New user blues - can't read LS3

[9secz]

The instructions, which I have copied directly from Readme_First.pdf and pasted below, say this:

"How to perform the initial update to boot block to V2.05.07
Select the FlashScan Upgrade Boot-block menu option using the FlashScan keypad
sequence: F4->F1->F4. You will be asked to confirm the upgrade process a number of times
as per the following screen captures.
Before the upgrade process can be completed, FlashScan will test the flash memory chip to
ensure it is operating correctly. If the flash memory test fails you will not be able to upgrade
your FlashScan unit. In that case, please return it to the place of purchase for repair.
BOOTBLOCK UPGRADE
Upgrade Bootblock
to V2.5.07?
Press [Yes]
BOOTBLOCK UPGRADE
The flash memory will
now be tested.
The test will take
5 min, continue?"
Press [Yes]
BOOTBLOCK UPGRADE
Flash memory test
SUCCESSFUL
Continue?
Press [Yes]
BOOTBLOCK UPGRADE
WARNING
Do not remove
power during the
upgrade process.
Press [Ok]
BOOTBLOCK UPGRADE
A successful upgrade
will be indicated by
alternate flashing
orange LEDs.
Press [Ok]
BOOTBLOCK UPGRADE
The upgrade process
CANNOT be undone.
Continue?
Press [Yes]
BOOTBLOCK UPGRADE
ARE YOU SURE?
Press [Yes]
BOOTBLOCK UPGRADE
IN PROGRESS
DO NOT
INTERRUPT
The upgrade process will take about 5 seconds to complete, then the screen backlight will be
turned off (the text will still be visible) and the two orange LEDs will flash alternately to indicate
dead-poll mode. Dead-poll mode means that FlashScan is waiting to be programmed with new
firmware.
After programming the V2.05.07 boot block, a license update screen will appear
IMPORTANT: The License upgrade will occur automatically (and only) the first time
FlashScan is booted after the new 2.05.07 boot block is programmed.
The license structures stored inside the device need to be upgraded. FlashScan will check the
license structures each time it re-boots. If it detects the old style license structures it will
upgrade the license structures. In that case, you will be prompted with the following
messages:
ATTENTION
Boot block has
been upgraded.
License will
be upgraded now.
Press [Ok]
LICENSE UPGRADE
WARNING
Do not remove
power during the
upgrade process.
Press [Ok]
If the license upgrade is successful you will see the following message:
LICENSE UPGRADE
Upgrade
Completed
Successfully
Press [Ok]
If you do not see the message above, the license upgrade was not successful. In that case
you must return FlashScan to EFILive for repair."

[Bold emphasis is mine.]

I did not see the license message, so I repackaged everything to return to Ira. But I've gotten everything back out and will try the firmware update as you suggest.

Jeff

[Blacky]

Yes, that is misleading and incorrect, my apologies. I will fix the instructions.
Let me know if anything else does not work or if any other instructions appear incorrect.

Regards
Paul

[9secz]

I appreciate the support, Paul! By taking your advise and plowing ahead with the update, I have reached the point where the '08 LS3 C6 stock calibration is on my laptop and I can commence tuning. The entire update and PCM read process went smoothly once I learned I could ignore the license update. BTW, the V2 license update did occur after the second boot block update.

Please bear in mind that I didn't want to be a beta tester, I just wanted to tune an LS3, and your software seemed more capable than the other brands. I won't feel confident until after the first reflash, which will happen in the next hour or 2.

Thanks again to you and the others on the forum who have tried to help this frustrated n00b!

Jeff

[joecar]

Jeff,

Remember to turn off all accessories, and lock the doors (so wife/kids can't open the doors)...

Make sure vehicle and laptop have full battery charge; don't power laptop from vehicle.

Save a copy of your original tune file.

Cheers,
Joe

[9secz]

Well, I'm an EFILive n00b, but I've been reflashing GM PCMs for 10 years, so I'm up on the standard precautions. FWIW, I wrote this many years ago:

link to ancient PCM history Amazing how simple it was back then!

My first test reflash is behind me now (killed CAGS, very exciting! [& easy to confirm]), so I guess it's time to get the wideband integrated and start some serious tuning.

Jeff (aka LJ)

[Blacky]

Well, I'm an EFILive n00b, but I've been reflashing GM PCMs for 10 years, so I'm up on the standard precautions. FWIW, I wrote this many years ago:

link to ancient PCM history Amazing how simple it was back then!

My first test reflash is behind me now (killed CAGS, very exciting! [& easy to confirm]), so I guess it's time to get the wideband integrated and start some serious tuning.

Jeff (aka LJ)

Thanks for being patient. Just a bad weekend to be getting support, I was away for three days with no Internet connection.
Glad everything is working as it should now. There may be other problems so don't hesitate to post up any other issues you might come across.

Regards
Paul

[joecar]

Well, I'm an EFILive n00b, but I've been reflashing GM PCMs for 10 years, so I'm up on the standard precautions. FWIW, I wrote this many years ago:

link to ancient PCM history Amazing how simple it was back then!

My first test reflash is behind me now (killed CAGS, very exciting! [& easy to confirm]), so I guess it's time to get the wideband integrated and start some serious tuning.

Jeff (aka LJ)

Hey LJ, cool, I just wanted you to be safe not sorry... ...I remember reading that at various times, thanks.

Cheers,
Joe

[9secz]

Well guys, it appears I'm not out of the woods yet (is that cliche used down under?). The scan tool connected to the PCM and validated a whole herd of PIDs. I started the engine and clicked the Monitor button with default dashboard A showing. The RPM and ECT looked correct, but just about everything else was not. Commanded AFR was displayed as 4.2, idle throttle position was about 15%, etc.

Am I doing something out of sequence again? Maybe there's a cal step for the dashboard gauges?

Edit: I think I attached a log file to this post that shows the flakey values for TPS, commanded AFR, injector duty cycle, etc. RPM, MPH, ECT, and a few others are fine. What am I doing wrong?

Also, is it normal for the C6 DIC to whine about Service Active Handling while V2 is connected with the engine running? I can live with it, but would rather not.

Jeff

[joecar]

LJ,

In the scantool, did you:
- go File->Enter VIN and enter your correct VIN and OS id...?
- go File->Select Controller and enter the correct PCM for your car...?

[9secz]

LJ,

In the scantool, did you:
- go File->Enter VIN and enter your correct VIN and OS id...?
- go File->Select Controller and enter the correct PCM for your car...?

I did not do those steps, but the scan tool ended up with my VIN and OS, I assume because I locked V2 to the PCM. I just opened the scan tool and it has the right VIN and OS. Well, I know the VIN is right, and I'm assuming the OS is right because V2 pulled it from the PCM when I did the first read. It's 12617631.

Edit: I'm sure you all know that there is no LS3 in the displacement list box. I pick the 6.0 liter V8, but when I restart the scan tool with V2 connected, the scan tool keeps changing it back to the 5.7. I don't know if that is significant.

Jeff