In most cars, manufactured after 2000, the presets of engine, fuel system, air intake and other critical systems operation modes are stored in the map area of the on-board electronic control unit (ECU). These presets can not be altered by a car user or service worker without using special tuning tools, which allow decoding ECU memory files, downloading them to the PC, editing their contents and encoding them so that ECU would not raise errors while using modified files.
These solutions are known as chip-tuning tools, and Autotuner is one of the most popular among them. You can find Autotuner Tool and other chip-tuning solutions at ECU Tools online marketplace.
Flashers
Flashers are chip-tuning solutions that allow direct access to ECU memory (FLASH or EEPROM). Most flashers are complex solutions and consist of memory files encoding/decoding software and hardware, which provides connection between ECU and PC or a laptop.
When selecting a flasher, you should consider the compatibility between these solutions and ECU, installed on your car. Preferable flasher connection interface depends on the year when your ECU was produced:
- access via ODB port works best for ECU, manufactured between 2000 and 2008, but is also suitable for most modern models;
- connection through BDM port is suitable for ECU, made between 2002 and 2008, but may also work on newer devices;
- boot mode flashing, when ECU is taken out of the car, can be performed on all ECU models, but some ECU, produced after 2009, may require connection to specific pins and even the use of additional resistors.
Most flashers are distributed by a subscription – after buying such a solution, you will have a limited amount of credits, which will be spent with every file encoding attempt. When these credits are depleted, no encoding will be possible until new credits are bought. There are few flashers that do not require subscription and have unlimited encryption attempts, and Autotuner is one of them.
Autotuner Tool
Autotuner is a hardware-software complex, which consists of:
- Autotuner tool that allows connection between ECU and a laptop or PC.
- Necessary cables and adapters (OBD cable, USB cable, BGA hook for direct ECU connection during boot flashing).
- Diagnostic probes.
- Software package.
Autotuner is available in two modifications – Master and Slave. Slave edition is cheaper and can be used for both obtaining files from ECU memory and writing files to ECU memory, but it doesn’t support file encryption or decryption and must receive files from the Master tool. Master edition is capable of performing encryption and decryption of map area files.
As several Slave devices can be connected to a single Master Autotuner, this solution is almost perfect for small and medium service stations and tuning workshops.
