HELP WITH ECM/TUNING PROBLEM? Controller Unlocker: Timed Out

[Izzymw]

Hey everyone,
I just finished installing a cam kit in my 2011 SS. Everything from the cam up is brand new (minus the heads). Remote tuning with HP Tuners
(didn't know where to post so also posted under VCM Editor)

I was running into some engine codes but talked to my tuner and it looks like the tune wasn't flashing fully. I had just been doing "write calibration" instead of "write entire" which was most likely the reason the tune file from the tuner wasn't getting written completely when we tried to flash it. This could have also been the reason for messing up voltage readings for at least the MAP sensor circuit (one of the DTCs I was getting). I went to flash the entire tune going through the normal process for that using HP Tuners (Using "Write Entire"). After the status "requesting access" it goes immediately to "Controller Unlocker: Timed Out" and says failed.

After this I tried messing with the computer and HP Tuners (restarting the laptop, unplugging and replugging back in, unplug the tuner to shut it down and restart it, plugging it into the computer first, then the car and vice versa. I disconnected the battery and waited about 30 minutes before reconnecting it and tried that, I tired starting it with the battery on charge connected to power. I still kept getting the "Controller Unlocker:Timed Out" right away. At this point I thought, maybe I should try and start to crank the car and see if it reads. So I started scanning with VCM scanner and tried to crank it to get a reading. At this point the car wouldnt crank. I press in on the clutch to start it but the starter motor wouldnt even turn or crank the car. It would just turn the lights off on the dash as if I wasn't pressing the clutch in. The VCM scanner also started reading and scanning fine but I noticed it was only scanning the fuel rail pressure.

I disconnected the battery and pulled the ECM fuse to do a full restart. After reconnecting it and putting the fuse back I was getting the same issue. - Car wouldn't crank and the same "Controller Unlocker: Timed Out" when trying to flash the tune. At this point I went to read the current tune that was on the car, but when I went to read it, it said No Vin was detected, please enter a Vin or Press Cancel to Continue. I pressed cancel to continue to pull the current tune on the car and also pulled it after typing in my VIN (pulled the tune twice). Both cases it pulled the same tune...there was no engine or trans data on the tune...only the fuel system would pop up with data (on fuel pressure). -

Given all this. I've come to two conclusions. Either my PCM is bricked / fried, or somehow the tune got basically erased from the car, and it won't let me rewrite a new tune to it. I initially thought maybe when I started writing the entire tune, it erased everything and then only got part way into putting on the new tune (only fuel pressure got written) but when I try to write it, it only says "Controller Unlocker: Timed Out" which makes it seem like it didn't even start to write the tune onto the ECM. But at the same time, VCM scanner is still scanning and running with a connection so I don't think the ECM is bricked either.

I also thought for a second maybe it is a lose ground connection to the PCM, but the car hadn't physically been moved or the hood even opened since the last time trying to crank/start it (the night before).
- the battery was also at at least 12V throughout this whole process.

I am not sure if anyone is familiar with what could be happening here, or if anyone has experienced something similar, but if you have any advice or input I would greatly appreciate it. I am at a loss on what to do now. I don't know how my ECM would have gotten bricked or fried but I hope I don't need to buy a new one.

[edcmat-l1]

Sounds like the battery is dead. Put a charger on it.

[Izzymw]

Sounds like the battery is dead. Put a charger on it.

I had the battery on charge while I was trying it and it was reading between 12-13V the whole time. Could be a bad battery maybe? Even though it was on charge?

[gtstorey]

Have you attempted to reread the tune currently on the ECM?

[2xLS1]

You only need to write entire if something was changed in the OS Tab. Your remote tuner would have told you to do that if it was need. The codes you are seeing are probably permanent codes which will not clear with any write calibration or write entire. The ECM has to see the problem go away and only the ECM will clear permanent codes.

[Izzymw]

Have you attempted to reread the tune currently on the ECM?

