BMW programming with WINKFP

In this article, we will analyze in detail the programming of BMW electronic units using the WinKFP program. We will outline tips, warnings, user manuals, as well as a complete breakdown of BMW electronic control units (hereinafter referred to as ECUs ) (selection, search and update).

In our case, we will conduct an analysis on a BMW in the E39 body. You will be able to learn how to update the firmware of the DME (Engine ECU) and also receive additional information.

Our car has had its catalytic converter removed and we want to know how to properly flash the engine ECU and if there are any updates.

The first step is to find out the part number of the engine ECU unit. We need to use the INPA program . It is very easy to use and is also included in the BMW Standart Tools set. Let's start our process: first we connect to our car, start it and run INPA on the device. Now select the car model in the program, and then the engine. Next, we go to the identification process (F2 button on the keyboard) and get the following window with information:

The first line shows the part number of the required block - 1429861 . To find out the program number of the engine ECU, press F1 in the INPA menu and enter MS41:

 

To find out the current version of the unit's firmware, press F3 in the menu. The following window appears:

 

In this picture, we can see the "real" version of the firmware - 1711648 . Also, it is worth noting that we perform the firmware for cars with a catalyst (it is removed from our car).

We learned all the necessary data about our unit. We keep them so as not to lose them, as we will need them.

Now open ETK and enter the number of our part. Next, select "Engine ECU is programmed" to get a list of available block firmwares (in our case, it will look like this).

 

 

If you can't find the information you need, there is another way.

We go to ETK and enter the VIN of your BMW body, or manually select the required model. After that, we can go to the parts group, where we select "Engine ECU programmed". We get a list of available block firmwares.

Please note that we entered the data from our BMW E39 . This means that you must enter the details of your vehicle. (Accordingly, the information will differ).

In the received list of firmware for the control unit for our car, we can see that there is no firmware for Euro2, and it is also not available for a car without a catalyst. From this we conclude that the firmware for our block is useless, because the catalyst is cut out.

Now consider the available engine firmware. By entering M52TU for block number MS42, we get a list of firmwares compared to block number MS41. Now you can see that we have the opportunity to flash the engine to Euro2, as well as a car without a catalyst. We draw your attention to the description of the firmware (in the additional tab), to the availability of options 168, 199, 861, if you still have 205 automatic transmission. There are such firmwares that already have several necessary options.

Select the required one (last 7 digits). We advise you to familiarize yourself with the instructions for using the WinKFP program. This will greatly speed up and simplify the whole process.

First we need to import the ISTA file data for our body. We download the files for the BMW SP-Daten body. Next, to make the work easier, download the BMW Coding Tool program, run it and specify the path to the files for the BMW SP-Daten body, after which we import them.

WARNING! The data to import must be for your body. If you choose to import all data for all BMW bodies, you will only see the last body you imported in the list.

 

The WinKFP program is ready to work, launch it and see the following window:

 

Open the 4th “Communication” tab in the application and then the “HW Interface” line. Now we configure the adapter that will be connected to the car. The "Configuration" tab will help us configure the program: language, general settings. Programs that will speed up your work Now let's move on to the process itself.

This program has 2 modes of operation: comfortable and expert. In the first mode, you will have a choice of 3 ways to flash your ECU:

1. Enter ZUSB - you just need to enter the firmware number and the program will automatically do everything for you.

2. Choose ZUSB is a complicated option, we need to select a block and then select the necessary firmware.

3. Update ZUSB – the program will automatically update the firmware of the selected unit.

 

If you do not know the number of the block you want to flash, then you need to go to the following path on the PC: C:ECAPPSNFSDATAGDATENHWNR.DA2 , and then open this file using a notepad or another text editor. Next, press Ctrl+F and enter the block number from the INPA program. In our case, it is 1429861 and we get:

 

From this image we understand that we need the MS411 unit (this example is for our car). The INPA program confirms this information earlier.

Now we go to the firmware and consider the comfort mode option by choosing "Choose ZUSB".

First, select "Comfort Mode", then enter the VIN of your car and press F2. Now we find the block number of our car and select the necessary firmware in the second column.

 

After selecting the block number and firmware version, press the “Done” button, and then F3 .

 

That's it, all the work is done, the firmware of the ECU has begun. If the UIF entry was included in the settings, then before the last action, a window will open in which you will be shown the available number of block programming attempts. A blue progress bar will appear on the screen, which should fill up twice.

After this process, a window will appear confirming the ECU firmware update. Finally, it is necessary to erase all errors from all ECUs, because WinKFP disables certain blocks, and also erase all engine ECU adaptations. You may need to synchronize the electronic anti-theft system and the engine ECU.

Finally, let's talk about tips and possible caveats so that you don't run into any problems. The main thing is to take your time and don't blame anyone. Take the time to study everything in detail, then get to work.

Also, we recommend working with original devices and adapters for BMW

Next, we will mention a few tips about work. Programming can be canceled under certain conditions (on cars with DSC III and without DSD II). There can be several reasons. Here are the main ones: turning off the ignition, communication breakdown or voltage drop. But you will be able to reprogram the unit if something goes wrong.

If errors appear during operation of the program, save them and refer to the instructions. Everything is described there step by step and you can easily fix the problem.

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