Anyone else receive Voluntary Service Campaign 2012/02R for the VIN being erased? - LotusTalk

chiarov · 01-14-2013, 09:13 PM

Today I received the attached letter from Lotus for Voluntary Service Campaign 2012/02R. (Personal information removed.)

Anyone else get this yet? Seems something to do with the VIN not being properly stored in the ECM.

Does anyone know how this will be affected if you're running a reprogrammed ECU from either Vision Function or Kold Fire?

I actually still have a stock ECU for now but was about to get an upgrade from one of the two vendors above. I suppose I should wait and have the recall done before I upgrade?

oldmansan · 01-14-2013, 09:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by chiarov

Today I received the attached letter from Lotus for Voluntary Service Campaign 2012/02R. (Personal information removed.)

Anyone else get this yet? Seems something to do with the VIN not being properly stored in the ECM.

Does anyone know how this will be affected if you're running a reprogrammed ECU from either Vision Function or Kold Fire?

I actually still have a stock ECU for now but was about to get an upgrade from one of the two vendors above. I suppose I should wait and have the recall done before I upgrade?

Yeah, I got two notices for this today. My ECU is reflashed so I don't think I'll be participating in this, but I'll ask a local dealer.

San

Elise8206 · 01-14-2013, 09:26 PM

I got one today as well. My is stock so I will schedule the visit

obanaga · 01-14-2013, 09:29 PM

I got this letter today too. Does anyone know if this fix will impact a reflashed ecu?

RENDERMAN · 01-15-2013, 02:52 AM

Me too

XtinctElise · 01-15-2013, 04:46 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by obanaga

I got this letter today too. Does anyone know if this fix will impact a reflashed ecu?

I think about everyone with affected cars got the 2 notices today. I will be interested to see what affect the ECU "fix" has for new or existing reflashes...

drchris1 · 01-15-2013, 06:01 AM

Got this one and the oil line one yesterday.

chiarov · 01-15-2013, 06:44 AM

I emailed the contact listed in the letter to ask about aftermarket ECU reflashes, and he confirmed that if you take your car into the dealer for this "recall" that it will reset the ECU to the factory specifications. (Therefore losing your aftermarket re-flash.)

He did however indicate that this is voluntary and you have the option to not have it performed.

JavierBayArea · 01-15-2013, 08:57 AM

I have heard from a good source that a good lotus shop can fix your vin number mismatch without erasing your reflashed ECU.

So that's what i'll do, if i ever need to.

Harix · 01-15-2013, 09:48 AM

I Smogged a few 05 and 06 Elises and Exiges that has been re-flashed and went through. I did confirm that the vin was missing from the vehicle spec, all the monitors are ready, the smogs was passed.

I have not yet smog any 07 Elise or Exige this year. But some 07 and up is CAN system protocol and idk if this would pass it. I'll keep posted as soon as I know.

TCAR · 01-15-2013, 10:23 AM

Yeah, rec'd the recall letter for oil line replacement and ECU re-flash issue on the same day. Talked to the dealer's service adviser who has the oil line fitting replacement parts, but claimed to have not known about the re-flash issue. My ECU has been re-flashed at least twice over the last 7 ++ years, but I never had a problem passing smog. I guess, I will insist about having both issues addressed at the same time when I turn it in.

philethier · 01-15-2013, 10:24 AM

I suppose it's too much to hope for that the reflash will take out the notch in the power curve.

chuck_risen · 01-15-2013, 10:58 AM

So how about if you have a stock car, get the reflash done, can you then get a new tune or not and will it undo this reflash if you do?

chiarov · 01-15-2013, 11:01 AM

That's actually what I'm interested in knowing too. Basically, if I am planning to get an aftermarket tune, is it a waste of time to take it to the dealer for this?

Quote:

Originally Posted by chuck_risen

So how about if you have a stock car, get the reflash done, can you then get a new tune or not and will it undo this reflash if you do?

