I Almost Ruined My BMW Trying This Update :( ECU Upgrade Attempt

I debated uploading this but figured some might find it interesting.
It could also still prove to be useful for some people that want to follow along.
In this video I attempt to update my ECU to MSD81 which is an upgraded DMW for the N54 and came on late 2008 cars onward.
My car came stock with an MSD80 ECU and it has some known design flaws such as weak mosfets to drive the injectors and a weak power supply which could prove to be problematic if you have upgraded coils etc.
Unfortunately this upgrade was unsuccessful but I was really close and I hope you guys still enjoy watching.
Expect an update video soon once I have the modules back.
Thanks for watching :) When you see the word "affiliate" listed beside any link in my description please know that this is a custom link and I will earn a small commission if you opt to purchase using said link. This is at no extra cost to you so it's a win all around :) Thank you!

[@danielpacurar2644]

I own Autohex II which can retrieve the original isn and write it to the msd81. I'm sure by now you've already found someone to perform this task but if you haven't, you can send me the modules and I can do it for you. I'm located in Portland, Oregon.

[@VehicularDIY]

Hey thanks so much for the offer. I'll pin this comment for anyway looking for that service. Yeah I did find someone but really appreciate you offering the service.

[@danielpacurar2644]

Keep in mind, your flash tune will not transfer over to the replacement dme unless the dme is cloned and flash data and eeprom data is transferred over. However, since the new dme will have your existing VIN now, you should be able to reload your tune via MHD I imagine without buying another license (I may be wrong but worth a shot).

[@Cyrix2k]

@@danielpacurar2644 MHD will happily flash an MSD81 with the same license VIN. Not sure how the DME cloning works as I'm under the impression it's quite difficult. I just used CGDI and some shenanigans to replace mine.

[@danielpacurar2644]

@@Cyrix2k Autohex will support dme cloning with in the next few months however what exactly it will allow you to do I still dont know. That's good to know that mhd will allow you to load on the tune without buying a new license.

[@rasheedcolmenar5920]

Hello, I just had my dme replaced by bmw from msd80 to msd81 because of a BSD error code (2E7C) now they're saying that they're having problems programming it saying that the new dmes' keeps "bricking" they're on the 4th msd81 dme now and wants more money from me to diagnose the problem further. BTW the old dme works just fine when we put it back in. Any ideas what would cause this when the original msd80 works just fine? and is this something you can help me with? I'm more than happy to send you my DME CAS and key if this is something you can fix. thanks.

[@arnobruynen6073]

Locksmith man and BMW electronics expert over here. You can actually flash any ZB version you like to the CAS module via expert mode. encrypted or not does not matter. Yours will be denied because the HW reference doesn't match between the module and the desired software to be flashed. In expert mode as long as you choose the right files you will get a warning that the reference does not match but it will still proceed flashing. Even if your flash succeeded your tamper dot would still be lit. With WinKFP you write the UIF VIN. UIF is a list of previous flashes together with the programmed VIN. That's what you read with UIF under functional jobs in INPA. The problem is in the EEPROM of the CAS there still is a VIN, ISN, mileage and key codes that cannot be changed over OBD. Programming with WinKFP or coding with NCS won't change this data. As long as the VIN in the EEP doesn't match you will get a tamper dot. And even if your VIN matched your KOMBI will take on the mileage from the CAS if the CAS mileage is higher. If the CAS mileage is lower than that of the KOMBI it will take the mileage from your KOMBI. You need tools like CGDI,VVDI,Autohex... like i have and solder 7 wires to the CAS PCB in order to take a hex dump of the EEPROM, change the data and then write the modified dump back. Then you would need to do the same to the DME so it's VIN matches your car. Bonus: you don't actually need to flash a used module to change the vin.. some of them do like the DME,CAS,KOMBI and EGS but most don't. You can write the VIN with Tool32 using the jobs c_fg_schreiben and c_fg_auftrag. No need to flash them. You can even change the UIF to reflect whatever ZB and VIN you want with tool32 using the job aif_schreiben and the right arguments ;)

[@VehicularDIY]

Thanks for chiming in! That clears up some confusion, it's kind of like the primary VIN slot in the DME? The way I understood it is you're writing to the secondary UIF slot to make it work with the car but you're not really changing the VIN. So I could have forced the software update via expert mode and had it read out the correct mileage (my kombi has higher mileage then the cas) and everything would work but I'd have a tamper dot due to the VIN not matching the kombi? That's interesting, I was thinking it was possible to update the primary VIN on the CAS via WinKFP to get rid of the tamper dot. Yeah I've encoded the VIN with NCS Expert and default encoding modules in the past, I know that at least updates the UIF. Never really checked to see if it updates the primary VIN but it always accomplished the goal I was after. From what I've read every time you flash the DME via MHD even if you update the UIF it will revert back to the original VIN so that along with the tamper dot issue due to a VIN mismatch in the CAS I think it's best to leave this kind of stuff to the locksmiths experts like you. While I have you do you know if a CGDI works with CAS4 modules like on my F15 X5 to add a 2nd key?

