ESS E-flash

[andrew@southernBM]

I have been using the Eflash from ESS on cars recently which is a cable that is sold to the end user rather than the direct flash unit. This cable connects to your PC and the OBD port, then allows you to use PC software that reads and loads the files. It also allows you to read fault codes and in the future will allow other features as well. Read time is about 35 minutes which is a lot less than the Direct flash unit and as a bonus, It is very easy to use, easier than the DF in my opinion.

[aussiem3]

What's the purpose of this post?

[DaveDee]

Originally Posted by andrew@southernBM

I have been using the Eflash from ESS on cars recently which is a cable that is sold to the end user rather than the direct flash unit. This cable connects to your PC and the OBD port, then allows you to use PC software that reads and loads the files. It also allows you to read fault codes and in the future will allow other features as well. Read time is about 35 minutes which is a lot less than the Direct flash unit and as a bonus, It is very easy to use, easier than the DF in my opinion.

Hi Andrew this looks interesting, so a couple of questions.
Is there an upgrade path from the direct flash unit?
Also, I realise these guys know what they are doing but the question needs to be asked. If you get a blue screen of death when writing to the ECU is there a possibility of bricking the ECU or have they got a tested recovery routine.
Reading is no problem,as its only downloading the contents of the ECU but often laptops blue screen when connected to another device during communication especially if the cable is serial to USB at the PC end. In some cases writing can be a disaster if the target device is not buffered.
I would be interested in this device because the read and write cycle take so long with the Direct flash unit and the LCD interface is not that informative.

[andrew@southernBM]

Originally Posted by aussiem3

What's the purpose of this post?

Didn't you understand what i typed aussiem3?

Direct Flash is being fazed out and Eflash is now what you buy if you want an ESS tune for your M3 as an end user. I was passing on the info as i have tried it a few times and decided to post the differences between the direct flash that you buy over the counter and the new eflash that you buy over the counter. This same tool with allow reading and clearing ECU fault codes, restore ECU memory and later on, DCT programming. On the supercharged cars it loads an updated operating system before loading the tune files. I like that it works a lot quicker than the direct flash.

[GOLFFRR]

I also got the Eflash set up through ESS. Very easy to do and I would highly recommend it

[aussiem3]

Originally Posted by andrew@southernBM

Didn't you understand what i typed aussiem3?

Direct Flash is being fazed out and Eflash is now what you buy if you want an ESS tune for your M3 as an end user. I was passing on the info as i have tried it a few times and decided to post the differences between the direct flash that you buy over the counter and the new eflash that you buy over the counter. This same tool with allow reading and clearing ECU fault codes, restore ECU memory and later on, DCT programming. On the supercharged cars it loads an updated operating system before loading the tune files. I like that it works a lot quicker than the direct flash.

Thank you Andrew. I was not quite sure what you were talking about. Cheers mate

[SPQR M3]

How will this work for existing users who have the DF hand held device?