Uncle Sam · 01-15-2013, 11:04 AM

I changed my VIN to SCCPC1119ADLITNES

ewalberg · 01-15-2013, 03:29 PM

Yes, if you're planning an aftermarket tune, don't bother with this campaign as the aftermarket tune will over-write the tune you get from the service campaign. I'd put $20 that the reason for the campaign in the first place is in reality due to aftermarket reflashed cars that didn't get a fully prepared tune and so their VIN was changned/deleted and it showed up in the smog testing...

chiarov · 01-15-2013, 03:46 PM

Is it possible for an aftermarket tune to retain the VIN so that this isn't an issue? Seems like the guys at Vision Function and KoldFire would want to do this.

hroundy · 01-15-2013, 05:32 PM

I received the VIN letter today and a letter about the oil line recall.

Cicero · 01-15-2013, 05:44 PM

I got one too but my ecu's out of a reflashed exige so oh well

paulhastings · 01-15-2013, 05:50 PM

I would like to understand the situation better. If the car is stock is it being said that the VIN could have been erased when the dealer plugged in at service?

I am due for the first smog check and thinking of having this done first to see if there is an issue before going to the dealer.

01-14-2013, 09:13 PM	#1 (permalink)
chiarov Petrolhead Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Burlingame, CA Posts: 250	Anyone else receive Voluntary Service Campaign 2012/02R for the VIN being erased? Today I received the attached letter from Lotus for Voluntary Service Campaign 2012/02R. (Personal information removed.) Anyone else get this yet? Seems something to do with the VIN not being properly stored in the ECM. Does anyone know how this will be affected if you're running a reprogrammed ECU from either Vision Function or Kold Fire? I actually still have a stock ECU for now but was about to get an upgrade from one of the two vendors above. I suppose I should wait and have the recall done before I upgrade? __________________ 2005 Elise magnetic blue/biscuit

01-14-2013, 09:29 PM	#4 (permalink)
obanaga Lotus Elise Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: NorCal Posts: 225	I got this letter today too. Does anyone know if this fix will impact a reflashed ecu? __________________ 2005 Elise

01-15-2013, 02:52 AM	#5 (permalink)
RENDERMAN Living la vida loca... Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Le Banane Republique (305) Posts: 4,565 Images: 6	Me too __________________ WILL.I.AM Then the LORD God made an Exige from the rib of the Elise, and he brought her to the man... -Genesis Do you not recognize my genius creation? -Arashi www.wilsart.com

01-15-2013, 06:01 AM	#7 (permalink)
drchris1 Cerebellum Whisperer Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Rock Island, IL Posts: 351	Got this one and the oil line one yesterday. __________________ '06 Elise, Aspen White, red interior, LSS, Touring, S111 Katana SC, Reverie CF scoops 2006 Lamborghini Gallardo, Rosso Leto / Ivory - another rare color combo sheesh, I'm drooling over my own car. 2007 Yamaha V-Max - the POWER BEAST for cruising with my wife ... probably selling soon! 2006 red Mustang GT convertible, stock - wife's fun car 2009 Toyota Rav4 - winter car, also for carrying anything larger than a toaster

01-15-2013, 06:44 AM	#8 (permalink)
chiarov Petrolhead Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Burlingame, CA Posts: 250	I emailed the contact listed in the letter to ask about aftermarket ECU reflashes, and he confirmed that if you take your car into the dealer for this "recall" that it will reset the ECU to the factory specifications. (Therefore losing your aftermarket re-flash.) He did however indicate that this is voluntary and you have the option to not have it performed. __________________ 2005 Elise magnetic blue/biscuit

01-15-2013, 08:57 AM	#9 (permalink)
JavierBayArea Registered User Join Date: Mar 2012 Posts: 399	I have heard from a good source that a good lotus shop can fix your vin number mismatch without erasing your reflashed ECU. So that's what i'll do, if i ever need to. __________________ Sport Elise #30 BMW Z4 sdrive35i

01-15-2013, 09:48 AM	#10 (permalink)
Harix Star Certified SMOG tech Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: San Gabriel Posts: 641	I Smogged a few 05 and 06 Elises and Exiges that has been re-flashed and went through. I did confirm that the vin was missing from the vehicle spec, all the monitors are ready, the smogs was passed. I have not yet smog any 07 Elise or Exige this year. But some 07 and up is CAN system protocol and idk if this would pass it. I'll keep posted as soon as I know.

