-
What makes the DiGi read the gear position? »
The Digi compares the pulses coming from the rev counter and the speedometer. So when you program it, it learns the ratio of pulses between the two for each gear. This ratio remains the same whatever speed you are doing in that particular gear.
The DiGi gets the neutral position directly from the neutral light switch.
-
How do I identify the wires? »
Datatool provide info for a large range of machines within our instructions. But for the latest information you can also look at the applications chart on our website.
If the information does not appear it is because we have not installed a unit on your particular machine ourselves.
In most cases you will be able to identify the correct wires from a wiring diagram for your machine. It is best to test these wires with suitable testing equipment. We normally recommend an LED test light.
Please be aware that although most machines will drive the DiGi we cannot guarantee this on machines we have not tested.
-
What is the best method of connecting the wiring of the DiGi? »
Datatool only recommend soldered joints. Any other method of connection such as crimp connectors or ‘scotchloks’ can lead to the unit picking up poor signals and not being able to read correctly.
-
Is the air gap on the wheel sensor kit critical? »
Whilst we recommend an air gap of around 10mm the DiGi will work with an air gap of between 5-15 mm quite happily.
-
I can’t get my bike to read any gear when programming. »
Is the unit wired into the machine correctly?
If the correct wires have not been chosen the unit will not be powered correctly or may not be getting the pulse information it requires.
Please note that some harnesses may contain more than one wire of the same colour code. So the wire you are looking for may not have the same function, check with suitable test equipment.
Is the speed sensor on the front wheel?
If it is the DiGi will have to be programmed in on the road as the unit will not be picking up the speed pulses.
How have you got the DiGi earthed?
Datatool only recommend a true wire earth for the DiGi. Frame earths often are very poor and anodised/plastic coated frames frequently give no earths at all. Many ‘faults’ can be traced directly to poor earths.
Are the engine speed (rev counter) pulses ‘clean’?
Certain machines combine their tacho pulse with other devices on the machine (e.g. coils or fuel pump). In these situations it is better to go to another point (e.g. crank sensor or alternator windings) to pick up the engine speed. All machines listed on the DiGi application chart have been tested to ensure the DiGi gets the correct information, however please note vehicle manufacturers may change the specification of their machines without prior notice.
Is the machine creating its own background noise?
Some machines have been known to be electrically ‘noisy’. In extreme cases it may not be possible to make the DiGi function correctly.
-
My DiGi sometimes displays other gears than the one it is in. »
This is normally due to a bad positive or negative supply or background noise.
-
Can I fit a DiGi to my car/Motorcycle engined kit car? »
Possibly, however Datatool (UK) Ltd are a motorcycle based company and cannot offer advise in these matters as we do not research in these areas. As for kit cars based on motorcycle engines it may be possible but as in these applications the harness is often radically changed again we may not be able to offer much. If the kit is using the original clocks from the donor machine the answer should be yes although the wires colours may be different, please refer to the manufacturer of the harness for advise.
-
What happens if I change sprocket sizes? »
It may not be necessary to make any changes. But it is likely you will have to re-programme the DiGi to the new ratios by going through the programming procedure again.
-
What happens if I set off in second instead of first? »
When you put the machine in gear it will display ‘1’. If you place it in second gear to pull away it will automatically display ‘2’ once the clutch is home and the DiGi has read enough pulses to establish the correct gear.
-
The unit records first gear but then will not read the rest »
This is normally due to programming technique. Once first gear is registered don't go directly to second gear. You must next go into neutral so that the ‘0’ appears in the display. Once the DiGi has displayed ‘0’ you should then go to second gear and register this gear. Then you can go directly to third without going back to neutral. The reason for this is so that once the DiGi has registered second gear it knows if it is learning an ascending or descending scale and will learn all the other gears directly.
-
Why does my DiGi not recognise neutral? »
Assuming the neutral light is working normally, this is normally down to a fault in the wiring of the neutral wire. If the DiGi is not wired to the correct side of the neutral light (i.e. between the neutral light switch and the neutral light itself) it will not ‘see’ neutral. The unit needs to see neutral as part of the programming sequence. There may be a second reason for this fault. The neutral light of most machines is controlled by a negative switch (i.e. the neutral light switch makes a connection between the neutral light itself and an earth to illuminate the light). However there are a few machines (e.g. Ducati 748/916) where the neutral light switch controls a positive instead. In these instances the positive signal needs to be converted to a negative via a standard switching relay. If you are unsure on how to do this either refer to a competent dealer or contact Datatool and we can fax/e-mail a general diagram covering the connections.
-
Why does it take a moment for the Digi to display the gear? »
The Digi has to sample enough pulses to accurately work out which gear you are in. To do this the clutch has to be fully home and not slipping. The speed and strength of these pulses varies depending on manufacturer and machine type. On many machines the pulses are strong enough and fast enough for the display to be virtually instant but on machines with slower pulses the display may take a couple of seconds to register correctly.
-
Why does my DiGi display go out each time I turn my lights/indicators on, or does not come on at all? »
This is a wiring fault normally caused by the incorrect wire be selected as the earth. On many circuits wires can appear to be earths (often due to back feeds through bulbs, relays, etc). If the display goes out when you turn something on (e.g. the indicators), check that the earth and supply connections of the DiGi are not affected by the circuit you are switching. For example on Suzuki models some people use a black wire for their earth. This wire is in fact the indicator positive supply. The correct wire for the earth on Suzuki models is black/white. On Honda models some people use a Black wire as their earth. This wire is normally the ignition switched to positive. The correct wire for Earth on Honda models is Green.
-
Can I move my DiGi to my next machine? »
The simple answer is YES. You will need to re-programme the DiGi to the new machine.
-
I have a cable speedo can I fit a DiGi »
Yes, Datatool manufacture a wheel sensor kit (Pt No. 03 000 003). This places magnets around one of the motorcycle wheels, normally in the disc carrier bolts. There is then a sensor which sends a signal each time a magnet passed under it.
-
Which is the best wheel to install the cable kit on »
We would normally recommend the rear wheel be used. This makes it easier to programme the unit either on the centre stand or on a secure paddock stand. Also the cable is less likely to be damaged by the suspension movement.
-
Why does the unit scroll when I am at a standstill with the clutch pulled in? »
Unless you are in neutral, after a few seconds the DiGi will start to scroll round in the upper half. This is quite normal. The unit is receiving engine speed pulses but no speed pulses. It therefore is getting signals which it cannot compute. The scrolling shows this is what is happening. As soon as you set off and the DiGi has read enough pulses to learn which gear it is in it will display the appropriate gear.
-
Why is my DiGi display sometimes dim? »
This is normal. There is a photo cell built into the top of the front face of the DiGi. This measures the ambient light and dims the display if the external conditions become dark. To test this if you place your finger over the top window in the front face of the DiGi whilst in strong light you will see the display dim slowly after around 20 seconds and the return when you remove it. If this is happening at other times it is normally due to bad connections or the selection of an incorrect wire for the main supply or earth (e.g. fuel tank gauge sender unit).
-
Do I have to re-programme my DiGi if I remove my battery? »
Not normally. The DiGi will retain its memory with the battery disconnected. However we have heard of odd cases where persons have managed to erase the memory by ‘spiking’ the unit. In these instances they have simply carried out the programming again.
