[I335]

Sometimes when I plug in my flashloader and press the read button the loader keeps cycling through the "circle of LEDs", then the red light flashes several times, then the read light flashes fast and continues to flash fast until I unplug it and it doesn't stop to show me what tune I'm on, nor does it allow me to select a tune. Am I doing something wrong? It seems like the unit is stuck in some sort of diagnostic mode - could this be the case? That said, sometimes it works exactly as expected. Anyone know what's going on here? I haven't figured out what I'm doing differently when it does work, if anything. Also, when it does work, it seems to work just buy opening the door and plugging the unit in - don't need to press the start button. I think it's just because the car "wakes up" when the door is first opened. I'm told the correct procedure is as follows...

1. plug in loader
2. press start button (I have CA if it makes a difference) but don't start the car
3. press "read" on the loader
4. loader runs its cycle and stops on the tune I have loaded
5. select desired tune - loader does it's thing and stops on new selection
6. unplug loader and enjoy

Does this sound right to you guys? TIA!

[tom @ eas]

Originally Posted by I335

Sometimes when I plug in my flashloader and press the read button the loader keeps cycling through the "circle of LEDs", then the red light flashes several times, then the read light flashes fast and continues to flash fast until I unplug it and it doesn't stop to show me what tune I'm on, nor does it allow me to select a tune. Am I doing something wrong? It seems like the unit is stuck in some sort of diagnostic mode - could this be the case? That said, sometimes it works exactly as expected. Anyone know what's going on here? I haven't figured out what I'm doing differently when it does work, if anything. Also, when it does work, it seems to work just buy opening the door and plugging the unit in - don't need to press the start button. I think it's just because the car "wakes up" when the door is first opened. I'm told the correct procedure is as follows...

1. plug in loader
2. press start button (I have CA if it makes a difference) but don't start the car
3. press "read" on the loader
4. loader runs its cycle and stops on the tune I have loaded
5. select desired tune - loader does it's thing and stops on new selection
6. unplug loader and enjoy

Does this sound right to you guys? TIA!

Those are the correct steps.

[I335]

Thanks Tom. Do you know if it could be in some sort of diagnostic mode then? Any suggestions?

[tom @ eas]

Originally Posted by I335

Thanks Tom. Do you know if it could be in some sort of diagnostic mode then? Any suggestions?

Did the handheld always react this way? If so, there may be a chance a switching file was never loaded in the first place.

If you had the GIAC software before the handheld, the DME requires a reflash to a switching file with the specific options you are looking to switch to.

[I335]

Originally Posted by tom @ eas

Did the handheld always react this way? If so, there may be a chance a switching file was never loaded in the first place.

If you had the GIAC software before the handheld, the DME requires a reflash to a switching file with the specific options you are looking to switch to.

No, it didn't always react this way and in fact, sometimes it works exactly as it should work. I've had the stage 1 flash for a while now and I just had the stock flash installed last Friday along with the flashloader. Sometimes it works great and other times it does what I described. While I wouldn't rule out a malfunction it seems like it's in some sort of diagnostic mode and I'm wondering if I put in in that diagnostic mode accidentally. I've never pressed any of the buttons other than read, stock, and pump (at least not intentionally) when it was plugged in but I probably did press all of them at one point or another just looking at it when I first got it, but unplugged of course. There's also another connector on the other side that looks like a network connector. Is this for reprogramming and/or updating? Perhaps I have an "out of date" version of the loader (although when I called my installer he told me it's the absolute latest and greatest and he just got it from Austin who he is friends with as well). Do these things ever need updating? Thanks again! ...Jay

[tom @ eas]

Originally Posted by I335

No, it didn't always react this way and in fact, sometimes it works exactly as it should work. I've had the stage 1 flash for a while now and I just had the stock flash installed last Friday along with the flashloader. Sometimes it works great and other times it does what I described. While I wouldn't rule out a malfunction it seems like it's in some sort of diagnostic mode and I'm wondering if I put in in that diagnostic mode accidentally. I've never pressed any of the buttons other than read, stock, and pump (at least not intentionally) when it was plugged in but I probably did press all of them at one point or another just looking at it when I first got it, but unplugged of course. There's also another connector on the other side that looks like a network connector. Is this for reprogramming and/or updating? Perhaps I have an "out of date" version of the loader (although when I called my installer he told me it's the absolute latest and greatest and he just got it from Austin who he is friends with as well). Do these things ever need updating? Thanks again! ...Jay

The handhelds do not have a diagnostic mode that I'm aware of. The RJ11 jack is a service port for fw updates if needed. You should always read what specific map is selected (with key in on position), then press the desired switch level.

The Audi versions have been updated in the past and the older handhelds (depending on your resellers stock) cannot be used on the newer BMWs without a fw update performed at GIAC.

