Porsche 9X2 M-Coder Install Procedure
- Charles Kahle
This is a step by step guide on how to use your new M-Coder software flashing suite for your Porsche Turbo, 911 Carrera or 718! Video and text are provided below to assist you. If at any time you need assistance, please call our office (949.444.2150) or email us at info@m-engineering.us
Step 1. Downloading M-Tuner. First you will get the M-Engineering cable and box. You will need to download the latest version of M-Tuner from Downloads and install it onto your laptop. This is only compatible with PC based computers or Mac’s running on boot camp or something similar. The M-Coder product uses the same M-Tuner software we do for ECU tuning.
Step 2. Send your car’s information to M-Engineering. Next after installing M-Tuner onto your laptop, you will need to connect the M-Engineering dongle into your OBD port.
The port can be located here:
Next you will need to use M-Tuners “Read Info” button to get very important details that we will need to send you the correct calibration files for your car.
Once you click that button it will then save the info that we need on your clipboard to be able to send you the correct files. It will have a dialogue that looks similar to this:
Please open your email and send an email to calibration@m-engineering.us and in the Topic Line tell us what type of car and customer name such as “ M-Coder 992 Turbo S, Tom Smith”. Once you have done that in the subject of the email if you hit “Ctrl+V” it will paste this info in. Please include what custom features you want added to your car in this email. You can then send the email to us! Once we receive it you should get a set of files with in 24 hours but most likely will be much faster if during business hours.
Below are the options you can choose from for M-Coder. These are designed from custom code and are not available from other tuning solutions. You can choose as many and as little as you want. All files sent with M-Coder will be “Stage 0” maps which provide no power increases. It is for features only.
PSE Exhaust Valve Modifications (true ON or OFF function, no need to buy a standalone PSE valve controller). Our most popular modification! Adds sound and power without any hardparts modification.
Loud Cold Start Elimination
Auto Start/Stop Elimination
Removal of pops and burbles in sport mode
Free-revving in Neutral (no longer limited to 3500rpm)
Elimination of codes for exhaust-valve deleted cars
European OPF Support
Step 3. Flashing Your ECU and Auto-Licensing your M-Tuner Software
*During the flash process, the vehicle must be in the on position but the engine off and not running*
A battery tender is highly recommended during flashing. Do not attempt to flash your vehicle if your battery life seem low or you battery power errors on the dash. An insufficient charge can lead to a failed flash!
File Types in M-Tuner
M-Tuner(C) - These are calibration files and are the more common file type you will be encountering. When doing calibration revisions for remote tuning these will be the type of files you will be flashing. Tuning for power is not available with M-Coder.
M-Tuner(F) - These are full binary files that are used for large feature updates! M-Tuner(F) is what also will be needed to recovery an ECU in the unlikely event a flash fails for any unforeseen reason.
Initiating a flash and Auto-Licensing
If this is the first flash you are completing on M-Tuner, licensing of the software will be automatic.
Flashing is a straight forward process that can take between 90 seconds to 6 minutes depending on the file type. Simple on screen prompts guide you through the process.
Open M-Tuner and connect the OBD M-Engineering dongle to your PC via the included USB cable. The other end connects to your vehicle via the OBDII port. If you have a stable connection the “Flash ECU” button (1) will now be in bold and no longer grayed out.
Turn the vehicle to the on position but do not start the engine. A simple way to know you’re at the right point is if the tach is showing but the engine is not running. This state can be reached simply by pressing the start/stop button with your foot off of the brake pedal.
Click “Flash ECU.” (1) A directory will appear. Select the file you’d like to flash and open it.
A battery tender is highly recommend, particularly if flashing a M-Tuner(F) file.
After you select your (F) file to flash on the car, you will be prompted to enter in your Customer Name for the license. You can simply put whatever you like in the box such as your full name and the year/make/model of the car. Once this step is complete this allows you to gain full control of reading and clearing faults as well as datalogging and you won’t need to license again.
A confirmation window with map notes will now appear. Click yes to proceed. No to abort.
Flashing Process
The console (2) will now display information as the flash process progresses.
As the vehicle enters the proper flash state all CAN BUS traffic will stop and modules will shut down.
You may see some communication errors regarding certain modules displayed while gaining security access, this is normal.
Once access is granted the flashing procedure will commence and a completion percentage will update in real time.
