How to flash VID block on ECM?
 

To make a long story short, I stumbled on this site through this thread:

https://www.jaguarforums.com/forum/s...c-fixed-67541/

My car is a 03 Jaguar X type. And it's completely dead. Cranks endlessly, but no turnover.

I have SDD 134 with mongoose IDS (I'm not sure if it's a clone or the real thing) -- I also have access to a genuine J2534 programmer CarDAQ Pro that also works with SDD.

I have no problem with actually connecting to the car and everything.

But I cannot program the VID block. If you read the linked thread (particularly post #10), you'll see the OP talking about programming VID block and then actually programming the ECM.

SDD does not detect the ECM at all. When I request the VIN through the VID block, all I get is 00000 or ????? -- clearly the VID block is corrupt. I'd like to restore it.

BUT.

It would seem that a couple of steps are missing from OP's instructions on post 10 -- as in, how do I enter the engineering mode? It would seem that he managed to overwrite the VID block on the ECM through the engineering mode...but I can't. When I click the engineering mode (golden key in SDD), it asks for a password. I don't know the password.

Can anyone shed a light on this?

Any help is appreciated.

AFAIK there is no way into Engineering Mode without the one-time passcode, which you can only get from the SDD Helpline (i.e. JLR directly) and you will need to have a Topix Programming subscription for that....

Have you tried entering the VIN manually, and then going through the symptom selection to forcibly reflash the ECU?

We had to do this once with an XJR, it would not read the VIN because the GEM was corrupt (laptop crashed during reflash). After manually entering the VIN and going through the symptoms, we were able to force the reflash even though the system said it could not communicate with the module.

Good luck with it....

Can an ordinary OBD tool see the PCM? If not, have you checked wiring etc right through to the PCM? They don't tend to lose their programming.

Wow, sweet! Thanks for the info, I shall attempt it.

I have no problem with buying a Topix subscription if it gets me the seed password to fix the car, but last time I attempted to get a password (it was back in 2012) and the tech over the line said that they don't give out seed password just to anyone -- you need to have a 1 year subscription.

Is that still true? Or can I just buy a 1 day subscription and then ask for seed password?

For some reason I can't reply to your PM.

@Jagv8:

Yes, we've checked the wiring to the ECM -- it's perfectly fine. I think the PO messed up the calibration update (some way, somehow) and it bricked the car completely.

I would do a complete ECM replacement, but problem is, new ECM costs $1500+, and once programmed, ECM are locked. It's not like a Ford or GM where I can take any JY ECM and program it and be done with it, you know?

There IS a way to enter an engineering mode. I'll PM you, but if you'll promise to keep it in secret :)

How long should ecm programming take?
 

I just wondering how long it takes to program ecm. I can hear it activate when I start the programming, but I have had it running for 5 hrs.

Welcome to the forum rickpicco68,

Please follow this link New Member Area - Intro a MUST - Jaguar Forums - Jaguar Enthusiasts Forum to the New Member Area - Intro a MUST forum and post some info about yourself and your vehicle for all members to see. In return you'll get a proper welcome and some useful advice about posting to the forum.

Graham

With mongoose clone a ECM or TCM flash may last forever. Also there may be some issues after a programming (last time i've seen an unresponsive TCM, which was hard enough to reprogramm and get to work). It's better to use a Rotunda VCM.
A ECM or TCM programming usually takes no longer than 15 minutes.

What functions sit behind the 'Engineering mode'. I'm unable to re-flash my TCM after a failed attempt to clear the adaptions. Now I get 'Can't communicate with TCM' message when I attempt to do a re-flash. I have IDS/SDD V130 and all other functions work without any problem. Any secret stuff behind he gold key that might help me??

Hello, I also need to enter engineering mode. If you'd be so kind as to PM me too then I'll also keep it quiet.
Regards,
David

I think you call Jaguar and they issue a passcode - if you've an up to date member subscription.