HELP!! VMS flashexpress problems

[Tate]

So I got the flash express today from the UPS man, pulled my ECM and TCM files and sent them off the Kirk at VMS. He didn't get them until after 5:00 pm his time and I'm assuming stayed late to get them back out to me.

Here's my problem, hooked up the FE to the car and computer went to the ECM programmer and clicked on program ECM, selected the file he sent me and it made it's way to 26% of loading up on the car, then BLAMO! Nothing it said it was trying to re-establish connection with ECM a couple of times then give me a message of "This is an unknown ECM file, possibly changed by a tuner. File not selected, please exit and try again" and my favorite "not a licensed ECM, communications stopped". Now the car shows "see dealer" on the DIC and will not start at all.

So now that VMS is closed I'm screwed because I don't know how to fix this. I need my car because I have to be at work at 4:30 AM and won't get off until about 4:30 PM tomorrow and they will be closed again. Which doesn't matter because I don't know how I'm gonna get to work tomorrow with out my damn car!

Any help here would be great!
Tate

[wreckwriter]

Disconnect everything, turn your car off. Reboot your PC and retry.

[-Ray-]

I can't help, but you can rent a car. Pain in the rear, but you can get to work. Kirk will make this right.
I guess you can keep trying, or do a search for the phrase "This is an unknown ECM" on the other boards.
Sorry for your troubles.

Take a deep breath!

[Tate]

Disconnect everything, turn your car off. Reboot your PC and retry.

Just tried, didn't work. Anyone else got any ideas?
Tate

[-Ray-]

Read my post perhaps?

[Tate]

I've tried it about 10 times now and it always makes it to the 26% then gives me the same messages and responses. No other boards showing anything either for this.
Tate

[wreckwriter]

Can you get a day off work for a busted car?

[Steve]

hmm it almost sounds like the tune doesn't recognize the ECM... did you make changes to it after sending it to Kirk? Or perhaps Kirk sent you the wrong file? Or possibly the thing is locked down?

Very strange... But I'm sure once you get a hold of Kirk he'll do his best to make it right. If I had his cell phone# i'd give'm a call for you but unfortunately I don't :(

Are you sure you have the doors/hood/trunk closed etc? Also when you turn the key be sure to wait a little bit before trying to program. Mine froze at 0% before finally working (though I never got that error message).

I also heard of some people having issues with the actual attachment being corrupted when moving it from computer to computer and/or downloading it from their email program. So perhaps try to save it again from your email?

[g8_795]

I have not seen this issue. Did you ftp it to your flashing computer or anything or are you using the same computer you read your email on?

[wreckwriter]

I thought I saw something a couple weeks ago on board like this. It required Kirk to fix it.

[wreckwriter]

Be sure you've sent a PM to Kirk btw. It likely notifies his email and if he happens to check that....

[GeorgeInNePa]

I thought I saw something a couple weeks ago on board like this. It required Kirk to fix it.

Yes, I remember the same thread. There won't be anything we can do to help.

[-Ray-]

I would suggest emailing him directly. He has helped other users after hours.
Time for Vector Motorsports to offer some troubleshooting assistance online.

[Steve]

G8V8 posted an interesting thought on the other board (traitor ;) )
about trying to flash it using the stock files instead and seeing if that at least gets it running again.

[wreckwriter]

G8V8 posted an interesting thought on the other board (traitor ;) )
about trying to flash it using the stock files instead and seeing if that at least gets it running again.

I wish I had thought of that!

[Tate]

Well I've tried to reload the stock file vs. the tuned one and it still makes it to 26% and freezes. Anyone know how to get a hold of Kirk? His PM or email address?
Tate

[wreckwriter]

only email I have is kirk@vectormotorsports.com

Did you try disconnecting the battery?

[Tate]

Just tried the disconnecting the battery and now the damn thing will not even start trying to do anything when you connect it. It just says "trying to re-establish connection with ECM". Is it possible that I've managed to fry my PCM? If so is this something VSM will even help with or am I screwed?
Tate

[wreckwriter]

Just tried the disconnecting the battery and now the damn thing will not even start trying to do anything when you connect it. It just says "trying to re-establish connection with ECM". Is it possible that I've managed to fry my PCM? If so is this something VSM will even help with or am I screwed?
Tate

Seems unlikely its fried. You need to stop and wait til you talk to Kirk now I think.

