VF Tuner Noob (Help Please)

Hey TW World,

So I'm new to the VF Tuner club and I'm trying to flash the ECU for the first time and I'm hitting a snag I don't quite understand - hopefully someone can point out my error. To catch you up on where I'm at I have:

1. Downloaded the newest VF Tuner software (as of 5.26.21)
2. Unlocked my ECU ID with 4 credits
3. Downloaded tune pack from VF Tuner

When going through the VF Tuner instructions (https://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/0...stallation_Guide_Ver_1.2.9.9.pdf?v=1617197284) at step 7.4, after selecting which 'tune' I want to install...nothing happens. There is no action at all and the 'calibrate ECM' button does not become active. I cannot move to step 7.5.

So my question is: what am I doing wrong here? The hardware/software worked last week when I downloaded my stock ECM, why is it unresponsive when I go to flash a new 'tune' on the ECM?

Any help is much appreciated!

 

It sounds like you are trying to flash the stock tune to your truck. Did you buy the tune pack? If so, you'll get a .zip file in an email with the tunes.

 

Yes, I bought the tune pack from VF Tuner. Even if I were attempting to flash the stock tune onto the ECU it should still give me the option to do so. Not that it would matter but I'm attempting to flash the "04B81_Reg_Stock_Thx.vft" tune.

 

Did you get prompted to register your VIN when you clicked "Prepare ECU." You said you unlocked your ECU ID which should have cost 4 credits. Did you also registered your VIN which should have cost an additional 4 credits and requires an internet connection while hooked up to your truck.

I'd pull it up on my truck, but my wife just left with it =(

My usual process is: Prepare ECU -> register VIN -> Select Tune -> calibrate

Hopefully @Shellshock and @tonered will be on soon and can help troubleshoot

 

Sounds like that could be the issue. I must've been confused when trying to read those Byzantine instructions. That's gonna be a semi-expensive mistake, I suppose. So now I have to buy more credits to use the tune pack I bought? Jeez

 

So just to be clear...Step 5 is "Licensing the Vehicle using OBDII Port", which is what I did that required 4 credits. Step 6 is "Tune Packs" (I did not do this initially since I already had the required info (VIN, ECU ID)) in order to receive the tune pack. Are you suggesting I need another 4 credits to re-register my vehicle since I didn't do it via the "Prepare ECU" button?

 

As long as your VIN was entered correctly you should only need to do it once and it shouldn't matter which way you do it. Did you do the Prepare ECU and then select your tune all in one go?

Is your truck "on" but not running like ? I can't ever remember exactly how this works with the Push to Start button (single press I think?). And the battery voltage is over 12V?

I'm just spitballing here - I assume that since you have the 04B81 pack you have had the TSB update performed to get you from 04B80 to 04B81. The Prepare ECU screen should show 04B81.

 

I’m having basically the same problem. When I bought VFTuner I thought it came with 5 credits. I prepared the ECU and now when I go to load KDMax, it won’t let me.

 

I'm no expert here, @tonered would be my go to for that one. But I think if you have the full VF suite it comes with 9 credits? 4 to license your VIN/Truck, 4 to unlock the ECU ID for edits should you choose to, and one for the software that will always stay in VF.

Also, if the tune pack is still .VFT, that might be a problem because I think 1.2.9.9.9 and up only flash .VFC files. I have .VFT files on my PC and I cannot use them, only .VFC. Though with the full suite they should be able to be converted, unlike my "lite" version I got upgraded to from the old Flash Kit.

So if you started with 9 credits, you should be OK to spend 4 more to license the truck.

Here's some info from the VF Forum on Credits.

See: FAQ Thread

 

I did not "Prepare ECU" and then select the tune. In fact I have not used the "Prepare ECU" button at all. Only the "Read ECU" to get the ECU ID and stock ECU downloaded. I got the VIN off the truck and emailed Zendesk my information, they sent me back the tune pack.

The truck is in "ACC" mode, which is pushing the start button twice without a foot on the brake pedal.

I did not do a TSB update, the 04B81 is the ECU ID that came up when I downloaded my stock ECU last week.

 

You can now flash VFTs:


The Lite version only gets four Credits with no ability to add more without upgrading to a full vF License:

The Read ECU step on Page 20 is a typo. Follow the graphic that shows Prepare ECU.

If you hit the PTS twice without touching the brake, you are in Ignition ON.

 

As noted above, there is a typo on Page 20:

 

Woah hold up, so there's 1.2.9.9.9 and a 1.2.9.9.9 with the same version number, but with an update to be able to flash .VFT? That's nice, was not aware of that. Mine didn't allow it when I had a tune I purchased, had to get it converted to .VFC to flash it last week.



I'll go update it now just in case, good info!

Talk about a silent update.



Now the manual just needs an update, since it's still steering people to read vs prepare. Baby steps.

 

So the typo got me to spend my credits on the wrong thing, and now I need to buy more? Honestly just a little confused here still.

 

If you Unlocked your VIN, you're solid.

The entire flash process is:

Prepare ECU while connected to the net.
Select Calibration File
Calibrate ECM

 

Sounds good, I think I've done that. I sent the VIN into Zendesk and they sent back the tune pack. I would guess that means it's good to go.

 

Send your VIN to @OVTune does not register it. That is only done by yourself in the vF software. Once a VIN is registered, it is permanent for anyone to flash.

 

Roger that. I guess I'll just have to test it and see what happens. To be clear I did the "Read ECU" button, it downloaded my ECU and I spent 4 credits to unlock...something. If this part didn't register my truck's VIN then I guess I'm either out $80 or I have to try to convince OVTune to cut me a break.

 

Is the "register VIN" a new thing in the latest software updates? I don't remember doing that, what is it for? I bought the tune pack last year and flashed 04B41 to my ECU and I still have 5 credits showing. Everything appeared to work properly for me. Am I missing something? I agree with OP it is kind of confusing and reading any of the thousands of posts in these threads usually raises more questions than answers lol.

 

Yes it is new in the past couple of updates. When they added the VIN registration, they credited everyone an additional 4 credits.