ECU flashing fail - Porsche 986 Boxster V8 engine swap track car build 10

[@Thomamps]

Really looks like you just put 12 volts on the 5 volt rail of the laptop. Replacing the power regulation chip in to laptop should get it going again.

[@ryanellis120]

More often than not, having a crack at new things turns out well but you can’t win all your fights. Keep it up mate

[@silvermane9370]

Jeff you are a bit of a genius at most things but the time comes to ‘know your limitations’. Thanks for being honest enough to show us the fails along with the successes!

[@madstudiotoo5288]

Got to admit, i didn’t see that coming. My money was on bricking the ECU, but the laptop? Your selfless dedication of providing a constant feed of unexpected plot twists is commendable. With that said I’m sure i wouldn’t have gotten as far as you did. 👍🏻

[@danielprivate7442]

At least your fail happened while actually working on the ECU...... My buddy wanted to mount his license plate way down in the under tail of his GSXR 1000. He drills two holes through the outer housing...RIGHT THROUGH THE ECU on the other side. womp-womp

[@OzGecko]

Really sad to see this outcome :( Got to say, I was shouting at the screen when you were wiring USB direct to the OBD-II port. It surprises me that was the advice of the forum as CANBUS and USB are not equivalent connection standards.

[@HomeBuiltByJeff]

The advice was I needed to bypass the chip, but no details on how to do it. I just ran away and made it up as I went along and obviously it was not the correct way to go about it ;)

[@fredericrike5974]

@@HomeBuiltByJeff And that is how adults parse a problem and figure out how not to do that again. But your other choice was to do nothing- not something firemen are good at, to our great gain! Call your mate, Benny, but I'll tell you what I think- call Haltec and get a base model that can run your engine- it's a track car, so AC, windows, park brake- none of that needs ECU space. Have you found a hood for Boxster yet? The shots with "that hood" were rather jarring! Best to all! FR

[@frazerberry6026]

I can only imagine the f-bombs that were said off screen, bricking a laptop is no fun. Looking forward to seeing the link setup.

[@nickframe6743]

CANBUS - it’s the Devil’s work, I tell ya! The Devil’s work! 🤣

[@crabapple1974]

Dont use a engine starter pack!😳 There are plenty small inexpensive lab-psu that can supply any voltage. Also check what the specified voltage is on the pins! 12,5 and 3.3 V are common.

[@markhealy9361]

Agreed. I suspect the starter pack is quite noisy (electrically) as well.

[@OscarTangoAtc]

"i'm... not that happy'. No shit :-) Sorry Jeff, that did make me snigger a bit. Hope you get it sorted soon.

[@HomeBuiltByJeff]

Not a huge deal, I will move on, just better to show it doesn't always go to plan ;)

[@Number27]

Dude, so much admiration for you.. is there anything you can't do?? Come over and visit the UK. The InfluEnzo wants to meet you!

[@HomeBuiltByJeff]

Haha. I would love to get back to the UK whenever we can actually travel again :D

[@aceadman]

Ugh. “I’m gonna have a go at it”. Can be very famous last words. Sorry man, hate to see things go south. Do you say “go south” down there or is it “north” to you? Keep on truckin… 😊👍👍

[@fcknhellmate]

When I saw that you were joining OBD pins directly to USB I was like "dude, don't do it...". Then... I guess you got the lesson that in general logic levels are not something you can mess up with (computer's interface are in general 5V, most MCUs are 3.3V while car's interfaces are mostly 12V).

[@AccAkut1987]

Normal USB should be 5V, 1,5A max. That starter pack probably send in way more A at 12V.

[@G10v4nn1]

@@AccAkut1987 The amps are not the issue in this case, it's the volts on the signal lines that do most of the damage.

[@fcknhellmate]

My voltage tip was merely a brief guidance which things shouldn't be interconnected :) Technically I think ECU just hard pulled up CAN lines to 12V and laptop unfortunately had to comply with high equalizing current which in turn fried motherboard that didn't have protection against backfeeding current from USB bus...

[@ericc6485]

Bypass the chip.. ok, maybe. Bypass the entire usb to serial adaptor too? LOL!!!

