Flash ECU

Flash ECU writes a tune file to your vehicle's ECU. Open it from Vehicle Connect once your vehicle is connected. See Vehicle Connect if you haven't connected yet.

The tabs on the right are where you find a tune file. The panel on the left shows the file you've selected and the Flash ECU button.

Before you flash

EasyTune doesn't check any of this for you:

• Connect a battery charger to the vehicle. The ignition stays on with the engine off for the whole flash, and a battery that sags partway through can interrupt it.
• Plug your laptop into mains power and stop it from going to sleep.
• Make sure the cable is firmly plugged in at both ends and won't get knocked.
• Make sure you have a working internet connection. EasyTune downloads and checks the tune file before it starts writing.
• Don't unplug the cable, turn the ignition off or close EasyTune until the app tells you to.

When the cable reports it, a Voltage badge appears during the flash. It is green above 12 V, amber between 11 V and 12 V, and red below 11 V. The badge is for information only, and the flash carries on whatever the voltage is.

Find a tune

Dealer Repositories

Pick a dealer from the drop-down. The list shows the dealers whose repositories you have access to. Each repository only shows files published for your vehicle's firmware. If a dealer has none, you'll see No Published Files Available.

• Free files show Select straight away.
• Paid files show Purchase with the price. Payment is by card in the Payment window.
• Some sellers need a few details before you can buy. If so, fill in the Purchase Form and click Continue to Payment.
• While the payment is being confirmed, the button shows Pending.... Click it if you need to Cancel Transaction.
• Once the payment is confirmed, the button changes to Select.

A purchase only covers the vehicle you bought it for.

Device Tunes

These are tune files prepared for this vehicle. A dealer can send a file straight to your vehicle. When that happens you're emailed and notified, and a red badge on Device Tunes counts the new files. Files linked to your vehicle's firmware are also added here when you first connect the vehicle.

Tuning Requests

Use this tab to ask a dealer for a tune made for your vehicle.

1. Find the dealer (use the search box if the list is long) and click Make Request.
2. The request shows your vehicle's model, VIN and firmware. Under Details, add anything the dealer should know, such as modifications, fuel and what you want from the tune. Then click Create Request.
3. Until the dealer replies, you can change your request with Update Request.
4. When the dealer sends a quote, the button changes to View Quote. The quote shows the total and any Notes from dealer. Click Accept Quote or Reject Quote.
5. Once you accept, the dealer's card shows Request in progress.
6. When the dealer supplies the file, it appears under Dealer Tuning Requests further down the tab. Buy it with Purchase, then Select it.

The tab checks for updates every 30 seconds.

My Repository

This tab only appears for accounts with upload rights, such as tuners and dealers. It lists the tune files you've uploaded.

These accounts also get an upload area in the left-hand panel. To flash a file from your computer, drag a .bin or .hex file onto it, or click it to browse.

Flashing History

This tab lists every flash of this vehicle, with its Date, File and Duration, and whether it was a Success or Failure. Click the info button on a row to see that flash's Status Log.

Flash a tune

1. Click Select on a file. It appears in the left-hand panel. Click the cross to clear it.
2. If you're flashing a file from your computer, you can add a Programmers Comment of up to 28 characters. It's written into the ECU with the tune.
3. Click Flash ECU and confirm.
4. EasyTune prepares the file, then writes it. The window shows a progress ring, an estimate of the time remaining and the latest status messages. Leave everything alone until it finishes. On an Isuzu 4JJ3, if the ECU won't accept a fast flash, the status shows Fast Flash override rejected; flash will take ~23 min. Leave it running.
5. On a K-line vehicle you'll be asked to turn the ignition off and click Continue. Wait 10 seconds, turn the ignition back on, and click Continue again.
6. When the window shows Flashing Complete, turn the vehicle off and back on, then click Complete Flash. EasyTune clears the trouble codes and reads the ECU again to check it's responding.

If Complete Flash reports Clear DTC Failed, turn the vehicle off and on again and retry. After three failed attempts, EasyTune asks whether you want to exit.

Compatibility checks

Before anything is written, EasyTune checks the file against the ECU on the cable:

• The EasyTune server refuses a file that doesn't suit the ECU's calibration.
• If the ECU on the cable isn't the vehicle the flash was prepared for, nothing is written. EasyTune asks you to check the vehicle and select the file again.
• Tune files prepared for a vehicle are locked to its VIN, so they can't be flashed to a different vehicle.

If a flash fails

The flash window shows Flashing Failed, or Preparing File Failed if it failed before writing began, followed by the error.

• If it says Please try again., fix the problem the error describes and flash again.
• If it says Do not turn key off, please try recovery., leave the ignition on and click Recover. This opens Flash Recovery.

Flash Recovery

Use Flash Recovery when a flash was interrupted and the ECU no longer answers the way Vehicle Connect expects. Recovery mode doesn't ask the ECU who it is or check the vehicle is supported. Instead, it uses the vehicle record you pick.

1. Open Flash Recovery from the sidebar, or click Recover on the failed flash.
2. Your vehicles are listed with their Firmware ID, VIN, Last Flashed date and Flash Count. Click Recover on the vehicle that failed. Make sure it's the right one.
3. Connect the cable as you normally would. If EasyTune finds more than one tool, pick the one on this vehicle. If your cable isn't found, try Using a different cable?.
4. The flash panel opens in recovery mode, with the warning Vehicle connect is in recovery mode, not all functions will work!. Select a file and click Flash ECU as above. This is usually the tune you were flashing when it failed.

If EasyTune says an update is required before you can use Vehicle Connect, Flash Recovery still opens.

Going back to stock

EasyTune doesn't back up your ECU automatically, and there is no one-click return to stock. To go back to stock:

• Ask the dealer who supplied your tune for a stock file. When they provide it, it appears in their repository or under Device Tunes.
• If you want a copy of the ECU's software before your first flash, use Read ECU first. On some ECUs this gives you EasyTune's stock file rather than a read of your ECU.
• Accounts with upload rights can flash a stock .bin from their computer through the upload area.

Common errors

Warranty and compliance

Flashing a tune may affect your vehicle's warranty, and whether it meets local emissions and roadworthy rules. Check with your dealer before you flash.