01-15-2013, 10:23 AM	#11 (permalink)
TCAR Blue 735 Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Rocklin, CA Posts: 69	Yeah, rec'd the recall letter for oil line replacement and ECU re-flash issue on the same day. Talked to the dealer's service adviser who has the oil line fitting replacement parts, but claimed to have not known about the re-flash issue. My ECU has been re-flashed at least twice over the last 7 ++ years, but I never had a problem passing smog. I guess, I will insist about having both issues addressed at the same time when I turn it in.

01-15-2013, 10:24 AM	#12 (permalink)
philethier Registered User Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Minnesota Posts: 1,608	I suppose it's too much to hope for that the reflash will take out the notch in the power curve. __________________ Phil Ethier West Side Saint Paul Minnesota USA 1973 Triumph Stag LE22439UBW "uncle jack", Sapphire Blue 2004 Suburban 8.1, Sport Red, the only automatic of the bunch 2005 Lotus Elise, Bordeaux Red Pearl 2007 Saturn Ion 3 2.4, Berry Red http://www.mnautox.com

01-15-2013, 10:58 AM	#13 (permalink)
chuck_risen Director of Engineering Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: I live in West Chicago Posts: 1,104	So how about if you have a stock car, get the reflash done, can you then get a new tune or not and will it undo this reflash if you do?

01-15-2013, 11:04 AM	#15 (permalink)
Uncle Sam #14 Sport Elise Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Rockville, Maryland Posts: 2,181 Images: 2	I changed my VIN to SCCPC1119ADLITNES

01-15-2013, 03:29 PM	#16 (permalink)
ewalberg Registered User Join Date: May 2006 Location: Redwood City, CA Posts: 1,306	Yes, if you're planning an aftermarket tune, don't bother with this campaign as the aftermarket tune will over-write the tune you get from the service campaign. I'd put $20 that the reason for the campaign in the first place is in reality due to aftermarket reflashed cars that didn't get a fully prepared tune and so their VIN was changned/deleted and it showed up in the smog testing... __________________ 2006 Aspen White Elise. LSS, LSD, Traction control, LS Toe Link Brace, LS Ohlins DA, Rota 15/16's, BOE surge tanks and Sector 111 Gpan2, Red leather, JL speakers all around with Acapulco MP54, CF dash top, gas shock opening rear deck, multi-vex mirros and replaced rear-view mirror with kit off this forum. Last edited by ewalberg; 01-15-2013 at 03:35 PM.

01-15-2013, 03:46 PM	#17 (permalink)
chiarov Petrolhead Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Burlingame, CA Posts: 250	Is it possible for an aftermarket tune to retain the VIN so that this isn't an issue? Seems like the guys at Vision Function and KoldFire would want to do this. __________________ 2005 Elise magnetic blue/biscuit

01-15-2013, 05:32 PM	#18 (permalink)
hroundy Registered User Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: Concord NH Posts: 165	I received the VIN letter today and a letter about the oil line recall. __________________ Howard 2005 Elise AP LSS hardtop

01-15-2013, 05:44 PM	#19 (permalink)
Cicero Registered User Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: north carolina Posts: 140	I got one too but my ecu's out of a reflashed exige so oh well

01-15-2013, 05:50 PM	#20 (permalink)
paulhastings Registered User Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: San Diego native Posts: 832	I would like to understand the situation better. If the car is stock is it being said that the VIN could have been erased when the dealer plugged in at service? I am due for the first smog check and thinking of having this done first to see if there is an issue before going to the dealer.

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