Safety Warning
DIY auto repair can cause serious injury, fire, or vehicle damage. These guides are for informational purposes only. Always follow OEM torque specs, wear PPE, and consult a certified mechanic if you are unsure. You are solely responsible for your safety.
Service Programming System
- The Tech 2® and the terminal must have the latest software.
- The vehicle battery must be fully charged. The battery voltage should be between 12-14 volts.
- The Tech 2® and the terminal cable connections must be secure.
- A battery charger must NOT be connected to the battery when programming a control module.
The Service Programming System (SPS) allows a technician to program a control module through the Data Link Connector (DLC). The information transfer circuit that is used at the DLC is the same serial data circuit used by the scan tool for retrieving Diagnostic Trouble Codes (DTCs), displaying data, clearing DTCs, etc. This procedure offers the ability to install software/calibrations matched to a particular vehicle. Most control modules have 2 types of memory. The software/calibrations reside in the flash memory. The 2 types of memory are listed below:
- Electrically Erasable Programmable Read Only Memory (EEPROM)Â - This type of memory allows selected portions of memory to be programmed while other portions remain unchanged. Certain learned values reside in the EEPROM, such as; Vehicle Identification Number (VIN), crankshaft variation learned position, software/calibrations identification numbers and control module security information.
- Flash Read Only Memory - Flash Memory Flash memory has increased memory storage capacity. During programming, all information within this type of memory is erased, and then replaced with entirely new information.
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When to See a Mechanic
Stop DIY work and contact a certified mechanic immediately if any of the following apply:
- • You smell fuel, burning insulation, or see smoke.
- • Brakes feel soft, pull hard to one side, or make grinding noises.
- • The engine overheats, stalls repeatedly, or misfires under load.
- • You are missing required tools, torque specs, or safe lifting equipment.
- • You are not confident in the next step or safety outcome.
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