Yes, went to read the current tune that was on the car, but when I went to read it, it said No Vin was detected, please enter a Vin or Press Cancel to Continue. I pressed cancel to continue to pull the current tune on the car and also pulled it after typing in my VIN (pulled the tune twice). Both cases it pulled the same tune...there was no engine or trans data on the tune...only the fuel system would pop up with data (on fuel pressure). Which lines up because when trying to read with VCM Scanner, it only read fuel pressure data. I'm not sure why it seems like my tune is missing

[Izzymw]

My tuner didnt mention whether to write calibration or write entire. I started with write calibration but it seemed like the tune wasn't flashing fully/correctly because there were engine codes appearing that would have been turned off in the tune. I have seen write entire be used before when changing the resolution for the MAP sensor having to do with the voltage /expected voltage. However even if I do "Write Entire" what would the reason for these problems be? Because it seems there is no tune on the ECU now and it wont let me write calibration or write entire either. It keeps giving me the Controller Unlocker: Timed Out

[2xLS1]

You probably bricked the ECM somehow. That's why you should always write calibration if write entire is not necessary. Less chance of corrupting the ECM is there is a glitch. Again on the DTCs. I bet they are permanent. Turning them off in the calibration will keep the SES light off but permanent codes will always show up when you check for codes. Only the ECM itself can clear permanent codes. I would guess you tried to start the vehicle after the mods were done and before any programming was done. That is usually how you end up with permanent codes after mods.

[edcmat-l1]

It's pretty difficult to brick an E38.

[2xLS1]

It's pretty difficult to brick an E38.

I agree with write calibrations. They are brickable with write entires.

[2xLS1]

OP you could try removing all power. Disconnect battery for 30 minutes, reconnect then see if you can read the ECM.

[Izzymw]

You probably bricked the ECM somehow. That's why you should always write calibration if write entire is not necessary. Less chance of corrupting the ECM is there is a glitch. Again on the DTCs. I bet they are permanent. Turning them off in the calibration will keep the SES light off but permanent codes will always show up when you check for codes. Only the ECM itself can clear permanent codes. I would guess you tried to start the vehicle after the mods were done and before any programming was done. That is usually how you end up with permanent codes after mods.

I am not sure if the ECM is bricked. I can still pull the tune and VCM scanner will still connect and scan. But its just the tune on the car seems to be completely Blank except for fuel pressure. Could this still be the case if the ECM is bricked?

Also I didnt start the car up until there was a rough tune with an injector remap as well as some other things. It ran when that happened but I got the 0300 Misfire code and then I turned to car off to wait for the tune from my tuner. The codes might have been permanent but I can't tell now because I'm only getting a U100 Lost communication with PCM code.

[Izzymw]

OP you could try removing all power. Disconnect battery for 30 minutes, reconnect then see if you can read the ECM.

I did this, as well as pulling ECM fuse while while the battery was disconnected. However I still am just reading U100. It says lost connection to PCM however it still "pulls and reads the tune" which is just fuel pressure. No engine, OS, trans or anything

I am confused because I can't tell if the ECM is bricked lol.

When I get home I want to try and make sure the connections and grounds are secure as well

Also will try to disonnect the battery and try again when I get home -

[edcmat-l1]

I am not sure if the ECM is bricked. I can still pull the tune and VCM scanner will still connect and scan. But its just the tune on the car seems to be completely Blank except for fuel pressure. Could this still be the case if the ECM is bricked?

Also I didnt start the car up until there was a rough tune with an injector remap as well as some other things. It ran when that happened but I got the 0300 Misfire code and then I turned to car off to wait for the tune from my tuner. The codes might have been permanent but I can't tell now because I'm only getting a U100 Lost communication with PCM code.

It's not bricked.

If you can pull the tune post it here. Not sure what you mean by "seems to be completely blank".

[Izzymw]

It's not bricked.

If you can pull the tune post it here. Not sure what you mean by "seems to be completely blank".

Tune Pulled.hpt

Here is the file I pulled. I think I attached it correctly.

[hjtrbo]

Only the FPCM is present.

Show us a screen shot of your read options after clicking "Gather Info"

[Izzymw]

Only the FPCM is present.

Show us a screen shot of your read options after clicking "Gather Info"

ISSUE RESOLVED

- Turns out I had a lose ground connection. I cleaned it up and tightened it down, and then also disconnected the battery and radio fuse. waited 30 minutes, and went through the write process and everything wrote fine!