HELP! Error while reading ECU now nothing works

[Digitalwok]

I am freaking out over here. Doing a supercharger install from ESS and got the eflash programmer. Doing the initial reading of the ECU to send to ESS. Everything was going smoothly with about about 3min remaining...sweet!

Then...an error popped up on the screen stating "error communicating with device." And I started to hear a clicking sound from the car. I cleared the error and unplug the USB to try again.

Here now is the problem. Upon pressing "Start the second time" (I turned off the car first). Everything just kind of blinks and nothing. I disconnected the battery and now nothing happens at the first press of "start"...the dash lights do a really short flicker" then nothing.

Thanks
Dave

[vsix]

Fucking hell, Dave! Did you connected your battery on a charger while doing the reprogramming?

[Digitalwok]

Originally Posted by vsix

Fucking hell, Dave! Did you connected your battery on a charger while doing the reprogramming?

Of course I did...I followed the ess-flash instructions to the letter. When it comes to firmware programming one needs to be 100%. Both the laptop and car had plugged in power and all computer power settings were set to never sleep

Dave

[Digitalwok]

I got a reply from ESS and it should not be a big deal. Looks like my battery was drained as I was told the ECU does not control ignition and lights.

Not sure how that happened b/c I was sure the charger was connected and the charging light is lit. I am going to wait and fully charge the battery (light turns green) then try again. If the does not turn green then there must be a problem with me charger. That's the current plan anyway. Just in case, ESS sent my a ECU file for a base M3....ESS is the best!

Dave

[BzsBimmer]

Glad you're getting this sorted out Dave!
Good to see that ESS is taking care of you

[Digitalwok]

AJ at ESS is the best! Found out that my charger (battery tender) can operate some things while charging but not all and deltran is not specific on what it can and cannot do...great.

In the end, the battery got too low and failed the ECU read. I ended up jumping from my other car to read the ECU. Here is the best part...I sent AJ the files and did not expect a response until Mon. 10 min later I got a email with the modded files...Holy fast coding Batman! Long story short...I am ready to go to fire this thing up after a few last minute things like filling the SC coolant and oil.

Dave

[BzsBimmer]

Originally Posted by Digitalwok

AJ at ESS is the best! Found out that my charger (battery tender) can operate some things while charging but not all and deltran is not specific on what it can and cannot do...great.

In the end, the battery got too low and failed the ECU read. I ended up jumping from my other car to read the ECU. Here is the best part...I sent AJ the files and did not expect a response until Mon. 10 min later I got a email with the modded files...Holy fast coding Batman! Long story short...I am ready to go to fire this thing up after a few last minute things like filling the SC coolant and oil.

Dave

Yeah AJ has been known to send e-mails at crazy hours lol.
Everything so far indicates that ESS is a good company to work with. Not sure what exactly happened with that other thread but hopefully it all worked out.

[Digitalwok]

Even the best companies have their haters for whatever reason...so far my experience has been stellar. They went the extra mile for me even though I got a used system. The only thing that was a bit off was charging me $150 for a bag of bolts/clamps. No, they were not gold plated.

[vsix]

Originally Posted by Digitalwok

Even the best companies have their haters for whatever reason...so far my experience has been stellar. They went the extra mile for me even though I got a used system. The only thing that was a bit off was charging me $150 for a bag of bolts/clamps. No, they were not gold plated.

Great to hear, that everything turned out good!
That is exactly the reason, why I will one day get an supercharger system from ESS!

[Digitalwok]

Just fired her up this morning and everything is working perfectly... I was on pins and needles hoping I did not forget something.... After 4 nights and 1 day I finally got it done

[vsix]

Originally Posted by Digitalwok

Just fired her up this morning and everything is working perfectly... I was on pins and needles hoping I did not forget something.... After 4 nights and 1 day I finally got it done

Halleluhjah!!!!!!

[BzsBimmer]

Why'd you need bolts? That's one of the concerns I have with used kits. Some sellers don't include "everything" and you're left guessing or having to buy more stuff.

Seriously happy you got it sorted out. Enjoy and drink power responsibly.

[Rajmun340]

Originally Posted by Digitalwok

AJ at ESS is the best! Found out that my charger (battery tender) can operate some things while charging but not all and deltran is not specific on what it can and cannot do...great.