[@arnobruynen6073]

Vehicular DIY yeah correct. You can think of it as primary and secondary VIN’s but to be exact there might even be more VIN’s stored in different addresses in the memory. To be short, in many cases they won’t all be changed by flashing or even writing them with tool32. For example, on an F series 6WA there are 2 short VIN’s (7 digits) and 1 long VIN (17 digits) in the primary 160D0WQ EEPROM and 1 short VIN in the secondary 95128 EEPROM. Changing the VIN by tool32 will only change the VIN in the 95128 EEP but not the 160D0WQ. That on it’s own will leave you with a VIN mismatch fault code in ISTA. For your F15, they don’t use CAS4 but BDC immobilizers. BDC is the front electronics module. It combines the functions of FRM,CAS and JBBF of previous chassis. The problem with creating keys for them is you need to downgrade them with a suitable tool and a FEM/BDC test platform. Basically you remove the module from the car, plug it in the bench, backup the coding, open it up, read the EEPROM with a test clip, let the software generate a service EEPROM and write that back. Then do the downgrade with CGDI/VVDI/... then restore the original EEPROM file and then you can finally program a key. I would highly recommend you buy a VVDI2 and VVDIprog combo. They have less functionallity than a CGDI,CGpro but as my experience is with both tools the VVDI is way more reliable. In fact the last software update CGDI released left a lot of people with bricked modules, myself including. Never had a brick happen on me by using the VVDI. VVDIprog also is a really versitale programmer. You can do nearly every chip you can imagine with it. If you plan on making a second key for your F15 please be aware that a bricked module will leave your car dead as the BDC is the gateway, immobilizer and front electronics module combined into 1 module. They are expensive as hell too if you brick it and order a new one from the dealership. If you want to use a used module after you’ve had a brick you need to read the ISN from the DME and program it to the new used BDC (after you’ve downgraded that module too), virginise your ELV, then flash and code the module with E-sys and do all the necessary initialisations in ISTA. A pain in the ass to be honest... i’m not trying to discourage you from doing it but i’m preparing you for what you might be up to if you decide to try it yourself 😉

[@tjbenavidaz6283]

@@arnobruynen6073 hey man I assume you do all this programing still? I have a 08 335xi with msd80 ecu that keeps blowing mosfets and im sick of repairing them and im sure there are plenty of other issues. I have a donor msd 81 and a donor cas and key all from the same car. I want those cloned to my existing modules aswell as a donor jbe and frm module cloned that are from different cars and then have my original key and a virgin key ive bought programed to work with the new setup. Is this something you could do and if so how much would you charge?

[@arnobruynen6073]

@@tjbenavidaz6283 send me an email at [e-mail]

[@phr3ui559]

@@arnobruynen6073hey are you still active, i have some questions

[@igotaction]

Glad you didn’t scrap this. Awesome to see where the line of DIY ends. A lot of shops wouldn’t do this because it’s not worth the cost of the equipment and training required to get the equipment. They do exactly what you did, pull ECU/CAS/key and ship it out.

[@TheSaif78]

Your channel deserves a lot more subscribers, the quality of the videos are good

[@Saicopateful]

Thanks for taking the risk and showing results. At least you tried!

[@conconstantinou2890]

Great video, don't be too hard on yourself, many people have learnt alot from your experience. When it comes to coding and flashing ECUs it's extremely important to have the correct battery charger as well as backing up the original Fa vehicle order otherwise you can really get yourself into some serious trouble. Also recommend using forums to really plan out what you are trying to achieve and understand the consequences of it not going to plan. Great work keep it up

[@ramsinshamouni7662]

GREAT LEARNING EXPERIENCE. THANKS FOR THE VIDEO.

[@florianbehncke2307]

'Can really feel your disappointment. I like your Videos, and your entertaining and very professional way of doing this kinda things! Thank you so much

[@SupraSav]

Damn. Appreciate this. Taking one for the team. Another solid video nonetheless.