[@truckerguy2572]

Sorry, you fried your laptop. Just an FYI a pc power supply has a 12-volt rail and a 5-volt rail and a 3.3-volt rail. All USB ports have a 5-volt out. All automotive ECU's need at 12v 5v and a 3.3v source to be fully functional. looks like when you wired the USB cable you connected the power lead Hard lesson but we all been there. I've fried a few ECU's as well as pc's. I know the feeling.

[@HomeBuiltByJeff]

Not a big deal as thankfully it was only a second hand laptop I paid $50 for but it is still a pain in the butt ;)

[@gregcarter2860]

@@HomeBuiltByJeff no beers tonight mate.

[@pjvenda]

Shame it blew up, I really admire you and your ingenuity. Yet I sort of know enough about the matter to figure that outcome in advance. Hey-ho, you learnt something. I did too when I bricked the Sagem ECU of my triumph motorbike.

[@MattyEngland]

Lol, I was shouting at you not to turn it on! At least we know you're actually human now 😂

[@Kiwi-pp7rg]

ODIS Engineering my friend, flash all VAG systems with a VAS 5054 pass through, no sweat

[@anomamos9095]

Before anyone makes a similar mistake. Automotive ecu can have multiple different grounds that may need to be connected correctly before you succeed in doing anything. The grounds may be. 12volt battery ground. 12volt internal filtered ground. 5 volt ground and 3 volt ground. The last three are usually generated by the ecu internally. Connecting the last three directly to the battery ground can fry the ecu or at least make it not function properly.

[@CrispysProjects]

Didn't see the laptop blowing, OMG! At least the ECU is probably okay. Carry on as you planned the chip that has the immobiliser bits is a very small amount of data and not the engine map. Someone local/tuner would have a smarter cable and do it in minutes! But we like to do stuff ourselves 😉 that forum is brilliant

[@ZeroTo60Tube]

Must be the week for aussies doing this.... haha. good luck with it moving forwards.

[@HomeBuiltByJeff]

Haha, hope yours went better than mine ;)

[@UA10i12]

Hello. If I am replacing my immobilizer, can I just replace the eeprom from my original to new module instead of going to dealer for reprogramming?

[@rogerfrancis65]

Well, nothing ventured nothing gained, we learn from the fails as much as the wins, better call tuning fork at haltech!

[@richardjones38]

Oh no! USB 2 always = 5V (only). SAE J1962 type A port (commonly, but incorrectly referred to as an 'OBD II port') always = 12-14V ish (12V vehicle battery voltage only). Even if the voltages matched, there is no compatibility between the K-line and USB serial communication protocols - electronics to interface between them is always needed. Whoever advised making a 'dumb cable' owes you a laptop, or a laptop repair.

[@alienpoker]

Couple of points for future experiments: A jump start pack is not a very regulated Supply for the +12v. You mentioned a PC PSU, which is a better choice. USB Serial interface isn’t compatible with ODBC directly. That’s what the ‘chip’ inside the cable is for.

[@ax13h]

USB is very much not 'dumb' compatible. The FTDI chip you bypassed is a serial -> USB interface. There are many serial protocols and configurations thereof and chances are the one the factory ecu puts out isn't what that chip expects.

[@trapjohnson]

"Focus is overrated", promptly jumps to working on something else ;D

[@glennp9904]

They put all those bits in the canbus connector for a reason. The fact u could see data on the laptop initially meant that one way was ok. Its possible ie highly likely, the ecu actually requires 12v input to its normall 12 supply connector work correctly. Not 12v back fed into it from canbus side. My guess as an electronics tech is if u do that and dont fiddle with trying to bypass it will work just fine on another laptop or a PC.

[@deopersad2915]

Thanks for sharing, yeah I'm oldschool and like old carburetor's, not into the computer systems yet , and just will be doing a normal job on my Rav4 but it's a pain lol and seen aftermarket products are not cheap eather, but you will get it sorted 👍🏻😀

[@thescottishhammer7570]

Yeah your laptop really didn't enjoy those 12volts dumped unregulated into its 5volt rail. Fixable though, so no worries.

[@fatasdat]

Damn, that audis roof and front end would have been really useful 3 months ago. 😆

[@Nikoxion]

Darn it! I feel so sorry for you messing that up. Things aren't always the way they seem at first. But regardless; 12V to USB go BRRRRR.

