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Thread: Dummies Guide to Basic coding with NCS Expert

  1. #51
    Join Date
    Jul 2009
    Location
    Atlanta
    Posts
    597
    My Cars
    2x 84 318i, 02 M3, etc..
    Thanks for the great NCS intro
    318i E30
    & other toys

  2. #52
    Join Date
    Nov 2014
    Location
    Brisbane, Australia
    Posts
    2
    My Cars
    2005 BMW 320i
    Hi taurustem. Did you get the bluetooth working? I have read posts discussing $644 to the vo to get bluetooth working... What does this do?

  3. #53
    Join Date
    Nov 2014
    Location
    Chicago
    Posts
    3
    My Cars
    2009 X5 4.8i (E70)
    does anyone have a copy of revtor's profile references in the OP here ? thanks

  4. #54
    Join Date
    Oct 2014
    Location
    Kiev
    Posts
    1
    My Cars
    2006 E87
    Vickumar, THANK YOU very much for this guide. It`s really very simple and helpful for beginners like me!

  5. #55
    Join Date
    Dec 2014
    Location
    italy
    Posts
    14
    My Cars
    2011 BMW E91 320 xd LCI
    Hi,
    I have to retrofit new outside mirror in my E91 LCI.
    I have to add new VO OPTION only in CAS ECU? VO option itself copy in other ECU?

  6. #56
    Join Date
    Dec 2014
    Location
    italy
    Posts
    14
    My Cars
    2011 BMW E91 320 xd LCI
    Hi,
    I tried to change NCS expert profile, I notice button position change, example: process ECU not F4 but F3; anyone can explain it? I can use all profiles? The important think is to use the right process?!

  7. #57
    Join Date
    Dec 2015
    Location
    Plymouth, MA
    Posts
    2
    My Cars
    2010 Mini Cooper Hardtop
    Thanks, really simplified it for me.

  8. #58
    Join Date
    Jun 2008
    Location
    Nashua NH
    Posts
    2
    My Cars
    325es
    I am having an issue with NCS expert. I have version 4.01. I can connect to my e60, read and modify the code, confirm that the code has been modified, but when I change job to SG_CODIEREN and execute, my light module codes, but no functionality changes (specifically changing flash to pass using Bi Xenons. Any ideas?

  9. #59
    Join Date
    Jun 2006
    Location
    nyc
    Posts
    896
    My Cars
    BMW 6spd 550i w Sport Pk
    Thanks for this thread....
    my question is... When I go to select ecu in ncs expert tool I see the following under " CBD auswahlen" ....CHAMPE70.c31, mask_e60.c05, etc...how do I know what's for my e60 if there's more than 8 different masks with e60 next to them?

  10. #60
    Join Date
    Oct 2016
    Location
    UK
    Posts
    14
    My Cars
    BMW 5 series e60
    This is such a good writeup for dummies, I sir am one. I have an issue where for goodness knows what reason my cars electrics when all crazy after connecting a cheap chinese code reader. Ive written up about it on here and linked to your thread: http://www.bimmerforums.com/forum/sh...s-fault-reader! (Hopefully I am doing the right thing for my problem!!)

    - - - Updated - - -

    Quote Originally Posted by rdflavaa View Post
    This is such a good writeup for dummies, I sir am one. I have an issue where for goodness knows what reason my cars electrics when all crazy after connecting a cheap chinese code reader. Ive written up about it on here and linked to your thread: http://www.bimmerforums.com/forum/sh...s-fault-reader! (Hopefully I am doing the right thing for my problem!!)
    Quick question how do I find the module codes for each thing I want to fix? I cant read them off my car because they are likely to be faulty, is there some file I need to download online e.g BMW E60 Window Module and load into NCSExpert? Sorry I havent even got it yet, waiting for it in the post just preemptively working out what to do to recode the faulty modules back to default!

