Tool Q&A: Should you get involved with reflashing?

by Craig Truglia
Created: February 11, 2013

Should you get involved with reflashing? Here's how to avoid nasty pitfalls.

Launch Tech USA

Fig. 1: Drew Technologies makes VIN rewriting software and other goodies that can be used with their J-2534 hardware. Pictured is Launch’s "J-Box," with a Drew Tech CarDAQ and a 20-pin connector...
Fig. 1: Drew Technologies makes VIN rewriting software and other goodies that can be used with their J-2534 hardware. Pictured is Launch’s "J-Box," with a Drew Tech CarDAQ and a 20-pin connector. The connector allows the J-Box to be used as an interface on older Bimmers when purchasing the factory subscription. Check this tool out at VehicleServicePros.com/10782927.
Craig Truglia

Fig. 2: A battery maintainer, not charger, should be on a vehicle at all times during a reflash. Check out the Associated Equipment Intellamatic battery charger, No. ESS6008MSK, at...
Fig. 2: A battery maintainer, not charger, should be on a vehicle at all times during a reflash. Check out the Associated Equipment Intellamatic battery charger, No. ESS6008MSK, at VehicleServicePros.com/10731899.
Craig Truglia

Fig. 3: Here we are reflashing a GM using an AC Delco subscription using a Drew Tech Mongoose cable. Mongoose cables allow the user to use J2534 technology to use OEM scan tool and reprogramming...
Fig. 3: Here we are reflashing a GM using an AC Delco subscription using a Drew Tech Mongoose cable. Mongoose cables allow the user to use J2534 technology to use OEM scan tool and reprogramming software. Check this tool out at VehicleServicePros.com/10760444.
Dearborn

Fig. 4: DG Technologies’ DPA5 is an example of a J2534 and RP1210 reflasher, which allows the unit to reprogram even heavy-duty applications. Check this tool out at VehicleServicePros.com/10774670.
Fig. 4: DG Technologies’ DPA5 is an example of a J2534 and RP1210 reflasher, which allows the unit to reprogram even heavy-duty applications. Check this tool out at VehicleServicePros.com/10774670.
Dearborn

DG Technologies' DPA5 is an example of a J2534 and RP1210 reflasher, which allows the unit to reprogram even heavy duty applications. Check this tool out at Vehicleservicepros.com/10774670.
DG Technologies' DPA5 is an example of a J2534 and RP1210 reflasher, which allows the unit to reprogram even heavy duty applications. Check this tool out at Vehicleservicepros.com/10774670.
Craig Truglia

Fig. 6: Youtube is a wonderful source of J2534 reprogramming information. The "OTCToolGuy" channel gives you step-by-step instructions for most manufacturers.
Fig. 6: Youtube is a wonderful source of J2534 reprogramming information. The "OTCToolGuy" channel gives you step-by-step instructions for most manufacturers.
Craig Truglia

Fig. 5: Note that no other programs are running in the background during this reflash. Also note that Hyundai and KIA factory information and reprogramming software is totally free and very easy to...
Fig. 5: Note that no other programs are running in the background during this reflash. Also note that Hyundai and KIA factory information and reprogramming software is totally free and very easy to use.

A few free resources exist online. DrewTech’s website (www.DrewTech.com) and the “OTC Tool Guy” YouTube channel (See Fig. 6) are very good and cover car-line specific reflashing. OTC Tool Guy’s videos, for example, in about six minutes cover exactly how you register on an OEM website and subsequently carry on your reflash. They have a lot of essential, real-world tips. In their video on reflashing Nissans, they warn you that after a successful reflash, the software uses the word “failure,” and cautions the technician not to be afraid. That tip comes in handy when you reflash your first Nissan so you don’t freak out and think you fried the module.

Have questions? Need answers? Email craig.truglia@cygnus.com to have your questions answered in this column.