[@alman6581]

At worse it should have only been 12v pushed up into your 5v USB circuit. Strange to fry your laptop.

[@scruffymitchell8074]

Putting 12v to the 5v usb port is likely where hat went wrong. If he had have picked up the power feeds for the usb off the orignal output off the board he may have gotten away with it.

[@captaintoyota3171]

Haltech my friend. Link is prolly better but haltech is big in Aus and may sponsor you. But yeah dont use a booster pack use a old battery. But yeah i bet you pushed 12volts and a few amps into the laptop

[@francisouellette5938]

Still amazing that you tried it. Have u identified what went wrong? I would still like to see if it can be done. Keep it up, I can't get enough of your projects. Have a good one mate.

[@dwmfty3111]

Do I see another Porsche in the background so now you have .Harry, Megan, Prince William and Kate 🤔

[@shelbymccaul6505]

For what it’s worth, you can cut a slot in the top of the screws that shear away on the ECU cage and then use a flathead screwdriver to back them out. I like to leave the cage to ease my mind, haha.

[@iainmcglynn833]

Sometimes taking a very big hammer and smashing the F out of a part that’s not cooperating is the best way forward Jeff It’s either that or getting a hug from the wife I’ve no wife but a good selection of hammers 😂

[@micheleettore5870]

I think with that bypass you sent 12v direct to the notebook usb , imnot sure . Hold On man , you're bright .

[@EconoboxGarage]

I really appreciate it when you post when things go wrong. There are too many car channels where mistakes and blunders are not shown.

[@nigelk780]

Oops.The sort of thing I do. At east you can man maths a computer and ECU out f the remains

[@jayinmi3706]

Sounds like you shot 12V up your USB. cable into the laptop.

[@anomamos9095]

For those who are really diy there is an Ardwino engine computer kit for the total cost of about $200 I forget the name or how to spell it though

[@pouyan225]

ArduECU?

[@MmmMmm-vc8jz]

Rabbit?

[@JohnSmith-pi4ju]

Speeduino

[@janeblogs324]

@@JohnSmith-pi4ju this

[@MyBlueZed]

I’m sure you have told us but are you going to use the original 986 gearbox?

[@jamessneed6318]

Fun fact, electrical components run on smoke... So don't let the smoke out.

[@gazzafloss]

Electronics ain't easy Jeff, oh I guess you've found that, at least you're having a go...

[@jamest5149]

Yep, you proved it [can’t] be done relatively inexpensively 😂 Halltech/Link etc to the rescue.

[@Omegaman1969]

Jeff take a look at the Julie emulator for the MED9.1 on youtube

[@donnied8127]

Ouch, 12v connected into USB port never worked :D

[@cassowaryind]

At least the power unit in the Laptop is easy to fix. takes less than 30 min.

[@haveric24]

Go get a Haltech unit you wont be sorry nice effort though

[@scblue01]

Came across an interesting device used by US racers to help maintain oil pressure even when lateral loads cause oil to surge away from the sump pickup. Could help protect the engine's bottom end while rounding some of Wakefield Park's longer bends. Anyway, here tis: www.cantonracingproducts.com/accusump-accumulator-turbo-oiler-tech/

[@HomeBuiltByJeff]

I have already planned on getting one. Don't want to kill it first outing ;)

[@Talasas]

If you plan on doing any more bench electronics for cars, get yourself a adjustable lab bench power supply (Minleaf or similar). Adjustable precise voltage and current, overload protection etc. Brilliant for testing all sorts.

[@HomeBuiltByJeff]

Haha, I am not ;)

[@ScrubRadius]

Was sitting here going “no no no no no…..for the love of god nooooo…”

[@tonyspiga2505]

demande a coupable de tous sur youtube specialiste dans les obd2 et le cablages elctrique

[@andrefaim3397]

Put a Fueltech ECU... it's the best

[@dg98adams]

Ya, nah, on the “proof of concept mate”…

[@FanatikBuilds]

Oops... 😬 a moment of silence for the poor little Lenovo. Thanks for sharing that projects don't always go as planned and that sometimes it pays to buy quality solutions! Your positivity in spite of the setback is commendable Jeff! 👊

[@HomeBuiltByJeff]

Thanks mate

[@dra911]

Don't feel too bad mate. I once fried an ECU output by loading it up with too many ignition outputs :-) ... Subsequently I designed a small circuit with a MOSFET to control what I needed. Breaking things, at times, is how we learn ... I think you gave it a fair shake... These factory ECUs really don't want to be tampered with anyway as you pointed out!

