Read_Me.txt
Paul Romsky
20 FEB 2026
Fiero ALDL Monitor V2.0.9 (and up) Quick Start Instructions

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Section I:

Please note that this version (V2.0.9) is a vastly improved version (from V1.6.58) and it only supports 
the high performance ALDL_Adapter_V2.0.0 (and up) based on the Adafruit Trinket M0. 
This Adapter MUST be used because it measures ALDL pulse widths (not pseduo serial 
like others make) to determine the ALDL Bits. It can also monitor the Service Engine Soon (SES) signal and 
display the Error Codes (if the Fiero SES connector is modifed to include the SES signal) - a feature the
other cables can not provide.  Do not attempt to use 3rd party serial cables that are not my Trinket M0 
Based version - THEY WILL NOT WORK.

If you do not have the ALDL Adapter you can still use this GUI in Playback mode.  A previously made recording
(Generated_Incrementing_Test_Logfile.txt) is included as a demo.  Simply press Playback and select 
Generated_Incrementing_Test_Logfile.txt (or any Log file you have created) - the GUI then displays the data. 

The Users manual included is not currently completed.  Please use these instructions to install and operate 
the Fiero ALDL Monitor GUI.

Fieros Supported:

Supported:         GM Pontiac Fiero V6 2.8L MPFI 1985      ECM 1226869  160 Baud ALDL
Supported:         GM Pontiac Fiero V6 2.8L MPFI 1986-1988 ECM 1227170  160 Baud ALDL
Next to Support:   GM Pontiac Fiero L4 2.5L TBI  1984      ECM 1226156  160 Baud ALDL
Supported:         GM Pontiac Fiero L4 2.5L TBI  1985-1986 ECM 1226864  160 Baud ALDL
Not Yet Supported: GM Pontiac Fiero L4 2.5L TBI  1987-1988 ECM 1227748 8192 Baud ALDL

                                          NOTICE 

If you purchased your Adapter before 15 SEP 2025, as support for the 1226864 ECM was in progress,
you will have to send in your Adapter for a firmware and hardware upgrade to use that ECM. See the Help
window in the GUI for contact information to request the upgrade.

If you purchased your Adapter before the 1226156 and the 1227748 ECMS are supported,
you will have to send in your Adapter for a firmware and hardware upgrade to use those ECMs. See the Help
window in the GUI for contact information to request the upgrade.

All 5 Fiero ECMs are scheduled to be fully supported by February 2026. It is best to wait until then for upgrades
as there may be more changes to the Adapter as ECMs are supported.


Quick Start

Software:

If your are downloading the V2.0.9 Installation files:

1.  Download the 'Fiero ALDL Monitor GUI V2.0.9 (or latest version) from the following website:  

    http://www.paul.romsky.com/index_fiero_gt_aldl_monitor.htm

2.  Copy the Fiero_ALDL_Monitor_V2_0_9.zip file to your desktop.
3.  Unzip the Fiero_ALDL_Monitor_V2_0_9.zip file.  Usually use the 'Unzip to Here' option if using WinZip.

-or-

If you have the V2.0.9 Installation CD:

1.  Insert the ALDL V2.0.9 CD in your PC CD ROM Reader.
2.  Wait for the CD to mount (for files to be able to be seen) on your PC's Windows Explorer (browser).
3.  Find the cvidistkit.Fiero_ALDL_Monitor folder (directory) on the CD.

4.  Traverse down to setup.exe
5.  Right click on 'setup.exe' and select 'Run as Administrator' (Do not attempt to install directly from the 
    unzipped zip file - it may not work).
6.  Select 'Next' on each installer screen.
7.  After the Fiero ALDL Monitor software is installed, you may be asked to Reboot the PC.
8.  Select 'Yes' (Reboot) if prompted and wait for PC to Reboot.
9.  Go to the 'C:\Program Files' or 'C:\Program Files (x86)' folder (directory) on the PC (where ever the GUI was 
    installed).

Pick up from here from above or from the website instructions:

10. Right Click on the 'Fiero_ALDL_Monitor.exe' icon and select 'Create Shortcut'.
11. Drag that the 'Fiero_ALDL_Monitor_Shortcut' icon to the PC's Desktop.
12. Select Properties on the Icon by Right Clicking on the 'Fiero_ALDL_Monitor_Shortcut' Icon.
13. Find and and select 'Advanced' properties 'Run as Administrator'.

