Before programming an ECU

Mobile phones can cause interference with the CAN signal.

ECU programming is the process of taking a ROM file and writing it into permanent storage in the engine management ECU.

If something goes wrong during that process it can cause serious problems, but the following tips will help ensure that your reprogramming is a success.

Minimise battery drain

We strongly recommend that you switch off all non-essential electrical devices before embarking on reprogramming, as this helps to minimise local electrical interference caused by various vehicle systems and other devices in the immediate environment, that could impede reliable communication between ProECU and the car ECU.

Devices that could cause problems and are an integral part of the car include…

• Headlights
• Interior lights
• Air Conditioning, fan cooling and heating
• Any devices powered from the cigarette lighter socket, including mains inverters or laptop power supplies

As an example of the seemingly unlikely problems you may encounter when reprogramming, it is not possible to program the Nissan GT-R if its interior heater blower is in operation… and the doors of the same manufacturer's Juke model must all be firmly shut before programming, or failure is almost guaranteed!

Devices that are not integral with the car but could be problematic include…

• Mobile (cell) phones
• Nearby industrial equipment, such as welders, high-power fans, three-phase electrical systems

Third-party devices

Remove any devices that could interfere with the CAN signal. Third-party devices such as the HKS Velocity Advanced Computer Type CM speed delimiter function by interfering with the CAN signal. Such a device causes programming errors if it’s attached to the CAN bus while programming the ECU.

Devices such as the delimiter are not normally needed when tuning with EcuTek ProECU, as speed delimiter and boost-cut delimiter settings can be modified using ProECU.