E38 Pcm now dead

[ls1vt209]

:help2:
Please help any assistance is greatly appreciated. I also apologise in advance for the length of this post.


Ok tonight a mate came over and I flashed a tune into his E38. The cal was from another car which I had spent much time on configing. Both vehicles are LILPG powered Holdens with L98's, both 6l80E's. Both are 2006 models.

Anyway I flash in the cal's (I must admit without removing the original cal first, brain snap and forehead slap for me I know) no problem. Drive 40km up the road stop for a short time after reading logs etc, no problems. Go to flash in another Cal and PCM packs it in. I again go to flash the cal in and get the following

'21:28:20.968: Interface firmware version: 2.6.5
21:28:20.984: Interface firmware model: FSV2
21:28:21.000: Interface firmware version: 2.6.5
21:28:21.015: Interface firmware date: Oct 28, 2008
21:28:21.015: FlashScan serial number: 003689852244
21:28:21.031: FlashScan license number: 003689852244
21:28:21.046: Disconnecting ...
21:28:21.703: CAN-VPW Bridge Deactived
21:28:21.703: Disconnected
21:28:22.359: Scanning for EFILive FlashScan V2 USB
21:28:24.781: Scanning for EFILive FlashScan V2 HAPI
21:28:24.968: Interface firmware version: 2.6.5
21:28:24.968: CAN-VPW Bridge Actived
21:28:25.000: Current protocol set to: "ISO 15765 CAN"
21:28:27.046: Current protocol: "ISO 15765 CAN"
21:28:27.062: Interface firmware model: FSV2
21:28:27.078: Interface firmware version: 2.6.5
21:28:27.093: Interface firmware date: Oct 28, 2008
21:28:27.109: FlashScan serial number: 003689852244
21:28:27.125: FlashScan license number: 003689852244
21:28:29.203: Interface firmware version: 2.6.5
21:28:31.250: Getting status...
21:28:32.265: Status: Calibration missing.
21:28:50.250: Bootloader version: E38a_v1.6C (0C56-F506)
21:28:50.265: Preparing ECM for reflash...
21:28:50.281: ECM reports "Not secured!"
21:28:50.281: Initializing ECM...
21:28:51.515: Initializing ECM, step 1 of 4
21:28:51.515: Initializing ECM, step 2 of 4
21:28:52.750: Initializing ECM, step 3 of 4
21:28:55.203: Initializing ECM, step 4 of 4
21:28:55.625: Initializing bootloader...
21:28:55.906: Initializing bootloader, step 1 of 7
21:28:56.250: Initializing bootloader, step 2 of 7
21:28:56.593: Initializing bootloader, step 3 of 7
21:28:56.937: Initializing bootloader, step 4 of 7
21:28:57.281: Initializing bootloader, step 5 of 7
21:28:57.625: Initializing bootloader, step 6 of 7
21:28:57.968: Initializing bootloader, step 7 of 7
21:28:58.968: ECM ready for reflashing.
21:28:59.078: Request GM operating system...
21:28:59.093: GM operating system: 12612381
21:28:59.843: Request serial number...
21:28:59.906: Serial number: 86K16169B4AX
21:29:00.812: Erasing ECM flash memory... (please wait up to 120 seconds)
21:29:05.062: Flash chip could not be programmed.
21:29:05.296: Checksum of flash failed after write completed. Please reflash the controller.
21:29:05.328: ECM is in an unknown state.
21:29:07.437: Clear emisison related DTCs...
21:29:09.500: Interface firmware version: 2.6.5
21:29:10.531: Clear DTCs for all modules...
21:29:12.578: Interface firmware version: 2.6.5
21:29:13.843: Disconnecting ...
21:29:14.484: CAN-VPW Bridge Deactived
21:29:14.500: Disconnected
21:29:14.500: Reflash failed.
21:29:20.578: Done!'

So basically it is telling me that there is no Cal in there and that I need to flash another one in. So I try again, still no luck, try again and again with no glory. So I contact a couple of well known Pro tuners and they both give me advice which I follow still no luck. I also attempted to read the tune in the PCM and there is absolutely no cals loaded at all, read came back empty. See attached.
I also got this message,

This version of the EFILive Tuning Tool has not been
configured to display this PCM's operating system.

This may occur if...
your PCM has been updated by a GM dealer
to fix a software problem in the PCM.
OR
you are attempting to load an EFILive custom PCM
program without installing the matching *.cal file.
OR
you are attempting to load a non-EFILive custom PCM program.

Please save this calibration's *.tun file
and email a copy of it to: support@efilive.com
so that we can add support for it.

The car will not start etc.

I have tried multiple times to flash in the cal, I have tried a full reflash, nothing seems to work. The car drove perfect from the initial flash but once I tried to flash in some changes that is when the problems occured. BTW there was no voltage changes, eg radio, windows etc used whilst flashing.

Please help any advice is greatly appreciate, I have never had a problem like this before.


