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"Engine Control Unit" special functions: flash, EEPROM, PIN and immobiliser

VAG Interface Classic Flashing / Programming Advanced ⏱ varies 10 steps

The "Engine Control Unit" special function groups together all the engine ECU operations: flash memory read/write, flash counter read/write, EEPROM read/write, security code/PIN extraction and immobiliser activation/deactivation on EDC15/EDC16/ME7x. From VAG version 28.0 all the ECU special functions sit under a single "ECU" button.

Required licences

  • —

Hardware / cables

  • AVDI
⚠ WarningAlways read and save the original flash before writing. On EDC16 the flash you read is saved automatically in the "Flash" subfolder but THE FILE IS ENCRYPTED: do not use it directly to write the flash. If an error occurs during writing, the ECU should go into boot-loader mode, which allows you to write it (but not read it) and to restore the flash with the "Custom Read/Write" function. You must specify the exact ECU type: the "Auto detect" function identifies the right type in almost all cases, but it can get it wrong, in which case you must select it manually.

Procedure

  1. On the special functions tab of the main window, press the "ECU" button.
  2. Specify the type of engine ECU fitted to the vehicle, or use the "Auto detect" function and check the result: the available types include VAG-EDC15x, VAG-ME7.1.1/7.5/7.8, Porsche 5.2/7.8 BOSCH, VAG-ME7.1.1, VAG-ME7.1, VAG-ME7.5, VAG-Cartronic ME7.8, EDC16U1, EDC16U3x/CP and others.
  3. Choose the operation you need: flash read/write, flash counter read/write, EEPROM read/write, security code/PIN extraction, immobiliser activation or deactivation (EDC15/EDC16/ME7x).
  4. EEPROM read: on EDC15/ME7/EDC16 the whole EEPROM is read; on MED9, EDC17 and Simos only the PIN/CS/MAC is displayed.
  5. To read PIN/CS/MAC from EDC17/MED17 make sure you have an active internet connection.
  6. If you have trouble reading the EEPROM of a ME7.x, pull fuse 11 and fuse 15 to remove the communication interference caused by the instrument cluster, then try again.
  7. Flash read on EDC15: pull fuse 11 and fuse 15; when "Trying gateway options..." appears in the status bar at the bottom of the "Engine Control Unit" window, cycle the ignition (ignition OFF and ON).
  8. Flash read on ME7.x and Porsche ECUs: it is read like the EEPROM, but you have to untick automatic EEPROM detection and enter the matching start address and length.
  9. Before writing, disable the screen saver and power saving, close any applications you are not using and do not use the PC while the write is running.
  10. Bear in mind that reading and writing the flash takes a long time (especially over CAN) and that the vehicle battery can go flat: use a battery support unit.

Reference screenshots

"Engine Control Unit" special functions: flash, EEPROM, PIN and immobiliser — 1"Engine Control Unit" special functions: flash, EEPROM, PIN and immobiliser — 2"Engine Control Unit" special functions: flash, EEPROM, PIN and immobiliser — 3
Source: Manuale VAG (Offline), cap. 2.5.5 (p.66-68) · ⏱ estimated time varies
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