Technical ECU question: hardware revision / version

[abamfo]

Hi guys, hoping someone with technical knowledge on the Audi 3.0 TFSI ECUs can help me!

I just heard back from my Audi service consultant, I have been flagged with a TXD warranty fault, which is a "modification of the hardware version of a control unit from H.. to X.." according to a definition from Audi (see below). I have been through some old VCDS screenshots of my ECU and I have seen the following two outputs from when I first got the car and now (see below):

- Original
-> ECU: 8K5 907 551 D | Software Revision: 1002 | Revision (assumed to represent hardware version): H07

- Now
-> ECU: 8K5 907 551 D | Software Revision: 1004 | Revision (assumed to represent hardware version): X07


Audi did update my software to version 1004 BUT I am not sure what the hardware version was when they updated it as I didn't take a screenshot, but I suspect that EPL or Revo re-flashed the ECU prior to a visit to Audi with Hardware Version X07 instead of H07 given my warranty fault. I would like to know what relevance the X07/H07 has and whether this is the incorrect version for my vehicle. Obviously Audi can't flash or diagnose anything to my car if there is not the OEM file installed on my car and I'd like to get the right one as I still have 6 months on my warranty (technically). Part of me thinks that the X07 may be for another region but I have no real idea.

Does anyone know what relevance the hardware version has?? If so, do you know if the hardware version is changed separately to the ECU being flashed or if it is all in one (i.e., can this be changed specifically during the flashing process)?

Does anyone have the ability to look up OEM files for B8/B8.5 ECUs?? Would also be great if people could share their hardware revision/version to distinguish whose begins with H or X!

[RWD2quattro]

I just did the emissions recall update, reflashed to stock and had no issues.
Looks to me like your current version is not matching Audi's ECU records as per VIN#. I noticed that your ASAM dataset revision is different from H07 to X07. Also, check your VCID.
Maybe your tuner uploaded incorrect map, I say reflash ECU to original H07 version and retry.

My S4 data;
Hardware version number: H07
ASAM Dataset: EV_ECM30TFS0218K5907551F 001002 (changed to 8K5907551G 001007)
Hardware part #: 4G0907551A

[jeffc31337]

Every revision I've seen since 2010 is an H number. Maybe there are new ones but it sounds to me more like Audi has a new detection process in their ECUS which detect anomalous readings and marks it as an X revision. I don't want to jump to conclusions as there are lot of items to figure out but sounds a bit scary for those using CW and under warranty.

[SwankP3RF3ct10n]

OK, let's make this easy because you didn't tell us any of the following.

1) Who is your current tuner?
2) Prior to the dealer visit, did you flash back to stock/OEM file you had on the car prior to being tuned?
3) If you changed tuners, from Revo to EPL (for example) were you back on an OEM file or a tuned stage file prior to flashing the new tunes file?

All these answers are important because it'll tell you who flashed you last and if you happened to be on Revo prior to EPL, it's possible you were on the wrong revision from them and when you read off the ECU to provide to EPL, they matched you up to an incorrect OEM file because the prior tuner had already done that. Make sense?

[abamfo]

I just did the emissions recall update, reflashed to stock and had no issues.
Looks to me like your current version is not matching Audi's ECU records as per VIN#. I noticed that your ASAM dataset revision is different from H07 to X07. Also, check your VCID.
Maybe your tuner uploaded incorrect map, I say reflash ECU to original H07 version and retry.

My S4 data;
Hardware version number: H07
ASAM Dataset: EV_ECM30TFS0218K5907551F 001002 (changed to 8K5907551G 001007)
Hardware part #: 4G0907551A

This is interesting, they have actually changed your ECU code from a 551F to 551G... I'm going to call Audi and find out if this update is outstanding for my car

Yes, I believe that is correct, the version was slightly different to what they had down for the last update for my VIN number... I think that one of tuners flashed the wrong file and the other has copied, will explain below

[abamfo]

OK, let's make this easy because you didn't tell us any of the following.

1) Who is your current tuner?
2) Prior to the dealer visit, did you flash back to stock/OEM file you had on the car prior to being tuned?
3) If you changed tuners, from Revo to EPL (for example) were you back on an OEM file or a tuned stage file prior to flashing the new tunes file?

All these answers are important because it'll tell you who flashed you last and if you happened to be on Revo prior to EPL, it's possible you were on the wrong revision from them and when you read off the ECU to provide to EPL, they matched you up to an incorrect OEM file because the prior tuner had already done that. Make sense?

OK so I've pulled out all of my receipts and emails and worked out that either Revo or Audi were responsible for changing the hardware revision initially as my screenshots to Tony indicated that it was X07 before he had touched my car ECU

1. Current tuner is Revo, I tried EPL for a 3 week period but it wasn't running correctly on my car so I went back to Revo
2a. Apr-16: Revo Stage 1+/2 flash (not sure on details)
2b. May-16: Revo flash to OEM (not sure on details)
2c. Jun-16: First dealer visit since I bought the car, flashed software to the latest campaign (551D, 0004)
2d. Jun-16: Sent to EPL screenshot of details (551D, 0004, X07) - two days after dealer visit
2e. Jun-16: Flashed EPL stage 2 tune (old software, 0002) and then back to OEM with EPL portal (0004)
2f. Jul-17: Visited dealership for misfire issue, flagged as "found TXD fault for chip tune" with Audi
3. See above, it was either Revo or Audi who were responsible

So it is likely that Revo changed the hardware version to X07 in Apr or May during stage 1+ flashing or stage 2 and then Audi updated the software but did not change the hardware version OR Audi actually did it incorrectly when they updated to the latest campaign... very confusing because surely I would have been flagged at that point AND what I don't understand is why it didn't flash over everything when I visited Audi dealership in June, setting the hardware version to H07

I think I'm just going to speak to Audi and try and find out what software should be on the vehicle

[abamfo]

Every revision I've seen since 2010 is an H number. Maybe there are new ones but it sounds to me more like Audi has a new detection process in their ECUS which detect anomalous readings and marks it as an X revision. I don't want to jump to conclusions as there are lot of items to figure out but sounds a bit scary for those using CW and under warranty.

