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Re-mapping the Mk5 GTI (Important Info)...


RedRobin
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I have been strongly advised (by AmD) that it is important to instruct your VW dealer to update the ECU software at the next service. This should be done before any re-mapping because it is known that a re-map may bring out/amplify some problems, such as the misfires experienced by Jay, on GTIs with earlier software installed.

Dealers being who they are, they are unlikely to do this unless instructed - It takes a couple of hours.

I have to say that I was impressed by talking to AmD and interested in the fact that they are able to do custom tuning so, for example, I could re-map mine to about 250-ish rather than 270-ish if I wanted. But a re-map is not something I am rushing into!

I hope this info helps someone and I'm sorry Jay didn't know this earlier.

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Very good questions, Steve 169144-ok.gif but unfortunately I don't have any good answers!

1) - Logically the car's computer, be it either Highline or Midline, will hold the software version info. But I doubt if VW regard such info as being wanted as accessible by the car's owner, so it will be buried and need the appropriate electronic tools to display it frown.gif .

2) - This depends on your individual service schedule arrangement with your dealer. Does the Mk5 GTI display 'miles to next service'? - I don't know.

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Indeed -- I'd been experiencing a persistent problem with my Polo that meant every few months it would start to cut out on idle. I'd taken it to my local dealer no less than 3 times due to this, and every time they simply cleaned the throttle body and said there you go (even though I'd said I wanted them to find and fix the root cause). I finally got disolusioned with them and went to a dealer a bit further a field only to find that there was apparently an ECU upgrade that my car should have had. Four months later and (touch wood) it's not had any issues since.

It really is amazing the difference in service between VW dealerships (well, quite probably any manufacturer's dealerships).

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Not at all, dealers have the system you’ve probably seen (I think the current version is called the VAG 1552) which performs all of the diagnostic and electrical adjustments on VAG cars.

VAG-COM is a public emulator which you can load onto a laptop and along with the requisite serial cable enables you to connect to your own car and perform pretty much all of what a dealer can do wink.gif

In practice this is typically:

- Full fault diagnosis

- Adjustments (e.g. auto door locking etc)

- Full data logging (lets you measure a number of ‘blocks’ while you’re driving and then save them to Excel for subsequent review)

- Recoding

- You can pretty much measure any value that the car records (e.g. requested/actual boost, MAF readings, knock, various temperatures etc)

It’s a great tool and can save you a fortune in “diagnostic charges”

We even have a VAG-COM forum here on TSN tongue.gif

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[ QUOTE ]

I have been strongly advised (by AmD) that it is important to instruct your VW dealer to update the ECU software at the next service. This should be done before any re-mapping because it is known that a re-map may bring out/amplify some problems, such as the misfires experienced by Jay, on GTIs with earlier software installed.

Dealers being who they are, they are unlikely to do this unless instructed - It takes a couple of hours.

I have to say that I was impressed by talking to AmD and interested in the fact that they are able to do custom tuning so, for example, I could re-map mine to about 250-ish rather than 270-ish if I wanted. But a re-map is not something I am rushing into!

I hope this info helps someone and I'm sorry Jay didn't know this earlier.

[/ QUOTE ]

Hello mate, I apologise for the "newbie" question, but are you allowed, by VW, to do a re-map ? ie; does it not invalidate your warranty ?

Cheers. smile.gif

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encee - As it's your car you are "allowed" to do anything you like but, currently, VW UK if asked would doubtless say that they prefer you didn't re-map but it's up to the individual dealer as there are, I believe, some (very few) who will even arrange it.

The reasoning behind such 'reluctance' is twofold: If an expensive-to-repair fault develops under warranty, neither VW UK nor the VW dealer want to pay for the remedial work if the fault is directly caused by a third-party - a tuner. Tuners are not regulated in the UK and so it's a minefield. Even representing a German TUV approved tuner in the UK is no real guarantee in practice - ask Jay! Having said this, lots of GTI Mk5 owners have had very successful re-maps.

The second reason is that the GTI ECU is particularly complex and not designed to be 'interfered' with by third parties. That's essentially why some tuners will try and sell you their product on the basis of it being untraceable/undetectable which is bollox. But humans will always accept a challenge.

I have been, and am continuing to, doing as much research as possible on this subject. The Mk5 GTI is still new and its ECU has already been revised.

So, the short answer to your question is that re-mapping could invalidate your warranty. Ideally we want regulated and VW UK approved tuners. I have been told that Abt are working towards this but then it comes at a high financial cost....if it happens.

I emphasise that everything I post is not gospel and only reported to the best of my knowledge....I am not an expert in this field but I am quite good at research and presenting an overview. I stand to be corrected and welcome any additional input for the shared benefit of all of us here.

Andy - Thanks for that tip 169144-ok.gif

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there are several UK dealers who offer remaps, none I am sure with permission from VW uk.

As for what you are 'allowed' to do, I am sure given a chance VW would have it so that driving the car invalidated the warrenty, wouldnt have the Japanese manufactureres with 'low quality' cars showing them up for reliability then!!!!!

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[ QUOTE ]

+++ Great! I've just seen the forum - TSN does it yet again!

I'm sure it won't work on a Mac but I can see that the forum has plenty of location info 169144-ok.gif Cheers, Mollox.

[/ QUOTE ]

http://www.ross-tech.com/

I know they were on about doing a mac version a while back.

Very useful tool vag.com

PS Myself and freinds have had many dealings with AMD over the years and they have been nothing but helpful. beerchug.gif

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[ QUOTE ]

To see the interval until the next service you turn the ignition on and put your seatbelt on to stop it warning you. Then just press and hold down the trip reset for a couple of seconds and it should tell you in the display how many miles and days until the next service.

[/ QUOTE ]

....I checked this method - three times this morning, and it doesn't unfortunately work on my car confused.gif

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....In fact, very fortunately, not quite correct. I've now stopped being lazy and looked it up in my GTI handbook - To reset the service interval display: The ignition has to be switched off while the trip reset button is held, and then the ignition switched on and then afterwards the reset trip button should be released. Phew!!

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