Earlier this week I purchased a used Accessport from a seller on the boards. I received it and Installed it 2 days ago and flashed on the stage 2+ map after making sure all the software was the most recent version. Drove to work yesterday and today and from what I could tell it was running great. AF showed that it stayed consistant around 13.0 and it definitely seemed to be making power with my mods (KN Typhoon, spacer, headers, test pipes). I didn't get it dyno'd and honestly I probably won't because the tuning seems to be right on.

Well today I was an idiot and tried to change to the "stock map." It wasn't that the 2+ map had anything wrong with it, but I wanted to see how long it would take and how feasible it really is to flash to valet/stock/anti-theft when you need or want to. Subaru/Mitsu guys have "Realtime" maps that only change a few parameters of the tune and are supposed to take seconds to load, but the Z program doesn't have that capability yet so I figured it'd be safer to test out reflashing at home than in a parking lot somewhere...and I'm glad I did.

The stock map flashed fine and I decided to flash back to the 2+ and just stick with it. Unfortunately during the attempt to reflash it failed to complete initialization and it crashed causing a fatal error. After a few calls to Cobb and many attempts to recover the crash and uninstall the Accessport it became apparant that my ECU was toast. Neither myself nor Chris at Cobb (who was very helpful and apologetic) could tell what happened as my battery was fully charged. It could have been a power issue or it could have been something wrong with the Accessport or OBDII dongle. I won't know until they can look at my ECU and figure it out. Shipped the ECU and all parts of the Accessport off to Cobb overnight for noon delivery and will hopefully have it back Friday and find out what went wrong.

I'm not looking to get people rallying against Cobb at all, and honestly I was really thrilled with the Accessport prior to the crash. I'm hoping everything will be resolved quickly and I won't get a bunch of flack for buying it used/3rd party. So far they have been very helpful I'm hoping I will be able to follow up with a positive conclusion. I'll keep you guys posted because I know others are looking at the Accessport and might be waiting until it's better tested and there is more feedback on it.

 

well that's a bummer.

a risk we run while relying on battery powered devices I suppose.

hope they can get everything back to spec for you and you can be rolling again soon.

if one thing is certain though Cobb is a company that has a history of standing behind their products and supporting the end user, even if that end user purchased it used.

 

It happens during flash sometimes. I know our system can usually recover a crashed ECU (as long as it's not the original 512k ECU). Sometimes though even our recovery tool doesn't do it so the ECU has to be sent in for a more severe beating.

 

Sorry for your dilemma, so you say it made good power with your mods? I have spoke to other AP owners and they say the performance increase isnt even noticeable. I was waiting for someone to post a review of the stage2+ map.

You really felt a performance increase? Despite the flash dilemma do u think its worth the 700?

 

that inhales profusely man. Hope they get you squared away quickly.

 

I felt like it pulled a little stronger. It isn't a huge increase but even if its 10hp I doubt anyone would be able to really tell the difference other than it pulling a bit stronger. Like I said I didn't get it dyno'd and don't plan to once I get it back together and running.

Do I think it's worth the money? Maybe. I bought used so I feel like it was worth what I paid, but I'm not sure I think any of these are worth $700, including Cobb, UpRev etc. What I do like about the Cobb is that I can watch the AFR in real time and know that its running safe, or watch any of the many parameters while leaving my laptop at home. I realize havng a laptop isn't a big deal but I like not having to drag it along just to watch. Cobb can't datalog yet so thats a negative but supposedly its on the way.

And just a quick update...I overnighted my ECU/AP to Cobb and they were able to unmarry it and reprogram my ECU and ship it back out in about 5 hours. They also warranteed the work even though I bought used and called several times to update me during the day. The downside is that I had to pay to expedite shipping back to me (which I don't mind since they offered to ship ground on their dime) but I won't get it until Tuesday I guess due to the Holiday (I paid to get it Monday). Cobb uses UPS which I hate and don't trust, and it cost me $60+ to 2-day ship it back (in actuallity 3 day) when USPS cost me $32 to ship it next day guaranteed by 12am. So in all the biggest nitpick is with UPS so far. As long as I get my car running Tuesday I'll be happy and I'm planning to reinstall and keep usig the AP. However, I won't be switching maps in the future though unless they update the 2+ map or update the programming to allow Realtime switching (more like what UpRev already has).

