This page is intended to orient the new user to the ECMLink system and, to some extent, ECU tuning concepts in general. If you just received your package and really have no idea where to even start, this is probably the page for you. If you already know how to tune an ECU and already understand basic engine operation, then this page is probably not for you.

Engine and ECU 101: First, you need to start with some basic fundamentals of engine operation and ECU tuning concepts. You can get that on the Engine and ECU 101 page. If you already have an idea of how airflow and fuelflow and timing work together in an engine, then you can skip that page.

Installing ECMLink on your laptop is pretty simple. You just download the latest installer off our website or you install it off the CD included in your package. To download the latest installer off our website, hit our Downloads page. To install off the CD, just following the instructions included on the Quick Reference guide in your package.

Installing the device driver is just about as simple. You can simply plug the cable into your laptop and when Windows asks you where to locate the driver for it, just point it to the appropriate directory on the CD. There are videos showing this install procedure for Windows 98 as well as XP and Vista on our Downloads page. Please note that you will probably need to download and install the Video codec first before you can view the videos.

VERIFY that the laptop has installed the driver for the cable correctly and that it has assigned a COM port to it. You can do this by pulling up the Device Manager and looking for something like this:

Installing the V3 flash device into your ECU is fairly easy. You can find a brief outline in our Chip Install document.

Installing the ECU into your is just the opposite of removing it. We do not currently have pictures of this process, but it basically involves removing the two side kick panels (each side of the center console) and then removing a few 10mm bolts holding the ECU in to place. The ECU is physically located “behind” the radio.

Once the laptop application is installed and the ECU is in place, you're ready to power it all up. Turn the ignition key on and observe the check engine light. It should be on for a few seconds and then turn off by itself. This is a good indication that the ECU is working properly. If the light comes on and stays on, then something may be wrong with the ECU. If you hear a bunch of relays clicking like crazy as soon as you turn the ignition key on, then something is definitely wrong with the ECU. If you suspect the socket job may not have been done properly, then open the ECU and compare to pictures shown on our ECU Repair page.

As long as everything seems to be powering up OK, then you should be ready to connect to the ECU. Connect one end of the cable to the diagnostic port in the car and the other end into your laptop. The