Can Dealerships detect accessports after the ECU was flashed back to stock?
Thread Starter
Registered User
iTrader: (15)
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 2,172
From: Sacramento
Car Info: 2018 STI Limited
Can Dealerships detect accessports after the ECU was flashed back to stock?
Hey guys,
So i want to add a little pep to my new STI, but i cant do anything fun becuase i cant void my warranty. So i wanted to add SPT intake and exhaust. I wanted to add the AP and run the base map from Cobb. I was wondering if the dealership can detect the presence of the AP after it has been flashed back to stock?
I have heard it both ways and want to know for sure, paul maybe you can help?
Thanks
Will
So i want to add a little pep to my new STI, but i cant do anything fun becuase i cant void my warranty. So i wanted to add SPT intake and exhaust. I wanted to add the AP and run the base map from Cobb. I was wondering if the dealership can detect the presence of the AP after it has been flashed back to stock?
I have heard it both ways and want to know for sure, paul maybe you can help?
Thanks
Will
Thread Starter
Registered User
iTrader: (15)
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 2,172
From: Sacramento
Car Info: 2018 STI Limited
Okay i heard that they can still detect it.
But i heard that when you flash the ECU with a Cobb AP it changes the stock serial number, or some number thing, and when you flash it back to stock it changes the serial number, or whatever the number is back to the stockone.
How true is this?
But i heard that when you flash the ECU with a Cobb AP it changes the stock serial number, or some number thing, and when you flash it back to stock it changes the serial number, or whatever the number is back to the stockone.
How true is this?
iClub Silver Vendor
iTrader: (25)
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 15,494
From: Participating in some Anarchy!
Car Info: 2005 LGT wagon
Read carefully, cuz I'm only gonna type it once:
The dealer can tell if the ecu has been tampered with...meaning that an AP has been flashed & unflashed.
The dealer can tell if the ecu has been tampered with...meaning that an AP has been flashed & unflashed.
Registered User
iTrader: (11)
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 2,097
From: top of Mt. Hammy
Car Info: 413whp/461wtq
Originally Posted by Paul@dbtuned
Read carefully, cuz I'm only gonna type it once:
The dealer can tell if the ecu has been tampered with...meaning that an AP has been flashed & unflashed.
The dealer can tell if the ecu has been tampered with...meaning that an AP has been flashed & unflashed.
Thread Starter
Registered User
iTrader: (15)
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 2,172
From: Sacramento
Car Info: 2018 STI Limited
Originally Posted by Paul@dbtuned
Read carefully, cuz I'm only gonna type it once:
The dealer can tell if the ecu has been tampered with...meaning that an AP has been flashed & unflashed.
The dealer can tell if the ecu has been tampered with...meaning that an AP has been flashed & unflashed.
Registered User
iTrader: (2)
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 554
From: El Dorado Hills, CA
Car Info: 2005 WRX STI
Funny how Cobb's stuff specifically says that the dealerships don't have the capability to detect whether an AP has been installed if the car is reflashed back to stock.
Token Toyota Mod
iTrader: (50)
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 52,306
From: Palo Alto, CA
Car Info: Something german
Originally Posted by 1FSTREX
Bummer, i guess the stock 13.2 QM is going to have to do for me LOL. Exhaust and intake it is.
Why spend that much loot when you're going to school.
VIP Member
iTrader: (17)
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 22,776
From: Sunnyvale, CA
Car Info: '13 BRZ Limited / '02 WRX
Originally Posted by Snot Rod
So then the only *foolproof* solution would seem to be to have two ECU's; a reflashed unit in the car and a stocker on the shelf that you can swap in when necessary. Of course, the tech is gonna wonder why the OBD system isn't initialized (meaning it hasn't yet learned your "driving habits"). 
Originally Posted by soggynoodles
why aren't you just happy for having a faster car then your old one?
Why spend that much loot when you're going to school.
Why spend that much loot when you're going to school.
'army brat'
nuff said.
VIP Member
iTrader: (4)
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 6,781
From: 500mi North of Montana. Enjoying free health care.
Car Info: Bugeyed Autowagon
Originally Posted by soggynoodles
why aren't you just happy for having a faster car then your old one?
Why spend that much loot when you're going to school.
Why spend that much loot when you're going to school.
Bad soggy, BAD!
Don't make us rub your nose in it.
Thread Starter
Registered User
iTrader: (15)
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 2,172
From: Sacramento
Car Info: 2018 STI Limited
Originally Posted by soggynoodles
why aren't you just happy for having a faster car then your old one?
Why spend that much loot when you're going to school.
Why spend that much loot when you're going to school.
And why you ask....simple....becuase i can.....its called a hobby its what i like to do, work on my car, rebuild my car, make it better, make it have character. it has nothing to do with no being happy.
Token Toyota Mod
iTrader: (50)
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 52,306
From: Palo Alto, CA
Car Info: Something german
Originally Posted by 1FSTREX
I never said i wasnt happy with it, i absolutly love it, its my dream car and now i have it.
And why you ask....simple....becuase i can.....its called a hobby its what i like to do, work on my car, rebuild my car, make it better, make it have character. it has nothing to do with no being happy.
And why you ask....simple....becuase i can.....its called a hobby its what i like to do, work on my car, rebuild my car, make it better, make it have character. it has nothing to do with no being happy.
I didn't take it to the dealer because i knew that my modding caused the break. I had to take it to another shop (forgive me paul) and get it fixed. That's also another thing, if you break something because of the mods you put in, be prepaired to pay. Going back to stock and trying to let the dealer do it for you, is a no-no. Most dealers can tell when mods have been removed and will void your warrenty. Little spendatures like that is what makes it an expensive hobby. Plus you wouldn't want to put in cheap parts in a car like that. It's really hard to give a STI character anymore. Whatever you do, it's been done. That or someone else has the same thing on. (Unless you go all out and learn japanese and order directly from some small japanese vendor.($$$$$) I got some V7 rims and the shipping alone was $300 That's what sucks about having a WRX STI. Trust me, I know.
I'm not trying to say modding is bad. (Most of us here have modded STI's) Just have the car stock for a bit. Get the hang of the car for now. Learn how the car handles and try to get the best out of it. Once you get that down and you feel like an upgrade, then go for it. Modd till the CC's max out.
Just my 2cents on the whole thing.
Oh and watch out for the popo, he's out to pwn modded cars.
VIP Member
iTrader: (7)
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 25,095
From: Funtown
Car Info: A limousine with a chauffer
Originally Posted by 1FSTREX
Bummer, i guess the stock 13.2 QM is going to have to do for me LOL. Exhaust and intake it is.