  11. #61
    Join Date
    Jan 2017
    Location
    london
    Posts
    1
    My Cars
    2009 E60

    Cool how to add bluetooth through coding????

    hi guys, im new to this site and to coding. i see this is an old thread and not sure if this has been covered already.
    i have 2009 e60 so with my idrive i have the short cut keys except the nav button just takes me to the obc and tel button does nothing. also the voice control doesnt do anthing. correct me if im wrong but i read somewhere that its just a case of coding to activate these features as its lci and not have to retrofit anything. im not overly fused about the nav but would be nice to have bluetooth for phoning and possibly music. any advice on this would be greatly appreciated. thanks in advance

  12. #62
    Join Date
    Feb 2016
    Location
    Indianapolis
    Posts
    1
    My Cars
    2003 325xi
    Even 5 years later I am incredibly grateful for this post! I'm a CS major right now and this is still incredibly helpful. This weekend I'm gonna enable my key lock/unlock headlight flash. Thanks again!!

  13. #63
    Join Date
    Dec 2014
    Location
    dundee Scotland
    Posts
    32
    My Cars
    e39 530d
    Amazing write-up my friend.
    Wonder if you can help.
    My e46 330d is remapped with egr off. I get a p1640 fault code (eeprom configuration fault. Checksum drift etc).
    My question is;if it's something I've done wrong with a cheap cable etc and a line of code is wrong, with the proper daten file,can I rewrite everything back to car with ncs?
    I'm not 100% sure this fault code is even software related as I've been told by 1 tuner that this fault code is generated due to my egr being switched off in remap.
    I suppose what I'm asking is can eeprom be somehow rewritten thru ncs etc? Or am I barking up the wrong tree?

  14. #64
    Join Date
    Aug 2007
    Location
    Indiana
    Posts
    3,767
    My Cars
    BMW & Lotus
    Quote Originally Posted by vickumar View Post
    I found lots of guides that just shows you what buttons to press or ones that are too complicated for a layman (not a programmer) to really understand. I like to understand what im doing and whats going on. So this is why i wrote this post, to help understand what ncs is doing.
    This thread is VERY helpful, thank you for posting this. Since I am not a programmer by trade, I need to understand what I am doing in each step before I attempt something like this.

    My only question now is, if you know what features you want to code, where can you find out what modules they are in? Is there a list by chassis codes somewhere? Or is that where NCS Dummy comes into play?
    '14 Evora S - Chrome Orange/Ebony
    '02 M5 - Carbon Black/Silverstone
    '15 M235i xDrive - Mineral Grey/Black

  15. #65
    Join Date
    Oct 2009
    Location
    Croatia
    Posts
    4
    My Cars
    420xd F36 17 118d E87 07
    Quote Originally Posted by vickumar View Post
    I was helping another person, but i thought this info might help others out there trying to make sense of ncs expert.

    I found lots of guides that just shows you what buttons to press or ones that are too complicated for a layman (not a programmer) to really understand. I like to understand what im doing and whats going on. So this is why i wrote this post, to help understand what ncs is doing. I didnt come up with this stuff, the experts out there did. Im just trying to chew, regurgitate it for the 'dumb' masses like myself who are still learning.

    If I said anything wrong, experts please chime in and correct me.

    Proceed at your own risk, this is just my interpretation for educational/entertainment value only. I am not responsible for you blowing up your car or damaging your modules. Im serious!

    DUMMIES GUIDE TO UNDERSTANDING NCS AND CODING

    This is roughly how it works... and my dummy interpretation of it. Please read it fully if you want to understand, this isnt exactly a quick cheat sheet guide.

    On Pre '02 cars the coding is slighly different method than Post '02 cars. I am only going to elaborate on coding individual parameters, you can go learn how to code entire modules thru the VO later once you learn the basics below.

    The first part to understand is what this stuff about ZCS/VO or "vehicle order" is. When BMW makes a car, they create whats called a "vehicle order", this is basically a bunch of numbers writen into the car that tell what modules are installed in the car, regional info etc. This is like your car's DNA! for example if the car has a sunroof, or a convertible or radio etc etc and that it was meant for US,Canada,France etc. Because each car is different with a different set of options/modules or country that its located, the "vehicle order" aka. "ZCS" or "VO" may be different. Why is it called ZCS you ask? because its abbreviated german, and its confusing as hell.

