Getting started instructions

**Trindaddy** · 02-28-2011, 08:47 PM

Read thru some of these forums and their links for a real good start. Here is the link to Chrysler downloads etc.. Navigate around and yes, you will find a long PDF showing current and old calibrations.

TechAuthority

https://www.techauthority.com/en-US/Pages/Home.aspx

**Dr Dave** · 03-06-2011, 04:03 PM

tool box flash other than domestic

I haven't flashed yet but I opened the snap on tool box it looks like if your doing a demestic it might be all done from there like clicking on Chysler will take you to Techauthority ect.I wish I can get a comfirm on that .What about others beside domestics I see no asians what to do.Should I down load drew car tool box neanwhile I'll continue to look for more answers in this furum past threads

**Trindaddy** · 03-12-2011, 08:18 PM

The posts here, the links within them, and the videos and instruction revealed within them is a wealth of information. The willingness of smart people to share is also omnipresent on this site. However, its not all its cracked up to be, this J2534. Save your money and get the OE tools for the greatest access and the least aggravation. Otherwise, going forward, you will never be free of "the dealer". When i bought my Modis 5 years ago and all the extras it totalled over 14 thousand (Modis, Pass Thru, PC Link, Euro pkg, thermal printer, charger, updates). That could have bought the Tech2 and IDS VCM w/Ford and Mazda, a laptop and an OBD2 scanner. Buy another one every year or so. Oh well, hindsight is indeed 20/20. Good luck to you.

Neil

**Orevin** · 03-13-2011, 06:56 AM

Hi Dave,

Originally posted by Dr Dave

Hey glad I fiund this section I hope some one can help.I just got a snappy pass thro pro ,Is ther any step by step videios?

Drew Tech has some videos on how to setup and perform reflashes, including Chrysler:
http://www.drewtech.com/technician/support/videos.html

Originally posted by Dr Dave

It came with a disc that its original it has the orininal snap on drivers and also drew drivers.Snap on support helped me download the newest drivers/soft from the snappy diagnostic page and cut me loose .now what I,ve heared so many horror stories I,m a new shop I can,t afford mistakes.I have flashed for Suzuki and dodge at the dealership.I passed up a 2006 Durango because I don,t know what to do and I,m afraid. So on a Chrysler what is the procedure? If say I find a TSB that sugests that you should flash the PCM after replacing the EGR........Questions...... do you need to set up a ccount w/ Chrysler first ?is that Tech authority? Do you puchase with a credit card and it happens on the spot.

Yes, a CC is required and access is granted instantly. I have taken step-by-step screenshots on how to obtain the calibration file and how to perform the update. I don't have the laptop with me, so I'll post these pictures next week, if you wish.

Originally posted by Dr Dave

Can you check the PCM # first to see if its up to date before purchasing a not needed flash?

Use a scan tool to read the current calibration number of the PCM or TCM. Chrysler allows J2534 programming for emission related ECUs only. Go to TechAuthority and on the bottom of the page, click on "Related Documents and Links". On the following page, select "J-2534 Flash Availability". This will open a rather large PDF file. Enter the obtained calibration# into the search field. If the number shows up in the column labeled "Old Part Numbers", a new calibration is available. The PDF file will also list related TSB#. Use your information system to read up on those, if you haven't already.

Originally posted by Dr Dave

Where are you guys finding these things you need to unplug and jump info? Is there a instruction book or vid that shows it all the one I,ve seen so far are all about what you need and just hook it up and away you go. ..And what about the Drew part of the disc should I install that on my Verus,or is it going to conflict w/ the newest drivers snap on care istalled for me to day.If I actully saw somone flash from start to finish I bet I,d be ok at the dealer ships I was one of the first to start flashing and showed the other techs but we had good instructions any help would surley go a long way thanks Dave

**Orevin** · 03-13-2011, 07:13 AM

Hi Neil,

Originally posted by Trindaddy

The posts here, the links within them, and the videos and instruction revealed within them is a wealth of information. The willingness of smart people to share is also omnipresent on this site. However, its not all its cracked up to be, this J2534.

J2534-1 does pretty much what it should, exceptions apply. The reason for your failed attempt to setup the SJB on that Mustang is simple: you didn't prepare correctly for the repair. Don't discourage others from using a J2534 box just because your first shot at it was not successful. Next time, prepare ahead of the job and read the information available to you. Regardless if you perform a brake job or a reflash.

