Attention with Haltech ecu

Post Thu Jul 13, 2006 4:23 pm

Attention with Haltech ecu
A year ago I fitted a haltech ecu on my e30 which is an expensive modification. I have problems with fine tuning. I tried to go and try to fine tune the ecu to other specialists but the ecu is password protected. I was never informed before installing the ecu that it would be password protected and certenly they didn't have my permission to do so. I asked the haltech Australia to check the work done referring my car to another dealer but there was no help (they think Greece is far away from Australia) I asked my lower to take legal action . In the meantime if someone plans to install a similar ecu be careful on the matter of password protected software because a divorce is a painful story

Post Thu Jul 13, 2006 5:20 pm

This is a common practice in the aftermarket sector, its because those developing and mapping for the product want to protect their hard won secrets.

Its a difficult call, its your ECU, and you paid in good faith so in theory you should have the password as part of the package, but as I said above , thats not always the case

I cant protect my MS maps with a password, as its open source , I dont however give them away to anyone but people purchasing an ECU package through myself, again to protect the time I've invested, otherwise anyone could buy a blank ECU ( ebay/whatever) then use my maps free of charge and claim it as their own product.

I do make a tiny hardware change to protect myself though

and unless you know the firmware inside out, you'd never spot the change, it does mean that my maps will not work correctly outside of kits supplied by me

so, I sympathise with you mate, I really do, but I can see all sides of this predicament.

Haltech should have a master password embedded in the software, ask them to supply it ??

keep us posted.

Post Thu Jul 13, 2006 9:16 pm

very sly Ant

Seems odd that they'd sell a mappable ECU that can't be mapped though!

I do know of a company which seems to have recently appeared which have ripped off a UK based companies hardware AND software!

Get the impression that the owner of said company isn't best pleased!

Post Thu Jul 13, 2006 10:05 pm

I do know of a company which seems to have recently appeared which have ripped off a UK based companies hardware AND software!

tell me all, via PM

Post Thu Jul 13, 2006 10:38 pm

You have PM dude

Post Fri Jul 14, 2006 5:32 am

haltech never mentioned for a master password but always refered me to the dealer that I had trouble although I asked to be refered elsewhere. Is this customer support? Ant tells me that is his privilege to protect his work. but is exactly the same if your mechanic locks the bonnet to protect his job. and after all under what authorization someone can proibite you to check and repair your car where you like?

Post Fri Jul 14, 2006 10:10 am

I think the difference is that you can still use your own map on Ant's supplied hardware, what he has prevented is you selling on his map to a 3rd party. Is that right?

Morat

Post Fri Jul 14, 2006 12:34 pm

I'd be very interested in which UK company is ripping off someone else...

I like to keep an eye on the market, I quite fancy getting into the ECU and aftermarket calibration industry some-time.

I have an Atuomotive Engineering degree and currently design robots for Hospitals. Yuk!

Jai

Post Fri Jul 14, 2006 1:32 pm

Tis a UK company being ripped off by a non-UK company.

Post Fri Jul 14, 2006 6:37 pm

I am a doctor. If I examine a patient and I diagnose his problem what would be your opinion if I refuse to release a medical report claiming that another doctor can profit from my work? also when I have to operate I need the patient to sign a consent form.
tell me, the person that programs my ecu stands above this regulation? and why?

Post Fri Jul 14, 2006 7:05 pm

I'm with Nikos on this one.

When I paid to have my ECU mapped, I was buying the map from the people doing the mapping and I have the right to send it off to anyone who wants a copy.

In a similar way, when I produce a set of drawings for a client, the rights to those drawings pass to them upon payment to my firm in full for the contract sum.

However, did you sign kind of agreement that said that the people mapping the ECU retained the rights to the information in the map, Nikos?

Post Fri Jul 14, 2006 7:15 pm

never signed nor I was informed about passwording until I had paid the bill.

Post Fri Jul 14, 2006 7:19 pm

never signed nor I was informed about passwording until I had paid the bill.

That is not fair dude, that I strongly disagree with.

Post Fri Jul 14, 2006 7:21 pm

but the worse was the customer support from Haltech. A dealer propably can do what he likes but the conpany should check him and if somebody is interested I can pass him the e mails

Post Fri Jul 14, 2006 11:14 pm

Yeah that really does suck! You've paid for the map so it belongs to you along with the rights to edit it if you want!

Post Sat Jul 15, 2006 2:38 am

So is the ECU locked out? Can you install another map or are you bound to the one operator?

You probably have the right to ask for a base map to use the ECU without 'their' intelectual property, ie the map.

At least that way you could find someone to re-map it for you with an unlocked map (all yours).

This all seems a little unfair on you if you were made aware of what you were paying for.

Good luck..

Jai