I've bought a

3Q0907530AC

can gateway from an Audi which I intend to use on my Skoda Superb as part of retrofitting virtual cockpit.

 

I've got vcds and have used that for coding previously, so am getting familiar with that.

 

I've bought a vas5054A and installed ODIS, but haven't used it before.

 

In what cases do you need to flash files?

why are some flash files .bin, some .frf, and some .sgo?

 

can flashing 'upgrade' a module , for instance in many cases vag parts have variants a/b/c/d/e at the end of the part names, are there cases where the hardware is the same, and you can just flash it with a newer file to upgrade it from variant 'd' to variant 'e' for example? and if so, how can you tell in which cases it is a software difference and in which cases the actual hardware is different?

 

would I be right in thinking that I should first 'flash' this controller with the skoda file FL_3Q0907530AC_5388_S.frf ?

 

does it then also need 'paramaters'?

 

 what exactly do paramaters do, where do you get them, and can you use odis to send them, or do I need also to get VCP and send them with that?

 

 

 

I don't think ODIS uses .bin files. The updates I've seen tend to be .sgo or .frf files where as parameter sets are .xml files.

 

Flashing can update modules assuming the software is compatible with the hardware. The part number being the same with a higher suffix (last letter) does NOT mean it'll be a compatible update!

 

Personally, I'd suggest finding an appropriate TSB/TPI as that'll confirm exactly which modules a flash file is designed for. Otherwise, following known upgrade paths mentioned in the community should be relatively safe assuming the posts are accurate.

 

As you've specifically mentioned a CAN gateway, there are few things you'll need to do:

- Have component protection matched to your car

- Enable any FeC/SWaP codes ie: driving mode select etc

- Flash an appropriate software, Lear use 4xxx and Continental use 5xxx or 6xxx, do not cross flash

- Upload a parameter set suitable for your car

 

I believe 1 and 2 can only be done with ODIS and a valid online subscription.

 

I think ODIS will only provide parameter sets suitable for modules originally fitted to the car. VCP has some and most retrofitters will probably have a selection

 

Happy to be corrected as this is just my understanding.

Thanks, do you know what type of things paramaters tend to affect? 

Trying to understand their purpose. 

 

Also any idea where to get tsb/tpi reports? 

TSB/TPI are available through Erwin for a small fee. Not sure if you can download all of them or if you'll need an appropriate VIN first.

 

Parameters can effect almost anything depending on the module.

 

On a CAN gateway I think it's mostly setting the different drive profile stuff.

 

On a headunit it'll include things like the eq for a specific vehicle.

 

On a highline reversing camera it'll be image manipulation to correct for it's location.

 

On a direct TPMS module it'll set the tyre sizes and pressures.

 

Those are just some of the more obvious uses. The modules are so complex these days that there isn't enough customisation via coding and adaptation channels. The dataset/parameterization is how VAG fine tune a module for so many different brands/models and even spec/options 👍

 

You won't find many online that are in the XML format for ODIS 😕