ECU Swap & PIN Code Fun & Games (IMMO3)

[S2central.net]

I decided to show the old B6 S4 a little love this spring - controversial I know as most tuners hate this engine, but I am confident that a decent exhaust system and ECU tune that can make better use of it - along with some other bolt on goodies. More information to follow as and when, but I am looking to swap in a spare ECU with a trusted generic remap as part of the process. Only trouble with that idea is getting the necessary 5-digit PIN codes (from both ECUs) in order to swap identities over. Its an "IMMO-3" system. I want to keep the factory original ECU standard and remap a donor ECU once I know its healthy.

From what I gather you cannot even get these PINs from Audi - what they want you to do is buy a virgin (unassigned) ECU (at huge cost) then go through an adaptation sequence to copy the vehicle & immo identities from the cluster into the new ECU. I gather there are schlonky boxes and software tools which claim to be able to do this but I am rather wary about trying one from a random source and then bricking an ECU. The tool that seems to come up is "VAG-Tacho" but I was wondering if anyone here has experiences good or bad - or of any decent alternative.

Alternatively - if there is a trusted vehicle security specialist in Ireland who can do this work I would be happy to take that route assuming prices are sensible.

Also - I have seen reference to 7-digit PIN/SKC numbers as well reference to ECUs and IMMOs - and there is a curious 7-digit number on the cars VIN sticker which made me wonder if that was related.

Now obviously I don't expect anyone to post all secrets in open forum like this - just some pointers or past experiences to keep me on the right path.

[diesel des]

I hear that the immobiliser can be turned off on the ECU code? Worth looking into?

Sent from my Moto G (5) using Tapatalk

[S2central.net]

I hear that the immobiliser can be turned off on the ECU code? Worth looking into?

Sent from my Moto G (5) using Tapatalk

That's something consistent with what I learned recently about Audi S3 controllers of same era - don't ask ! But yeah that merits further investigation.

[Error404]

Interested in your findings Paul as I would like to do the same on our B6 when time allows. I’d also like to remove the secondary air injection system without tripping the CEL.

[S2central.net]

The generic tune from JHM allows the stupid SAI delete - and I know a local guy running it with good results - not really explored UK sources for remaps yet on the B6. A combination of exhaust, primary CAT delete and remap should easily take it from 340 - 380bhp territory with a substantial improvement in the burble department as well.

I did get positive noises from the official source of "VAGtacho" which I will probably take a punt on when the spare ECU arrives - its about EUR300 so pretty painful, but I for one am not taking any gambles with schlocky knock-offs.

[Error404]

So will that mean you then are able to flash the ECU using that widget aswell?

I am sure Dmitri will be along shortly to educate us

[S2central.net]

I gather that is indeed a possibility with VAGtacho, but its a combination of software and hardware (OBD to USB cable) designed to only work with each other, so it might be possible to push/pull binary files in/out of the ECU. The JHM tunes come with their own special OBD cable as well - presumably locked down to only allow use of JHM tunes from their server. This ME7 stuff is a nose bleed if you aren't doing it regularly (like Dmitri) - not something that normal people want to dabble in for fear of turning ECUs into paperweights !

[david1980]

Its been a while since I did it but i'm sure I used vag commander to get the code from my b6 ecu. The American's have quite a bit of info on getting the codes. I don't have the car anymore so can't check how I did it but it should not be too hard to find on google.

[S2central.net]

David - I have seen mention of that software on another forum, but not enthused by lack of any trustworthy looking info - and there's lot of virus ridden knock-offs around.

[S2central.net]

Spare ECU arrived today - will hopefully be able to verify it is alive and vaguely healthy with VCDS - once I get through the joyous task of removing the OE item which has not seen daylight in 15yrs that is. Then I think I will be taking a punt on this VAG-Tacho malarkey - bit annoying given the price, but as already stated, I don't trust the alternatives anything like enough.