[Blackrider]

Just tried the disconnecting the battery and now the damn thing will not even start trying to do anything when you connect it. It just says "trying to re-establish connection with ECM". Is it possible that I've managed to fry my PCM? If so is this something VSM will even help with or am I screwed?
Tate


It’s a possibility, any loss of communication during the programming process and you'll likely brick the ECM. I feel your pain I bricked 2 PCM's back in the PowrTuner days. If it is bricked, it’s fixable however I image it will need a trip to Vector.

[locrzn#92]

Thats why I haven't done a tune. I'm happy with 13.50's.

[-Ray-]

Yeah, but I bet you have another vehicle to drive though. :)

[knee_dragger]

So I got the flash express today from the UPS man, pulled my ECM and TCM files and sent them off the Kirk at VMS. He didn't get them until after 5:00 pm his time and I'm assuming stayed late to get them back out to me.

Here's my problem, hooked up the FE to the car and computer went to the ECM programmer and clicked on program ECM, selected the file he sent me and it made it's way to 26% of loading up on the car, then BLAMO! Nothing it said it was trying to re-establish connection with ECM a couple of times then give me a message of "This is an unknown ECM file, possibly changed by a tuner. File not selected, please exit and try again" and my favorite "not a licensed ECM, communications stopped". Now the car shows "see dealer" on the DIC and will not start at all.

So now that VMS is closed I'm screwed because I don't know how to fix this. I need my car because I have to be at work at 4:30 AM and won't get off until about 4:30 PM tomorrow and they will be closed again. Which doesn't matter because I don't know how I'm gonna get to work tomorrow with out my damn car!

Any help here would be great!
Tate


Tate

I got a extra ecm if your looking for one. Could next day it you to help you out in this bind. I have the same bolt-ons as you.

[-Ray-]

The vin wouldn't match.

[Steve]

Curious as to any updates?

[Kirk@VectorMotorsports]

I want to thank all of you guys for helping out!

It appears there was some kind of glitch in the software install.

The main thing to remember (and I will add this to the instructions) is never disconnect your battery cable when you are writing to the ECM or TCM.
Even if there is a fault, the controller is still able to be recovered if power stays to it. When power is removed the VIN is erased and the controller can not be flashed.

If you are reading the computer and there is a fault you can remove the battery cable to re-set the controller.

I am sending a new controller to him overnight.

Thanks again everyone!! It's good to know I have such a large service department!!

[todds87ss]

I still do not understand the nature of the failure. Did he not install correctly? I only ask, as I will soon be doing this and want to not relive this failure.

[Kirk@VectorMotorsports]

I still do not understand the nature of the failure. Did he not install correctly? I only ask, as I will soon be doing this and want to not relive this failure.

In over 70 FlashXpress customers this is the first time this has happened.

We have updated all of the software and rewritten the instructions to stop the chance of this happening again.

[Tate]

Well just a little update here. First off I must say that Kirk is the man, best damn customer service I have ever seen. He said that I probably locked up the ECM when I pulled the battery (DO NOT PULL THE BATTERY WHEN DOING ANY TYPE OF TUNE). He over nighted me a new ECM (I didn't have to pay anything, that is just him taking care of a customer) with my tune all ready installed, and a dash hawk to use to get the crank learn thing done. I installed it and he walked me through the safe mod of flashing the TCM to make sure it would make it's way to the car safely. After doing that twice, I installed the TCM tune without any problems what so ever.

So a big shout out to the customer support at VMS and to Kirk in paticular. On his day off work he took the time to help me letting me call him on his personal cell phone. I really believe they have the best drive of any company out there to ensure their customers are compleatly satisfied.

Now as far as the tune goes, I guess one word to describe it is "Amazing"! The car has much more pull the entire RPM range and anyone doing Intake, LT headers and "X" pipe needs this tune to realize the full potential of the vehicle. Not to mention the tranny actually impresses me now. No more lazy shifts or hesitation at the 10 MPH punch, and taking it up to 105-106 before the shift in 3rd gear feels great. Hell it even catches a mean 1-2 shift to squeal the tires and kick the ass out a bit to the right. I even played with the dash hawk a bit during my drive and got a couple of 0-60 runs in with a best of 4.37 and a few 1/4 runs with a best of 13.1 @ 106. I will be making my way out to the track in the next week or so and see what she will do for real.
Thanks for everyone help, and a big thanks to Kirk and VMS.
Tate

[wreckwriter]

So I guess we gave you bum advice, most sorry about that. :(

Any explanation why the procedure went sideways in the first place?