

How often does the ECM need to be flashed?Īuto repair shops say flashing should be done once every few years, and this may be appropriate.
Ecm tools pc software#
The ECM is flashed with the new software direct from the manufacturer’s website. It used to be that it was necessary to remove parts in order to complete the reprogramming process, but now all that’s necessary is a computer with an Internet connection, a USB cable and a scanning device that can connect with a car’s diagnostic port. Old programming is erased, then replaced with the most up-to-date software provided by the auto manufacturer. When reprogramming an engine computer, a scanner is attached to the diagnostic port in a car, which is typically inside the car, beneath the steering wheel. How reprogramming an engine computer works

However, you can flash your car engine yourself – with the right tools. It’s a bountiful cash crop for repair shops, who tend to charge between $80 and $120 for the service, according to Underhood Service. If the programming is optimized, your car’s engine tends to run much more efficiently. This is done on nearly all vehicles 1996 and newer to ensure that the microprocessors in such areas as the power train and fuel injectors are regulating their systems properly. (Photo Credit: CC BY/Scott/Vag-Com Scanning)įlashing - or erasing and reprogramming - your engine’s computer is a legitimate way to keep a car’s engine control modules (ECMs) up to date. The plug-in port is typically under the dash.
