[adventr]

I'm going to be taking my car in for some routine maintenance within the next couple weeks (spark plugs, brakes).

I plan to remove the Alpina flash beforehand, just because I don't want any issues with the dealership.
When I flash back to the stock trans number, is there any way that they can tell this had ever been done? They won't really have a reason to go looking, but you never know.

[wildcatcrazy]

Originally Posted by adventr

I'm going to be taking my car in for some routine maintenance within the next couple weeks (spark plugs, brakes).

I plan to remove the Alpina flash beforehand, just because I don't want any issues with the dealership.
When I flash back to the stock trans number, is there any way that they can tell this had ever been done? They won't really have a reason to go looking, but you never know.

The dealership can always tell if they really want to dig. Unless you're trying to make a warranty claim on your tranny, they will most likely not even see/say anything.

There's really no need to flash back to stock if just going in for normal service. I believe you'll find that majority of folks leave their flash installed, even when taking it to the dealer.

[ferocity02]

Will there be fault codes present after doing the Alpina flash? I did the flash 3 days ago, about 50 miles after the flash the SES light came on this morning, so I scanned with INPA today and found a whole mess of codes. When I scanned right before doing the flash there were only a couple. It's hard to find details on them, but for the most part they seem to be transmission related.

[cryptomit]

You didn't remove any codes after flash was done, so that's the reason. Don't worry, just remove them and take a ride, then scan your car again.

[ferocity02]

Originally Posted by cryptomit

You didn't remove any codes after flash was done, so that's the reason. Don't worry, just remove them and take a ride, then scan your car again.

Ok thanks. I wasn't aware I was supposed to clear the codes. Perhaps that should be added to the sticky?

[wildcatcrazy]

Originally Posted by ferocity02

Ok thanks. I wasn't aware I was supposed to clear the codes. Perhaps that should be added to the sticky?

I think it's always a good practice to clear codes anytime you're hooked up to your car. Afterwards, research those that come back immediately.

[chisss]

what's the reason behind the 03/07 cutoff? Mine is 02/07 :'(

[ferocity02]

Originally Posted by chisss

what's the reason behind the 03/07 cutoff? Mine is 02/07 :'(

Something about how BMW changed the communication protocol around 03/2007, allowing communication with the TCU.

I'm guessing it's possible on a pre 03/2007, but no one has figured it out how yet.

I believe you can swap the mechatronic in the transmission and then do the flash, but I do not know what that entails.

[wildcatcrazy]

Originally Posted by chisss

what's the reason behind the 03/07 cutoff? Mine is 02/07 :'(

They changed the actual TCU. The only way possible is to get a TCU from a 03/07 and up and install.

[chisss]

Originally Posted by wildcatcrazy

They changed the actual TCU. The only way possible is to get a TCU from a 03/07 and up and install.

Here's another dumb question. By TCU are there different types? Is there one specific to the transmission? I had bought one to do the Bluetooth integration and the dealer did all the installation and coding but I'm assuming that one has nothing to do with the transmission.
Just trying to figure out a way to possibly do it lol

[ferocity02]

Originally Posted by chisss

Here's another dumb question. By TCU are there different types? Is there one specific to the transmission? I had bought one to do the Bluetooth integration and the dealer did all the installation and coding but I'm assuming that one has nothing to do with the transmission.
Just trying to figure out a way to possibly do it lol

I think in this case, TCU=Transmission Control Unit

I believe the TCU is part of the transmission's mechatronic/valve body. Do a search about swapping the mechatronic. I could be wrong, but I think people have swapped them in order to be able to do the Alpina flash.

http://www.n54tech.com/forums/showthread.php?t=22473
http://www.zftranspart.com/images/custom/mecha.pdf

[wildcatcrazy]

Originally Posted by ferocity02

I think in this case, TCU=Transmission Control Unit

I believe the TCU is part of the transmission's mechatronic/valve body. Do a search about swapping the mechatronic. I could be wrong, but I think people have swapped them in order to be able to do the Alpina flash.

http://www.n54tech.com/forums/showthread.php?t=22473
http://www.zftranspart.com/images/custom/mecha.pdf

You're correct. You can swap the the unit with a post 03/07 version and have the alpina flash.

