APR Presents 2.0 TDI ECU Upgrade!

[Arin@APR]

Here is an updated list of released codes. If you are not on the list, let me know what your code is and I'll check the status. You can ignore the Model year and vehicle description tag as those are general and ECUs are shared across vehicles and model years.


August 24, 2012

VW Jetta NA MY2010 DSG 2.0TDI CJAA 03L906019CM S7967
VW Jetta NA MY2011 DSG 2.0TDI CJAA 03L906019DB S9047
VW Jetta NA MY2011 DSG 2.0TDI CJAA 03L906019DB S7970
VW Jetta NA MY2011 DSG 2.0TDI CJAA 03L906022PB S8216
VW Jetta NA MY2012 DSG 2.0TDI CJAA 03L906019HG S2261
VW Jetta NA MY2012 DSG 2.0TDI CJAA 03L906019HH S2260
VW Jetta NA MY2012 DSG 2.0TDI CJAA 03L906019EF S1182
VW Jetta NA MY2012 DSG 2.0TDI CJAA 03L906019HG S3522
VW Jetta NA MY2012 DSG 2.0TDI CJAA 03L906019HH S3524

Audi A3 NA MY2010 DSG 2.0TDI CBEA 03L906022SQ S7968
Audi A3 NA MY2012 DSG 2.0TDI CBEA 03L906019EJ S1466
Audi A3 NA MY2010 DSG 2.0TDI CBEA 03L906022SQ S7276

VW Jetta NA MY2010 6-Spd 2.0TDI CJAA 03L906019CL S7966
VW Jetta NA MY2011 6-Spd 2.0TDI CJAA 03L906019DA S9144
VW Jetta NA MY2011 6-Spd 2.0TDI CJAA 03L906019DA S8217
VW Jetta NA MY2012 6-Spd 2.0TDI CJAA 03L906019EE S1181
VW Jetta NA MY2012 6-Spd 2.0TDI CJAA 03L906019EE S3521
VW Jetta NA MY2012 6-Spd 2.0TDI CJAA 03L906019EH S3523

Here are the unfinished codes (Aiming for 8/29 completion):

03L997016P S8681
03L997016N S8680
03L906019HC S4603

[NedRager]

I do have 2.0TDI CJAA 03L906019CL S7966, so I wonder if your VW dealer has an update for you.

Arin, Can I skip right to the APR tune without the dealer updating my software to the newest OEM version? From what I understand the factory update is to fix some rough running issues. The APR code is going to overwrite this anyway right? Just curious. It's going in for service in a month or 2 so I can get the update but I'm impatient.

[Nutdotnet]

What's the best way to check to see if my ECU can be flashed? Just go to the APR dealer? It's a 2012 Golf TDI.

[Arin@APR]

Arin, Can I skip right to the APR tune without the dealer updating my software to the newest OEM version? From what I understand the factory update is to fix some rough running issues. The APR code is going to overwrite this anyway right? Just curious. It's going in for service in a month or 2 so I can get the update but I'm impatient.

We only give software for the current version on your vehicle.

When the dealer gives you an update, we make an update to our code with the changes from the update.

[Arin@APR]

What's the best way to check to see if my ECU can be flashed? Just go to the APR dealer? It's a 2012 Golf TDI.

Just head on over to an APR dealer. If we have the software ready, you can flash it that day. If not, you can have the code sent to us and we'll make it for you in a couple days.

[Nutdotnet]

Just head on over to an APR dealer. If we have the software ready, you can flash it that day. If not, you can have the code sent to us and we'll make it for you in a couple days.

Excellent. Thanks!

[Gluca]

So has anyone seen any mpg gains?

Also am I to understand that it is possible to bring the car to the dealer, set the software to oem mode, and be food in terms of warranty ?

[Arin@APR]

All extracted box codes are available at this point.

[knowledge102]

Ready to pull the trigger....just waiting for another sale....

[AquilaTDI]

Seems like this thread totally died after everyone got their cars chipped!