So you think that the computer itself sets the hardware revision to X rather than H if there is some abnormal program or CW unit?

[SwankP3RF3ct10n]

This is interesting, they have actually changed your ECU code from a 551F to 551G... I'm going to call Audi and find out if this update is outstanding for my car

Yes, I believe that is correct, the version was slightly different to what they had down for the last update for my VIN number... I think that one of tuners flashed the wrong file and the other has copied, will explain below

It's not interesting at all. The letter at the end of that code number is the version indicator. It's not uncommon at all for that to increment as revisions are made by Audi, so that's expected. Even if that recall is outstanding for your car, they won't flash you if you're TD1 or TXD now or whatever you are. They'll charge you for it or at least that is what they are supposed to do according to the paperwork.

[SwankP3RF3ct10n]

OK so I've pulled out all of my receipts and emails and worked out that either Revo or Audi were responsible for changing the hardware revision initially as my screenshots to Tony indicated that it was X07 before he had touched my car ECU

1. Current tuner is Revo, I tried EPL for a 3 week period but it wasn't running correctly on my car so I went back to Revo
2a. Apr-16: Revo Stage 1+/2 flash (not sure on details)
2b. May-16: Revo flash to OEM (not sure on details)
2c. Jun-16: First dealer visit since I bought the car, flashed software to the latest campaign (551D, 0004)
2d. Jun-16: Sent to EPL screenshot of details (551D, 0004, X07) - two days after dealer visit
2e. Jun-16: Flashed EPL stage 2 tune (old software, 0002) and then back to OEM with EPL portal (0004)
2f. Jul-17: Visited dealership for misfire issue, flagged as "found TXD fault for chip tune" with Audi
3. See above, it was either Revo or Audi who were responsible

So it is likely that Revo changed the hardware version to X07 in Apr or May during stage 1+ flashing or stage 2 and then Audi updated the software but did not change the hardware version OR Audi actually did it incorrectly when they updated to the latest campaign... very confusing because surely I would have been flagged at that point AND what I don't understand is why it didn't flash over everything when I visited Audi dealership in June, setting the hardware version to H07

I think I'm just going to speak to Audi and try and find out what software should be on the vehicle

The solution to your problem is a simple one. If Audi wants you on the H hardware revision, then get with Revo and have them flash the H revision of your OEM tune onto your ECU. They probably messed it up originally and this can be fixed with a simple reflash. Technically speaking, even Audi can fix this by flashing you to whatever you should be on, but they won't do it for free and some won't do it at all because they (some idiot mechanics) seem to think flashing an ECU is like reinventing the universe and they'll kill your ECU if you're tuned and they flash you back to a factory image. Flashing is flashing. Listen to me. Call up Revo and tell them your issue. Tell them to get your dealer to flash you to the H revision and then take it back to Audi for whatever you took it to them for. Hell, honestly, if you were still with EPL, Tony would be able to fix this for you with just a phone call, but you're not, so good luck with your Revo dealer huha you're gonna have to deal with.

[XxSullyxX123]

So this H to X issue that they have a code for is supposed to detect chip tuning, but you ended up getting flagged with that code (and not a TD1) for an actual tune that was reverted back to an incorrect OEM file?

My friend has been to the dealer 3 times since taking a chipwerke off (including last week for the latest ECM revision) and never got flagged.

[abamfo]

The solution to your problem is a simple one. If Audi wants you on the H hardware revision, then get with Revo and have them flash the H revision of your OEM tune onto your ECU. They probably messed it up originally and this can be fixed with a simple reflash. Technically speaking, even Audi can fix this by flashing you to whatever you should be on, but they won't do it for free and some won't do it at all because they (some idiot mechanics) seem to think flashing an ECU is like reinventing the universe and they'll kill your ECU if you're tuned and they flash you back to a factory image. Flashing is flashing. Listen to me. Call up Revo and tell them your issue. Tell them to get your dealer to flash you to the H revision and then take it back to Audi for whatever you took it to them for. Hell, honestly, if you were still with EPL, Tony would be able to fix this for you with just a phone call, but you're not, so good luck with your Revo dealer huha you're gonna have to deal with.

I'm trying to get Revo to fix this now but damn it's hard, I thought the customer service would be better given they have voided my warranty!

The big question I have out of all of this is WHY didn't Audi overwrite the hardware version from X07 to H07 back in June when I went in for the outstanding campaign

Thanks for your help, it sounds like it is simply one point in the flashing process and has no real relevance... probably should be a warning for Revo customers that this can happen to anyone, APR did say this to me "Our B8 S4 hardware version is H08. I have never seen an X07 or X08. Companies like REVO and **** do this to prevent the factory scan tools from identifying the module and therefore automatically reflashing it when connected"

Thanks for your input on this

[AerotusX]

Just curious. Since you are already flagged by Audi with TXD due to X07 - If you now flash back to H07 and bring it back to Audi, wouldn't they be suspicious and know that indeed you have messed with the ECU software?

[abamfo]

Just curious. Since you are already flagged by Audi with TXD due to X07 - If you now flash back to H07 and bring it back to Audi, wouldn't they be suspicious and know that indeed you have messed with the ECU software?

Probably, I think I'm gone with the warranty anywY but just in case something happens to the engine I'd like for it to be perfect just in case I need to take it in (via a trip to the APR dealer), also I want the right file for my car on there. This shouldn't happen with any tuner.