How easy could a dealer detect a reflash?
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How easy could a dealer detect a reflash?
Still on a budget, but it's seems very appealing (and cheap) for a new computer. Take the Cobb reflash for instance. 10 minutes to install for X HP, but how easy is it for a dealer to tell the ECU has been reflashed? Say two years later, I get a check engine light. When the dealer hooks it up to the computer, will he instantly be able to tell and void the warranty?
Sorry for being paranoid, it's just that I've been reading around this site now, and I'm scared of voiding the warranty for something stupid.
Sorry for being paranoid, it's just that I've been reading around this site now, and I'm scared of voiding the warranty for something stupid.
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Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 313
From: Atlanta/Cayman Islands
Car Info: 2002 White WRX Wagon (WWW)
At the moment no. Most dealers do not have the equipment to read the maps on your ECU and compare them to the stock maps. There is talk however that they will be getting this equipment at sometime in the future however so just keep that in mind. Now this is where I'm fuzzy... If they do get this new equipment/software for checking for reflashes, will it just compare the maps on your ECU to the stock maps or is there a record of how many reflashes your ECU has had and they will ask for the proper documentation to show that these reflashes were done by a subaru dealer? In other words if I get a cobb reflash, then need warranty work done so I send it in and have it reflashed to stock. Will they be able to tell? That is the real question. The totally safe (but really expensive) alternative is to buy another ECU for the reflash and keep your stock (never reflashed) one to swap in if you take your car in to the dealer. I believe cobb sells stock ECU's for about $450 so your new ECU plus reflash would be almost $1000. Wow. :O
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Tell me more Subaru_Tech. I'm interested in your insite. I didn't want an obvious piggy back chip. Is it easy to detect a reflash? Obviously I'll have to take off the obvious Cobb sticker. On to other things: what doesn't automatically void the warranty? The salesman said a cat-back exhaust is fine, and a blow-off valve is also acceptable. Of course, he'd say anything to get me take the car (which I did 
). What is your take?
). What is your take?
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From: Reno, NV
Car Info: 1993/2000/2001 GF4 mostly red
All dealers can detect a reflash, but it's unlikely they would go looking for it for anything short of a catastrophic engine failure. It's a lot less risk of warranty denial than an obviously disallowed mod like an MBC or downpipe.
Catback exhausts can not void the warranty under any circumstances, except that you can't complain if you break a hanger mounting it or managed to somehow mess up a flange. Blow off valves actually can be used as warranty breakers in some cases because of their effect on AF ratios.
Catback exhausts can not void the warranty under any circumstances, except that you can't complain if you break a hanger mounting it or managed to somehow mess up a flange. Blow off valves actually can be used as warranty breakers in some cases because of their effect on AF ratios.
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From: Reno, NV
Car Info: 1993/2000/2001 GF4 mostly red
Springs will void the warranty on your struts, but that's about it. SOA can try to argue that lowering the car negatively effects the angles of the half shafts and steering assemblies, but that won't stand up in court. It's just something some reps do to try to cut down on warranty payouts.
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In Subaru of Dallas they do Cobb tuning reflashes and it doesn't void the warranty. I just bought my rex there today and the sales person told me i could even get discounts from doing my upgrades there. They install lots of Cobb performance parts and anything done there is still under warranty. So hopefully there's a dealership near you w/ a similar setup.
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Originally posted by wrex04
In Subaru of Dallas they do Cobb tuning reflashes and it doesn't void the warranty. I just bought my rex there today and the sales person told me i could even get discounts from doing my upgrades there. They install lots of Cobb performance parts and anything done there is still under warranty. So hopefully there's a dealership near you w/ a similar setup.
In Subaru of Dallas they do Cobb tuning reflashes and it doesn't void the warranty. I just bought my rex there today and the sales person told me i could even get discounts from doing my upgrades there. They install lots of Cobb performance parts and anything done there is still under warranty. So hopefully there's a dealership near you w/ a similar setup.
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Posts: 1,987
From: BAIC
Car Info: 2005 Aspen White Subaru STI
I'm stuck in the same situation. I want the extra hp but I am afraid to void my warranty in case somewhere down the line something happens where I need it. Unfortunately the subaru dealership near me charges an arm and a leg to do any mods, so I am stuck going somewhere else. Any ideas on how to get more hp without voiding the warranty? I am also interested in a reflash for my WRX.
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Maybe I didn't clarify it right. The dealership also has a performance center as a part of it. I'm not exactly sure of the details b/c i haven't done anything there myself, but the salesperson told me that anything done there wouldn't void the warranty. He told me about flashing the ECU so it could match specs like they have in Europe. 214-526-5555 is the number to Subaru of Dallas, if you live around here you might wanna call and ask about it. I'd ask for Chris Fleming. He's a salesman and president of the impreza club here in the DFW area. I'm sure he'll have better answers for you.
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From: Folsom, CA
Car Info: 02 WRX/05 Legacy
Won't the dealer know/suspect its been reflashed just by driving the car? Before and after the reflash is so different, unless you have a bunch of other mods to confuse the driver as to where the extra power comes from. In which case, I don't know what the dealer would be doing with your car anyway?
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Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 68
From: richmond,va
Car Info: 04 wrx sti
there are two ways we look to see if pcms have been altered at the dealer i work at. 1) there is a plastic section you can remove and upload a program to it has this clear silicone stuff on it if it is missing or the contacts have marks on them from something being plugged in to it. <--- i know some might work off of the data link connector under the dash but i have seen some that work as i mentioned above. 2) there is a piece of tape kinda on the pcm that if u were to open up the pcm say to access the internals u would either tear or disrupt the tape <----automatic void of warranty. 3) some techs that work on many of the same cars such as in a dealer that do mostly eec work that use the obd2 tools to pull and erase codes and such,there is also a function that allows u to monitor pids and if say the tech knew what certain values and percentages that sensors and monitors and such should be and then look at what yours are they might be able to tell. thats just some that i see from time to time if it helps at all
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Joined: May 2003
Posts: 23
From: From A Subie Dealer Near You
Car Info: The Dealer Specialist
HA!
Originally posted by SUBARU_TECH
lol-if only you knew.
lol-if only you knew.
People...people....
do you guys think that the dealer personnel, i.e. techs, service advisors, etc are that naive? The first thing I always do with WRXs when they come in for warranty issues, especially trans and engine related is lift the carpet and check to see if the ECM has been removed. Its easy to tell just by looking at the screws and bolts that hold it in place.
After a few times of removing the ECM if you are not careful the top nut gets stripped...and whatever you do, don't lose that plastic cover...
And if SOA wants that ECM can be shipped to them and they will verify if the ECM has been reflashed.