adaptor cable

Re USB cables - yes they are normal cables ut you plugged the GS911 into the bike so with a dodgy adaptor cable who knows what has happened

Re PC & old PC - understood, ensure USB power saving is turned off, it can cause issues with many devices, get rid of McAfee & lots of luck with Win11, another M$ OS released before it is ready, the same as what M$ did with W10 years ago

Re GS911 App, understood it is the new App but you did not state the Version No, it is at the top of the window when the App is opened

Re the Diags Socket Pins
I stated it has V-Bat & earth to power the GS911 but your thinking of the LED being separate to the rest of the GS911 is limiting your understanding

The question you need to consider is whether the GS911 you sent back to Beemershop worked fully including the LED when they received it from you or whether the dodgy Amazon adaptor cable has caused a fault in the GS911

[FIRE UP]

Well Wayne C,
  Again, I most certainly appreciate your assistance here. As far as the adapter cable I purchased from Amazon, actually two of them, one can only assume that a simple cable like that should work. Typically I read available reviews on products I'm aiming to purchase at Amazon. Well, if I recall, about 99% of the reviews were very favorable. I have no idea that those cables can be poorly manufactured or, that there's potential for damage to any equipment they relate to. Especially since the reviews, all that I have read, state no such damage to any diagnostic components/interfaces had occurred.

And if I may ask you this since you seem to be willing to help AND provide some answers, If there is something in those cords/cables that can potentially damage the circuitry that involves the actuation of the LED status light, and the LED is not directly powered in the manner in which I'm used to but is activated by other circuits, then wouldn't it be possible that there would be issues with what the GS911 is conveying to my computer screen in terms of info from the bikes ECM and all other controllers etc.?

 As you already know, I'm no rocket scientist at computer stuff and other aspects of what we're dealing with here so, again, I'm only surmising. The GS911 that I returned to the Beemer Shop, was functioning 100% correctly minus the operation of the LED power status light. The GS911 I have now, functions 100% correctly, minus the operation of the LED power status light. I say functions 100% correctly because all scans are coming in with no issues that I see, all possible adjustments or alterations that I'm able to perform, i.e. service reminder changes, etc. are working as requested.

 I'll have to check and see just which version of the download I used to register my present GS911 USB version. I thought there was only one that was compatible with W-7,8, and 10 but no mention of 11 and I don't and didn't recall any version number of that download. I will look. Thanks again Sir.
Scott

[WayneC]

For a moment relect on the bigger picture

You purchased a quality motorcycle & a quality diagnostics device, then chose a no name low quality adaptor cable rather than the genuine Hexcode adaptor cable which was the lowest cost component in the purchasing, not the most rational decision

The GS911 devices have proven to be very reliable & hardware failures are rare yet connecting to the bike with the adaptor cable it appears 2 GS911 have had issues so either there is an issue with the bike/diagnostics socket or the adaptor cable, I find it very difficult to believe you were supplied 2 defective GS911, on the other hand it is very easy to believe you received 2 defective 3rd party adaptor cables with poor connections & potentially incorrect pin outs which would likely to be the case on both, it is also easy to understand how an adaptor cable with power & earth reversed could damage a GS911 or poor connections cause noise & corrupt data on the diagnostics communications

In other situations in the past where purchasers of 3rd party adaptor cable were more knowledgeable I had them check the pin out of the cable with a multi meter, it is slow tedious work to get right & a couple of Oz purchasers sent me defective cables to analyse so saw what was sold

Down to the specifics

I would check the bike 10p diags socket only has 4 wires to it to ensure the PO has not modified the wiring
Pin4 Brown Earth, Pin6-Red/White V-Bat, Pin7 White/Black CAN-H, Pin9 White/Brown CAN-L

With Amazon or Ebay, reviews should always be taken with a grain of salt, the problem of fake reviews is so bad the Oz Govt is legislating to address the issue on all the digital platforms