BTW Thanks to Jezza and Steve from Oztrack, I appreciate the time and advice gents.

[joecar]

ls1vt209, I forwarded this to Paul and Ross.

[Blacky]

Please send in the *.blx file as per this web page:
http://www.efilive.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=111&Itemid=121

Once I have that file, I can see exactly why the PCM is rejecting the reflash. It may be a real failure, it may just be a software fault.

Some things to try if you have not already:
1. Disconnect battery for 30 seconds, reconnect and retry the reflash.
2. Make sure you have the latest EFILive software installed and that you have run EFILive's "Check for new updates" start menu option.

Regards
Paul

[ls1vt209]

Paul, I have forwarded all blx files from last night as requested

Thank you for the suggestions, we did disconnect the battery and I have the latest software.

Cheers
Nigel

[GMPX]

Nigel,

It is certainly a strange fault, once Paul looks at the .blx file he can confirm exactly what the error is, but to me it looks like a software error rather than the ECM, from the time the erase command is issued to the software failing on the reflash it was only 5 seconds. Though it might be an erase issue with the flash memory, we'll wait and see, I'm only guessing.

Cheers,
Ross

[ls1vt209]

Yes Ross it looks strange, everytime it tried to erase the existing cal it stated there was nothing which I thought, well no problem, it will just right to it.

But that is where it got interesting when it would not right at all.

I have forwarded some blx files and there will be some more once I get them out of a mates laptop, we tried 2 in case it was a pc issue.

[Blacky]

Paul, I have forwarded all blx files from last night as requested

Thank you for the suggestions, we did disconnect the battery and I have the latest software.

Cheers
Nigel

I don't have them yet, did you send them to paul@efilive.com?
Regards
Paul

[ls1vt209]

I have sent them to there now. I initially sent them to support.

Cheers.

PS The car is now at the dealership.

[Blacky]

The blx file shows that the PCM returned an error saying that the flash could not be erased. Right now the only thing that we know of that could cause that is if the flash chip in the ECM is faulty. It may be heat related which could cause it to fail only while the ECM is hot. It may be worth trying to reflash after it has cooled overnight.

If the dealer can't recover the ECM, and if you've still got it, please send it to EFILive in Melbourne for analysis. We'll send you a changeover ECM.

Regards
Paul

P.S.

You're running a very old version of the EFILive software (V7.5.4.66).
I recommend upgrading to the latest version V7.5.5.72 from our web site here: http://www.efilive.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=48&Itemid=124
Then after it is installed, run the start menu option: Start->All Programs->EFILive->V7.5->Tools->Check for New Updates which will update it to 7.5.5.81

[ls1vt209]

I actually used two different laptops to try and flash into the ecm. The second one has 7.5.5 build 78.

My fault for not updating, I had to borrow a laptop and did not check the version of EFILive due to children destroying my one with beer.

I have since updated all PC/laptops with the latest versions.

I will get back to you in relation to what happens with the PCM as the car is at Holden and I guess getting it back if it is fixed under warranty is pretty limited.
Cheers
Nigel

[ls1vt209]

The PCM has been replaced under warranty and Holden have put it down to a possible power spike from an unknown location. Sorry guys cannot send the PCM down to you all for analysis as Holden will not part with it.

Thanks

[ls1vt209]

I would just like to say a big thank you to all that had an input into this thread and also people I spoke to over the phone about this problem,

Blacky
GMPX
Joecar

Steve Bennett from Oztrack
JezzaB

[gmh308]

I would just like to say a big thank you to all that had an input into this thread and also people I spoke to over the phone about this problem,

Blacky
GMPX
Joecar

Steve Bennett from Oztrack
JezzaB

Cool! Great support!

And Holden if they were kind enough to replace under warranty!

:cheers:

[ls1vt209]

Given that it was not an EFILive issue I could not see a reason why they would not.

Cheers

[Biggsy]

possible power spike from an unknown location.

lol, thats just their way of saying we got no bloody idea what happened, so we'll just say its a spike! Heard that excuse from many a technician (me included!)

Good to hear you got it sorted.

[Tre-Cool]

i've had a similar issue with the trans controller in my auto.

load a tune into. go for a drive logging. go to update flash again. eflive reports its a different serial blah blah even after multiple tries. turn car compeltly off for a bit, turn to acc and try and again and it still wont work. drive home. give it another go and it takes the cal.

even had it take a tune multiple times and then when car is started get the dreaded tcs-off = problem. turn car off, turn to acc. reflash and then all good.

[oztracktuning]

If you flashed the ECM with an old installation, i wonder if that may have caused the issue?

[JezzaB]

Glad you got it fixed in the end mate.

Jez

[GMPX]

The traces that EFILive was logging showed the ECM was saying the flash chip had a problem (couldn't erase it), that is pretty much beyond our control. I'd say that Holden probably tried to put a tune in with the TechII and had a similar issue, hence they replaced the ECM. This is the first time I have ever seen a flash chip literally fail!

Cheers,
Ross