Just wanted to share my impressions after doing a bit of around town driving and a trip of 185 miles each way last week. In answer to the question of fuel mileage, mine is much improved, but for several months I was sure that something had gotten screwed up in my car since the mileage was down 3-4 mpg from where it had been before. On the way home, I averaged 44.8 mpg at an average speed of 64 mph (computer mpg...). The car is quite a bit more responsive, but there is an annoying hesitation sometimes when accelerating. Two times, when accelerating hard, but not at full throttle, there were one or two very harsh shifts (DSG) (I think it was from third to fourth one time and second to third the other) which felt like the DSG didn't know which gear it should be in. Since I've never had this happen before, I'll blame the ECU Upgrade for causing the problem. It was severe enough the one time that if it happens again, I'm going to "unflash" my car so I don't damage the DSG gearbox. I tried to reproduce the problem after getting home, but wasn't able to.

Arin - if you have any feedback on this, or who I should talk to, I'd love to hear from you!

[bmw511]

That's funny you mention that, I notice more "play" in the engine... I thought it was the transmission at first. But I'm thinking its the mounts. But I'm almost at 60k, so I figure it's just my car getting old... lol

[4ceFed4]

Seems like this thread totally died after everyone got their cars chipped!

Just wanted to share my impressions after doing a bit of around town driving and a trip of 185 miles each way last week. In answer to the question of fuel mileage, mine is much improved, but for several months I was sure that something had gotten screwed up in my car since the mileage was down 3-4 mpg from where it had been before. On the way home, I averaged 44.8 mpg at an average speed of 64 mph (computer mpg...). The car is quite a bit more responsive, but there is an annoying hesitation sometimes when accelerating. Two times, when accelerating hard, but not at full throttle, there were one or two very harsh shifts (DSG) (I think it was from third to fourth one time and second to third the other) which felt like the DSG didn't know which gear it should be in. Since I've never had this happen before, I'll blame the ECU Upgrade for causing the problem. It was severe enough the one time that if it happens again, I'm going to "unflash" my car so I don't damage the DSG gearbox. I tried to reproduce the problem after getting home, but wasn't able to.

Arin - if you have any feedback on this, or who I should talk to, I'd love to hear from you!

I just got my DSG JSW chipped yesterday. After driving the car on the highway for 30 miles or so, I hit the local roads and caught a couple of red lights. On both times I tested the car from a stop, it felt like either the fuel was being cut or the car was jumping out of first gear. I haven't noticed any problems at the higher gears yet like you are describing, but it worries me a little bit that both times I was in first and put some load on the car the car cut out when when boost was coming in. I had TSC off for both starts. Also curious if Arin can chime in on this one.

[Arin@APR]

I just got my DSG JSW chipped yesterday. After driving the car on the highway for 30 miles or so, I hit the local roads and caught a couple of red lights. On both times I tested the car from a stop, it felt like either the fuel was being cut or the car was jumping out of first gear. I haven't noticed any problems at the higher gears yet like you are describing, but it worries me a little bit that both times I was in first and put some load on the car the car cut out when when boost was coming in. I had TSC off for both starts. Also curious if Arin can chime in on this one.

Right after a flash all adaptation data from the ECU and TCU are cleared. When it comes to smoothness, I've noticed sometimes it takes a few driving cycles for everything to relearn so to speak. Drive it around for a couple days and see if everything feels normal again.

[jboy08]

I had mine done yesterday @ EuroCode. I haven't noticed any gains in MPG yet, but I can tell from a start that the car pulls a lot better. Before I would hold my foot on the gas for a second to create a smooth start without the DSG jerking me around.

Before the ECU flash, the car only ran smooth when cruising or at speeds 55 mph and above. The power now seems to be evenly distributed with the DSG shifting at higher speeds. My butt dyno feels the increase, but it's nothing drastic. Then again, I haven't peeled out or pulled on the highways either.

I guess I just need more time driving to give a better review, but for the time being I'll at least give a big thumbs up for Chris and Greg @ EuroCode!

[MXTHOR3]

I had mine done yesterday @ EuroCode. I haven't noticed any gains in MPG yet, but I can tell from a start that the car pulls a lot better. Before I would hold my foot on the gas for a second to create a smooth start without the DSG jerking me around.

