[JAL0988]

After talking with a guy about possibly putting a jb4 in my car for a little more power, he explained to me that the cobb tune I already have actually shows reflashes on the ecu. Before I take it to the dealer (which has only been once considering I've only had the car for a little while) I will uninstall the tune. He told me that the ecu records the reflashes and the dealer can see how many times you have done it. He said that could screw me out of warranty work if something goes wrong. I tried searching for this but nothing seemed to come up. If anyone knows anything about this please chime in. Thanks.

[yarviinn]

Originally Posted by COBBTT

After talking with a guy about possibly putting a jb4 in my car for a little more power, he explained to me that the cobb tune I already have actually shows reflashes on the ecu. Before I take it to the dealer (which has only been once considering I've only had the car for a little while) I will uninstall the tune. He told me that the ecu records the reflashes and the dealer can see how many times you have done it. He said that could screw me out of warranty work if something goes wrong. I tried searching for this but nothing seemed to come up. If anyone knows anything about this please chime in. Thanks.

You can delete codes using your COBB. Probability of you getting caught if you uninstall COBB = <1%. Just make sure you uninstall before you visit the dealership.

[JAL0988]

Originally Posted by yarviinn

You can delete codes using your COBB. Probability of you getting caught if you uninstall COBB = <1%. Just make sure you uninstall before you visit the dealership.

I understand you can delete codes but what I'm talking about is the amount of times the ecu records that it has been reflashed. Say if there's 7 reflashes on the ecu and the manufacturer only has only had one update. That sends up the red flag, no?

[gpb]

Originally Posted by COBBTT

what I'm talking about is the amount of times the ecu records that it has been reflashed.

How do you know the ecu records the number of times it's been reflashed? How do you know the Cobb AP does not overwrite that record when you flash the car back to stock?

I personally don't know one way or the other, but having read some threads covering this same topic (hint: Search) I've seen no evidence of a dealer identifying an ECU that's been flashed to stock by a Cobb AP.

Next time you talk to this guy, I suggest you ask him a few questions:
(1) Who does he personally know that's had a warranty denied from a dealer detecting a prior Cobb AP install?
(2) If he can't identify the person, then how did he find out about this happening?

Then ask yourself - what does he stand to benefit if you get rid of the Cobb and go to the JB4? Any possible self interest?

Maybe it does happen the way he said, and maybe people are denied warranty service. I'd think we'd have seen some posts about it here though...

[JAL0988]

Originally Posted by gpb

How do you know the ecu records the number of times it's been reflashed? How do you know the Cobb AP does not overwrite that record when you flash the car back to stock?

I personally don't know one way or the other, but having read some threads covering this same topic (hint: Search) I've seen no evidence of a dealer identifying an ECU that's been flashed to stock by a Cobb AP.

Next time you talk to this guy, I suggest you ask him a few questions:
(1) Who does he personally know that's had a warranty denied from a dealer detecting a prior Cobb AP install?
(2) If he can't identify the person, then how did he find out about this happening?

Then ask yourself - what does he stand to benefit if you get rid of the Cobb and go to the JB4? Any possible self interest?

Maybe it does happen the way he said, and maybe people are denied warranty service. I'd think we'd have seen some posts about it here though...

I agree and I tried searching for the issue in question but turned up nothing except for a few things on subaru forums. He's a mechanic at a pretty prominent bmw shop around the tri-state area (don't want to mention any names). He said if he can look at the ecu and see how many times its been flashed than the dealer most certainly see what's been going on. He might have personal interests involved because he sells the jb4. That's why I was asking to see if anyone has had the issue.

[EricP3]

Originally Posted by COBBTT

I agree and I tried searching for the issue in question but turned up nothing except for a few things on subaru forums. He's a mechanic at a pretty prominent bmw shop around the tri-state area (don't want to mention any names). He said if he can look at the ecu and see how many times its been flashed than the dealer most certainly see what's been going on. He might have personal interests involved because he sells the jb4. That's why I was asking to see if anyone has had the issue.

Ding ding ding!!

[JAL0988]

Originally Posted by EricP3

Ding ding ding!!

Haha I know but the car does have another 3 years of warranty and I just wanted to make sure. Thanks for putting my mind at ease.

[Rickygst]

I think for general type items, it wouldn't be a problem. Maybe if you blow the engine a more detail inspection of the ECU would be in order. But if you blow the engine because of something silly, I don't think BMW should cover it. My car went to the dealer a few times after installing the cobb. Didn't have a problem.

[JAL0988]

Originally Posted by Rickygst

I think for general type items, it wouldn't be a problem. Maybe if you blow the engine a more detail inspection of the ECU would be in order. But if you blow the engine because of something silly, I don't think BMW should cover it. My car went to the dealer a few times after installing the cobb. Didn't have a problem.

Ok cool. Did you uninstall it before you got to the dealer?

[bob.g]

i seem to remember talk about painted pins, shadow codes, or boost levels, all things that can tell the dealer that you were running a tune. pretty sure they can bust any tune if they dig hard enough. But i dont think it would come to that unless it's a major repair and they suspect something fishy. Id personally buy the cobb just because it's easier to remove.

[jaykayelemenohpee]

Even on a major problem, short of blowing your motor, they're probably going to chalk it up to wear and tear.

[JAL0988]

Originally Posted by bob.g

i seem to remember talk about painted pins, shadow codes, or boost levels, all things that can tell the dealer that you were running a tune. pretty sure they can bust any tune if they dig hard enough. But i dont think it would come to that unless it's a major repair and they suspect something fishy. Id personally buy the cobb just because it's easier to remove.

Ya I already have the tune but I was worried that it was going to void my warranty because of the amount of reflashes. I love the tune and it's definitely a different caer with it.

[Eugeinus]

Cobb has stated that if the tune is uninstalled correctly and flashed back to stock map, it's undetectable. This is a major reason COBB is so popular - just go back to stock for dealer visits and flash afterwards. I have had 0 issues doing this, along with hundreds of other members.

Don't let this guy scare you into thinking otherwise.

[Rickygst]

I did uninstall before going to the dealer. Why take a chance

[ken1137]

I dont believe that is true. However, I do know the software GIAC used to install my tune indicated my car had been flashed once before I bought my car. GIAC said they dont believe dealers have this capability. I used to use Cobb and never had any issues. The only time a dealer thought I had a tune on one of my cars was when they noticed my control box for my laser jammer

[SharkBait]

I remember reading that there is a flash counter that increments automatically and cannot be reset (kind of like the digital odometer). I don't recall where I read it and I certainly don't know if the information was legit.

I do know that mobile phone manufacturers employ similar counters to easily identify modded phones that were bricked and returned under warranty. Typically the only way to reset the counter is using a JTAG interface plugged directly into the main board to brute force load factory settings.

All that said, I'd guess that most all car dealers (just like most all mobile operators) don't bother/don't know how/didn't even know there was a counter in the first place.

[rr006rbc]

You guys act like dealerships are out to void peoples' warranties. Money is money to them. Warranty work gets reimbursed by BMW regardless it just takes a few days instead of instantly such as customer pay work. If your'e not a jackass of a person there's no reason for an SA or representative to dive into your car and dissect it for tampering.

They're more inclined to dealing with bigger fish such as fake lemon law cars that have been professionally tampered with. Those are always the best..