How does a programer work

[SSwords]

I am wanting to know how a progarmer works? Does it delete your data and replace it with its data or does it store your old progarm and put it back when it is done. The reason I am asking is I got a truck that I think needs a new flash and I don't want to have to give $90 if my programer will do the same:-laf. Thanks for any info.

 

[ENafziger]

From what I understand, a programmer typically rewrites the engine maps in the ECU. Some, like the Smarty, store the stock ECU tables in case something glitches in the dowload process.

Why is your truck needing a re-flash? The dealer reflashes usually change some sort of logic or parameters to increase safety, reliability, startup, etc.

Some of these flashes have been to help cam/crank synchronization for faster startup, limits turbo boost until certain temperature is reached, raises idle speed, backup alarm for automatics, etc.

In those cases, your programmer will not do that.

In any case, be sure to return the ECU back to stock programming before the truck gets reflashed, or your programmer may not work anymore.

--Eric

 

[SSwords]

No what I was wanting was to clear one that I think it has a progarm in it and I want it out but I don't want to shell out the $90 bucks to have it done not knowing if thats the prob. I am getting some funning readings on the scan tool. Probly just the truck and sensors and such. Thanks for the reply tho.

 

[JLandry]

No what I was wanting was to clear one that I think it has a progarm in it and I want it out...

If you mean you want to reflash an ECM that may have a performance program already loaded in it, then yes... assuming you have a performance programmer not currently being used with another vehicle... you should be able to "clean things up" by first flashing a new performance program into the ECM, then immediately reflashing a stock program back into it.



You see, the performance programmer doesn't download and store the stock programming from the ECM (that's impossible without opening up and hacking the ECM). It actually has a copy of the original OEM ECM software obtained from the vehicle manufacturer in an internal library. When you want to return an ECM to stock, the performance programmer merely uploads the OEM software from it's internal library.



Keep in mind that most performance programmers will only work with one vehicle at a time. So, if it's been used to upload a performance program to one vehicle, it can't then be used to flash a second vehicle until the first vehicle has been returned to stock programming.



Hope that helps,



John L.

 

[PToombs]

Does the box know what truck you are flashing? If I have a program on truck A, can I put the stock setting on truck B, then load the performance program on truck B?



FYI, I've only seen people load and unload programs, so I only have a vague idea what goes on. With my truck, I don't really need them.

 

[Forrest Nearing]

as long as you load the truck back to stock, you can use the programmer on another truck

 

[JLandry]

Does the box know what truck you are flashing?

Yes. It keeps track of the exact vehicle it's being used on by the VIN. I presume it knows what software to flash the ECM with by the VIN and by checking the OEM software part number already loaded in the ECM

If I have a program on truck A, can I put the stock setting on truck B

No. You would need to return vehicle A to the stock software, *then* you could flash the ECM on vehicle B. Vehicle B would then have to be returned to the stock software before you could go back and use the programmer on vehicle A.



Does that make sense?



This is to prevent a person from buying one programmer, then flashing all his buddies vehicles! The manufacturers want to sell more programmers... can't blame them.



Best regards,



John L.

 

[Bob Wagner]

The smarty reads the ecm calibration code to determine which software to install (over 440 softwares). and then it vin locks to that trucks vin number until its returned to stock.



Thanks

 

[PToombs]

John and Bob, thanks, you both helped me on that!



If my wife ever wins the darn lottery, I'll have a 3rd gen with a Smarty on it!