Before the ECU flash, the car only ran smooth when cruising or at speeds 55 mph and above. The power now seems to be evenly distributed with the DSG shifting at higher speeds. My butt dyno feels the increase, but it's nothing drastic. Then again, I haven't peeled out or pulled on the highways either.

I guess I just need more time driving to give a better review, but for the time being I'll at least give a big thumbs up for Chris and Greg @ EuroCode!

Keep an eye on your tranny

[AquilaTDI]

Right after a flash all adaptation data from the ECU and TCU are cleared. When it comes to smoothness, I've noticed sometimes it takes a few driving cycles for everything to relearn so to speak. Drive it around for a couple days and see if everything feels normal again.

I'm not sure this is true based on the following reply back from Brenton Ruggles at APR whom I contacted when I didn't get a reply to my post (#80) from Arin:

"We have checked on the updates performed and they have been performed. As the programming and the shift points are not changed with our tune programming shifting issues may be indicative of a problem with the DSG. Essentially with the increased load levels and performance changes the possible shifting issues may appear to be more pronounced with the additional torque and hp. One thing we can recommend is performing a stand still adaptation of pressure values of the DSG transmission, this can be performed through a VAGcom that is accessible though rosstech or one of our APR dealers as a service that can be performed. Because shift points are determined from the manufacturer, partial throttle while shifting gears and demand and provided power may cause situations where the DSG map may be “guessing” which gear the Transmission should be in which at times may cause a harsh shift or change in gears. Like Lugging in a high gear or being stuck in high Rpms while decelerating; the best resolution we have seen with our customers is to perform a standstill adaptation."

This is the link to the adaptation: http://wiki.ross-tech.com/wiki/index...arbox_(DSG/02E)

(I might add, that this is the same "reset" used after doing the 40,000 mile service to the DSG.)

I did the Basic Settings procedure and the defined test drive several days ago. The first thing I noticed after finishing was that my car went back to the dreaded hesitation when trying to pull out in traffic, which hadn't been present for a couple years (after a service bulletin update performed by a VW dealer in Maryland). That seems to have gotten a little better, but the rough shifting is still there, primarily the same as 4ceFed4 mentioned above about it feeling like the throttle has been lifted when it shifts when accelerating hard in "auto" mode. I've tried to tell myself "just drive the car normally" and see how it is, but it is still very obvious even when you're not thinking about it. It seems like the flash does something to "protect" the DSG (possibly to keep the clutches from slipping?), which is taking the "crisp shifting" feel away. Using the ECMS feature (great idea!) I've switched from the APR program (Program 2) to the "Stock" program (Program 1) twice to make sure it's the tune, but every time I go back to stock the shifting is beautifully crisp with no fuss.

Still have a week to decide whether to stick with this and am not sure what to do. I keep reading the APR Upgrade announcement (http://www.goapr.com/products/ecu_up...tdi_140hp.html) which states: "With factory like smoothness and drivability, APR’s ECU Upgrade will fill the void in an otherwise excellent car." and "Unlike many other TDI offerings on the market, APR’s ECU Upgrade DOES NOT REQUIRE DSG Software to take advantage of large increases in torque."

I'd really like it to be right, but don't think it's ready for "prime time" for those of us with DSG gearboxes.

[pizzaboygti]

When using stock mode, is it really the program of my own car or it is flashed with a generic stock program? Also, with new policies here in Canada, every claim at vw dealers are automaticaly scanned and sent to vw canada. When in stock mode, is the flash completely stealth or it would be possible for the dealer to see it was flashed?

Finaly, how about cold (-30/35°C) starts? Will there be any difference? Thanks!