[@reginald8405]

Thanks for Video, learn a lot.

[@machtschnell7452]

Constructive if frustrating. Thanks for posting.

[@darrencope4268]

were do you get a copy of inpa from, and in English?

[@cespaillat11]

Questions. Im replacing my DME MSD 81 with the same exact one (same part #). I got a set from a donor vehicle (DME, CAS, Key fob). If replacing as a set, do I still need programming? Will the VIN be correct? Will there be a tamper dot? If replacing just the DME, can I just change the VIN with INPA, NCS and WinKFP? Thanks.

[@jamesz8631]

This is a long shot... I have been dealing with an issue in an E90 N54 with an MSD80 ECU for about a year now. I am at my wits end with this one and I think the problem lies in the ECU. I have a friend who is currently rebuilding N54 engine out of a E60 535i of the same year. For trouble shooting purposes, I want to barrow his ECU to see if the problem I am dealing with goes away. So far it looks like I would need to barrow his, ECU, CAS, Key and cluster... (and reprogram injector values in INPA) is there anything else that I am missing here? I can deal with programming, but would prefer not too if I can avoid it. As I don't want to brick either car. The issue I am dealing with is when the car goes into closed loop, cylinders 1 and 6 start missing. (doesn't set codes though) and it's not constantly. Runs completely fine if you accelerate hard. but it does not like sitting at a constant speed or while cruising. when cruising at a set speed, you feel the car hesitate or stumble over itself. Plugs, Coils, Injectors, and upstream and downstream O2 sensors have been changed. Even have swapped MAP and MAF sensors for good measure. No vacuum leaks in the system even after a smoke test. In fact, the engine has been rebuilt including turbos for another issue entirely. (cracked piston land on cylinder 2) I have never dealt with this many issues on an engine. I primary work on Audi/VW and older E46 BMW's...(full engine rebuilds, electronics repair like you do) this E90 is kicking my a$$ and I don't like it... Your channel has been a big help figure other things I have ran into though on this thing.

[@Spoolzone]

Ever seen OBD port have power to it but no connectivity?? After MSD81 swap and new cas /key

[@cleberveronez]

Hello good afternoon, I did something with the inpa in my bmw and now the ecu does not work .. there are many faults, I need to update the ECU, do I have to do this same process? i have a bmw e90. Thank you..

[@kylerwinters]

I'm located in Portland, Or and Vancouver, Wa. I have a tool that copies the ISN number from the new msd81(or msd80) and writes it to the CAS. I only charge $200 I'm usually come to my clients cars to do it

[@joepaquette7435]

I'm probably going to take some hate over this, but here goes. My n52 e92 blew up, so I LS swapped it. Been driving for a year with no issues, everything has been functioning fine BMW platform wise, and recently had power disconnected for a few weeks while working on car. Reconnected and have now been blessed with key sticking in ignition, car wont power all the way off, airbag light, and restraint light. I'm looking for info on who could help me with coding a new CAS or possibly the JBE module below the fuse block, I no longer have a DME seeing I'm using a stand alone holley terminator. I've replaced battery, key receiver, and start button with new BMW parts, both key fabs still function. Hopefully there's a follower on this excellent channel that can help me out.

[@mahmoudhantouli5434]

Hi how u can add A Different CAS3 comes from A junkyard to original ECM please let me know thanks

[@Stacklinux]

what year is your car?

[@robertwagner605]

you just have to click UPDATE ZUSB and the software finds the newest matching part number by itself

[@jasongarcia2783]

I know you went to 80 - 81 but I’ll it be the same thing if you want to do to 80-80 dme

[@MrNicoe36cabrio]

Nice video. Maybe too complicated for the DIYer at home...

[@victorrobinson7008]

My Fail-Safe on my 2003 BMW is on if I change my transmission control unit will that affect the key fob and all the security ? I don't know what to do if advise me ? Transmission failsafe it only has reverse and high gear going forward it doesn't change gears

[@Yesterday23071]

Hi , did you sort it out ? I ve change the comfort unit on VW Mk5 , and when driving showing safe mode on dash . Still so annoying....

[@fventura03]

info for who did it?

[@samuelacevedo127]

Where can I get the software an cables needed to perform this I got water damage to my old dme

[@samuelacevedo127]

After reading more of these comments I can see the trouble I'm getting myself into hat's off to you guys this my first bmw don't want to sell it but a new dme out the question at this point

[@courtneylane6731]

So please explain. I have msd80 and I have constant misfire in bank 1. I’ve done all maintenance you can think of. Thinking about trying the new msd81 will ai be able to code it myself using Inpa? Or mhd

[@VehicularDIY]

No you will need to send the ECU out or take it to a place that can align the new DMW with your CAS.