    The VO is written into a couple modules of the car, usually ones that start with an "A", like AKMB or ALSZ. On some cars its written elsewhere. In my 02 M3, the VO was written in ALSZ and AKMB. On my '00 328ci it was stored in EWS, KMB. Its nothing more than a string of text/numbers stored in the flash memory of these modules, nothing special. Why is it written into two places? because if one module is failed and has to be replaced, then the other will serve as a backup so you can code the new replacement module to your car. For example ALSZ is the "light switch module" in your car, for some reason it fails. When you buy a new LSZ/LCM, you can retrieve all your settings of VO from AKMB and then code your new LCM to YOUR factory settings. The chances of both modules failing is slim, but if it does... you'll have to contact BMW so they can give you the VO for your car from their records.

    OK the one difference is pre-02 cars dont have a VO. Those cars have their ZCS (which acts like a VO) stored in the EWS or KMB modules. The stuff below is basically identical however for individual parameter coding.

    Now go get into the basics of coding.

    1. When you load NCS expert, you need to load a profile. These profiles just change how ncs expert behaves when you read your car. The two profiles i stick to are "expertmode" and "revtor's expert profile". if you dont have it, you can find it on the net easily. In order to code your car the first time, you should pick "revtors". This has something called "manipulation" enabled... ill elaborate on that later.

    2. Once the profile is loaded, you basically need to select Vin/ZCS/FA in order for ncs to download VIN info off your car. Once it does this, it will ask you to select a module. Why? because it needs to know your "vehicle order" information. In most cases it will probably be in an "A" module. if it doesnt load, or cant be accessed, no harm done, just try a different module. When it is able to read it, you will see a long string next to "FA" starting with your chassis "E46_" followed by numbers and text along with #'s and $'s. This is your VO. Now that NCS Expert knows it, it can code your car properly!

    CODING HAS NOTHING TO DO WITH THE MODULE YOU JUST SELECTED TO READ THE VO FROM! This perplexed me for the longest time, I didnt understand why i selected two modules each time, or what the difference selecting AKMB or ALSZ or etc the first time was. Well... It has no bearing!! all NCS is doing is reading the text/number string that is your VO off the memory in these modules in this first step. You will actually select the desired module to code in later steps.

    ** PRE-02 cars, you wont see the long FA "VO" string, instead there will be a few lines FG, GM, VN, SA followed by numbers, its basically the same thing different format. For all intents and purposes this is referred to by me as the vehicle order or ZCS for a pre-02 car.

    ON POST-02 cars select any module with "A' in front of it, on PRE-02 the "A" modules wont work, you will need to use EWS or KMB for this step... It doesnt matter which.

    Now this guide will touch on the basics to code INDIVIDUAL items on your car. The steps to add items to your VO and code your modules is different and i wont comment on that here, because it will confuse the amateur. Just understand the basics of individual coding first, then coding from your VO will all make sense later.

    3. The next part is to download your factory settings in your car to your PC. Once you get the VO loaded, you hit the BACK button. The default job in NCS is to write SO BE VERY CAREFUL here. You will see all your modules listed, for example "EWS,ABG,ASC,KMB,APL,.....etc" and underneath "SG_CODIEREN"

    NCS at this point is set to SG_CODIEREN, which means to WRITE to ALL modules listed. You dont want to do that.

    4. So now select "Process ECU", and select the INDIVIDUAL MODULE you want to code. For example LSZ (light switch module). Once you do this, it will say only LSZ (and not all the modules in your car).

    5. Now you want to change the job from WRITE to READ. Select "CHANGE JOB", then select "CODIERDATEN_LESEN". This is to READ DATA.

    6. Once selected it will confirm this by indicating the module and job type on the screen. Now you are ready. Hit "EXECUTE JOB".

    It will say Coding Activ, then Coding Ended.

    7. At this point, in your NCSexpert/WORK/ folder there will be a file called "FSW_PSW.TRC"

    This is what we want, the coding of your LSZ module that we read earlier. IMMEDIATELY save a backup of this file, rename it to FSW_PSW_LSZ_ORIGINAL.TRC and save it somewhere incase you decide you want to revert to the original copy. Now I want you to resave another copy of this FSW_PSW.TRC file as FSW_PSW.MAN (manipulation...hint hint). Make sure it doesnt save as FSW_PSW.MAN.TXT or some crap like that, it wont work properly.

    OK why all this juggling?? because NCS expert only reads modules and saves EVERYTHING as a FSW_PSW.TRC file. Regardless of what module you read in your car, this is what the filename will be. And everytime you load NCS expert, this file is constantly erased, written and re-written. So thats why we are saving it as FSW_PSW.MAN so we can alter it safely without our copy being overwritten.