As the flash is wrapping up you may again see some communication issues with certain modules, again this is normal.
When the flash routine is finalizing modules will come back online and alarms may once again sound. This is normal.
When prompted cycle the key off and on and click ok.
The flash is now successful and you’re all set! See special precautions at the end of this section for other important data.
FUEL GAUGE ERROR: It’s possible that the fuel gauge may display an error after flashing, particularly cars that are low on fuel. Normally, this will go away after a drive cycle. Some cars may require you to refill your fuel if the error doesn’t go away. Make sure to fill it up all the way and not partially!
It’s possible for the PAS, ACC, Drivelights, TPMS, steering wheel, or other systems to show errors after the flash process. There is nothing to be alarmed about. You can start by performing a “Clear Faults” action via M-Tuner. Driving around the car for a few miles and insuring full lock to lock with the steering wheel can help clear these faults as well. They just need some time to reset and relearn.
You can also turn off your vehicle, lock it, and let it “sleep” for about 30 minutes.
ECU Recovery
In the very rare instance a flash were to fail due to low battery voltage, turning the car off during a flash, etc, we have built a recovery mode that can flash your ECU even if the flash was inhibited while in progress.
Now, if for any reason discussed above the flash fails you can now simply flash your M-Tuner(F) file to the vehicle and it will recover and you’ll be on your way.
Precautions During and After Flashing
Going Back To Stock / Uninstalling Your Tune
Going back to stock is just as easy as applying the tune to your car. Once you are returned to stock, you can visit the dealership without any worry. Your uninstall file will verify and apply your original CALID and CVN. Remember, even though M-Coder is for features only, the ECU image is flashed and will appear as “tuned” to the dealership.
Select “Flash ECU” on M-Tuner
Instead of using your M-Coder tune file, choose your “Uninstall” file
Follow the prompts on the screen, the flash process will take about 5 minutes.
Flashing Process
The console (2) will now display information as the flash process progresses.
As the vehicle enters the proper flash state all CAN BUS traffic will stop and modules will shut down.
You may see some communication errors regarding certain modules displayed while gaining security access, this is normal.
Once access is granted the flashing procedure will commence and a completion percentage will update in real time.
As the flash is wrapping up you may again see some communication issues with certain modules, again this is normal.
When the flash routine is finalizing modules will come back online and alarms may once again sound. This is normal.
When prompted cycle the key off and on and click ok.
The flash is now successful and you’re all set! See special precautions at the end of this section for other important data.
Datalogging
Open M-Tuner and connect the OBD dongle to your vehicle and PC via the supplied USB cable.
If you have a profile open and a good connection to the vehicle “Start Datalogging” and “Clear Faults” will be in bold and no longer grayed out.
“Start Datalogging” will now begin displaying live data in the monitor panel and your logging speed will be displayed near the bottom.
Whenever you start to monitor a datalog is created automatically. When you first datalog a folder called “Datalogs” will be created in the same folder as M-Tuner. This is where all datalogs are saved.
Datalogs are saved as both a .csv and a .ldat.
.csv files are files you are welcome (& encouraged) to review. Knowing what to look for in datalogs can be a great tool in early detection of an issue.
.ldat files are encrypted files that contain proprietary calibration data.
We are always available to review datalogs.
If you have a datalog you’d like us to review shoot us an email at Info@M-engineering.us with the subject header “Porsche Log Review” Please be sure to also include your VIN in the email.
Our Datalogging Parameters page can help you make sense of most vital monitors.
If we send you an LCFG2 file for logging please put it in the following folder:
Documents/M-Tuner/Profiles
Drop it in there and then when you open M-Tuner be sure to select in in the box at the bottom left that has a drop down.
Read & Clear Faults
The “Read & Clear Faults” buttons allows you to read Porsche specific faults in the DME as well as clear faults in all modules.
Dyno Mode
To activate dyno mode, your car must be in the key-on position with the engine off. At the top of M-Tuner, select Actuators>Porsche 992>Dyno Mode>Enable 2WD.
This will allow you to run your car on the dyno properly without traction control interfering. Once dyno mode is active, you will receive a notification on M-Tuner and the dash.
If the hazards begin blinking for any reason after a flash or key cycle, you will need to disable and reenable dyno mode.
Don’t forget to turn it off when you’re done!