[@courtneylane6731]

@@VehicularDIY I actually just pulled my Ecu out. And it turns out I have MSD81. But when I’m on INPA it reads msd80. Maybe that’s the fault and when I used Inpa to code injectors? Any feedback?

[@scottxp800]

If you have replaced the supect coil mosfets what would be the advantage to going to an MSD81, I can quick flash my MSD80 in 2 minutes can the MS81 be flashed that fast?

[@baybiboy1]

Yes it can flash that fast. I have an later production 08 e92 335i. It has the MSD81. I flash Different BEF maps all the time based on my octane. Once you have the initial map done from stock, changing between maps is 2mins or less.

[@rennmotorsllc9787]

There are two common problems with the MSD80.... Mosfets and power supply. He did the mosfets but I think the power supply is now failing. So now the only thing to do is to upgrade to MSD81.

[@eimantas28]

My local guy can do all this just for 50$. Only need ECU. Can keep old key and cas ;)

[@DeeferStratus]

Can you send his contact information?

[@lozzaboy2789]

G,day, would you be able to supply his contact info please?

[@domytis]

You doing wrong with wink of update, you choose wrong software numbers. Just choose update and winkpf automatically pop ups what’s software you need for this ecu

[@garageguru8954]

turbo upgrade video plzzzz

[@JQ_Unity]

Yeah. There are hardly any BMW software tutorials out there. Those guys keep their tricks to trade to make money. Just coding out the adaptive headlights was a big ass headache and basically figured a lot out on my own with the limited info out there.

[@turbopickle9720]

Did you have someone code the adaptive headlights out for you? I’m trying to do the same but can’t find anyone to do it here in Dallas.

[@JQ_Unity]

Turbopickle I did it myself

[@daisyruiz8832]

@@JQ_Unity help him out

[@MrGerdar]

Thanks for sharing it. Will be looking forward t the follow video. Being a neophyte in trying to do my own DIY's do you know where I can purchase a manual for INPA? I have INPA downloaded but with limited use. Appreciate it if you could give me referral,

[@ALEX.THE.RUSSIAN]

Brother people are all waiting on the dyno atleast or the track times pls everyone is asking but you just stopped posting the new turbo related stuff. I ordered the 775RS ones and i want to see how yours are doing but we hear nothing. I love yoir videos pls get back to us

[@ademc8872]

You already fixed the board. Why bother upgrading?

[@danielpacurar2644]

Avoid future headaches

[@ademc8872]

PDX Autoworks if the original bad ones lasted 10 years the replacement ones should last a lifetime ;)

[@VehicularDIY]

I want to open up my spark plug gap and run more ethanol. It's running e60 right now. More spark plug gap requires the option for more dwell in mhd. The car feels like it has more torque with that option selected. Sometimes changing the mosfets isn't the only problem, the power supply is weak and I had some stumbles with the dwell option selected. Hoping the new ecu might avoid that. We'll see.

[@c.c7263]

Why exactly did you say that you almost ruined your car? I don't see anything that would ruin your car there... ?

[@veritas17]

You tried, nothing wrong with that

[@michaelhawk1826]

Can I delete cas?

[@user-bg9rc1sx1s]

on MSV80 yes, you can disable CAS

[@garage9202]

ฉันอยากได้โปรแกรมนี้ มีคำแนะนำหรือไม่

[@Nathan-gj8ch]

"100% have to have a charger on it" 1000 of people flashing car at the pump for E85

[@BMWDoctor]

Yes you can downgrade I do this all the time I bet you have tamper dot aswell

[@VehicularDIY]

Hey, I just subscribed to you. I've seen you on Nathan's channel and I know there is no better authority in the game! Yeah you're right I came to find that I could have forced the update via expert mode but like you said there would have been no getting around the tamper dot given you can only write the UIF and not the vin to the eeprom of the CAS so I've come to find. I have a new video coming up where we used Autohex II to get this done but if you're okay with it I'd like to collaborate with you and pick your brain for future projects. I'd of course give you a shout out, I know your channel is going to grow rapidly but I'd be happy to be a part of it. I've gotten into some pretty advanced stuff like adding active cruise control to my E90 etc but this project really was above me and I was just staying humble and releasing my learning process.