In the end, the battery got too low and failed the ECU read. I ended up jumping from my other car to read the ECU. Here is the best part...I sent AJ the files and did not expect a response until Mon. 10 min later I got a email with the modded files...Holy fast coding Batman! Long story short...I am ready to go to fire this thing up after a few last minute things like filling the SC coolant and oil.

Dave

This had nothing to do with your battery tender, reading a flash memory takes little power nothing that a car battery even drained and without tender couldn't supply. No, the only way it would drain a car battery is that gobs of current is getting shorted by a poorly designed or incompatible voltage flash reader/programmer. It is extremely poor and bad practice to tell someone to use a battery tender rather than to use a correctly designed and compatible flash reader for the application. This also prematurely ages your car ECU board ports drivers.

[Digitalwok]

Originally Posted by BzsBimmer

Why'd you need bolts? That's one of the concerns I have with used kits. Some sellers don't include "everything" and you're left guessing or having to buy more stuff.

Seriously happy you got it sorted out. Enjoy and drink power responsibly.

B/C the mechanic accidentally reinstalled the SC bracket bolts back into the car and shipped me the OEM bolts. Yes, I had a same concern and when going used it could be assumed that there are consumable parts which will need to be replaced. As we know, bolts, nuts, screws and what not does get chewed up a bit and in some cases need to be replaced regularly.

I got all the major stuff and the seller make whole on the additional parts that I had to order. All and all I would do it again but more specific on what is included and the condition of consumable parts.

Dave

[Digitalwok]

Originally Posted by JoeM3SSII

This had nothing to do with your battery tender, reading a flash memory takes little power nothing that a car battery even drained and without tender couldn't supply. No, the only way it would drain a car battery is that gobs of current is getting shorted by a poorly designed or incompatible voltage flash reader/programmer. It is extremely poor and bad practice to tell someone to use a battery tender rather than to use a correctly designed and compatible flash reader for the application. This also prematurely ages your car ECU board ports drivers.

True that reading the ECU takes little power...the issue may have been that my battery is super old and probably not "fully charged" I think the current volt is around 11.9-12 (as measured by BMWhat). Also learned that the delco battery tender cannot charge battery as well power all electronics. Right now, I am seeing if I can even get my voltage back to the recommended 12.7 volts for the battery.

In the end, it probably wasn't the ECU reader that drained the battery but the fact that I had to keep the car in ignition level 2 for around 1 hr. I think what they should do is check the voltage before starting and if battery is reading low (<12) they should warn the user that the battery is low like the BMWhat app that does not allow you to code when voltage is under 12...just my 2 cents. My guess is that the ODB protocol is probably limited in bandwidth and to read the entire memory of the ECU just takes time.

As for the SW, well I work in IT and I have seen better designed SW and far worst. Generally, speaking when it comes to the auto industry (except Tesla) its like stepping into a way back machine as so old school.

[BPMSport]

Keep in mind that you can always read the ECU with the engine started if necessary, or even while driving. This will minimize battery draining issues.

[Digitalwok]

Originally Posted by Mike Benvo

Keep in mind that you can always read the ECU with the engine started if necessary, or even while driving. This will minimize battery draining issues.

You know, I was thinking that but wanted to follow the instructions that said to leave it at ignition level 2 which did not make sense but given that this was my first time heading down this path I did not want to stray....what do they call these...lessons learned

[BPMSport]

Originally Posted by Digitalwok

You know, I was thinking that but wanted to follow the instructions that said to leave it at ignition level 2 which did not make sense but given that this was my first time heading down this path I did not want to stray....what do they call these...lessons learned

Yeah, in an ideal world if you're leaving it in position 2 for awhile, you'd want to connect a battery maintainer to keep the level stable. Some of the cars take even longer to read... The M3 takes about 45 minutes, but an X5M takes almost an hour and a quarter.

[GMWNashville]

You need a power supply capable charger..

[nm]

Originally Posted by GMWNashville

You need a power supply capable charger..

Exactly. Battery tender amperage is way too low to keep the battery charged while you're doing something like this.

[Digitalwok]

Originally Posted by nm

Exactly. Battery tender amperage is way too low to keep the battery charged while you're doing something like this.

Wish I knew that before. Like I said, I ended up jumping from my SUV the entire time.

Dave