Re "one can only assume that a simple cable like that should work", no you cant assume a 3rd party generic adaptor will work for a specific specialist application particularly where the adaptor manufacturer is an unknown entity & you are only dealing with a non technical seller

Re GS911 Diagnostics App, I have already indicated the Version No is at the top of the screen below the Hexcode Logo when you open the App, updates are done without loading a full installer so looking at the original download is not going to be of any use

Re Win11, Hexcode have stated in another thread the App is compatible with W11 but I would not use it as I see too many issues in my day to day work in IT/Telecoms/Technology to move to any new release of an M$ product, for diagnostics in particular, unfortunately W7 is still a better choice for many, W10 decidig to do an auto download of updates can disrupt a diagnostics session

[Francois Barnard]

Hi Scott,

Just to be dead sure, is this the LED that you are referring to?


If the GS-911 functions correctly other than the power LED, it is an extremely rare case of you having 2 units with failing LED hardware. But with Ted having personally tested the second unit before shipping it to you it is hard to explain what can be going wrong on your side. The GS-911 can be fully powered (LED included) from USB and/or the diagnostic port (Battery voltage). The power LED does not depend at all on Windows/PC App to function.

Kind regards,
Francois

[FIRE UP]

Francois,
   First off, I apologize for the late reply. We've had some out-of-town business and that caused me to veer from this subject/issue for a while. Second, I sincerely thank you for taking the time to reply to this thread. Third, yes, that is the LED that I am speaking of. Since this GS911 is a USB ONLY model, there are no other LED's on it. So far, it has been mentioned, more than a time or two, that the potential for TWO power up LED's on two different GS911s to fail is ultra rare, if not impossible. Well, I can't argue that point. But, never the less, I've had two GS911's and TWO power up LED'S that do not work.

   It has been explained to me that powering up that LED is not as simple as applying 12V to it with a positive and ground. Powering it up is part of some firmware operations and is most likely at 5V. Ok, I get that. It has also been suggested that since I have been using an adapter cable from the 10 pin on the bike to the GS 911 that is an aftermarket cable, that it is highly likely that cable is the fault of a non functioning LED on the GS 911. Well, I bought a second cable to see if that would make a difference. Nope, not at all.

    It has also been suggested that, with the use of an aftermarket cable, that it is *possible* that, that cable may have caused an issue IN the GS 911 due to it maybe  not being wired correctly or ? Well, If that was or is the case, since powering up the LED is part of a firmware operation, and that "aftermarket" cable could have done something to damage whatever part of the circuit of that firmware that powers the LED, wouldn't the GS 911 now have some operation issues too? I'm trying to understand the big picture here.

 When I spoke with the tech at the Beemer shop, he asked Ted if that unit I received from Ted was tested BY Ted and Ted replied yes. He also stated that Ted explained to him that, the GS 911 is ONLY POWERED by the bike, NOT THE COMPUTER. Well, somethings wrong here. Wayne says the GS 911 is powered up by BOTH the computer and the bike. Someone needs to tell TED that.

 Anyway, so far, it has been pointed out to me that, since it's pretty near an impossibility that there could be TWO GS 911 USB version power up LED FAILURES, that anything related to the operation on my end, has to be my fault. I.e. adapter cable(s), PC, Windows 11, Mcaffee, USB power on or off, and more.

 Since the GS 911 is ALSO supposed to show power on the LED when just plugged into the computer, I have tried multiple USB cables, including the one that came with it and, nope, NO LED. If there is a power setting for USB output on my new PC, I have no clue as to where to find out how to make sure it's in the ON position in the settings.

 As for the bike and it's side powering up the LED, about my only choice left is to order up an adapter cable from either HEX CODE or from the BEEMER SHOP. Now, is there a guaranty that  will solve my non-op LED issue? Who knows and even if it did, and the LED works with a cable from HEX CODE or the Beemer shop, then why doesn't the LED work when plugging into my computer?