Originally posted by Trindaddy

Save your money and get the OE tools for the greatest access and the least aggravation. Otherwise, going forward, you will never be free of "the dealer". When i bought my Modis 5 years ago and all the extras it totalled over 14 thousand (Modis, Pass Thru, PC Link, Euro pkg, thermal printer, charger, updates). That could have bought the Tech2 and IDS VCM w/Ford and Mazda, a laptop and an OBD2 scanner. Buy another one every year or so. Oh well, hindsight is indeed 20/20. Good luck to you.

Neil

**Trindaddy** · 03-13-2011, 12:59 PM

Dear Orevin,

Hello again Kai,

Your pompous, uninformed assessment of my preparation i will not even attempt to address beyond saying that you have no idea the time i spent. At some point, one must dive in and do it. You can only study how to hit a nail so long before you have to try and hit it yourself. That said, your comment, i feel, did not even come close to addressing the real issue that i have recently come to realize and post.

If one intends to diagnose and repair all or most systems on all or most of today's vehicles (and future ones), you will need the factory tool. You cant fake it, you cant improvise, and no amount of preparation will help you. The J2534 program (although doing what it is supposed to) is only scratching the surface of whats out there. I learned way more than the fact that i cant install a SBJ in a 2005 Mustang during this, my first, programming project. Basically it's the indisputable fact that a technician like me is still often at the mercy of the dealer, and still only has access to a fraction of the modules on these cars, and still cant perform many basic duties like installing a body module that we all know we will come across. Maybe you already knew this. Hey, good for you! But you know what? I just learned it, and i'm sure there are others like me that will also be finding this out. To them, i am simply stating the truth and you have misconstrued my post.

You said "the reason you failed is because you didn't prepare correctly". Actually, the reason i failed is because the action is not supported by FMP using a J2534 tool!
You said i "discourage others because i was unsuccessful". Nowhere did i discourage anyone from using this device. Rather, i encouraged them to reconsider their options based on what i have learned.
Maybe you should do some better reading/preparation yourself before you start criticising me for trying my hardest and then posting my informed opinion.

**Orevin** · 03-13-2011, 04:50 PM

Hi Neil,

Originally posted by Trindaddy

Hello again Kai,

Your pompous, uninformed assessment of my preparation i will not even attempt to address beyond saying that you have no idea the time i spent.

Pompous? I will let others judge. I'm anxious to read which adjective this response deserves

. Uninformed? My assessment is based on the information you provided. I don’t know how much time you spend on this project. You are certainly not responsible for the problems you experienced installing Ford’s reprogramming software. But you are responsible for not doing your homework on the technical side, I will explain later.

At some point, one must dive in and do it. You can only study how to hit a nail so long before you have to try and hit it yourself.

I absolutely disagree with your statement, in this context in particular. Today’s vehicles are too complex to assume that our general knowledge of cars or systems will allow us to fix them all. If you know you venture into unknown territory, you prepare yourself with a map, so not to get stuck in a one-way street. Things can get really expensive really fast if procedures aren’t followed.

That said, your comment, i feel, did not even come close to addressing the real issue that i have recently come to realize and post.

If one intends to diagnose and repair all or most systems on all or most of today's vehicles (and future ones), you will need the factory tool.

I agree, old news though.

You cant fake it, you cant improvise, and no amount of preparation will help you.

Every job we take on has its risks; preparation will limit, but not eliminate, the likelihood of a failure.

The J2534 program (although doing what it is supposed to) is only scratching the surface of whats out there.

Of course. It was not implemented to allow technicians to replace a fuse box.
J2534-1 is a standard to allow independent automotive repair shops to acquire and install calibration updates for emission related control modules, for model years 2004 and up. This standard is mandated by the EPA and all manufactures who sell cars in the US are required to comply with it.
Some manufactures offer reflashing for even older vehicles.
J2534-2 allows manufactures to implement features, like reprogramming additional ECUs or PMI. It is at the OEMs discretion to make these features available to the aftermarket. Some do, others don’t.
There is more to this. Here are some links to articles and publications that might be of interest:

I learned way more than the fact that i cant install a SBJ in a 2005 Mustang during this, my first, programming project. Basically it's the indisputable fact that a technician like me is still often at the mercy of the dealer, and still only has access to a fraction of the modules on these cars, and still cant perform many basic duties like installing a body module that we all know we will come across.

Again, I have to disagree. OEM tools are available and some of them are even affordable. You are not at the mercy of the dealer anymore. You want to be able to do everything on every car? Tool up!

