So is my car just paperweight now?

[kev0]

I had two maps that I would have to switch back and forth once every 2 years for emission testing. To my understanding, Ecutek's software has been updated to prevent the flashing of these cars now, is that correct? I already have the two tunes and no longer have my laptop that I used to tune so that means I'll need to download the latest version, but if Ecutek's new update prevents the flashing of these maps, does that mean my car is basically paperweight now that I can't flash my tune?


What would my best options be? My car depended on the disabling of a certain CEL to pass emissions.

[AussieBRZ]

Originally Posted by kev0

I had two maps that I would have to switch back and forth once every 2 years for emission testing. To my understanding, Ecutek's software has been updated to prevent the flashing of these cars now, is that correct? I already have the two tunes and no longer have my laptop that I used to tune so that means I'll need to download the latest version, but if Ecutek's new update prevents the flashing of these maps, does that mean my car is basically paperweight now that I can't flash my tune?


What would my best options be? My car depended on the disabling of a certain CEL to pass emissions.

No your good as gold at present.


Ecutek updates just stop you creating new tunes on USA ROMs that disable emmissions systems like rear O2 or evap flex kits or evap purge boost control or disabling emmissions codes.


However if you already have working tunes you can still flash those no problem at this time.


So all ok for you till you need to update/ change the current tunes.


However I know some workarounds if you get stuck

[FR-S2GT86]

Originally Posted by kev0

I had two maps that I would have to switch back and forth once every 2 years for emission testing. To my understanding, Ecutek's software has been updated to prevent the flashing of these cars now, is that correct? I already have the two tunes and no longer have my laptop that I used to tune so that means I'll need to download the latest version, but if Ecutek's new update prevents the flashing of these maps, does that mean my car is basically paperweight now that I can't flash my tune?


What would my best options be? My car depended on the disabling of a certain CEL to pass emissions.

Just to gather a bit more information:

Obviously you originally flashed the tunes to the ECU yourself, but did you create the tunes also, or did you hire that job out? If you hired it out, have the tunes been locked by your tuner?

If the tunes aren't locked, (and someone please correct me if I am wrong here) couldn't anybody with an older version of the ECUTEK software be able to open and modify them for you since you can no longer do so yourself?

[Breadman]

Originally Posted by kev0

I had two maps that I would have to switch back and forth once every 2 years for emission testing. To my understanding, Ecutek's software has been updated to prevent the flashing of these cars now, is that correct? I already have the two tunes and no longer have my laptop that I used to tune so that means I'll need to download the latest version, but if Ecutek's new update prevents the flashing of these maps, does that mean my car is basically paperweight now that I can't flash my tune?


What would my best options be? My car depended on the disabling of a certain CEL to pass emissions.

This is not a vendor recommended best practice, but i run my tuning machine inside a VM and when i need a new laptop I just move the VM. I have been doing this for years and the only issue I ever had was from hardware failure and my tuner was able to recover it. All the tunes and all the software are in the vm so when moved you still have it.

[FR-S2GT86]

Originally Posted by Breadman

This is not a vendor recommended best practice, but i run my tuning machine inside a VM and when i need a new laptop I just move the VM. I have been doing this for years and the only issue I ever had was from hardware failure and my tuner was able to recover it. All the tunes and all the software are in the vm so when moved you still have it.

That's an excellent tactic to combat what ECUTEK and the EPA is trying to pull. Are you running your virtual machine under Window$, Mac or Linux?

[kev0]

Originally Posted by FR-S2GT86

Just to gather a bit more information:

Obviously you originally flashed the tunes to the ECU yourself, but did you create the tunes also, or did you hire that job out? If you hired it out, have the tunes been locked by your tuner?

If the tunes aren't locked, (and someone please correct me if I am wrong here) couldn't anybody with an older version of the ECUTEK software be able to open and modify them for you since you can no longer do so yourself?

Yeah I had CSG do my tunes, so pretty sure it's locked. As long as I'm still able to flash the tune files I have, then my car would no longer be paperweight and i'm happy!

[Breadman]

Originally Posted by FR-S2GT86

That's an excellent tactic to combat what ECUTEK and the EPA is trying to pull. Are you running your virtual machine under Window$, Mac or Linux?

I currently have it inside a KVM, but i'm going to move it to a windows laptop and I guess use virtual box. The jist of it is as long as the usb controller is passed into the guest, ecutek is non the wiser. Same vm has lived on 3 different latops, and im not even sure its been windows updated ever