[I335]

I wonder if it has anything to do with comfort access? I doubt it, but do you think it has anything to do with the key not being in the ignition? I usually have the key in my pocket and just press the start button once - without my foot on the clutch so it will just turn on the car but not start. Thoughts on CA having anything to do with it?

[Darkcyd_Turbo]

We have the handheld for my wife's VW GTI which has been GIAC flashed for the past 2-3 years (bought the handheld flasher the same time we got her car flashed) and the thing only works 10% of the time and that's being generous....we ended up just using the laptop and VAG-COM cable (BT tool equivelent except for VW/Audi) and the software GIAC has on their site. I don't mean to bash, but considering it cost us $200 brand new and now is basically a big paper weight it kinda sucks.

I can't speak for our BMW's but it sounds like you're running into the same issues we did. When you plug it into the obd port and press read, it acts like it reading the dme but fails to show the optional maps available. Or we thought we changed the car back to the stock map before giving it to the dealer for service, only to realize that the flashloader never changed from the PUMP GAS map to STOCK. So we basically sent the car in for service tuned. Thank god the dealership is really cool with mods or we could've kissed her warranty goodbye.

I've sent it back to the authorized dealer we originally purchased it from and tuned (which was 2.5 hours away; closest one to us)... and "supposedly" they sent it back to GIAC for repairs. But when we got it back, same problems. Contacted GIAC but never got responses back to my emails.

Still have no fix for it....so we dont use it. Since the GTI just went out of warranty, we no longer need to switch maps, but I feel for ya because if your dealer isn't mod friendly then you could be in a world of hurt warranty wise.

Good luck and hope they find a fix for ya!

[jeffc31337]

To me it sounds like what happens if accessory mode is not on so the ECU is not fully powered.

I don't have a 335 but on my audi if you don't switch the key to on, or whatever the CA equivalent is, you get a similar behavior where it tries to read the ECU and fail.

[I335]

Originally Posted by jeffc31337

To me it sounds like what happens if accessory mode is not on so the ECU is not fully powered.

I don't have a 335 but on my audi if you don't switch the key to on, or whatever the CA equivalent is, you get a similar behavior where it tries to read the ECU and fail.

Interesting thought, Jeff - thanks. So with CA, do I need to press the start button just once or twice for accessory mode to be fully on? I'm not really sure because once seems to do it, but when I hit it again even more stuff in the car comes on.

[techlogik]

Let me go plug mine in and see what happens...be right back!


1) Turn on ignition.
2) Plug switcher in OBD port.
3) Press Read.
4) Red light flashes in upper right once, then in a clockwise pattern, green lights turn on one at a time quickly.
5) Both loaded maps light solid green momentarily after clockwise pattern.
6) Then loaded map stay lit solid green. In my case, Pump map.
7) Switch maps if you want then.


That is all.

[I335]

Originally Posted by techlogik

Let me go plug mine in and see what happens...be right back!

Thanks!

[tscdennab]

There are probably GIAC switcher bugs related to so much different software versions for the same DME...

Changing maps with the switcher doesn't seem to do more than switching maps anyway...I don't think it affects the warranty in any way, it's a false sense of security. I am not sure that a dealer will redline the car on a test drive to really notice the added power

[old account 1]

Originally Posted by I335

Sometimes when I plug in my flashloader and press the read button the loader keeps cycling through the "circle of LEDs", then the red light flashes several times, then the read light flashes fast and continues to flash fast until I unplug it and it doesn't stop to show me what tune I'm on, nor does it allow me to select a tune. Am I doing something wrong? It seems like the unit is stuck in some sort of diagnostic mode - could this be the case? That said, sometimes it works exactly as expected. Anyone know what's going on here? I haven't figured out what I'm doing differently when it does work, if anything. Also, when it does work, it seems to work just buy opening the door and plugging the unit in - don't need to press the start button. I think it's just because the car "wakes up" when the door is first opened. I'm told the correct procedure is as follows...

1. plug in loader
2. press start button (I have CA if it makes a difference) but don't start the car
3. press "read" on the loader
4. loader runs its cycle and stops on the tune I have loaded
5. select desired tune - loader does it's thing and stops on new selection
6. unplug loader and enjoy

Does this sound right to you guys? TIA!

What ignition mode are you in when you activate it? All of the lights must be on the dash (or the engine running).

[old account 1]

Originally Posted by I335

Interesting thought, Jeff - thanks. So with CA, do I need to press the start button just once or twice for accessory mode to be fully on? I'm not really sure because once seems to do it, but when I hit it again even more stuff in the car comes on.

Twice....

[I335]

Thanks Austin! I was in the correct mode - the loader just wasn't working. I already picked up the new one from Mark at East Coast European a few days ago so I'm all set now!

Quick question though - what's the scoop with on the fly switching? Any harm possible with the exception of taking my eyes off the road? <- Never mind - you answered it in the other thread! Thanks again, Austin - LOVE the tune!!!!