DIY: F8x Software Update Tips

[Celestion]

Originally Posted by aboulfad

now lets hope you didn't find a Chinese version! There are two swfl files for our US DME, one is common and one smaller size swfl has variants (US, ECE, DKG, GTS,...). You can't guess, you need to choose the right one. For example, don't choose a variant for DKG while you have a 6MT

There are few techniques to figure out, I query a special database to find all combos or manipulate FA and other stuff to find out.

So I definitely found the US and EU swfl variants of the HG and DKG f80 chassis configs. Haven't found any ZCP specific stuff though, which seems odd.

[aboulfad]

Why look for ZCP stuff ? as mentioned above, you cant do anything without an FSC, oh wait yes you can, you can neuter your M

[Celestion]

Originally Posted by aboulfad

Why look for ZCP stuff ? as mentioned above, you cant do anything without an FSC, oh wait yes you can, you can neuter your M

Wanted to I.D. the ZCP swfl that way I know that I wouldn't be grabbing it by accident. I think I found it.

I also found something possibly more interesting while looking at the xmls....
"6MC9ECEB#490_S55_CSL_US_DKG_245"

I'm guessing this has already been pointed out by someone.

[aboulfad]

Take your pic: A, B, C or D ? Hint: its the first letter of the alphabet. Hit the Appreciate button if this helped

[Celestion]

Originally Posted by aboulfad

Take your pic: A, B, C or D ? Hint: its the first letter of the alphabet. Hit the Appreciate button if this helped

Straight As are best. Right now I make straight Cs....

[aboulfad]

Originally Posted by Celestion

Straight As are best. Right now I make straight Cs....

very funny and smart ! so you are welcome, you will become an A student soon, let us know how she goes... (maybe then I won't be a chicken and do it too, as I am stuck in Ds )

[Celestion]

Originally Posted by aboulfad

very funny and smart ! so you are welcome, you will become an A student soon, let us know how she goes... (maybe then I won't be a chicken and do it too, as I am stuck in Ds )

I'll post my scores after I take the test later in the week. Still need to study a bit more.....

Another question-->Why doesn't the euro non-ZCP swfl need an FSC code?

[aboulfad]

Because CP is a paying option, while the base ECE or US engine is included in the base price

[hakcar]

Originally Posted by Celestion

Why doesn't the euro non-ZCP swfl need an FSC code?

The euro non-ZCP flash does not require an FSC, only ZCP (and, I'd assume, GTS) flashes do.

That said, there's no real benefit that comes to mind with running the Euro DME file--it's not as if it has a greater power output. That said, the throttle mapping in Comfort mode is noticeably less anemic (likely to maximize EPA testing in the US for MPG rating), and also may be optimized for the lack of the charcoal filter liner and (negligibly-greater?) airflow resultant from its absence.

[Celestion]

So there appears to be two different methods for me choose from when flashing the euro swfl.

Method A: edit the TAL xml as needed (i.e. to "make better grades")
Method B: FA edit from 8M93 to 8M91 and only select DME2 before executing the TAL

Do I understand this correctly?

[aboulfad]

Originally Posted by Celestion

So there appears to be two different methods for me choose from when flashing the euro swfl.

Method A: edit the TAL xml as needed (i.e. to "make better grades")
Method B: FA edit from 8M93 to 8M91 and only select DME2 before executing the TAL

Do I understand this correctly?

hmmm, for method A, edit the soll file then let Esys generate the TAL file, the TAL file structure is special so let Esys worry about it.

I haven't used method B, but whats key is that the TAL file contain the swfl that you want to flash with.

[Celestion]

Method B went well. A handful of error codes popped up after the flash, but they all cleared in Rheingold.

One oddity appears now: my production date changed from October to July and I can't VSC code it back without getting an FAF2P error message when calculating FP.... Seems ineffectual but it would be nice to correct still.

[aboulfad]

Originally Posted by Celestion

Method B went well. A handful of error codes popped up after the flash, but they all cleared in Rheingold.

One oddity appears now: my production date changed from October to July and I can't VSC code it back without getting an FAF2P error message when calculating FP.... Seems ineffectual but it would be nice to correct still.