[chisss]

bah! I could spend the $1000+ on other stuff.. lol oh well I guess i'll have to suffer with a shitty transmission while you all enjoy the B3 awesomeness

[ferocity02]

Originally Posted by chisss

bah! I could spend the $1000+ on other stuff.. lol oh well I guess i'll have to suffer with a shitty transmission while you all enjoy the B3 awesomeness

I'm sure you could find a used one for much less than that. I've seen entire transmissions selling in the $500 range. But you do have to ask yourself if the Alpina flash is worth it. My opinion is no. The only thing that is better is the faster shifts in sport/manual mode. Drive kinda sucks.

[fisc0h]

Hi all,

I successfully flashed my TCU with the Alpina B3 flash. I have a 2011 335xi MSport with Nav.

While attempting the paddle shifter fix, I get the following error, after executing job:





I have tried SP-DATEN 48.1, 49, 50.2, 53.3 (updating with BMW Coding Tool); however, I end up with the same result. Anybody know what could be causing this?

[wildcatcrazy]

Originally Posted by fisc0h

Hi all,

I successfully flashed my TCU with the Alpina B3 flash. I have a 2011 335xi MSport with Nav.

While attempting the paddle shifter fix, I get the following error, after executing job:





I have tried SP-DATEN 48.1, 49, 50.2, 53.3 (updating with BMW Coding Tool); however, I end up with the same result. Anybody know what could be causing this?

Did you use expert mode when doing the shifter fix?

[fisc0h]

Originally Posted by wildcatcrazy

Did you use expert mode when doing the shifter fix?

Yes. I also used a .MAN profile (revtor's, ncsdummy, etc.), and tried to the .MAN file; however this did not work. I even tried writing the NETTODAT.MAN file. This also didn't work.

I think I have gotten this same error when trying to code .man files with typos before...but I'm not modifying anything in the .trc files...I don't understand why I would be getting an error writing/flashing/coding a vanilla/untouched .trc file that was read from the EGS module

[wildcatcrazy]

Originally Posted by fisc0h

Yes. I also used a .MAN profile (revtor's, ncsdummy, etc.), and tried to the .MAN file; however this did not work. I even tried writing the NETTODAT.MAN file. This also didn't work.

I think I have gotten this same error when trying to code .man files with typos before...but I'm not modifying anything in the .trc files...I don't understand why I would be getting an error writing/flashing/coding a vanilla/untouched .trc file that was read from the EGS module

Doesn't make much sense. Can you post what the error file says?

[Red_Bean_Bun]

Make sure you have no other program e.g inpa or winkfp running at the same time with ncs .....

Originally Posted by fisc0h

Hi all,

I successfully flashed my TCU with the Alpina B3 flash. I have a 2011 335xi MSport with Nav.

While attempting the paddle shifter fix, I get the following error, after executing job:





I have tried SP-DATEN 48.1, 49, 50.2, 53.3 (updating with BMW Coding Tool); however, I end up with the same result. Anybody know what could be causing this?

[Maniac0908]

Is there a way to check and make sure i have the latest flash? Have they even updated it?

[fisc0h]

Originally Posted by Red_Bean_Bun

Make sure you have no other program e.g inpa or winkfp running at the same time with ncs .....

Thanks all for the replies. Finally got it to work!

After a billion iterations of installing different versions of NCSEXPERT and different SP-DATEN updates, I finally was able to re-flash my EGS module. However. this resulted in the dreaded Gear! icon.

I solved this by flashing my TCU back to stock. I then was able to reset my EGS module, and my paddle shifter finally worked. The version of NCSEXPERT I'm using is ver4, with the buttons in English and the menus in German. I also downloaded a complete version of SP-DATEN 53.3, and only extracted the E89 directory. After this, I was able to reflash my TCU with the Alpina flash, and the paddle shifter fix worked.

Hope this helps someone who runs into this same issue

[cn555ic]

Updated flashing files for SPdaten 53.0...These are STRICTLY for winkfp flashing of the ALpina Flash...