 And finally, I've been asked more than once to supply the version number of the GS911 software I downloaded. I'll try and go find which one I used. I was not aware there were that many versions. I only downloaded what I was directed at, to allow my new GS911 to work. Thanks again for your help here.
Scott
 

[Francois Barnard]

Francois,
   First off, I apologize for the late reply. We've had some out-of-town business and that caused me to veer from this subject/issue for a while. Second, I sincerely thank you for taking the time to reply to this thread. Third, yes, that is the LED that I am speaking of. Since this GS911 is a USB ONLY model, there are no other LED's on it. So far, it has been mentioned, more than a time or two, that the potential for TWO power up LED's on two different GS911s to fail is ultra rare, if not impossible. Well, I can't argue that point. But, never the less, I've had two GS911's and TWO power up LED'S that do not work.

   It has been explained to me that powering up that LED is not as simple as applying 12V to it with a positive and ground. Powering it up is part of some firmware operations and is most likely at 5V. Ok, I get that. It has also been suggested that since I have been using an adapter cable from the 10 pin on the bike to the GS 911 that is an aftermarket cable, that it is highly likely that cable is the fault of a non functioning LED on the GS 911. Well, I bought a second cable to see if that would make a difference. Nope, not at all.

    It has also been suggested that, with the use of an aftermarket cable, that it is *possible* that, that cable may have caused an issue IN the GS 911 due to it maybe  not being wired correctly or ? Well, If that was or is the case, since powering up the LED is part of a firmware operation, and that "aftermarket" cable could have done something to damage whatever part of the circuit of that firmware that powers the LED, wouldn't the GS 911 now have some operation issues too? I'm trying to understand the big picture here.

 When I spoke with the tech at the Beemer shop, he asked Ted if that unit I received from Ted was tested BY Ted and Ted replied yes. He also stated that Ted explained to him that, the GS 911 is ONLY POWERED by the bike, NOT THE COMPUTER. Well, somethings wrong here. Wayne says the GS 911 is powered up by BOTH the computer and the bike. Someone needs to tell TED that.

 Anyway, so far, it has been pointed out to me that, since it's pretty near an impossibility that there could be TWO GS 911 USB version power up LED FAILURES, that anything related to the operation on my end, has to be my fault. I.e. adapter cable(s), PC, Windows 11, Mcaffee, USB power on or off, and more.

 Since the GS 911 is ALSO supposed to show power on the LED when just plugged into the computer, I have tried multiple USB cables, including the one that came with it and, nope, NO LED. If there is a power setting for USB output on my new PC, I have no clue as to where to find out how to make sure it's in the ON position in the settings.

 As for the bike and it's side powering up the LED, about my only choice left is to order up an adapter cable from either HEX CODE or from the BEEMER SHOP. Now, is there a guaranty that  will solve my non-op LED issue? Who knows and even if it did, and the LED works with a cable from HEX CODE or the Beemer shop, then why doesn't the LED work when plugging into my computer?

 And finally, I've been asked more than once to supply the version number of the GS911 software I downloaded. I'll try and go find which one I used. I was not aware there were that many versions. I only downloaded what I was directed at, to allow my new GS911 to work. Thanks again for your help here.
Scott

Hi Scott,

Thanks for the detailed response and apologies for the repeated back-and-forth without a sound conclusion thus far. Let me make it clear then:
- The adapter cable you used will make NO difference to whether the Status LED works or not, given that the diagnostics functionality is actually working fine
- There is no software/firmware setting that is required to enable the Status LED
- This is a strange hardware issue specifically related to the LED circuit of the 2 units you've had, nothing else considering that diagnostics functionality is working fine
- The Status LED will work when the GS-911 is powered by either the USB connection or the diagnostic port (battery voltage), or both.

If the diagnostics functionality is working fine, you have nothing to worry about. Would you mind sending us a video of the GS-911 unit when plugged in to your PC on USB and to a bike and you perform an autoscan using GS-911 Diagnostics?

Rest assured the only software you should care about can be found here: https://www.hexgs911.com/gs-911-downloads/

Kind regards,
Francois