Getting Started
From Nefmoto
Contents |
Reading the ECU
To read your car's stock file from the ECU you can use Tony's free NefMoto ECU Flashing Software. It is the easiest and best supported method. You will need a cheap flashing cable.
If you already have an aftermarket tune from a commercial tuner, it is likley that they will have disabled the ability to read using this method.
In this case or if something goes wrong and you can no longer connect using NefMoto, you will need to have a Galletto 1260 Flashing Cable to hopefully rescue the ECU in boot mode (a lower level protocol).
Map Editing
To change your ECU tune will require map editing software. Tunerpro is a free map editor. WinOLS is a more expensive map editor. Most non-professionals use TunerPro.
TunerPro will need a definition file (.XDF) for the ECU file you want to edit. This tells TunerPro where the various maps and relevant data are in the file. There are several XDFs posted in the Nefmoto Definition File subforum. Many are works in progress; if you find an error please let the author know.
You will need knowledge of which maps perform what tasks and what data should be changed. Read the S4Wiki.org tuning guide and the Nefmoto tuning subforum.
File Checksums
Your ECU file has several internal checksums that need to be updated when the file is altered. If these checksums are incorrect the car will not start. Or worse, it may start once or twice and catch the invalid checksum and leave you stranded. A lot of guys carry around a spare known working ECU as insurance.
More info about checksums: Andy Whittaker's site.
MTX-electronics sells an affordable TunerPro plugin that will correct checksums for ME7.
Flashing the ECU
Writing/flashing your tuned file back to the ECU is the same as the reading process above. Again, use the NefMoto ECU Flashing Software.
Logging
Keep close track of how your car is performing after each tune revision.
- Vag-Com to check LTFTs (long term fuel trims) and other things.
- APR's ECUx. Not really supported anymore.
- Setzi's ME7Logger - The fastest and most flexible to date.
- NefMoto (as of 1.9.0.0) has logging support.
Contribute
The open source VW/Audi ECU community is evolving nicely. Please help give back by providing your feedback and helping others.
Resources
Tuning
- The S4Wiki.org tuning guide is an incredible ME7 resource put together mostly by nyet. Check out the other articles on the site.
ME7 Documentation
- Funktionsrahmen - Bosch ME7 documentation
