I'll add my two cents worth of knowledge on "flashing":
> Flash memory devices are pretty common in the electronics industry,
> and may be programmed with compatible off-the-shelf equipment.
> Interface hardware will depend on the component packaging in the
> computer (e.g. if CC uses a removable device, it could be inserted
> into a standalone programmer connected to a PC; if the device is
> surface mounted to the SBEC, hopefully they added a header to connect
> a cable to program the device OR you'd have to use a fancy clip to
> attach the programmer).
Semi trucks that have Caterpillar engines already have the flash
feature. I used to work at a Cat dealership and I helped set-up
laptop computers that the techs used to flash the engines. Get this:
An engine could have it's horsepower output changed just by getting
flashed with new software. Of course, you had to pay the Cat dealer
some serious moola to buy more horsies. :^)
The personality files were downloadable from Cat via modem. There
is/was a different file for each type of Cat truck engine. The flash
process was incredibly simple. The tech takes the laptop out into
the truck shop and plugs in a special cable and downloads the new
software into the engine controller.. I think there is a connector
in the engine compartment for this purpose. Some trucks also had a
connector near the brake pedal in the cab.
I don't know if Chrysler is using this technology yet with our trucks
but I just wanted to let everyone know that "we have the technology."
:^)
> Of course, you could pay BIG BUCKS to buy the factory equipment.
I would imagine that CC would follow Cat's idea and use laptop
computer for this purpose.
> The hard part is not programming the flash memory, but figuring
> out the controller maps that are in the memory in the first place.
> Then deciding what to tweak.
>
> Does anyone have some information on the inner workings of the
> Chrysler engine controllers?
Maybe I need to start hanging around the garbage dumpsters at the
Chrysler Technology Center? ;^)
=Scott Vieth http://www.msn.fullfeed.com/~scottv
'68 Camaro RS, 327/PG
'97 Dakota Sport 4x4 Club Cab, Magnum V8/5-spd, Gibson cat-back, FIPK-clone
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