Hmmm, did you write the modified FA to your car? It's definitely preferred not to write a modified FA to car. Essentially you modify an FA, save it offline and use it to calculate and find out stuff. And what is VSC code?

[Celestion]

Originally Posted by aboulfad

Hmmm, did you write the modified FA to your car? It's definitely preferred not to write a modified FA to car. Essentially you modify an FA, save it offline and use it to calculate and find out stuff. And what is VSC code?

Yep I wrote the modified FA. I backed up the original one of course but that still has the wrong production and build dates strangely. I think I need to update FAF2PF library and that will fix it. Don't know where to get that file though.

[aboulfad]

Celestion it seems you saved your modified FA, so your typschlüssel and zeitkriterium are wrong ? If you know you modified only those two, its best that you have your original FA written to your car, as it may cause your dealer issues when you bring it in and if they ever perform an Istep update.

[Celestion]

Originally Posted by aboulfad

Celestion it seems you saved your modified FA, so your typschlüssel and zeitkriterium are wrong ? If you know you modified only those two, its best that you have your original FA written to your car, as it may cause your dealer issues when you bring it in and if they ever perform an Istep update.

Thanks for the warning, I'll go ahead and do that. It will be interesting to see if that fixes it because the zeitkriterium of my original FA was 0715 (which is the same as my current FA), yet showed a production date of 10/15 in Rheingold. Basically, my production date in Rheingold changed despite only changing typschlüssel in E-SYS. I'll post my results.

My theory is that my FAF2PF library is out of date, which caused my original zeitkriterium to be read incorrectly, and which is now preventing me from calculating FP using the correct zeitkriterium.

[aboulfad]

Celestion , Rheingold->Construction/Production/Manufacture date is not Esys->Fa->Zeitkriterium, two different dates ! (mine, 06/2015 vs 0315). Zeitkriterium is NOT your production date, it is I think a production timeline, and seems to be one of [03, 07, 11]YY

But key thing, when you revert your FA changes is that you are able to calculateFP successfully.

[hakcar]

A modified FA stored in VCM (on the car) is a common mistake for enthusiasts, and (surprisingly) somewhat common among shops who sell coding services.

IMO it's a wholly unnecessary (many-fold) increase in risk, since a dealership will be scratching their head as soon as they do a key read, a vehicle scan in ISTA, etc.

[hakcar]

in E-Sys: Options => Settings => Options Tab, then ensure the "Update VCM after TAL execution" is un-checked if working with a modified FA (e.g. GFHB, changing to Euro DME, etc.).

Should you carry out update flashes with the option set like this, you'd have to write the I-STEPs manually after updating the car (via Expert => VCM).

[Celestion]

Originally Posted by hakcar

in E-Sys: Options => Settings => Options Tab, then ensure the "Update VCM after TAL execution" is un-checked if working with a modified FA (e.g. GFHB, changing to Euro DME, etc.).

Should you carry out update flashes with the option set like this, you'd have to write the I-STEPs manually after updating the car (via Expert => VCM).

Thanks, I made sure that wasn't checked as well.

I flashed back my original FA and the production date in Rheingold is still incorrect. I know the flash worked because all of my old iDrive configurations came back.

BTW:
The euro tune felt worse than the North America tune until I removed the charcoal filters (they are labeled "do not remove" lol). After removing those filters the engine response improved, and the improvement was more than I was anticipating. This tune is worth the effort for sure.

[hakcar]

Glad to hear it worked out for you Celestion . Do remember though that there's an assessment period to build up a basis for adaptations when changing a map, or upgrading the DME firmware, so while your charcoal liner delete certainly makes sense, it may not be the only thing that was holding you back. Who knows, after another hundred miles or so, you might feel it even more.

Do you notice any differences in the throttle response in Comfort mode in particular?

Also, technically, an FA is written, not flashed. The VCM afaik is not a component that can be flashed (through generally available tools, anyway).

[aboulfad]

Originally Posted by Celestion

I flashed back my original FA and the production date in Rheingold is still incorrect. I know the flash worked because all of my old iDrive configurations came back.

see my answer above http://f80.bimmerpost.com/forums/sho...&postcount=281, Rheingold production date isn't Zeitkriterium.