[@jonasthemovie]

Started off my day plugging my laptop into ten different $300.000 forestry machines using CAN bus to do some setups. Glad I didn’t have this outcome while doing that. Sorry to see you couldn’t find some proper descriptions.

[@realmac3443]

Have you considered installing the GT3 replica body on? Fits the Porsche Boxster and it’s all fibreglass. Would make for a cool race car

[@Omegaman1969]

I used to do this kind of work, you need a can bus adapter and some fairly expensive software to reliably flash modern ECU's. Can't you just take the chip from the key and the ignition ring and tape them together somewhere or do you not have a key for that car?

[@stevenwest1494]

Yikes, well, good practice for the Alfaferrari. RIP laptop. Might be fixable with fuse fix but sending how many amps down that USB cable....

[@glensgraphix]

You could've been speaking in Chinese and I would've just sat here shaking my head inn agreeance. But you can learn by your mistakes, or so I have been told.

[@1one3_Racing]

While you're talking to Link, put in a good word for me! I need an entry level ECU for my race car.

[@samperras]

Live and learn buddy

[@jiminycricket9877]

As always I love your can-do attitude. Fantastic. Now listen to uncle Jim and fit some itb’s (home brewed?) along with that ecu. You won’t regret it.

[@ebutuoyebutouy]

Clickbait. Nfg

[@benjamindavidson632]

I think you needed to power the ecu directly and not through the plug, also through a fuse in. I bet the Porsche key could be programmed to the audi ecu.

[@DMF351]

Have you considered speeduino as a budget ECU. A very capable ecu for very little cost.

[@rayskipper7174]

Why not haltec ecu

[@benstrait333]

Oh man, the look on your face when you said you'd smoked your laptop made me wince! BTDT my friend, onwards and upwards!

[@vogs72]

All credit to you for having a crack at it - you’ve proved the concept, and explained its flaws 🤷🏻‍♂️

[@imouse3246]

R.I.P. Lappy. 😥

[@baddage]

Shear bolt!

[@darionherbert8449]

Speeduino ecu

[@honestpat7789]

I think you just need a bigger shed/workshop. That will help many things 😁

[@pascaljeske7307]

Top Jeff is Back Love all your Videos ❤️👍💙❤️

[@rogergags]

tears!!!

[@fatasdat]

You can get an eeprom reader/rewriter off ebay for around $100

[@anks888]

Should of removed the immobilizer with it still in the car

[@davidsantos5516]

The blue....in the back...👌👌👌

[@davidsantos5516]

Quieta clection of Porche 's'

[@jrumiano]

Jeff - Try disconnecting the internal battery in the laptop. I had a similar problem that was rectified by removing and then reinstalling the internal battery. Keep up the great work!

[@HomeBuiltByJeff]

I did try that, but I think it is completely dead :(

[@jimclarke1108]

Boom

[@timwhalan6417]

👍🏻👏🍺

[@xpaugu]

you will as always get an A for effort! Love your work.

[@justinomeara3572]

You should look at a Haltech ECU, Local support in Sydney and should work with the Audi V8

[@janeblogs324]

$2k for a 32bit SNES? He would gain 10kw with a stock engine....

[@jonathanperry3792]

That forum is not good on details like don't put 12v into a 5 to 3v port.Sorry for you Jeff,

[@HomeBuiltByJeff]

To be fair they didn't tell me to do that, I did it myself without really knowing what I was doing (obviously) ;)

[@DevonMcFarlane]

Oh bro, sorry you fried your laptop

[@ideabrickworks9043]

I am so sorry, Jeff! You are so fearless!

[@gtbarreiros]

A Fueltech is the solution.

[@MicahBell_1860]

Love these videos for the Roxstar

[@Brendan.Wheatley]

Better luck next time mate!

[@atanasivanov5017]

Write me to help with ecu.

[@ro63rto]

Why not an Elite ECU?

[@muhdhafizuddin9547]

Amazinggg bro!!

[@markdorizzi6156]

Well done for having a crack. We learn from our mistakes. 1 final word. Helteck