MSS6x Flasher - Now released!

[dpaul]

Is it worth getting an ICOM and using ISTA-P for the E9x M3? Or will the KDAN be sufficient? Please excuse my non bimmer terminology but my goal is to pull current ROM and verify whether I have most current OEM version and whether the car has already had a canned or custom flash. Purchased 09 M3 E93 used but signs of possible modifications removed/stripped prior to sale etc. I have the bimmergeeks cable now and already coded features using Carly. I have enough performance power added mods, upcoming exhaust and I will be doing H pipe, or splitfire, and attempt to grab some low end torque although the rear is already squirrely enough haha so looking to get a solid foundation to properly e-tune the vehicle, which I've successfully done on Mitsubishi very easily. For those who like numbered questions instead of long winded paragraphs:
1) ICOM Next and ISTA-P for E9x M3, yes or no?
2) Best software/method to pull ROM without bricking?
3) Best method/software for logging pulls in 3rd?
4) Best method for flashing ROM without bricking?

Thanks for any insight anyone can provide, I'm finding the BMW tuning market somewhat of an exercise in empire building and very confusing compared to other makes.

Cheers,
James

1) No, it is not worth getting an ICOM for what you say you want to do. If you want to update the programming for the CIC then yes. Otherwise, no. Only MOST bus modules need it. As for ISTA-P, I find no utility in it. It will insist on doing things you really might not want to do - you can't easily update just one, selected module.

2) No software will brick anything if you are only trying to read a module's memory. Keep in mind that it you have a custom tune you will not be able to read it with any of the commonly available packages. The tuners will encrypt the file they distribute and alter parameters in the DME so it cannot be read by OBDII. In addition, most MSS60 DMEs are programmed at the factory to prevent BDM reads so that option is generally out.

But if all you want to do is ascertain factory software level, you can do that with INPA (BMW standard tools) and any DCAN cable, even a junk Chinese knockoff. MSS6x flasher is also a great option and it is far easier to install. It will give you the installed software version info and read the entire flash - it will even give you the SK/ISN (although that is not read out from its original location in protected memory).

3) Good luck with logging - I've used BMWLogger - it is antique, awkward and inflexible. NOWHERE near as nice as MHD logger for the N54. It does work but if you find something better, let me know.

4) By far the best option for flashing the DME with program or calibration data that you've edited is MSS6x with the Bimmergeeks cable. It's been said multiple times but just to make sure, you MUST get either the Bimmergeeks cable (or one with properly updated firmware),or update the firmware yourself. If all you want to do is update the factory software to the most current version, just use WinKFP (BMW Standard tools). Again, you MUST use an updated cable

[Stringgrinder]

Is it worth getting an ICOM and using ISTA-P for the E9x M3? Or will the KDAN be sufficient? Please excuse my non bimmer terminology but my goal is to pull current ROM and verify whether I have most current OEM version and whether the car has already had a canned or custom flash. Purchased 09 M3 E93 used but signs of possible modifications removed/stripped prior to sale etc. I have the bimmergeeks cable now and already coded features using Carly. I have enough performance power added mods, upcoming exhaust and I will be doing H pipe, or splitfire, and attempt to grab some low end torque although the rear is already squirrely enough haha so looking to get a solid foundation to properly e-tune the vehicle, which I've successfully done on Mitsubishi very easily. For those who like numbered questions instead of long winded paragraphs:
1) ICOM Next and ISTA-P for E9x M3, yes or no?
2) Best software/method to pull ROM without bricking?
3) Best method/software for logging pulls in 3rd?
4) Best method for flashing ROM without bricking?

Thanks for any insight anyone can provide, I'm finding the BMW tuning market somewhat of an exercise in empire building and very confusing compared to other makes.

Cheers,
James

[tdott]

If by "new" DME, you mean a used one obtained from a salvage yard, then yes, absolutely. I just did this.

Yes sorry that is what I meant. Did you do this on a s85 or s65?

Someone said it may cause limp mode on a s65, but I haven't tested it yet.

[dpaul]

Just had a thought about this section here:


If a new DME is used, can the EWS delete that was found in the other thread be applied to the new DME, can that then work without the need to burn the new key into the CAS?

- Trevor

If by "new" DME, you mean a used one obtained from a salvage yard, then yes, absolutely. I just did this.

[Stringgrinder]

Hello all! Nice to finally find an open source community/discussion for the s65. Former Mitsubishi guy used to easy access with Tactrix and EvoScan. I'm hoping to bridge some coding wizards to help flush things out, these engines deserve options. I've spent a few months now researching what options are available off the shelf and I can see it has been a tightly held market. Still reading through all the posts, very excited with what I'm seeing so far.

[tdott]

Terra, thank you once again for releasing this great tool. As I've played around with it lately and successfully learned how to read, make changes and write files to my car I am incredibly grateful a tool like this exist and is available to the public.

Just had a thought about this section here:

I didn’t listen to you about your cable, flashed my DME, and now my car won’t start. What do I do now?
If you can’t find a 2007 DME, then you can still make things work with a newer DME, but it becomes a little more complicated. Plug the new DME into the car, and recover the EWS Secret Key from that DME. Now you need to burn that key into your car’s CAS module.