    8. Now open up FSW_PSW.MAN with a text editor.

    You will see a long list of stuff like this..

    LEUCHTWEITENREG_AUTOM
    aktiv
    FEHLER_BREMSLICHT
    nicht_melden
    TAGFAHRLICHT
    aktiv

    This is where you can code. now its all in german, so you will need to run these words in a translator (google) to understand it, OR you can use NCS Dummy that translates this stuff for you and gives you all available parameters, but thats a whole different program and you ought to learn how to use it.

    This is what the above looks like if translated. Now you can see how we can deactivate/activate certain things. Im going to deactivate DRLs here.
    Translated...

    AUTOMATIC HEADLIGHT CONTROL
    active
    BRAKE LIGHT ERROR REPORTING
    dont report
    DAYTIME RUNNING LIGHTS
    active

    edited...

    LEUCHTWEITENREG_AUTOM
    aktiv
    FEHLER_BREMSLICHT
    nicht_melden
    TAGFAHRLICHT
    nicht_aktiv

    By changing to nicht_activ, it deactivates this setting. Now dont go crazy, some codes are redundant so changing just one thing wont do the trick. This takes some time and effort to find the right code/codes to work with.

    9. Once you are happy, SAVE your FSW_PSW.MAN file.

    10. Open up NCS expert, load up "revtors" profile (with manipulation enabled), and reload it to the part where the VO is loaded and its asking you to process ecu (Basically steps 1-3) Look above how to do this. Once you're there, select "PROCESS ECU", select the correct module you are coding, in this case "LSZ". Then select "CHANGE JOB" and make sure you pick "SG_CODIEREN". Once this is done, you are ready to code the car.

    NCS will basically now take the FSW_PSW.MAN file, and overwrite the codes in your car's LSZ module with your new settings. It only uses the MAN file because you are using a profile with "manipulation" enabled. The other mode "expertmode" does not have manipulation, and you cannot code individual stuff like this using that profile.

    11. Hit "EXECUTE JOB". Wait till it says "Coding ended". Now your new LSZ is coded. Turn off the car, and restart, and check to see if your results are as expected!

    12. Open up the /WORK/ folder, open the FSW_PSW.MAN file, select all, delete, save and exit.

    Viola! Thats it. You are now an expert on coding individual features!



    Now what do you do if you screwed it up or something is behaving funny and you want to go back to original settings. Or you cant remember all the stuff you changed, or dont like the results.

    To load up the ORIGINAL factory defaults if you mess up.

    Go to your /WORK/ folder. Open FSW_PSW.MAN, select all, delete, save & exit.

    Load NCS Expert

    Select "Expertmode" profile

    Hit "VIN/ZCS/FA" to load your Chassis and Vehicle order info

    Hit BACK

    Hit PROCESS ECU

    Select the chassis, then module you F'd up on. For example "LSZ"

    On Pre-02 cars It will say "LSZ" and underneath "SG_Codieren" along with some files LSZ.Cxx, LSZ.PRG, etc etc. SG_CODIEREN is the correct job you want.

    On Post-02 cars It will say "LSZ" and underneath "SG_Codieren" along with some files LSZ.Cxx, LSZ.PRG, etc etc. Hit CHANGE JOB, Select "FA_WRITE" Job.

    "xx" is usually the specific Coding index used in your default module, its a number. think of this like "firmware version".

    These files are basically from your /DATEN/ folder and contain the proper coding information specific to your car. How does NCS know which files to use? Because it knows by looking at your VIN and VO, then selects the correct files. NCS will then basically read these files, then read your VO and re-write the proper codes, features, activate, deactivate everything to your factory settings.

    The job is SG_Codieren or FA_Write because you will WRITE your original settings back in.

    Hit EXECUTE JOB.

    Viola, your original data is re-written and your car will work again. Hopefully.


    Start small, and dont bite off more than you can chew. Once you get the hang of this basic stuff, you can do more. Dont mess with stuff you cant translate or dont understand, just leave it alone. Dont go nuts. I hope this helps someone out there.
    Perfect tutorial!!!
    I managed to code my car today, I have never done it before, many thaks to Vicumar.
    118d

  16. #66
    Join Date
    Dec 2017
    Location
    Durres , Albania
    Posts
    2
    My Cars
    e90
    Hello everyone .