Nic

Envoyé depuis mon LG-P990hN avec Tapatalk

[4ceFed4]

I did the Basic Settings procedure and the defined test drive several days ago. The first thing I noticed after finishing was that my car went back to the dreaded hesitation when trying to pull out in traffic, which hadn't been present for a couple years (after a service bulletin update performed by a VW dealer in Maryland). That seems to have gotten a little better, but the rough shifting is still there, primarily the same as 4ceFed4 mentioned above about it feeling like the throttle has been lifted when it shifts when accelerating hard in "auto" mode. I've tried to tell myself "just drive the car normally" and see how it is, but it is still very obvious even when you're not thinking about it. It seems like the flash does something to "protect" the DSG (possibly to keep the clutches from slipping?), which is taking the "crisp shifting" feel away. Using the ECMS feature (great idea!) I've switched from the APR program (Program 2) to the "Stock" program (Program 1) twice to make sure it's the tune, but every time I go back to stock the shifting is beautifully crisp with no fuss.

Driving the car again this past Friday, I did a few more hard starts off the line, and the problem didn't appear. In about 50 miles of driving on Friday, I didn't experience a single hiccup. I have VCDS and the capability to to the DSG reset, but I guess for now I'm going to hold off on that so that I don't create some new problem that doesn't exist currently. I never had my car brought in for the DSG hesitation as I always just accounted for it with my driving inputs, but I also don't think I had the problem as bad as others were describing.

[AquilaTDI]

When using stock mode, is it really the program of my own car or it is flashed with a generic stock program? Also, with new policies here in Canada, every claim at vw dealers are automaticaly scanned and sent to vw canada. When in stock mode, is the flash completely stealth or it would be possible for the dealer to see it was flashed?

Finaly, how about cold (-30/35°C) starts? Will there be any difference? Thanks!

Nic

Envoyé depuis mon LG-P990hN avec Tapatalk

It's my understanding that the stock mode is the one that you had before the flash. Would love to have confirmation of that, however!

[AquilaTDI]

Driving the car again this past Friday, I did a few more hard starts off the line, and the problem didn't appear. In about 50 miles of driving on Friday, I didn't experience a single hiccup. I have VCDS and the capability to to the DSG reset, but I guess for now I'm going to hold off on that so that I don't create some new problem that doesn't exist currently. I never had my car brought in for the DSG hesitation as I always just accounted for it with my driving inputs, but I also don't think I had the problem as bad as others were describing.

I think I read somewhere on the forums that there is a difference in ECUs which make the newer ones have fewer problems with the ECU upgrades. My 2009 may be "special" (worse) if that's true.

[Arin@APR]

"Unlike many other TDI offerings on the market, APR’s ECU Upgrade DOES NOT REQUIRE DSG Software to take advantage of large increases in torque."

Other ECU upgrades REQUIRE a TCU upgrade to surpass "torque limiter" so to speak, however our ECU does not require one.

I'd really like it to be right, but don't think it's ready for "prime time" for those of us with DSG gearboxes.

All of our in house TDI's are DSG, including the one driven by our calibrator, who calibrated the 2.0 TDI.

Are you located anywhere near APR?

[pizzaboygti]

Arin, could you answer my questions from the post above?
Thanks

[Arin@APR]

Arin, could you answer my questions from the post above?
Thanks

If VW is using the new specified comparison protocols on the TDI ECU's, it will show its modified, even when in stock mode, as it's looking at the entire memory of the ECU, and not just the current operating mode.

We have not made changes to the cold start routines for the TDI, so cold start should not be altered.

[AquilaTDI]

Other ECU upgrades REQUIRE a TCU upgrade to surpass "torque limiter" so to speak, however our ECU does not require one.



All of our in house TDI's are DSG, including the one driven by our calibrator, who calibrated the 2.0 TDI.

Are you located anywhere near APR?

Thanks Arin. No, I'm in Raleigh, NC (500+ miles away).

Just as I was beginning to convince myself that the TCU was going to adapt to the tune, I had a "bang" shift while accelerating at 2/3 to 3/4 throttle (in auto mode) while entering a major highway today. It surprised me, because I was not thinking about the ECU/DSG issues (for a change!). I then tried to get it to misbehave, which it did several times when accelerating to redline in tiptronic mode (the same "stumble"/drop in power when it shifts that I reported before).

In thinking about this, I now remember that when the dealer did the flash, they first did a "single program" flash, and when I pointed out to them that it should be the "fully loaded" version they reflashed it. Could that have caused a problem?

