Flashing EPS Module - Help
- Thread starter carabuser
- Start date
The software route will take sometime perhaps.
Installing an M3 diff with the half shafts seems easier as a solution.
I've been following the progress on the DCT forum. It looks promising as there's mention of xHP getting involved but the DCT market is so small that I'm worried they may abandon it.
With regards to flashing modules in general, what causes bricking? Is it just corrupted boot sectors that are the problem? Say if I did something really dumb like force flash my EPS using a program file intended for a completely different module would it write incompatible code in the boot sector area then be unable to boot and communicate at all or is it always possible to flash back to my original program with WinKFP?
With regards to flashing modules in general, what causes bricking? Is it just corrupted boot sectors that are the problem? Say if I did something really dumb like force flash my EPS using a program file intended for a completely different module would it write incompatible code in the boot sector area then be unable to boot and communicate at all or is it always possible to flash back to my original program with WinKFP?
It makes sense there was no 35is steering map before the car actually started production. Would of course be interesting also to know if there's any difference between the new and old 35i steering maps.
Anyhow, my car is pre-35is as well, and was set to ";;K_F1: E89 mit N54 ohne SA2VF mit SA216" from factory. I tried programming the ";;K_F5: E89 ohne SA216" option which basically deletes servotronic (SA216). This means that my steering is now much heavier at low speed, but feels about the same at high speeds. DSC=off / sport steering now feels super super heavy at low speeds. I do not know if it is because of the camber I run, but it definitely exceeds what I would regard as acceptable for the average consumer. I like it alot.
Since SA216 wasn't an option in the UK my car comes default with Var5. It is heavy when parking, I think that was a common complaint and possibly something they altered in the updated steering profiles. This really isn't a problem for me as I'm capable of shifting it.
I tried using the other options but I really didn't like the light steering at low speeds, it felt wayward below 40mph.
I'm still considering doing this flash but I want to have a plan ready in the situation that it bricks the module. Any other module I would just buy a spare but this one is attached to the steering rack itself and I can't find one for less than £1000 even used.
I'm 95% sure that it will work fine given that other people frequently override the hardware error when flashing M module calibrations to non M cars. I don't even expect big changes with the 35is calibration but at this point it's more the curiosity that's getting to me. The devil makes work for idle hands and all that
As certain as I am, I'm going to hold off until I can pick up a used EPS from a 2009 35i to test it on first. Hopefully I can get a wrecked one cheap the just plug it into the connector where my current EPS connects then give it a whirl.
The car is actually perfect at the moment. Not a single fault or issue to troubleshoot so I'm not going to temp fate
The car is actually perfect at the moment. Not a single fault or issue to troubleshoot so I'm not going to temp fate
Ordered a steering rack for a E81 1 series from a scrap dealer today. My theory is that all these EPS racks have the same ECU and that if I can flash this module with the ZB for my Z4 and for the E90 without bricking then I'm good to do it on my vehicle.
It's a good little project for the weekend. Only cost £25 so not a big deal if I have to chuck it.
It's a good little project for the weekend. Only cost £25 so not a big deal if I have to chuck it.
So the steering rack turned up. It was for a 2007 E90 which wasn't a problem.
I jacked the car up, removed the undertrays and removed the power and comms connector from the steering rack on my car and plugged them into the scrap steering rack, turned the ignition on and scanned with INPA.
Apologies for the photos of the screen, I was in too much of a rush to take proper screenshots.
It populates as 6792947 which means it is EPSLP2.C02 which all makes sense.
I opened WinKFP expert mode and manually specified the PABD, P-SGBD and the Program file (I chose to try 6855892 here which is EPSLP2.C03) and it greets me with an error:
Since I'm not bothered about messing it up I just continue with the flash. The flash goes 0-100% quickly the first time then the second round takes about 2 minutes. After reaching 100% it comes up with a comms error because it can no longer communicate with the module correctly.
I tried flashing the ZB for EPSLP2.C01 which is the software that comes with my E89 Z4 and it does exactly the same. If I flash the module back to its original ZB it comes alive again.
So my takehome from this has been:
-There is a signature verification routine in the bootsector of the EPS that checks the signature of the program flash, if it doesn't match it won't let the software run.
-Flashing an 0pa file to a module in WinKFP won't brick the module because 0pa is program area only and the boot area can still accept new program code even if the program area isn't running.
I don't think I can convert my EPS without buying a 2011+ E9x EPS and swapping the motor/ECU part out of my rack then coding it as a 35is. Also after seeing the part up close and having it run parallel with the rack on my E89 it seems that any of the E9x steering racks would probably fit so something to consider if I ever need one in future.
I jacked the car up, removed the undertrays and removed the power and comms connector from the steering rack on my car and plugged them into the scrap steering rack, turned the ignition on and scanned with INPA.
