OLIMEX© 2017 PIC-KIT3 user's manual
If the connection still fails re-try the procedure at least few more times. Then try to manually
download the firmware (again enter bootloader mode using the button) and then go to "Settings" ->
"Manual Download Firmware". In MPLAB IPE you would need first enable "Advanced Mode"
before being able to select "Manual Download Firmware".
Test the same procedure (to manually download the firmware) without entering bootloader mode –
use a standard connect procedure (do not hold the button).
Finally, test the above fixes with another MPLAB version. For example, if you have used MPLAB
8, try with the latest MPLAB IPE; or if you have used MPLAB IPE, then try with MPLAB 8.92.
Sometimes closing-opening the software would allow you to perform the firmware update.
Sometimes you would need to try a few times until it succeeds.
Q: Hello, I use both MPLABX and MPLAB 8.xx. Recently, the "programmer-to-go" to go function
stopped working in MPLAB 8, everything else works fine. The error I get is: "PK3Err0033: 4 bytes
expected, 0 bytes received". What can I do?
A: This is a known problem that affects both the original Microchip PICKit3 and Olimex PIC-
KIT3. It was caused by the newest firmware released. Most typically the problem appears after you
have used new version of MPLAB X or MPLAB IPE. You PIC-KIT3 got automatically upgraded
with a firmware version that is no longer compatible with MPLAB 8. The versions incompatible
with MPLAB 8 are firmware versions 1.3x.xx and newer (1.35.16, for example). With such a
firmware you will not be able to make proper connections to targets after an AP update nor you
would be able to use programmer-to-go in any MPLAB prior ot MPLAB X. The PIC-KIT3 would
still work fine in MPLABX and MPLAB IPE (and the programmer-to-go would also work fine).
So if you want to use MPLAB 8 you would need to manually revert to firmware version 1.28.90 (or
any 1.2x.xx version). This can be done in MPLAB 8:
1. Navigate to Programmer -> Select Programmer -> PICKit3
2. Deal with any pop up message making sure there is some power to the PIC-KIT3; ignore any
reports for errors they doesn't matter at this point
3. Navigate to "Programmer" -> "Settings" (at the bottom); click "Configuration" tab; Disable
"Auto Download Latest Firmware" and click "Manual Download". Point the pop-up to
PK3FW_012890.jam (or similar as long as it is is located in the MPLAB 8 folders), by default
located in C:\Program Files (x86)\Microchip\MPLAB IDE\PICkit 3. Click "OK" and wait for
upload.
4. If there are problems or the update takes more than a few minutes disconnect the PIC-KIT3 from
the USB, connect it again and try the firmware update again. The procedure would refuse to work
sometimes if you don't reset the connection (by unplugging and pugging the PIC-KIT3 again).
5. Upon successful revert you would see "Firmware Suite Version...... 01.28.90" instead of
"Firmware Suite Version...... 01.35.16".
Now you can use MPLAB 8 as previously and the programmer-to-go button would work.
Q: My PIC16 can not be debugged. Why?
A: Some PIC MCUs might require additional headers to be able to debug them. Always check the
chip's datasheet for hardware requirements.
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