If a new DME is used, can the EWS delete that was found in the other thread be applied to the new DME, can that then work without the need to burn the new key into the CAS?

- Trevor

[Tomba]

Hello,

You need hardware/software tool to modify the ISN in CAS. That way you don't have to worry about VO mismatch or anything else.

R270 and probably some tools from Xhorse are able to do that.

[tdott]

so as of now, I’m going to download a hex editor software and continue on with the diy attempt, and hopefully I can get it sorted. If not, or if I run out of time, I’ll resort to having someone else take care of it.

It's super easy, the hardest part is finding the offset location in the file then you just have to change 40 82 to 48 00 (that is for MSS65, but please go read the details as the location depends on the version the dme is on for the S85), post in the EWS delete topic if you need help, but it's super easy. It's pretty much the easiest change you can make to a hex/binary file.

[tdott]

Hi Trevor,
yes I know this thread is about MSS6xFlasher, and that is why I thought it was odd that you mentioned removing EWS with MSSFlasher which is the name of a program that is used to flash MSS5x ECU's. I guess you just made a typo...

Thought it would be easily understood I was referring to the mss6x version, considering we are in the thread for the mss6x version.

I'll call it MSS6x Flasher from now on then.👍

[MarkD_M5]

This thread's topic is the mss6x version. Did you read the Original post Mark?
https://nam3forum.com/forums/forum/e...r-now-released

Hi Trevor,
yes I know this thread is about MSS6xFlasher, and that is why I thought it was odd that you mentioned removing EWS with MSSFlasher which is the name of a program that is used to flash MSS5x ECU's. I guess you just made a typo...

[Martyn]

You'll need to change the ISN in the CAS to match that of your donor DME. You'll only be able to do this with specialist hardware.

[e82s65]

The ISN is from the DME. The "CAS" ISN is simply formatted how it would be stored in the CAS.

terra - thank you for clarifying, one piece of the puzzle solved!

tdott - thank you for the input. I’m going to look into a hex editor, hoping I can come across one that’s a good mix of being user friendly and also capable of doing what I need, both for this and other things I have going on. I’ll definitely look into the hxd you mentioned.

mark - I appreciate the offer, unfortunately I am quite a distance from you and additionally, I don’t know if the original dmes circuit board is in a condition where it would be possible to extract the necessary data to clone it successfully. Not to say it’s definitely impossible, as I haven’t made an effort to do so (or have someone attempt I should say), but I would be surprised if it could be done on this particular board only because of how damaged it seems to be.

so as of now, I’m going to download a hex editor software and continue on with the diy attempt, and hopefully I can get it sorted. If not, or if I run out of time, I’ll resort to having someone else take care of it. In the meantime, if anyone with some experience using hex editor software(s) cares to share some opinions on what’s out there (paid or free versions, doesn’t matter) or has any recommendations as to which one to go with or which would be best for someone who isnt yet familiar with the process, I would definitely appreciate any advice. Of course I will continue researching on my own, but I always prefer obtaining the most relevant information from those who know better than I do, and in this case, have experience using editing software specifically on bmws as opposed to basing my software choice on feedback from those who specialize in other brands. Based on the little I’ve come to understand so far, editing software in general is pretty versatile and relevant for most ecus regardless of the automaker, but again, I would rather look into software that has been proven to be effective with these cars in particular as I don’t really get involved too much with anything outside bmw. Thanks again for the help guys.

[tdott]

MSSFlasher is only for MSS5x, not for any later ECU.

If e82s65 is in the Toronto area, I have the proper tools to clone his ECU to another.

This thread's topic is the mss6x version. Did you read the Original post Mark?
https://nam3forum.com/forums/forum/e...r-now-released

[MarkD_M5]

DME and CAS has to match in order for it to start. EWS delete will allow the DME to function with the CAS/key as long as the key matches the CAS (I believe).



A few threads below in this section you will see a topic on the EWS delete.
It can be done with MSSflasher and a hex editor such as Hxd and the proper dcan cable.

MSSFlasher is only for MSS5x, not for any later ECU.

If e82s65 is in the Toronto area, I have the proper tools to clone his ECU to another.

[tdott]

DME and CAS has to match in order for it to start. EWS delete will allow the DME to function with the CAS/key as long as the key matches the CAS (I believe).

And in regards to ews delete and dme cloning and things of that nature, from what I understand (or at least believe to understand), that will still leave me in the same boat with having to obtain a separate software with those particular functions/features/capabilities to allow me to do those things - which I’m not opposed to buying as long as the software is worth it and has little to no user limitations - or paying someone for that service. My specific goal here is to eliminate having to outsource for this type of stuff. Not that I’m against paying an expert to do what they do, by any means; I have no problem paying for products, services, advice, tools, software, licenses, tuning, etc.

A few threads below in this section you will see a topic on the EWS delete.
It can be done with MSSflasher and a hex editor such as Hxd and the proper dcan cable.