Has anyone successfully flashed a DME with a Manic tune back to stock? And I'm not talking about just plugging in the SPS switch and going to Manic's "stock" tune. I'm talking about flashing the ECU and removing every last bit of Manic's coding and leaving a virgin map that is completely untouched.

Some background, I had a Manic Stage 3 tune and I'm trying to get retuned at the moment with a different company and they are having to work around the Manic files to the point where they can't get as much power out of the car as they would like safely. Because of how Manic's tune is structured, it's a lot of guess and check programming to fix their numbers. I'm pretty much being told the only way they can properly tune the DME is to start from scratch.

I've even been to a Mini dealer and told them "It had an aftermarket tune, flash it back to stock." They did everything they could twice but both times I got handed back the car exactly how it was before I brought it in, and they just shrugged their shoulders and said "oh well we tried". Is it even possible? Or am I just stuck having to buy a used DME and having it programmed to the car?

 

This was the similar problem I was having with mine when the tuner tried to access the ECU with the Manic Motorsport stage 2 tune to restore back to stock and couldn't.

I'm guessing the only way is to find the tuner who did the Manic Motorsport tune and reflash your backup stock ECU map back in (I'm only guessing the original tuner should've made a backup file of your original ECU map).

I ended up deciding to go with standalone ECU SCS Delta in the end.

 

Subscribing to this thread for interest in the solution.... I also have a Manic stage 2, and want to know the solution in the case I go larger turbo in the future

 

I just went hybrid turbo and not larger turbo.

The tuner just wanted to adjust the map for the hybrid turbo but couldn't even restore the ECU to base file. Maybe my ECU was dodgy and/or the Manic Motorsport map prevented read/write or something.

It would be interesting for someone who still offers Manic Motorsport tuning to say whether or not it's possible to restore a base ECU file without the original ECU backup file.

 

I thought @Lou@Prototype-R had mentioned a process for reworking over a Manic tune...

 

I know Lou@Prototype-R does tuning but I don't think it's a reworking over a Manic tune (if that's what you mean).

As thebombardier went back to MINI to try and put the ECU back to original and MINI couldn't do it, I can only guess some sort or Manic software/hardware is required to access the Manic map and restore the ECU back to original state.

The hardware/software tried was some KESS version with base ECU file but couldn't read/write to the ECU with the Manic tune on the ECU, but they had no problems with other make/model cars Audi RS6, Volvo etc...

 

I mentioned this issue to my manic tuner and here's a summary of his response ---

The dealer should be able to overwrite manic tunes if there is an updated file. In most cases, peoples manic tunes are old enough there is an update option. If there magically have not been any updates then the dealer cannot do much to help since their software prevents reflashing with same software. That being said a real tuner should be able to flash it back to stock and even with the same software. Personally I feel like that is a red flag the tuner does not know what he is doing if he cannot write the base stock file. Like someone said a manic tuner can write back to stock as can most good aftermarket tools. IE we use autologic and it will also let you program stock software.

Looks like the dealer has been trying to re-flash the original tune, instead of installing an update, which might not be available. With no factory updates, you're limited to a tuner, preferably one that's familiar with manic tunes. If manic's base tune is causing grief, that suggests there's a hardware problem somewhere. I respect your choice to completely remove the tune, but if you can't find a tuner with that capability, it's a lot more cost-effective to work with manic's base tune. Have you talked with RPM to see if they have the capability to over-write manic? If they can, others should also be capable.

 

My tuner says the fundamental problem he's having is that the Manic tune effectively destroys the EEPROM data stored on the ECU that he would normally use to flash the car back to stock if he needed. Usually the EEPROM data is left untouched. And because the Manic files exist where that EEPROM data used to be, it's difficult to remove.

 

This does sound right that only newer ECU file can be used to flash the ECU and not the same version or older.

As some of these cars are more than 10 years old and most people already have the latest up to date software for the ECU.

I've also read on other BMW forums that if the tune was done via ODB2 then a complete backup of the ECU cannot be read and therefore the original ECU file backup is not complete, but if the tune was done via bench tuning then a complete backup of the ECU could be read and therefore complete original file.

 

Yes you can flash back to the factory tune and erase the Manic file. I do it fairly regularly when I tune remotely. The software does not need to be a newer version than what the Manic file is, and it is normally possible to overwrite the Manic file without using one of the 14 write cycles the DME leaves the factory with. After that I tune remotely with the handheld on the N14 and F56. For the N18 we have a new software and cable solution that allows remote tuning on the N18.

 

Excellent!

I'm hoping to get a tune update in the spring, and your services are top on my list. Currently running Manic Stage 2, but considering a turbo upgrade in my future.

 

hey Lou can you DM me please
i had Dinan flashed stage 1 tune on my 2018 JCW and bc I am in CA, won’t pass Smog
i am buying another DME from a donor car and would like stock flash to pass smog

thx in advance

 

Sure thing. Message sent. You can also feel free to email me at lou@prototype-r.com

 

lou with one of your tunes, can you do a stage 2 tune then flash back to stock and back to stage 2 again or does that require a new fee each time. Also in SoCal and wondering what happens in 2 years when I’m due for another smog

 

We don't charge a fee for remote re-flashing even if you've forgotten how to use the software or the handheld. I'll remote in or facetime and walk you through it.
On the N14/F56, the handheld has no renewal fee so you can switch to any of the tuned files or the stock file stored on it at any time, and can do so indefinitely but the handheld is locked to one VIN.
On the N18/F56 flash software you can change tunes as often as you like and use it on multiple vehicles with one caveat. Once the yearly licensing fee expires it will only restore to stock and read/clear errors. The licensing structure is controlled by the developer which I mark up $5 to cover processing fees. Still lose a tiny amount on it but I don't care. I told the accountant I'm in the tuning business not the software business. For just a second I thought I had hired my fifth grade teacher cause I got "The Look".

 

Hi Lou, I sent you an email a couple days ago but thought I'd let you know here too - am looking for some clarification on a recent flashing issue I had and potentially more info on your services inc. flashing back to stock for CA smog. Happy to send again if it got lost.

 

Hi 3lusive,
My apologies. I thought I had already responded to your question. When I looked however, I found the email in my draft folder so I must have closed Outlook before sending it. It should be in your email box now.
Best regards,
Lou