Help required with a locked PCM

[turbo_terrific]

Hi all from the UK

OK so to start, I've got a 2006 Mustang GT w/FRPP cams, intake and other bits. The guy who fitted the cams recently is a well respected tuner in the UK but has moved from SCT to HPTuner. The car runs **badly** and RWHP is **down** to 260 even with a 62mm t/b, FRPP intake, FRPP cams and cat delete! He's tuned it on a road and that's the best he can do after 2 weeks. Car has no low end torque.

I've got an i2 2020 (bought oct 2015 and never used), a CL7140 (used previously), and my own IDS VCM and subscription ( I used to work in IT support for Ford dealership techs ).

I've got 'tunes for life' with Bama, so i've asked them for a tune but they need the backup file off the PCM. It's ID reads as FBNF255.hex using the i2 but the unit fails to read the PCM after backing up the log. OK, understandable as likely protected.

Spoke to bama and explained I'll wipe to stock then read, and could they rush me the tune - they said no problem.

Wiped the PCM and reloaded it with IDS 104.3 / VCM II, went through the wipe and rewrite seemingly but no newer cal available so did it as a new module - car started ok, intune still won't read.

Pulled the radio fuse ( pioneer app radio ) and tried again. Plugged in the IDS and tried again. Interupted the IDS flash operation to put the car in no start ( I'm cool with that kinda stuff , reflashed with IDS, car now started ok again, intune still won't read.

So I grab my old unmarried predator out my garage ( thankfully didn't trade it for an i2) and lo and behold that can read and write the PCM. It's put a c&l tune on there and the car now turns over but won't fire - but at least it wrote the flash!

So i'm assuming the PCM was protected by the HPtuner flash but somehow the older predator can ignore that even though a dealership level IDS couldn't write it? As I'm typing this out it occurs I did use a newer VCM II but I also have a VCM 1 - maybe it's a can bus / baud rate thing?

Anyways - I need to find my seriel cable now but even reading the backup BAMA won't be able to adjust it, so I still need to go to stock and get a read using the i2.

My questions are:

Is my i2 faulty / is the tune locked ( I'll ask the tuner tomorrow ) / am I doing something wrong?

Can I now flash to stock with an IDS and get the i2 to read?

Do BAMA *really* need the backup or is that just to get the VIN / PCM and marry / lock their tune to my PCM?

If I now flash it to stock w/ ids and it actually works, backup with the i2, send the backup to bama, restore from the i2 to unmarry it, can I then restore the predator backup to get the HPtuner file back on the car so I can at least drive it and unmarry the predator??? The IDS didn't see the custom file as being different as it's still the standard filename, and obv. the VIN is the same, so it should go straight back on - as the predator won't realise it's not the c&l tune being overwritten back to 'stock' which is actually the custom tune it backed up

To put it simply - will the predator restore back to 'stock' a PCM that is already returned to stock by a dealer flash?

Plan B is get his tune off the car but then it's stuck at his place until BAMA email me and I drive back.

Plan C is a new PCM :-/

Thanks for any suggestions. Love the i2 as I have multiple vehicles but so glad I didn't trade the predator

Richard

p.s one final question - my i2 won't even read the VIN of a european 2015 Focus ST - any obvious reason? Can send logs once I get the mustang sorted.

[turbo_terrific]

Things to add:

I'm not sure the 'IDS wipe' worked - it didn't ask me for the chassis VIN after killing the flash - although was still same session so may have been in session memory

I've tried using the intune now that the c&l tune from the predator is on - still get unable to read.

I've got a locked Trinity in a box somewhere if that might help troubleshooting?

Going to re-install the tune from the predator tonight just to get the car to start then remove it again to confirm I can at least get the backup on there again.

PCM tear tag is TJF1 p/n 6U7A-12A650-SB

Predator tool info is: cl7140cnl_05 / v.9r06 / univ_rev2

i2 tool info file:

<tool_info>
<registration sn='14U7Z5GXPK' status='0' tool_oem='DIABLO_F' updates='0'/>
<applications count='5'>
<application name='vehicle' rev='2r01r'/>
<application name='updater' rev='2r01c'/>
<application name='gui' rev='2r01k'/>
<application name='installer' rev='2r01d'/>
<application name='logger' rev='2r01a'/>
</applications>
<databases dbnames='2r00' dtc='2r01a' vin='2r01h' gui='2r01f'>
<database mfr='DCX' pid='2r01cc'/>
<database mfr='FORD' tune='2r02k' pid='2r01cf'/>
<database mfr='GM' pid='2r01ba'/>
</databases>
<system rev='1r01a' config='1r01d'>
<option name='Wifi' enabled='true' driver='v4.0.2_9000.20130911'/>


thanks

Richard

[mikel]

what exactly happened when you tried to use the i2 to read the car?

[turbo_terrific]

I'm paraphrasing here - it says 'log file saved' and then I get a box with Read Failed in the top left and can only click continue underneath. Device exits to main menu but I have to reboot it before I'm able to try another read operation - can't even get DTC's etc until I reboot the i2.

Thanks

Richard

[turbo_terrific]

Ok just tried calling tech support but we got cut off...
I've now checked and the predator backup had worked and it's got a file.
Still can't connect my i2. I still think the tune is encrypted, have asked the tuner.
Tried a VCM mk1, pulled the radio fuse and car is on a battery charger.
Can I send the backup file in so someone can compare it to stock and check if it is indeed encrypted?
Priority for me is getting a decent tune on the car so I can use the predator for that.
I bought the i2 but never used it in oct 2015 from Summit but we can sort that later on. It has successfully been used by a friend Jan this year and he went on to buy his own.

Thanks

Richard

[turbo_terrific]

OK got a bit further with this, but now need some help from customer services....

I've tried reinstalling the backup from the predator and it now says the last tune written doesn't match, so the VCM and Predator are obviously writing to the PCM ok, it looks like the intune is the issue.

Can someone give me a force code to get my predator backup back on the car so it will start? I can then move the vehicle from in front of my garage door and look out my old trinity. I'll need to get this unlocked as it's paired to a different old mustang that got written off but if it can then read the backup it's definitely the i2 that's the issue.

Been on hold for 15 mins after getting cut off - can I PM someone for the code?

Thanks

Richard
(a good diablosport customer in case you hadn't worked it out

[turbo_terrific]

Guess you're all busy - still holding

[turbo_terrific]

Just to acknowledge the help from Anthony Malara who I got through to in sales. We've force the backup on and I can move the vehicle to find the trinity. Also sent me a possible fix for the intune. So I've now got a couple options and it seems the pcm isn't locked.

I'll report back...can anyone help with unlocking the trinity as a plan c?

Richard

[turbo_terrific]

OK so the i2 now reads the car!

2t01sh.itf is the file he gave me to fix it.

Gonna email the backup to BAMA now.

Richard

[mikel]

glad to hear it.