So I bought a used Giac from a guy on AZ. I got it today, and bolted it on, Turned ignition to ON position for 5 minutes, went to start the car, it started, idled at 500 RPMS, sputtered, and died. Tried again, same thing. So I searched and found out that its most likely immobilized, being as its still tuned for his VIN. [sm=bs.gif]

ANYWAYS, my question is this: Do I HAVE to take it to a Giac dealer (only one in my state, thats 250 miles from me...), or can I buy a Vagcom and download the Giac software off the site and flash it myself?? I know the shop charges an hours labor to flash it, which will run me about $250, and in that case, I could have bought a brand new chip, already flashed for me, for $500, instead of dropping $450 on this one, then another $250 on a seperate flash....[:@][:@]
any help is appreciated.

 

that's weird. usually it should just work. does your ECM have the same part number as his?

 

yep, I took the time to read each part number side by side, and they are perfect. He did have the exact same car as me.
From what I can gather all Giac chips have the ability to go into immobilizer mode when installed into a new car. Something about theft protection or something? Idk....don;t think it could be anything else. I stuck the OEM chip in right after and she fired right up.

 

well looks like of you go to giac. vagcom won't solve your problem

 

That's definitely gotta be a GIAC related issue. The ECUs for 1998.5 didn't have immobilizers from Audi.

 

well then wtf. The guy was aparently using it up to 2 days before he shipped it to me, and he was very credited on AZ as a good seller with 100% positive feedback.... So if it doesnt have the immobilizer, then I wonder what could be causing it. I'll try it again tomorrow I guess. But if you guys have any other info, its all greatly appreciated! I'm kinda out $520 right now...

 

dude, Evolution is a GIAC dealer. they claim to be the biggest one in the state i think.

 

I just wish it would work so I don;t have to take it in and pay another $250 bucks or whatever for them to flash it in 10 minutes

 

Does the car run fine with the ecu you had in it before?


Also sounds like you might need to do the throttle adapt again since 500rpm is a bit too low.