    I have setup bench wiring for bmw radio ccc . now i want to code them with different vin's nr .


    i have dcan and ncsexpert .


    i can code the car on car without problem , but on bench i can not generate FA list from VIN nr

    one way can be to change vin nr on cas then start coding?

    i want to be sure at first that to try .

    appreciate a lot your help


    best regards


    indrit









  17. #67
    Join Date
    Apr 2019
    Location
    Hungary
    Posts
    42
    My Cars
    E38 730D
    Hey,

    What if both my EWS and IKE, from which I can load my ZCS are used parts from another car (some moron previous owner replaced them), not even the same model, one is from a 530d, other is from a 740d, and is have a 730d. Could I still manipulate modules correctly? The modules I mentioned are working fine, however they have different VIN numbers, could this mess up the process? I can read modules, but haven't tried recoding any. (My primary target is ZKE, which I am replacing soon)

    2000 730dA – Oxford Green II / English Green + Vavona

  18. #68
    Join Date
    Dec 2016
    Location
    Newbury, United Kingdom
    Posts
    3
    My Cars
    2009 BMW 116d E81
    Hello everyone,

    Sorry for opening up an old thread
    Looking for answer,and nowhere to find them.
    Recently bought a Mini R50 2005 and I want to change the oil interval from 716 days to 365 days.
    I created a special parameter 365_tage and data 01,6D as I converted 365 to hexadecimal and 016D is the one.
    How can I write this for the car to request oil change every 11k km (coded out from 15k miles) or 365 days, whichever comes first.
    I haven't changed it yet as I'm afraid I'm doing something stupid, but is this the right way to do it? By adding a parameter called 365_tage and data 01,6D? Only options I have are 716_tage and 0_tage.
    Also, replaced the side lights to LED bulbs and they are flickering when ignition on, before starting the engine. What's the coding I need to do as I can find all the bulbs, low beam, high beam, indicators, etc but the sidelights / parking lights.
    Attached Images Attached Images

  19. #69
    Join Date
    Dec 2015
    Location
    Plymouth, MA
    Posts
    2
    My Cars
    2010 Mini Cooper Hardtop
    OK, I am back again.. I need someone to help me setup my laptop with the NCS Expert software. I thought I had it, and it only partially worked.. now I an trying again. I cannot access my 2010 R56 MINI, I thought I had missing files or files in the wrong directories, and lately I thought it was running too old Datens..
    I just downloaded the V65 Datens and dropped them in the existing directories.. nothing.
    I moved and copied a lot around, Figured out how to make english active for the buttons.. but now, I am still getting 'Chassis Invalid' ...
    I am ready to format my laptop and start over.. I know I have installed and moved too many files.
    EDIBAS recognizes my car. Just not NCSExpert.
    I started with the version that came with my USB to ODBI cable, and upgraded the software 2 times, and finally added the new R56 Datens.
    I have searched and read endless posts on how to install and use this. I just would love to get it working.

    The car has been to the dealer recently, usually several times a year, for various things, it was just in in June.

    Can anyone direct me on how to either fix this installation, or start from scratch. My laptop is a Windows 7 Pro.

    Thanks in advance..
    Roger

  20. #70
    Join Date
    Sep 2019
    Location
    uk
    Posts
    3
    My Cars
    e39 528i se
    hi,
    i can't get ncs expert to read my vehicle info at all. i have the correct usb k line and d canbus cable switched to k line and have tried it plugged into to com port 1 and com port 4 and changing the port number in device manager.
    i can load a profile and select e39 chassis but it does not fill in any fields automatically. I have also tried reading the info from ike module without success and also entering my vin number and it still does not read my vehicle info.

  21. #71
    Join Date
    Sep 2019
    Location
    uk
    Posts
    3
    My Cars
    e39 528i se

    nvsexpert cannot read my 1997 e39

    hi,
    i can't get ncs expert to read my vehicle info at all. i have the correct usb k line and d canbus cable switched to k line and have tried it plugged into to com port 1 and com port 4 and changing the port number in device manager.
    i can load a profile and select e39 chassis but it does not fill in any fields automatically. I have also tried reading the info from ike module without success and also entering my vin number and it still does not read my vehicle info.

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