DIY: F8x Software Update Tips

[slavearm]

This looks like a semi reasonably priced PS for flashing...

http://www.ebay.com/itm/MFJ-4275MV-D...-/131729808709

[aboulfad]

Originally Posted by slavearm

This looks like a semi reasonably priced PS for flashing...

http://www.ebay.com/itm/MFJ-4275MV-D...-/131729808709

Yep, given its a switching supply with voltage regulation, it should do the job.

[dzvero]

Reason is to draw the juice from PSU, not to discharge the battery! Its not the flash memory that requires 13V .

[dzvero]

You can buy one from local store and return it after you are done No need to spend few hundreds for something you may not need again , like this one :
https://www.pepboys.com/product/details/216232/00794
just check their return policy

[tom @ eas]

Originally Posted by dzvero

You can buy one from local store and return it after you are done No need to spend few hundreds for something you may not need again , like this one :
https://www.pepboys.com/product/details/216232/00794
just check their return policy

This is just dishonest in every way, please don't recommend doing this.

[aboulfad]

Originally Posted by dzvero

Reason is to draw the juice from PSU, not to discharge the battery! Its not the flash memory that requires 13V .

I don't know who this post is target to, but in any case that's what I have been saying all along, backed with experiments and results Half the time people don't bother to read, and the other half is miscommunication.

[aboulfad]

I have searched High and low to understand why the connection dropped during my initial flashing session and my suspicions were correct, read below from the release notes of ISTA/P, I'll update the OP with the note to fasten seat belt...

5.1.2. Terminal 15 switches off during vehicle treatment
Fault description:
During the treatment with ISTA/P, terminal 15 switches off sporadically.
Model series affected:
F20, F21, F22, F23, F30 (HEV, PHEV), F31, F32, F33, F34, F35, F36, F80, F82, F83,
F87
Measure/workaround:
1. Insert driver's seat belt
2. Switch terminal 15,
3. Then attach ICOM,
4. Start ISTA/P session.
Fault corrected by:
Currently still open

[terahertz]

Great that you figured it out. One less thing for you to worry about

[aboulfad]

Originally Posted by terahertz

Great that you figured it out. One less thing for you to worry about

It just didn't make sense, and now I know why one of the sponsors said to fasten the seatbelt. Mind you that note is from 3.57 and it didn't say when it will be fixed and I don't have recent release notes yet for 58.3 or 59. Btw, if you update to 59.0 your FEM_GW will be flashed this time so you will be the Guinea pig!

[tom @ eas]

Originally Posted by aboulfad

I have searched High and low to understand why the connection dropped during my initial flashing session and my suspicions were correct, read below from the release notes of ISTA/P, I'll update the OP with the note to fasten seat belt...

Glad it worked. Thanks for following up.

[aboulfad]

Originally Posted by tom @ eas

Glad it worked. Thanks for following up.

Oh that was you! Thanks for the tip Tom. I haven't flashed since or did long coding sessions but I think another member confirmed that the ignition remained on with the driver seatbelt fastened. And the issue is still open in 3.58.3 I just found the release notes from 3.57.0 to 3.58.3!

[aboulfad]

If your Svt target calculation didn't show FEM_GW then it won't be updated. HUD turn signals don't work on F8x.

[terahertz]

Originally Posted by aboulfad

Oh that was you! Thanks for the tip Tom. I haven't flashed since or did long coding sessions but I think another member confirmed that the ignition remained on with the driver seatbelt fastened. And the issue is still open in 3.58.3 I just found the release notes from 3.57.0 to 3.58.3!

Care to share the release notes?

Thanks

[aboulfad]

Originally Posted by terahertz

Care to share the release notes?

Thanks

Here they are.

[VinnyA320]

Originally Posted by aboulfad

Here they are.

I may be late to the party on this, but is it possible for us to update to 58.3 or later without going to the dealership without any faults? Have a '15 F80 I'd like to update and not have to take to the dealership if possible.

[aboulfad]

Originally Posted by VinnyA320

I may be late to the party on this, but is it possible for us to update to 58.3 or later without going to the dealership without any faults? Have a '15 F80 I'd like to update and not have to take to the dealership if possible.

I don't understand the question? This thread is about flashing F8x, so yes you can do it and you can definitely clear faults as mentionned in the first post.

