ccgoodwrench Posted November 8, 2006 Report Share Posted November 8, 2006 what does reflashing a pcm do? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Holty Posted November 9, 2006 Report Share Posted November 9, 2006 after you make a change using whatever software or handheld you have to "upload" the "tune" into the pcm. this is what people refer to as "flashing" the pcm. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
perk03z06 Posted November 9, 2006 Report Share Posted November 9, 2006 'Reflashing' is also known as 'Reprogramming'. 'Flashing' or 'Reflashing' are common synonyms for the same thing. What happens, is that there is software (like Windows) that operates the control circuits in the hardware portion of your vehicle computer (PCM). This software, also called 'firmware' is stored in an EEPROM chip that is updateable. (EEPROM: Electrically Eraseable Programmable Read-Only Memory) Many times, a vehicle manufacturer will release a vehicle off of the assembly line, brand new without fully testing the firmware that controls engine functions. Rather than having a massive recall where the vehicle's control modules would have to be shipped back to the assembly plant, the manufacturer will release a newer version of software that corrects a discovered problem, and then have it loaded into the vehicle's control module in the field. There are also several ways of loading firmware into a PCM. Years ago, you had to own the factory scan tool to do it. Now, to do a firmware 'reflash/flash', you can buy a J2534-compliant device which will work with many vehicle manufacturers, rather just 1. Which is good ... but J2534 devices commonly only load manufacturer-approved firmware, not custom, performance-tuned firmware that may fall outside of EPA guidelines. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ccgoodwrench Posted November 10, 2006 Author Report Share Posted November 10, 2006 ok, what i also see on hptuners is flash entire what does that do Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SS_bnoon_SS Posted November 10, 2006 Report Share Posted November 10, 2006 ok, what i also see on hptuners is flash entire what does that do <{POST_SNAPBACK}> "Flash Entire" writes the OS to the PCM as well as the calibration. In most cases, you will write the calibration only unless you're flashing a core PCM or updating the OS (for instance a speed density tune). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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