 

wow, this is why you buy Cobb products.

 

Does the Cobb product allow access to the TCM in automatics?

 

AFAIK NOPE

 

I have been waiting for this device to come out and now that it has I am waiting to see if Cobb will continue support (new and more agressive maps) or just let it be and hope we buy it, I know they are a good company but right now thier maps are too basic for a lot of us with more extensive mods.
If I continue to see the progression like uprev has done, I will buy it.
But Iwould like to see cam timing control and other parameters met first.

 

^ obviously they do support their products. look at what they did for this end user. this person didn't even buy the product from them but rather bought it used.

they're a company (like very few others) who takes pride in thep roducts they make and don't rush to market. we just have to be patient.

 

Well I paid to get my ECU back by today. UPS showed Tuesday delivery I guess due to the holiday. My ECU has been in f'n Kentucky since early Saturday morning and I just rechecked...they rescheduled for Wednesday when I will not be home. I'm beyond pissed right now...both at UPS and at Cobb. I understand the reflashes can go bad but I was assurred I would have my ECU Monday and now I might not be able to get it at all as I work nights all week and UPS sure as crap doesn't ever get to me early.

 

That sounds more like a UPS problem. UPS is horrible, just be happy if it shows up in one piece. Hope all goes well.

 

umm it's a national holiday and UPS was off.

why on earth would you pissed at Cobb for this?

You bought a used product off of someone else who already used their product to upgrade his/her car and then somehow during the install process it didn't pan out.

They then proceeded to fix it even though they owed you nothing since you didn't purchase new from them and weren't the original owner. They repaired the ECU and are now sending it back to you. Warranties most often are not transferrable and when they are there is usually paper work that needs to be sent to the company to transfer that warranty.Therefore they had no contractual obligation to fix this. They did you a favor frankly.

Seems like you got off on a pretty good end on this one. Go rent a car for a day and be reasonable here.

It's not Cobb's fault you purchased it used or 3rd party.
It's not Cobb's fault that user error resulted in the item not flashing correctly.
It's not Cobb's fault UPS took the national holiday off.
It's not Cobb's fault you can't be home to receive the package.

If you work nights then call UPS and tell them to leave it at the distribution center and you'll come pick it up. If you call them (UPS) today then tomorrow you can come during the day and pick it up when you're not working.

 

Ok I may have overreacted, but it was the guy from Cobb that promised Monday delivery when I paid extra to expedite. For whatever reason UPS has again changed the delivery date, so I have no idea when to expect it now. When it gets here, it gets here I guess. I do agree that this is 100% UPS's fault about the change, I was just expecting it Monday since that's what I was told by Cobb.
As far as your comment about it being user error, I will have to disagree. Whether or not I bought it new or used, I followed the directions supplied by Cobb and made sure everything was updated before installing it. When I went to change maps I reread the instructions and read everything I could find on their website to make sure everything was done correctly. I can assure you it was either a problem with the accessport itself or the connection to the vehicle.
I also disagree about your comment that Cobb owes me nothing. I do realize that my money did not go directly to them, but I am using their product. They have been great with the way they handled it, but there was a time when it wasn't so uncommon to actually stand behind your product.

 

Ok last update for now.
The ECU showed up shortly after that last post. UPS showed it being in Kentucky, then in the wrong part of Virginia, then magically it showed up today.
The car is running so I can say without a doubt that Cobb took good care of me. The shipping issue is an annoyance and me getting pissed had more to do with the whole situation and mainly UPS's horrible tracking/service. My UPS driver knew exactly what the box was but he thought it was for my Subaru and was surprised it was for the Z.
All in all, Cobb was very friendly and Chris genuinely seemed concerned to help me get it right. I appreciate what they did for me, I just wish I didn't have to be the guy to test them out for everyone else. I'll be reinstalling the AP after I let my battery fully charge up in case that was the problem before.

 

UPS guys steal sh&t all the time BTW.......