[jwvand02]

Originally Posted by steve99

How to reduce your chances of Bricking your ECU




This applies to ALL flashing systems Ecutek,Tactrix, OFT, Kess V2 ect



You will in most cases get away with with many of the situations listed here, but its best not to push your luck.
quite often the flash system can recover, or you can re-write


Never attempt to flash your car if the car battery is low/flat or you think the battery is suspect , always make sure car battery is good before flashing.

Never connect a battery charger to car while flashing or reading. Many modern battery chargers use pulse charging or are switchmode supplies which will introduce voltage fluctuations and electrical noise into the cars electrical system, both not good while attempting a flash.

If you battery is low charge it before flashing then check battery, and always remove charger when actually flashing or reading ecu. Again if battery is weak or suspect dont flash, replace the battery first.



The voltage required to flash ecu comes from car battery not the flashing device.

Many flash systems will measure the battery volts prior to starting a read or write and refuse to even start the process if the volts are low. However the problems can arise if your right on the limit and then load the battery during flash process.


Always turn OFF everything electrical in your car BEFORE reading or writing a tune file.


Never switch anything electrical in the car during a read/write. Yes this means anything, fans, radio, lights. Don’t press brake pedal, shift gears in an auto, don’t press clutch, don’t open or close doors or boot, nothing. If you introduce any voltage spikes into the electrical system it may effect flash process.


Never try to start the car or have engine running during flash or read process.


Ignition needs to be full ON , not just accessory position (never start car or have engine running during read/write of ecu)


Check connection to OBD port is good by doing some logging and wiggle cables to make sure no loss of communications.


Some cars especially 2013 and earlier have suspect obd sockets that can cause intermittent connection.


Never unplug/interrupt the Flashing device/cable when its reading or writing (flashing) a tune to your car.


Never turn off the ignition while Flashing Device is reading/writing a tune file to your car


Always leave the key fob in push to start models near the start button, don’t take key fobs out of car during flash or read process.


Never mess with or turn off/on plug chargers into cigarette socket or anything electrical in your car during read/write flash process



Never have your laptop connected to OFT when flashing or reading a tune from car. The OFT does not require a laptop when flashing.



Keep your mobile phone away from flashing device and your key fob when its reading or writing tune files to car.


Dont put laptop ontop of key fobs as it blocks signal to car.

You will in most cases get away with with many of the situations listed here, but its best not to push your luck.
quite often the flash system can recover, or you can re-write but again .





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I have the dodgy OBD port problem. Any recommendations to fix it? I've found that if I put a little bit of tension on the ecutek cable it stays connected, but I have dropped connection mid-flash before.