I'd really like to sort this out...

[pizzaboygti]

Thanks!

Envoyé depuis mon LG-P990hN avec Tapatalk

[TDIpilot81]

This was the best thing that I did to my '12. I just wish that the DSG wasn't so sloppy, especially on rolling starts. It feels like it is slipping or wants or just slow to make its mind up on what it wants to do. The other thing that I have noticed is driving about 20-25MPH in AUTO mode right before it needs to shift, around 2500rpm it randomly acts like the fuel is cut for a split second or the DSG is trying to shift from one gear to the next and right back. Otherwise the fuel economy has been great, I did a 500mi trip this past weekend and ended up around 41mpg running 80+mph.

[Arin@APR]

Thanks Arin. No, I'm in Raleigh, NC (500+ miles away).

Just as I was beginning to convince myself that the TCU was going to adapt to the tune, I had a "bang" shift while accelerating at 2/3 to 3/4 throttle (in auto mode) while entering a major highway today. It surprised me, because I was not thinking about the ECU/DSG issues (for a change!). I then tried to get it to misbehave, which it did several times when accelerating to redline in tiptronic mode (the same "stumble"/drop in power when it shifts that I reported before).

In thinking about this, I now remember that when the dealer did the flash, they first did a "single program" flash, and when I pointed out to them that it should be the "fully loaded" version they reflashed it. Could that have caused a problem?

I'd really like to sort this out...

The flashing order would not change anything.

[kendavis]

I know it's been asked, but as I browsed the thread it hasn't been asked in a while...
So where's APR at with releasing this for the NMS B7 Passat TDI? I know a lot of us are waiting.

--Ken

[AudiJuice]

Arin... Can you provide some info as to when the stage 2 file will be released? I called in august and they said a couple of months. I called last month and the tech had no clue. I'm leaning towards Malone Stage 2, but not if you guys have a date set within a reasonable amount of time. Thanks

[Arin@APR]

I know it's been asked, but as I browsed the thread it hasn't been asked in a while...
So where's APR at with releasing this for the NMS B7 Passat TDI? I know a lot of us are waiting.

--Ken

Close. We've cracked the ECU. Just a little more to do.

[Arin@APR]

Arin... Can you provide some info as to when the stage 2 file will be released? I called in august and they said a couple of months. I called last month and the tech had no clue. I'm leaning towards Malone Stage 2, but not if you guys have a date set within a reasonable amount of time. Thanks

We don't have an ETA at this moment but we have calibrated non DPF cars around the world. It's something we'd like to offer in the future.

[Illum]

Not yet. We'll look into making an intake file later on. Right now we suggest only using the software with a stock engine.

Arin,

Is this still the case?

I noticed this post and at the APR BBQ I got my tune and Carbonio Intake. I have odd issues with the car currently. I don't have any check engine lights on but the car has the weird hesitate when you give it throttle, almost like its dumping boost or the diesel/air ratio is off when at low rpms. Do I need to have an intake file flashed? Is there one yet? I'm slightly worried now after seeing your post. Why wouldn't they have told me that the intake and tune don't work together when I bought it?

[gtiiiiiiii]

Any update on offering this for 2012 jetta tdi non-sportwagon?

[Arin@APR]

Any update on offering this for 2012 jetta tdi non-sportwagon?

Yeah, it looks like we have a whole bunch of software for it.

http://www.goapr.com/products/ecu_up...tdi_140hp.html

[MXTHOR3]

Arin,

Is this still the case?

I noticed this post and at the APR BBQ I got my tune and Carbonio Intake. I have odd issues with the car currently. I don't have any check engine lights on but the car has the weird hesitate when you give it throttle, almost like its dumping boost or the diesel/air ratio is off when at low rpms. Do I need to have an intake file flashed? Is there one yet? I'm slightly worried now after seeing your post. Why wouldn't they have told me that the intake and tune don't work together when I bought it?

Intakes are an absolute waste of $$$$ on a TDI, even fairly heavy modified ones. Do yourself a favour and put the stock CAI back on.