Maybe you already knew this. Hey, good for you! But you know what? I just learned it, and i'm sure there are others like me that will also be finding this out. To them, i am simply stating the truth and you have misconstrued my post.

You learned it, the hard way. The truth is, you did not prepare well enough for the task at hand. Read on.

You said "the reason you failed is because you didn't prepare correctly". Actually, the reason i failed is because the action is not supported by FMP using a J2534 tool!

Exactly. And why would you think it is supported?
Let’s take a look at the Ford website: Motorcraft Technical Resource, click on “Reprogramming & Initialization.” There it states right in the first paragraph: “…UBP and MS-CAN not supported…”.

motorcraft_01.jpg

No subscription required, no money spend, you don’t even have to register. Now, if this was my first attempt of reflashing a Ford, I would make sure that the module doesn’t hang on one of these busses.
Your information system will give you the information you need (at least in this case).

Alldata first:

sjb_alldata_01.jpg

And Mitchell here:

sjb_mitchell_01.jpg
sjb_mitchell_02.jpg

Would you still have made an attempt to install the SJB? I wouldn’t. I would have coursed at Ford for a minute and then think of a solution.

This information gathering, on how to repair the vehicle, should be part of the diagnostic routine. You can then tell your service writer upfront what needs to be done and if the shop can perform the task. Don’t wait until you have the part in your hands and the customer waiting in the lobby.

You said i "discourage others because i was unsuccessful". Nowhere did i discourage anyone from using this device. Rather, i encouraged them to reconsider their options based on what i have learned.

Let me quote you:

Originally posted by Trindaddy

... However, its not all its cracked up to be, this J2534. Save your money and get the OE tools for the greatest access and the least aggravation. Otherwise, going forward, you will never be free of "the dealer". ...Neil

Sounds quite discouraging to me.

Maybe you should do some better reading/preparation yourself before you start criticising me for trying my hardest and then posting my informed opinion.

Maybe I missed your point. But let me be brutally honest with you: your hardest wasn’t enough. Did you see how fast and easy (in this case) it was to come to the conclusion “No, can’t do it”?

Of course, it isn't always that easy, some manufacturers let you jump though hoops and loops to obtain information on J2534 reprogramming. Discussions like this will help ease the pain for those who haven't been there yet.

Don’t take my criticism the wrong way; it is of constructive nature, not personal. There would be no benefit if I told you “Yeah Neil, you did everything you could, Ford was messing with you.”

You learned the hard way. This thread might help others in a similar situation. Vehicles CAN be fixed by a simple reflash. This can be rewarding and profitable.

**Trindaddy** · 03-13-2011, 06:44 PM

"I'm anxious to read which adjective this response deserves

."

I think pompous fits nicely.

"I don’t know how much time you spend on this project."

Exactly- You dont.

"Today’s vehicles are too complex to assume that our general knowledge of cars or systems will allow us to fix them all."

Exactly when/where did i "assume" this?

"But let me be brutally honest with you: your hardest wasn’t enough."

Would you like me to do some sort of penance at your alter?

"There would be no benefit if I told you “Yeah Neil, you did everything you could, Ford was messing with you.”

And we wouldn't want to miss getting the "benefit" of your boundless knowledge. I never blamed any of the outcome on anyone except myself.

"You learned the hard way."

Do you feel better now? ------------END OF QUOTES

Kai, at the risk of further feeding your massive ego i feel compelled to defend myself and explain to others why i let this happen:
I saw all the material you so eagerly posted Kai, for our "benefit". I found, studied and understood all of it and more before i began.
http://productforum.autorepairdata.c...ead.php?t=4970 However, being new at this and obviosly not as blessed as you, i thought that after i bought the subscription and downloaded FMP 70.00, i would be able to enter as-built data into the SJB as Steve did in his post that he referenced. I did not think that this procedure was a reflash with download and reprogram etc. I learned that final piece on my own. It was a question i couldn't convey. The part i didn't read. The bit of info that wasn't offered to me. Regardless of what you think Kai, i know i did all i could to prepare. The rest cost me my time and 33$, a premium i have always been willing to pay. You see Kai, my problem may be that i dont know enough or, according to you, haven't tried hard enough. Thats easy to fix. I'll try harder and learn more. Your problem isnt going to be that easy to fix, it appears its just the way you are. "Nothing personal."

Getting started instructions

Getting started instructions

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