COBRARTP FlashOnline User manual
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FlashOnline
user manual
www.cobrartp.com
FlashOnline
User Manual
Document revision 2.0
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FlashOnline
user manual
WARNING
1. Connect (disconnect) the device to the ECU only in a de-energized
state. Connecting during operation (switched on) may damage the
device or the vehicle's ECU!
2. Be careful when handling the device even when it is switched off
due to the presence of a battery (cell CR2032). Short-circuiting the
battery for a long time may cause an explosion or fire!
3. Be extremely careful when working with high temperatures!
4. When disconnecting (removing) the cable from the emulator and
the SOP44 adapter, pull strictly perpendicularly, in no case do not pull
it to the side, you will damage the connector!
5. Carefully study this manual to avoid unwanted consequences! The
operation of this device requires certain skills.
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FlashOnline
user manual
GETTING STARTED
USB - connection
FlashOnline is connected to a PC using a Mini-USB cable.
FlashOnline can only be connected to a PC, i.e. there is no need to install
(connect) the emulator in the ECU, or connect a separate power source.
Install USB Driver for Rev 3.x boards version
After connecting, you should have a new device in the Device manager.
After that, you need to install the USB driver.
Drivers can be downloaded on our website:
https://cobrartp.com/en/downloads, by selecting an item for the appropriate
version of Windows.
After downloading the driver archive, you must also select the appropriate
installer, depending on the bit depth of your operating system x86 (x32) or x64.
Drivers tested on Windoes XP, Windows 7, Windows 10. Official website of the
driver provider: https://www.silabs.com/products/development-
tools/software/usb-to-uart-bridge-vcp-drivers.
Type of driver distribution.
The installation process is standard.
If there is no installer in the folder (Windows 10/11), the driver must be
installed through the Device Manager: By device (FlashOnline), right-click -
Properties - Driver - Update driver. Next, select the folder with the
downloaded drivers.
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FlashOnline
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After the driver installation is successfully completed, a virtual COM port
should appear in the device manager, if there is a connected emulator:
View of the device in the device manager upon successful driver installation.
After installing the drivers, you can use the emulator with the
configuration software, and also check it in the CobraRTP Utility.
Install USB Driver for Rev 4.x boards version
For revisions R4.x and later, the driver is not required in the case of
Windows 10/11. If you have Windows XP, Vista, 7, 8.x driver installation is
required. The driver can also be downloaded from our website:
https://cobrartp.com/en/downloads.
To install the driver, use the installer for the appropriate version of Windows
(W):
After the driver installation is successfully completed, a virtual COM port
will appear in the device manager, if there is a connected emulator:
After installing the drivers, you can use the emulator with the configuration
software, and also check it in the CobraRTP Utility.
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FlashOnline
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Bluetooth (wireless) connection (versions with Bluetooth only)
Wireless connection on your PC requires Bluetooth v2.0 (hereinafter
referred to as BT) or higher. Connection is made in the following sequence:
1. Connect the emulator to the ECU or via USB. At the same time, the red
indicator of the BT module should blink quickly (about 3 times / sec)
2. Turn on the BT module of the PC and pair with a new device (the name
is usually “FlashOnline BT”). Password 1234 or 0000 (Necessarily).
3. After successful pairing, 2 virtual COM ports should appear (see Device
Manager), one of which will be used for data exchange. How correctly programs
(TunerPRO RT, CobraRTP Utility) find the right port automatically if the device
is turned on and ready to pair.
Attention! When working via BT, the emulator must not be connected
via USB, otherwise a conflict is possible!
Notes:
1. After each disconnection of the emulator (for example, when the ignition is
turned off), in order to continue working in the software, it is necessary to reconnect
(in the program).
2. Many ECUs do not de-energize immediately after the ignition is turned off, and
continue to work for some time (20-60 seconds), keep this in mind, although on the
other hand this is an advantage, given p1.
You can check the device using our software - CobraRTP Utility
(https://cobrartp.com/en/cobrartp-utility):
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FlashOnline
user manual
1. – emulator firmware version.
2. - the number of the used COM port on which the device is operating at a
given time (may differ in your case).
Note: read the utility manual in the archive with the program (pdf).
To check and work with the emulator on a PC, there is no need to connect to
an ECU! The device can be powered both from the ECU and from the USB
connector.
Attention! If the emulator is not recognized in TunerPRO RT, CobraRTP
Utility or other software, check if the emulator is currently connected in
another program! The emulator port can only be connected in one
program at a time, so before connecting, make sure that the device is not
currently connected in another program (process).
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FlashOnline
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INSTALLATION AND CONNECTION TO ECU
The FlashOnline board is connected to the ECU using a proprietary adapter
(SOP44 adapter) using a special cable from the kit:
Before installation, pay attention to the correct connection of the adapter
(the locks must be on one side):
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FlashOnline
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Since the device is an emulator of a memory chip, for correct operation it
is required to dismantle or disconnect the standard flash memory chip from the
ECU board.
1) Removing the flash memory chip from the ECU board
With this method, the flash memory chip must be removed from the ECU
board. For this we recommend using hot air, i.e. hot air soldering station with
high quality neutral flux gel. We also recommend using a board preheater
whenever possible.
The air temperature at the outlet of the nozzle and the distance should be
selected in such a way that the temperature of the computer board eventually
reaches a temperature of 210-220°C and no more than 240°C.
After removing the chip, prepare the pads:
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After you remove the chip, the board surface should look like this:
ATTENTION: be careful when removing the chip, since there is a high
probability of touching and moving or completely losing other elements
on the board when the melting temperature of the solder of the elements
of the ECU board is reached! You should also pay special attention to the
elements on the back of the board! Therefore, for these works, we
strongly recommend using a special holder or a preheater of the boards.
2) Mounting the adapter
Remember to apply flux to the pads before installing the adapter:
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FlashOnline
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Next, you can and mount it on the ECU board.
Installation can be done in two ways - using hot air or using a soldering
iron:
The first method is faster, but each heating of the ECU board and adapter
negatively affects the printed circuit boards and their elements, so we
recommend the second method, the essence of which is to solder each contact
with a soldering iron.
In both cases, you should get the following:
ATTENTION: be extremely careful when installing the adapter in the
first way, since the solder on all contacts of the adapter board also reaches
the melting temperature and, accordingly, you can accidentally move or
completely separate the connector (cable connection socket) of the
adapter from the board! Also note that the maximum temperature of the
adapter connector material is 240°C, exceeding which the connector may
be irreversibly damaged! Check, if possible, the actual outlet temperature
of your hot air station. Leave the heated elements at rest until they cool
completely!
After you have done these steps, check all connections and contacts,
connect the emulator using a flat cable. When the computer is turned on (the
emulator should not be connected via USB), the “Status” indicator on the
emulator board should light up, if this does not happen - check the correct
connection and contacts. If the indicator lights up - get to work!
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