[VinnyA320]

Originally Posted by aboulfad

I don't understand the question? This thread is about flashing F8x, so yes you can do it and you can definitely clear faults as mentionned in the first post.

Ok. I understand basic FDL coding and VO coding but is flashing any more complicated? I haven't done a full update like this before. I've read through and been following the entire thread so bascally i should use the DIY you have at the beginning of the thread? Thanks.

[aboulfad]

Originally Posted by VinnyA320

Ok. I understand basic FDL coding and VO coding but is flashing any more complicated? I haven't done a full update like this before. I've read through and been following the entire thread so bascally i should use the DIY you have at the beginning of the thread? Thanks.

Here's my opinion, yes flashing and updating the I-step is more "challenging" than FDL/VO coding. It all depends on your comfort level, knowledge of flashing, tool knowledge and ability to deal with issues if any. Some members have completed I-step successfully without any issues, and some of us had minor issues discussed in this thread.

There's a guide linked in the first post that describes the flashing steps, my post was to complement that with basic important additional steps and bring some awareness to flashing F8x vehicles.

I only flashed 8 ECUs in total so my experience is limited compared to some other very senior members that had flashed countless ECUs in many cars and if you go through it, I bet they/we will help

P.s. What PSU will you use?

[VinnyA320]

Originally Posted by aboulfad

Here's my opinion, yes flashing and updating the I-step is more "challenging" than FDL/VO coding. It all depends on your comfort level, knowledge of flashing, tool knowledge and ability to deal with issues if any. Some members have completed I-step successfully without any issues, and some of us had minor issues discussed in this thread.

There's a guide linked in the first post that describes the flashing steps, my post was to complement that with basic important additional steps and bring some awareness to flashing F8x vehicles.

I only flashed 8 ECUs in total so my experience is limited compared to some other very senior members that had flashed countless ECUs in many cars and if you go through it, I bet they/we will help

P.s. What PSU will you use?

Thanks for the info. I have the CTEK L-ion charger that i use when coding and its worked great.

[aboulfad]

Originally Posted by VinnyA320

Thanks for the info. I have the CTEK L-ion charger that i use when coding and its worked great.

Please read the first post in this thread ? The CTEK L-ion or Optimate TM-291 is NOT a PSU, its a 4A trickle charger and will be useless during a lengthy flashing operation.

A PSU is really needed for flashing operations, especially if you are performing a full I-step update or anything that will activate many pumps (like DME, EGS, ...) that will draw out 20+ Amps. Ignition alone with instrument cluster on draws 11-13A.

Its your car, so in the end, you do as you please but just know the parameters and whats going on when you are flashing so you don't end up with a bricked ECU or failed flashing sessions due to voltage dropping low.

P.s. I have updated the first post to highlight that trickle chargers are not recommended for flashing.

[VinnyA320]

Originally Posted by aboulfad

Please read the first post in this thread ? The CTEK L-ion or Optimate TM-291 is NOT a PSU, its a 4A trickle charger and will be useless during a lengthy flashing operation.

A PSU is really needed for flashing operations, especially if you are performing a full I-step update or anything that will activate many pumps (like DME, EGS, ...) that will draw out 20+ Amps. Ignition alone with instrument cluster on draws 11-13A.

Its your car, so in the end, you do as you please but just know the parameters and whats going on when you are flashing so you don't end up with a bricked ECU or failed flashing sessions due to voltage dropping low.

P.s. I have updated the first post to highlight that trickle chargers are not recommended for flashing.

Got it. Thanks!

[psedog]

Got a few questions. I've attempted to flash all ECU's. I've lost my front turn signals and parking lamps (LED) (dash says malfunction). I tried to initialize via ISTA+.

I-Level actual hasn't changed.
Every time I turn off/on the car and then connect ISTA+ I get multiple errors on DME, TRSVC, KOMBI, EDC, DSC, GHAS, STML, STMR, LHML, LHMR, KAFAS, ICM.
Faults are checksum, Signal, and Message.
I can erase them (except for LHML/R), but the next time I cycle power it's back.

I drove all day and the only real issue is the turn signal malfunction.

Should I flash everything again?

Note: I had a failed flash last night due to a software update halting my Virtualbox. I reflashed those modules that failed and this is where I'm at now.