Andromeda Research Labs Automotive Locksmith Full EEPROM Programmer Kit #2

The Automotive Kit works by bypassing the vehicle network (OBD or diagnostic port). With the kit you work directly with the memory part which is located in the module itself. There are no software updates to purchase or subscriptions to maintain. It does not matter if the vehicle part is an ECU, airbag module, digital cluster or one of the many body controllers. Nor does the vehicle manufacturer matter. The same electronic memory technology, called EEPROM, has become the standard storage mechanism used in vehicle modules to retain data. What is EEPROM? EEPROM stands for "E"lectrically "E"rasable "P"rogrammable "R"ead "O"nly "M"emory. This is a memory technology that has a unique characteristic; it does not lose its data when power is removed; it does not forget. This feature makes EEPROM the technology of choice for storing vehicle data such as mileage, immobilizer key sequences, airbag crash data, learned ECU parameters, transmission shift points plus more. If the EEPROM memory is a single, self-contained part, it is usually fabricated in a small 8 pin package. Some modules will have the EEPROM fabricated on the same chip as the module computer (called a microcontroller). The microcontroller, since it's the module computer, will be fabricated in a square package with pins on all four sides. The EEPROM will always be in one of these two parts, an 8 pin chip or a multi-pin microcontroller.

The first step is to open the module and detect the EEPROM part. The top photos show an airbag module and a vehicle immobilizer. The part number is printed on the top of the chip. This example uses 8 pin parts as they are the most familiar(used in about 85% of modules). There are three different families of 8 pin EEPROMs, the 93 series, the 24 series, and the 25/95 series. The series of part found in a module was determined by the engineer who designed it. This means that a Ford airbag may use a 95320 while a Toyota airbag may use a 93C56. The photos on the right show a 93C56, 95320 and 93C66. After you start the programming system you must enter the chip part number before you can move. The part number is how the programming system configures itself and also communicates to you how to connect to the chip.

Once the chip is selected you connect the programming system to the part. The kit supplies two options; the chip clip or probe set. Both the clip and probe set use a standard plug to attach to the programming unit. The chip clip is used most often due to its convenience. The clip is aligned using a red dot to indicate chip pin#1. The chip will have a dimple or slanted side to indicate pin#1. It's simple; align the dot with the dimple or slanted side, squeeze the clip to open the jaws, place it over the chip and release. The probe set is normally used to connect to a microcontroller but can also be used to attach to an 8 pin part. The probe set is color coded (EIA standard) brown (#1) through gray (#8) as is the connecting cable. When you join a microcontroller the kit includes diagrams to show you which probe color to connect to the microcontroller package pin.

With the programming system connected to the chip, you are now ready to work. What can you do with an automotive kit? Here are some of your options: (MOVE DATA FROM ONE MODULE OR ECU TO ANOTHER EDIT/CHANGE A VIN NUMBER CLEAR CRASH DATA FROM AN AIRBAG MODULE CALIBRATE OR CLONE A DIGITAL CLUSTER REFLASH OR REPROGRAM A VEHICLE IMMOBILIZER). Let's use an ECU as an example. Assume that you have a defective ECU. Some unit has failed, perhaps an injector driver but the EEPROM memory is OK. You get another ECU of the same type, perhaps from a wrecked or salvage vehicle. Now you want to put the data from the original ECU into the salvage vehicle unit. First attach to the EEPROM in the original ECU and read the data into the programming system. Now disconnect the original ECU and attach to the salvage unit. Instruct the programming system to program the data into the salvage ECU. That's it. It's a simple copy operation. It will work with any module, not just ECUs. You can use it on a damaged digital cluster. Both the mileage and the VIN will move to a replacement. Airbags are different but the kit handles those too.