After logging in to a manufacturer’s website, a technician will need to navigate to the proper screens to obtain the information for the vehicle and to download the new flash program.
A dedicated hard drive would also be a good idea. My recommendation is that this machine be dedicated to diagnostics and reprogramming. To download a program you will need a laptop or desktop computer with a processor speed of 1GHz or greater with Windows XP. To perform reprogramming, your shop should be equipped with a broadband internet connection that offers speeds of up to 1.5Mbps or greater. Reprogramming electronic control modules requires knowledge and experience to successfully use the internet to download programming data and transfer it to a vehicle controller. Flash drives have been incorporated into most controllers since 1996 and provide the ability to download new programming through the DLC or a direct connection to the controller. Today it is referred to as a flash drive. The EEPROM is an integrated circuit component of the controller. Some ABS and traction control systems have kept their own ALDL, but these are becoming the exception rather than the rule.įlash reprogramming is made possible by the Electronically Erasable Program Read Only Memory (EEPROM). The ALDL and other diagnostic connectors were replaced with an SAE standard J1962 16-pin Diagnostic Link Connector (DLC). In 1996, OBD II introduced flash programming through the use of the scan tool, eliminating the replacement of the PROM. Had them wait, as it was running fine, no flat spots on acceleration or hesitation or stalls. Tool and equipment manufacturers also saw the possibilities and began to produce scan tools for the OEs and the aftermarket. Dealer got a P0401 code and recommended changing the EGR, Modulator, and VSV for about 600. The manufacturers of the end-of-line equipment saw the possibility of the hand-held device for use in dealerships.
This was a very costly fix for a software problem.Įnd-of-line repair technicians had access to hand-held devices that could read DTCs plus input and output information. In some cases, the entire ABS control unit needed to be replaced.
Reprogramming these vehicles required replacing the PROM.