I have a 2004 WRX. I got a Stage 1 reflash from Cobb last August. I now have a TBE and bought the AccessPORT upgrade. It finally arrived today.

But...

When I tried to use it, it goes through the initilization procedure then gives me a message: "This is not a reflashed ECU. HALTING OPERATION." It then just sits there.

I disconnected the green connectors and took off the loopback thing. Car starts and runs fine. I took it for a test drive, and it still behaves like a Stage 1 car: I hit .1 MPa peak boost and it holds to .09 MPa to redline. This is definitely Stage 1 behavior.

Any suggestions or similar experience? I called Cobb and left a message (they are closed). I will call tomorrow.

Dang. Yet another delay. So far my journey to stage 2 has been pretty painful.

Thanks.

Did you specify to Cobb that you were already running a AccessECU before ordering your AP? IIRC, they have to load different maps on the AP if you already have AccessECU.

Calvin

Yes. I have the upgrade edition. When the AccessPORT powers up, the first screen says it is the upgrade version. Also, the packaging said it was the upgrade version.

I think for some reason it cannot tell that my ECU has been reflashed by Cobb. One thing that is a bit different for me is that I bought a brand new ECU from them that they had reflashed. I still have the original ECU that came with the car, so if I have to send my reflashed ECU to them for troubleshooting I can still drive. (This sort of thing is why I made sure I had two ECU's before I started messing with it.)

Have you tried contacting Cobb? I'd think they might know better than this forum. :)

Yes. I have the upgrade edition. When the AccessPORT powers up, the first screen says it is the upgrade version. Also, the packaging said it was the upgrade version.

I think for some reason it cannot tell that my ECU has been reflashed by Cobb. One thing that is a bit different for me is that I bought a brand new ECU from them that they had reflashed. I still have the original ECU that came with the car, so if I have to send my reflashed ECU to them for troubleshooting I can still drive. (This sort of thing is why I made sure I had two ECU's before I started messing with it.)


??? Humm I just got my accessport upgrade last week, And already had Stage1 reflash. Nowhere on the AP paperwork/packaging, screen, etc. does mine mention that it is an upgrade? It also came with the 02-03 blue "loopback" and the 04 white "loopback".... Def. sounds like you should give Cobb a call...

Jduke420:

Mine says it was the upgrade edition on a sticker on the bubble wrap that covered the main AP unit. It also says upgrade edtion on the first power up screen where it displays version numbers. Mine only came with the 03-04 loopback (its the 02 that is different, which is why 02 and 03 owners get both).

I talked to Cobb yesterday. I am sending both the AP and my ECU back to Cobb for troubleshooting. I drove my car pretty hard yesterday morning and it definitely does not behave like a stock car. I realize that Cobb has to verify that I am not scamming them. Hopefully they recorded the serial number of the ECU that I bought from them with the reflash (I forgot to ask). If not, the mapping should still be stage 1 and it still has their sticker on it. Hell, the box I am sending it back in has my name written on it in one of their handwritings.

Man, $1300 later and I will be driving stock engine managment this weekend.

Update:

I pulled the reflashed ECU and put my stock one back in (as I said, I still have a pristine ECU). Man, what a difference. The reflashed ECU hit 1.0 MPa and tapered to 0.09 MPa. The stocker hits 0.09 MPa peak and tapers to 0.05 MPa!! Well, now I am absolutley positive the ECU I was trying to use has been reflashed.

I am upset because I found out another customer with the same problem was simply sent (overnight!) a non-upgrade AP and everything works. I am going to go ahead and send my stuff in. Hopefully they will send me back a working AP and ECU within a day or so as promised.

Another update:

Everything is now cool. Josh is da man. They paid my overnight charges and married my AP to my reflashed ECU and now everything seems to work great. I have not played with the maps yet--still enjoying stage 2. Did take a peak at the boost gauge thing. Too hard to read while driving.

I still have my Cobb supplied stage 1 restrictor in place. Makes the boost a little jumpy if I go WOT at a low rpm in 3-5, so I may try putting the stock restrictor back in this weekend to see if I still make 0.11 MPa.

Definitely a difference between stage 1 and stage 2.

BTW, I can now swap an ECU in about five minutes.