Reversing a bad (non cummins) tune

[mikkhh]

The engine in question is not even a red engine? I assume it from post #3 and that is why I mention the things I mentioned.

Most of those other brand "demans" as as bad or even worse than cars and they have hacked executable code and all other blind butchering done.

[DVT873]

This is not a RED engine. It is an International medium-duty DT466. Bench flashed it back to stock and cust installed it. Unit starts runs and drives but has a power issue*. Only making about 17 #'s of boost. Some things are messed up beyond the reach of a factory reflash. I have the factory software, the International equivalent of Insite. Injector buzz test does not run. Had a CEL on but no codes. In the parameters, I had an error for the EBP sensor. Not the usual place to look. Sensor was unplugged. That should have set a standaed DTC. It did not. Plugged it back in error message went away, and the CEL went out.
In looking over the engine, the EGR valve and ITV were unplugged. Again there should have been normal DTC's. There weren't. Not even any error messages on the parameter screen like the EBP set. Several other standard tests that run from the diagnostic program don't run.

A bit of backstory. Truck ran fine after initial demandate. About 3 weeks in, this power problem popped up. There is another truck in the area, different owner, same issue. Same 3-week time frame. The same guy did both. So far, nobody has told me who he is, and I don't care. He tells them it can't be his tune. Whatever.

Today I got a call from a shop I do some work with. Same story, same engine, demandate, runs three weeks and then low power. I don't know if it is the same tuner.

New or rebuilt ECM is not available. I have a used one coming and will program it and see what happens.

Going back to my origional question, it looks to me that at least on these International ECMs there may be some programming that is hard coded to the ECM? For lack of a better term? Something that a normal reflash isn't getting to.

[mikkhh]

The way most of these "demans" are done are just by blindly editing ecm files, most likely they just even edit program run code, there are no proper definition files on the internet and ALL of these demans are no good. Most of butchering is just deleting fault codes. Same story with just driving the truck with plugs disconnected, it will end up in limp mode sooner or later.

Logic behind the operating modes and so on is just like on red engines. There are also auxiliary emissions fall back methods so the engine tries to clamp down on emissions by reducing torque, by using way way more timing advance to achieve more complete burn and therefore less emissions, all that comes with the price of REDUCED engine lifespan...

I know from Benz cars (by flashing software on ecm) that there are usually three parts to ecm software - bootloader, calibration and dataflash besides the eeprom (usually vehicle specific settings and immobilizer data are stored there) part that usually never gets flashed during software update. The bootloader usually never gets touched with dealer flashing tools. If somebody edits that part update at dealer will not write it over. Sometimes when ecm has been flashed over there are people who lock the programming (so others would not see what garbage they have on there) so it is not easy to flash over ecm by normal means. Also some big name tuned cars that have their added power update registered at Germany officially do the programming blocking route. Now those same 10+ year old cars have emissions mandatory recalls to flash over ecm at dealer, but ecm is not accepting updates, car will not pass yearly inspection without the recall being done. Used ecm swaps depend on plain luck whether manufacturer approves or not, need to wait up to a month, new or factory reman costs the market price of 2008 Audi A6 usually.