I see the term used but cant find out defintion or wht it does?
Tks

 

When I was at Jaguar, a "reflash" was always related to an update/upgrade/reprogram of said ECU in whatever car, be that Jaguar/Audi/VW/Aston Martin etc.

The tech plugged the car into the laptop and did the update. Much like a "Windows" update for your home PC.

It was usually instigated by a factory rework that needed to be applied.

One that comes to mind was the many we did on the XJ8 for gearchange roughness. Another was Audi A8 for hot start difficulty.

 

'Flash' is a type of electronically reprogrammable non-volatile memory which is used to hold the programs in each of the car's computer modules.

Flash memory - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

 

Here is a particularly good description excerpted from a ZF manual. The concept applies to any module using Electronically Erasable PROM's.

PROM = Programmable Read Only Memory

Programming
Programming refers to the instructions that the TCM is to follow. The TCM is programmed to apply certain shift maps according to operating conditions such as vehicle speed, engine speed, engine temperature, engine load and throttle position. This information can be entered into the TCM via an updated EPROM or through flash programming.
Flash programmable control units use a EEPROM which is Electronically Eraseable. The EEPROM is also soldered into the TCM and cannot be removed or replaced. Flash programmable TCM’s can be programmed up to 14 times (with a new TCM).

Hope that helps!

 

would anyone know how to find out if my vehicle had any "authorized" flash updates??

2009 xf 4.2 (non s/c)

im in NY and there is not one dealer who knows diddly - no joke-
one dealer told me i should flush antifreeze every 2 years-
meanwhile I called Jag HQ and they said its 100k and should be checked- and HQ still said 100k or not 5 years

I searched internet for flash upates tsm for my car- none found

 

A "flash update" is normally not a repair in search of a car; it usually works the other way around, if a "problem" develops, the issue is diagnosed and if no correction turns up, then you consider possible software updates. The only exceptions are usually specific Bulletins, Recalls or Service Actions, and they usually apply to VIN ranges. Module flash programming is ALWAYS the LAST thing to consider in a diagnosis. Unfortunately, many independents go looking for "software updates" first, they think it short-cuts them doing their proper diagnostics.

I know of a couple corrections that COULD apply to your car. Even then they only apply if a certain specific "fault" has occurred.

Do you have any specific issues with the car you feel are actually abnormal??

Cheers,

 

If I leave vehicle say - engine off lights on for 5 minutes - on my nab screen i get battery warning
""Please switch the engine on or enternaiment will shut down in 3 minutes"

with old battery- i could sit with radio on engine off half hour.

this has even occurred while sitting with engine on listening to news- put car in drive goes away.

I also had a OB PO232 secondary fuel pump circuit high-
car cranked perfectly "caught: then sputtered and died-
has not happened since… in 4 years this happened 2-4 times then started,

wondering if interrelated - of if jag did not install battery correctly.
brought it into local shop - jagpro- who many recomend- he ran a obII and thought the error code p0232 was engine fuel too lean??

car starts runs perfectly - I told Jag- they said - sure we will ck yr battery its under warranty- but if not battery its $130!
brought it to a BMW local place that ran voltmeter or whatever sand said alternator and battery were fine….BTW thanks for yr response

and now I'm nuts about always locking car when leaving so no battery drain

 

should mention battery is under warranty - vehicle is not - 53k