The Basics
ECU Connect is the free companion app to the EcuTek Bluetooth Vehicle Interface (EVI-BT). The device connects to the OBD vehicle diagnostic socket of all vehicles supported by EcuTek's ProECU tuning product (a list of supported models can be found here) to allow communication between the engine management ECU and your iPhone, iPad or Android device.
With the Bluetooth Vehicle Interface (EVI-BT) and ECU Connect you can retrieve information from the ECU and perform other specialist functions. The basic ECU Connect functions are:
Vehicle ECU info
High-speed Data logging
Dealer Locator
DTC Tool
Performance Analyser
ECU Connect is not a generic OBD tool though it does have some generic OBD logging capabilities with new model CAN protocols. ECU Connect can only be used in conjunction with the EcuTek Bluetooth Interface, which is key to its high-speed operation; it will not work with any other device.
Getting Started
You’ll first want to download the application from your phone’s App Store (Apple and Android are supported).
Once installed, run the app to start the signup process.
Create an Account
The app will ask for an EcuTek account login. Either sign in or proceed through the account creation process. This step can be skipped, which will allow you to use the other EcuConnect features but will NOT allow the use of Phone Flash. You can always come back to create an account through the Settings menu.
When creating an account, you'll be asked to enter your details, read through the Terms and Conditions, and agree.
Once finished entering your details, select Create to finalize your account. ECU Connect will log you in automatically. If you have your EVI-BT Vehicle interface, you can now plug it in and pair it to your device. After selecting My Vehicle the app will prompt you to set up your vehicle interface. Here you can plug in your EcuTek Vehicle Interface (EVI-BT or EVI-BTLE). Follow the on-screen instructions to pair your EcuTek Vehicle Interface. You can always manage the paired vehicle interfaces later from ECU Connect > Settings > Vehicle Interface Add/Remove.
Once you have plugged your EVI into the OBD port of your car (or connect the EVI to USB power) you can follow the prompts on screen. If you need to configure an older generation EVI-BT (not EVI-BTLE), see instructions here Adding an ECU Connect Vehicle Interface manually | EVI BT Addition Instructions.
Redeeming the Product Code / Vehicle Setup
After selecting My Vehicle and choosing your vehicle interface, select Program ECU at the very bottom.
Next, select Redeem Product Code to use the COBB Supplied product code card.
Next, you can either scan the QR code with your phone, or if your phone isn’t equipped, you can enter the code manually.
After doing that it will show up with the car's VIN, input your car's make and model (this can help with future troubleshooting), then select Get Files and the system will download any available maps for your car. (It will automatically do this in the future once the code has been redeemed.
Programming Your ECU (Initial Install or Changing the Map
Now go back to the main vehicle menu and select Program ECU again.
Select Engine
Now you can choose what map to flash on your car! (Map availability may differ)
After selecting the map, if you haven’t flashed your vehicle with your phone before, it will run a communication test with the car to ensure data is being transferred correctly.
After the communication test finishes, re select your map to install. DO NOT CLOSE THE APP WHILE IT FLASHES. While it should operate fine in the background while doing other tasks on your phone, the flash doesn’t take that long and closing the app may result in bricking or ruining the ECU.
Once complete, turn the car off for a few seconds then turn the key (or press the start button) so that the car is on but not running, and leave it there for about 5 seconds. Turn the car off and then you should be good to go!
CARB Sticker (Where Applicable)
Apply the supplied CARB sticker to a visible area, either the radiator core support or underside of the hood to designate the presence of a modification which is CARB exempt.
Failed Programming
If for some reason the programming process fails, it will first come up with an error message. Make sure to write down/screenshot the error message. If you know the reason it failed and the app and Interface are still powered, you may be able to simply press the program button again. If this option doesn’t work or isn’t available exit the app, unplug your EVI-BT, key off the car, then reconnect the EVI-BT again and restart the programming process.
Finding the cause of the failed programming attempt
Make sure to use the error message to determine the cause of the programming failure. Reading the error message details created at the time of the failure will help point you to the reason. To look at the details go to My Files → Programming Logs.
In the example case, it was a time-out error for OBD communications. This usually means the system lost communication at some point. Check the connection between your OBD port and the EVI dongle. Confirm the battery power of the vehicle is stable and that nothing else is attempting to connect to your phone’s Bluetooth at the time. For any errors, you can find a list of the most common messages and resolutions Here: Programming, Vehicle Tools & Logging Error Messages. Additionally, you can select the programming log in your files and share it with your tuner or EcuTek support to help resolve your issue.
Recovery Programming
If you feel you’ve resolved the cause of the failed programming you can attempt to recover the ECU. To recover the ECU, follow the steps below.
Start the app and press My Car.
After it tries and fails to detect the ECU, the option for recovery will show.
Tap Select Manually and then choose the correct vehicle (the last programmed vehicle should be correct. If not, manually choose the correct vehicle type).
Select Program ECU and select a stock ROM.
If you don’t have the option to select the last vehicle, you can select the Choose Another ECU button.
You will then be able to manually select the correct ECU type from the list of supported ECUs. DO NOT SELECT A VEHICLE OTHER THAN YOURS.Once you have selected the correct vehicle type, you will be able to program the available ECUs. Simply choose the stock ROM file for your vehicle and press the program button.
It is critical to choose the correct vehicle type at this stage. If you have any questions regarding your ECU type, contact support for the appropriate choices.