IMPORTANT STEPS for Windows 10 and Up:

14. You must also grant full security permissions for all users and administrators. 
    See Section II. Note: This can be invloved - ask a Windows 10 expert for help if you are not familiar 
    with detailed Windows features.
15. On Windows 10 PCs and above: Find 'Compatability' mode in the icon and select it as 'XP (service pack 3)'
    Also select 'Run as Administrator' if the option is here as well.
16. If you xcome across a secuity slider bar, slide it all the way to 'Minimum' - the Windows 10 and above
    Operating Systems are a "dog" to some program that were not created by Microsoft (by design).

Software steps 1 through 16 need only be performed once.


Note: If you do not have the ALDL_Adapter_V2.0.0 (and up), you cannot perform these steps. DO NOT use a 3rd party
Serial Cable Adapter or a Serial to USB adapter - IT WILL NOT WORK WITH THIS GUI.

Hardware:

1.  Plug in the 'ALDL Adapter V2.0.0' into a USB slot on the PC.
2.  Wait for its drivers to automatically load (this may take a few minutes).
3.  Launch the GUI by Double Left Clicking the Fiero_ALDL_Monitor Icon on the Desktop (the GUI should be displayed).
4.  You will most likely get a Red 'Comms Ready' LED on your first launch as it does not know which COM port
    the Adpater is on for the USB port.
5.  Click on 'Set-Up'.
6.  Click on 'Find COM Port'.
7.  The GUI will try all COM ports.
8.  If it finds one, the 'Comms Ready' LED will go Yellow as it verifies the Adapter version.
9.  If the Adpater does not match the version, the'Comms Ready' LED will go Red and a pop-up will be displayed, 
    follow the Pop-up instrunctions.
10. Note, when 'Find COM Port' is pressed, it picks up the serach on the NEXT COM port from where you are - 
    this way if other hardware is in use on other COM ports, the GUI can still go through them all until 
    it finds the right one (the 'Comms Ready' LED goes Green).
11. If you have gone through all 255 COM ports and still do not have a Green 'Comms Ready' LED, check this
    entire Read_me.txt file again. You may also contact me via E-mail for help (my E-mail address is on my website).
12. Exit the GUI, the COM Port used will be saved in the Fiero_ALDL_Monitor.cfg file as your default COM port.

Hardware steps 1 through 12 above need only be performed once.


Operation:

1.  Set the Parking Brake on the Fiero.
2.  Set the Fiero to Neutral.
3.  Connect the USB cable from the ALDL Adapter to a USB Jack on the PC (wait 10 seconds for it to initialize).
4.  Connect the ALDL cable from the ALDL Adapter to the ALDL connector on the Fiero (located under the 
    Cigarette Lighter cover).
5.  Launch the GUI by Double Left Clicking the Fiero_ALDL_Monitor Icon on the Desktop (the GUI should be displayed).
6.  Start the Fiero Engine.
6A. On the GUI: Select from the 'ALDL Mode' ring control: 'ALDL' (Blue). The LED on the Adpater should turn Blue as well.
7.  Press 'Monitor' on the GUI (25 words of data should start to display within 5 seconds).
8A. If you have added the Service Engine Soon (SES) wire to your Fiero's ALDL Connector Pin D, Press 'Error Codes'
    on the GUI.  After a few seconds Error Code shouls start to display.
8B. If you have not added the Service Engine Soon (SES) wire to your Fiero's ALDL Connector Pin D (as as delivered
    from the factory), on the GUI select the 'ALDL Mode' to 'Diagnostics'. The Service Engine Soon light on the dash
    should start to flash error codes. Write down the Error codes (look online on how to interpret the blinking).
    Then Left Click on 'Error Codes' (you will get an Error Pop-up - push it aside) then compare t
    hose Error Codes to the GUI 'Error Codes' - you can even Left Click on the LEDs for more information on each.
9.  Use the GUI as desired - Explore its features to get familiar with it.
10. When done, Insure the Engine is Off.
11. Press 'Exit' 0n the 'Fiero_ALDL_Monitor' GUI to exit the GUI.
12. Disconnect the ALDL Adapter from the Fiero (you may leave the Adapter connected to the USB Port on the PC). 


Fiero_ALDL_Monitor GUI Modes:
Read the Help in the GUI for detailed information on these Modes:

 Monitor: Displays ALDL data but does not record. 
          Note: On the 'Set-Up' panel (window), there is an option to "Simulate' the ALDL Data stream. This will 
          cause the Adapter to send out incrementing data that can be used as a demo or to verify if the Adpater 
          and GUI are communicating properly (without using a Fiero).