Apologies for the photos of the screen, I was in too much of a rush to take proper screenshots.
It populates as 6792947 which means it is EPSLP2.C02 which all makes sense.
I opened WinKFP expert mode and manually specified the PABD, P-SGBD and the Program file (I chose to try 6855892 here which is EPSLP2.C03) and it greets me with an error:
Since I'm not bothered about messing it up I just continue with the flash. The flash goes 0-100% quickly the first time then the second round takes about 2 minutes. After reaching 100% it comes up with a comms error because it can no longer communicate with the module correctly.
I tried flashing the ZB for EPSLP2.C01 which is the software that comes with my E89 Z4 and it does exactly the same. If I flash the module back to its original ZB it comes alive again.
So my takehome from this has been:
-There is a signature verification routine in the bootsector of the EPS that checks the signature of the program flash, if it doesn't match it won't let the software run.
-Flashing an 0pa file to a module in WinKFP won't brick the module because 0pa is program area only and the boot area can still accept new program code even if the program area isn't running.
I don't think I can convert my EPS without buying a 2011+ E9x EPS and swapping the motor/ECU part out of my rack then coding it as a 35is. Also after seeing the part up close and having it run parallel with the rack on my E89 it seems that any of the E9x steering racks would probably fit so something to consider if I ever need one in future.
Actually after re-reading through this I had an idea. In the EPSLP2 folder there are 0BA files. These have extensions that match that error 501 in WinKFP.
I might have another bash with that EPS rack and try flashing the 0BA file too. Won't be for another week or two though as my girlfriend didn't appreciate me spending most of Sunday fixing something that isn't broken
I might have another bash with that EPS rack and try flashing the 0BA file too. Won't be for another week or two though as my girlfriend didn't appreciate me spending most of Sunday fixing something that isn't broken
I like it. I get the feeling that theres a lot of stuff like this where a flash will actually yield the right result.
In for the result !
In for the result !
FIrstly how long have you been running like this and how bad is it? also.... You've got two spare buttons on your dash next to your seat heaters, why not commandeer them for drivelogic?
Actually after re-reading through this I had an idea. In the EPSLP2 folder there are 0BA files. These have extensions that match that error 501 in WinKFP.
I might have another bash with that EPS rack and try flashing the 0BA file too. Won't be for another week or two though as my girlfriend didn't appreciate me spending most of Sunday fixing something that isn't broken
She needs to understand that your work is of major global importance.
Working from home and being a Z4 Means it is not a daily driver so not a lot of experience with it.
That said, in manual mode I love it. I wouldn't try and track it but it is good enough while waiting for something better. In auto mode it has been really bad because it wants to shift much too soon all the way to 7th.
That switch panel is another module with a circuit board behind the buttons so no real option to use a switch there that I can see.
She's great really, but I have had 4 weekends out of the last 6 where I've been almost entirely out doing DIY. I did a complete suspension overhaul on my E46 and bushing changes then did a water pump and thermostat change on my Z4 along with countless other smaller mods and fixes, almost all of which didn't actually need doing.
I'll get some trendy instagram flowers delivered. That'll work until the restaurants open back up.
Back on the EPS topic I spent the morning distilling the EPS information regarding flashing and think I've worked out the missing link. If I flash the correct NAAB file along with the program file it should work, worst case scenario is that it'll brick my spare £25 E90 steering rack so nothing to lose by trying.
Here's my cheatsheet so far:
Code:
EPS Flash Cheatsheet
ECU Address 30
PABD: 080100EPSPL2.IPO
P-SGBD: 10flash.prg
Copy Program file and NAAB file to DEVELOP (C:\EC-APPS\NFS\DATA\DEVELOP)
---EPSPL2.C01 - 1 and 3 series up to 2006~
ZB#6776704
Program: 6776704A.0pa
ECU ID: 19T
NAAB: H05119T_05118P.0ba
NAAB: H05119T_051184.0ba
---EPSE89.C01 - 2009 23i/30i/35i only (my current unit)
ZB#6791454
Program: 6791454A.0pa
ECU ID: 28X
NAAB: H05116I_05128X.0ba
---EPSPL2.C02 - 1 and 3 series up to 2010~ (my scrap unit)
ZB#6792947
Program: 6792947A.0pa
ECU ID: 26P
NAAB: H051184_05126P.0ba
NAAB: H051235_05126P.0ba
---EPSPL2.C03 - 2010+ Z4, 1 series, 3 series (my target unit)
ZB#6855892
Program: 6855892A.0pa
ECU ID: 2IC
NAAB: H0511N0_0512IC.0ba
NAAB: H051230_0512IC.0ba
Similar threads
