Support Forum

ECU Previously Flashed by Another Tuner

charlie@ftecu.comcharlie@ftecu.com Posts: 26Staff User
in Troubleshooting & Important Reads

This post is for anyone who has an ECU that was previously flashed by another tuner, shop, previous owner, or tuning software and now wants to flash or manage that ECU using FTECU.

It explains what to expect if the ECU already has an FTECU license, what your options are if that license belongs to someone else, and what happens when the ECU was previously flashed using third-party tuning software.

If the ECU Already Has an FTECU Flash or license.

There are two possible scenarios:

  1. You are able to contact the original tuner and they approve transferring the license.
  2. You cannot contact the original tuner, or the original tuner does not approve the transfer.

Scenario 1: The Original Tuner Approves the Transfer

If you are able to contact the original tuner, you can ask them to transfer the ECU license to your FTECU account.

If they are familiar with the transfer process, they should be able to complete it directly. If they are not, instructions for transferring a license are available on the FTECU Forum.

If they approve the transfer but are unable to complete it themselves, they can email us at sales@ftecu.com with:

  • The license number
  • The email address of the FTECU account the license is being transferred to
  • Written approval authorizing the transfer

Once we receive that information from the current license holder, we can assist with the transfer.

Scenario 2: The Original Tuner Cannot or Will Not Transfer the License

This applies when:

  • You are unable to contact the original tuner, or
  • The original tuner does not approve transferring the license

In this situation, your options are more limited.

You can either:

  • Return to the original tuner and have them make any desired changes to the ECU, if you are still able to work with them, or
  • Purchase your own FTECU license, or a flashing kit that includes a license, and overwrite the existing flash

For many motorcycles, flashing the ECU with your own license will overwrite the tune that is currently installed.

Some motorcycles can be read before flashing. On those applications, it may be possible to read and save the current ECU file before overwriting it.

Important: Existing Tune and Features

Before overwriting the ECU, be aware that:

  • The existing tune will be lost unless you are able to read and save the ECU file first.
  • Paid features associated with the previous license, such as Quickshifter, Auto-Blipper, or Active Tune, will NOT transfer to the new license.
  • Any paid features you still require will need to be purchased for the new license.

If Another Flashing Software Was Used

In most cases, this is not a problem.

We are able to overwrite most tunes that were previously flashed to the ECU using third-party tuning software or by another tuning company.

If you attempt to flash the ECU and the process fails, the previous third-party tune is unlikely to be the cause. In most cases, there is another issue that needs to be diagnosed.

Questions or Concerns?

If you have any questions or concerns, please contact us at sales@ftecu.com.

When possible, include your motorcycle's year, make, model, ECU part number, and any information you have about who previously flashed the ECU so we can better assist you.

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