  Record: Displays and Records ALDL data.  The recording is saved in a .txt file that you name.
          Also saved is a .mrk file (with the same name) that saves the Marks and Comments added during a recording session.

 Capture: Records ALDL data but no data is displayed.  This mode is a carry over from older versions of the GUI
          before double buffering of the ALDL data stream was implemented (as is now in this version) - older versions
          missed frames from time to time because the display slowed down the recording. The Capture data is 
          saved in .txt and .mrk files that you name.  

Playback: Plays back the data from a recording or capture .txt and .mrk file that you select. The GUI also come with
          some 'Generated....txt' files that you can playback as demos but, they are the there to validate that the
          GUI is working properly.  Note, if you have an old recording before the Mark feature was added to the GUI,
          a recording with just the .txt file (and no .mrk file) will stay play back, just no Marks or Comments 
          will be present.

Fiero ALDL Modes:
Read the Help in the GUI for detailed information on these Modes:
You can right click on the 'ALDL Modes' ring control in the GUI for more info.

    Normal: You will not use the Mode unless driving Normally. It only displays partial information that is not useful. 

      ALDL: This is the mode you will use most for getting diagnostic data from the Fiero.
            You can drive in this mode.

   Factory: You will not use this Mode often. It tests fail safe circuitry in the ECM and the Fiero will run rough.
            You may drive short distances to prove the ECM can "Limp Home" the car if engine controls fail.

Diagnostic: You will use this Mode often for Getting Error Codes, O2 Sensor Operation, and Setting the Ignition Timing.
            NEVER drive in this Mode, the Igntiton Timing Advance is disabled to set the timing. Engine damage will 
            occur if the engine goes a few hundred RPMs above Idle. 


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Section II:

How to set the Permissions on Windows 10 and PCs.

Please note, every PC is different. That is why they are called Personal Computers (PCs).
Each version of Windows is slightly different but over all, the features below should be be present.
Some people set up their PCs with fancy features, this may hinder this process. It has been found
best to setup your PC in a typical fashion that anyone should be able to use (especially for PC technicians).
Also, Firewalls, Anti Spyware/Anti Virus software often presents problems to applications in a myriad of ways.
You may find the this procedure will cause file saving issues on you PC harddrive from the GUI.  If these procedure
do not work, contact the Author of the GUI as shown in the About panel of the GUI.  In that case, you will most 
likely be required to find a local PC expert that can help you with the first time installation and GUI/Adpater/Car 
test process.


1. Boot PC and give it a few minutes to stabilize.
2. Go to where the GUI was installed. The 'Fiero_ALD_Monitor' directory (folder) will normally be found in:
   C:\Program Files\...
       or
   C:\Program Files (x86)\...
3. Find the 'Fiero_ALD_Monitor' directory and RIGHT clik on it. Things may be slow, be patient.
4. Select 'Properties'.  The 'Fiero ALDL properties Properties' window will be displayed.
5. Click on the 'General' tab.
6. Uncheck the 'Read-Only (Only applies to files in folder)' box.
7. Click on the 'Security' tab.
8. In the 'Group or user names' box, left click on the first (or next the next one not yet completed) entry. 
   It should be higlighted in color.
9. Click the 'Edit' button. The 'Fiero ALDL Permissions' window will be displayed.
10. In the 'Permissions for...' box, click on EVERY 'Allow' box (or as many that the system will allow). 
11. Click the 'Apply' button.
12. Repeat steps 8 through 11 above for EVERY entry in the 'Group or user names' box.
13. Don't press the 'Advanced' button, hopefully it won't be needed.
14. In the 'Fiero ALDL properties Properties' window, press the 'Apply' button.
15. You may get a pop-up confriming to 'unset read-only', click on 'Apply changes...', then click on 'Ok' button.
16. Click on the 'Apply' button.
17. Go back and perform the 'Operation' section above, and create a simple 1 minute recording. Call the Filename 'Checkout'.
18. Go don in to the directory found in Step 3 above (you may already be there). You should see a bunch of 
   'Fiero_ALDL_Minitor...' files
19. Find the file 'Checkout.txt' (the recording you just made).
20. If you can't find the file, contact the Author.
21. Open the 'Checkout.txt' file with Notepad (not Wordpad or any other editor) just Notepad.
22. Verify you see a stream of 1's and 0's in the file. DO not edit the file. Exit the file without saving.
23. If you dont see a streams of 1's and 0's in the file, contact the Author.



End
