EcuTek How the system Works

[steve99]

Originally Posted by TofuJoe

Thanks, guys! Yes, there was a loss of traction. And @steve99 you are correct that IAM wasn’t an available parameter on the stock tune (no ECUTek license).

@Kodename47 I’m not sure if FLCK or engine load were available as I was borrowing a computer and cable, and it was set up for me with a default set of parameters.

The point of the log was to make sure that going to a 2013-2016 airbox on my 2017 doesn’t necessitate a tune. This swap was needed to allow room for an oil cooler.

I saw recently on Facebook that the OFT will now log 2017 cars, but I haven't confirmed. If the OFT works for IAM, FLKC, etc., maybe I'll get one and do some more logging.

the ltft are getting a little high like -10 in places so when you get tune it will be worth rescaling maf to reduce those trims and get afr and commanded afr close during WOT. you may need to rescale o2 sensor to read richer to d this depending on fueling

[TofuJoe]

@TheRacersLine - FYI. Sounds like a tune would optimize the airbox and intake elbow swap. Or just the stock tune in general. Dammit...LOL

[Totalrecall]

Read this twice and still confuse mainly due to descriptions on websites..

If i want strictly Ecutek bluetooth dongle, and Etune what else do i need other than a Vehicle License? Is the vehicle license the same as software license?

[Tor]

Originally Posted by Totalrecall

Read this twice and still confuse mainly due to descriptions on websites..

If i want strictly Ecutek bluetooth dongle, and Etune what else do i need other than a Vehicle License? Is the vehicle license the same as software license?

With the old programming kit, there is also an encrypted USB key/dongle included. Without this dongle the ProEcu software doesn't run, so you need to purchase this dongle as well, as it's not included with the BT Vehicle interface.

With those 3 things: Dongle, BT VHI and license you can flash a tune you purchased somewhere else.

If you want to do DIY tuning, you need to additionally purchase RaceRom extension.

[gutbuster]

I thought the Bluetooth interface cannot be used to flash the ECU.

[Tor]

Originally Posted by gutbuster

I thought the Bluetooth interface cannot be used to flash the ECU.

It can indeed but not via BT. It has a mini USB port, so it's over USB. But you need the dongle as mentioned.

[stlgrym3]

Does ecutek stock ROM now includes 2017 automatic models? Specifically with push button start?

[steve99]

Originally Posted by stlgrym3

Does ecutek stock ROM now includes 2017 automatic models? Specifically with push button start?

Yes includes K00D, push button or non pushbutton start have same ecu calibration

[stlgrym3]

One downside for ecutek is once flashed, the trace will be detectable in ECU unlike OpenFlash you can completely remove it before going to dealer for warranty works. Is this true? Any way to get around it?

[Kodename47]

Originally Posted by stlgrym3

One downside for ecutek is once flashed, the trace will be detectable in ECU unlike OpenFlash you can completely remove it before going to dealer for warranty works. Is this true? Any way to get around it?

Sigh.....

To be "able to tell" if a car is tuned will require more equipment that a dealer has. They certainly can't connect to the ECU and it tells them that a car is tuned.

The EcuTek license will remain in the ECU so this could be picked up by forensic checking of the ECU but this is not something the dealers would do, but Subaru/Toyota. If an EcuTek tune is on the ECU then the dealers will not be able to re-flash the car. If you flash a stock ROM on with EcuTek this is not the case but then if the dealer flash over it you will lose the EcuTek license. Then again if the dealer flashes over an OFT file then you could have your CalID changed and cause issues with the marrying of the device.

TBH I don't know why you'd bother to go back to stock, I never did on my car. Then again the US dealers seem more likely to reject claims....

[steve99]

Originally Posted by stlgrym3

One downside for ecutek is once flashed, the trace will be detectable in ECU unlike OpenFlash you can completely remove it before going to dealer for warranty works. Is this true? Any way to get around it?

Originally Posted by Kodename47

Sigh.....

To be "able to tell" if a car is tuned will require more equipment that a dealer has. They certainly can't connect to the ECU and it tells them that a car is tuned.

The EcuTek license will remain in the ECU so this could be picked up by forensic checking of the ECU but this is not something the dealers would do, but Subaru/Toyota. If an EcuTek tune is on the ECU then the dealers will not be able to re-flash the car. If you flash a stock ROM on with EcuTek this is not the case but then if the dealer flash over it you will lose the EcuTek license. Then again if the dealer flashes over an OFT file then you could have your CalID changed and cause issues with the marrying of the device.

TBH I don't know why you'd bother to go back to stock, I never did on my car. Then again the US dealers seem more likely to reject claims....

Unfortunatly the dealer can easily check with their tool.


however a kodename 47 said it not a routine practice unless they are looking for evidence, and required a little research by the dealer technician.


They need to read the CVN and the Calibration ID then look up and compare the values.


Parameter called CVN Calibration Verification Number is available via dealer tool, this is basically a checksum of the flashable area 8000-13FFFF


each stock rom has a set CVN, so they would need to look that up and compare it with the CVN read from vehicle. If its different to stock rom of same calid , bingo got you.


this is different to the Calibration ID which does stay same ie like ZA1JB01C or whatever it is.


[18:27:03.414] CALID : ZA1JA01D
[18:27:03.429] CVN : ED0690B9
[18:27:03.429] VIN : JF1ZNAA12D272


Any type of tune from any tune system will be detectable as CVN will be different from a normal stock rom of same Calibration ID


with Ecutek the embedded licience will alter the CVN as its a 14 byte string just after 8000 hex in the flashable checksummed area of rom, so even ecutek "stock" roms are detectable.


It possible to remove the ecutek licience with ecutek using a special switch then flashing, but in doing so you will loose your ecutek licience and need to get it renewed or buy a new one.


or if you wrote over your stock ecutek rom in ecu with another flash tool again licience will be lost. this also happens if dealer reflashes your stock ecutek rom in ecu.


any modified ecutek rom has access keys changed to dealer cannot read or write rom , but they can still run diagnostics and read stuff like CVN and Calid and discover rom is not 100% stock.


note the "flash counter" you see in ecutek is put their by ecutek its in that 14 byte encoded string, so its not readable or useable by dealer.

[stlgrym3]

wow, it's kind of scary dealer would reflash ECU during dealer visits. OpenFlash doen't have to deal with these issues?

[tomm.brz]

a question
Ecutek kit is: cable + dongle, then you need a license for every single car


Is the license contained in the dongle? or is it just downloaded digitally from the ProEcu software?
I mean, if I borrow my ecutek cable to a friend, and he wants to use my cable he will then buy a license from a master tuner


How does it work with the new license for him? will he receive a new dongle or just use mine ?

[steve99]

Originally Posted by stlgrym3

wow, it's kind of scary dealer would reflash ECU during dealer visits. OpenFlash doen't have to deal with these issues?

if you leave ecutek tune in ecu then ecu is locked and dealer cannot flash


If ecutek stock rom in car yes they can flash


If you keep receipt from dealer ecutek will in mosr cases replace licience for free.


openflash or Tactrix don't lock ecu so dealer can always reflash and theirs no licience in ecu with those systems.


OFT can be a bit of drama if you did not unmarry oft , and dealer reflashed to different calid. but you can just write over it.