Hi, I think I need to share my experience with Emotion Tuning device from Celtic.
Disclaimer: I own a 64-plate Z4 20i with the N20 engine, 35k miles, bought it last year. The car hasn't had any problems at all so far, MOT without advisories, service at the dealer and so on. I checked it couple of times with Carly and no errors / faults were present.
When I purchased the device and Stage 1 + Stage 3 remap I thought it would be an easy plug'n'play type of thing, as in their videos. I thought I would use Stage 1 in day to day driving and would temporarily change it to Stage 3 if I'm on a track (can't use Stage 3 day to day because of the insurance company which won't cover more than 25% increase, so Stage 3 will be for track days only which are covered by separate insurance anyways).
The first thing I was asked to do was to connect the device into the OBD port and read the original ECU file. It was quite straightforward apart from the fact that I had to find a Windows PC somewhere (their software won't run on Mac). Fortunately found an old laptop with Windows, installed their app which I downloaded from their website and plugged the device into the laptop. It read the original file, asked to save it to the hard drive (which I did) and upload it back to Celtic to do their magic.
As they say it takes around 4-5 days to get back with the modified file, in my case it was less than that, I got a message that my file was processed and the updated ECU map was ready to be downloaded. I did, uploaded this file back to the device and attempted to write it back into my ECU. Couldn't do it from the first attempt - "Error communicating with the OBD port". Apparently the ignition on Z4 is two-step, first the car turns on when you put the key into the slot and then you also can briefly press the start button while not holding the foot on the brake and it actually turns the ignition on (fuel gauge now shows the amount of fuel), and the device only could write when the ignition is "actually on". Didn't know that, I always kept the foot on the brake pedal when pressed the start button and it actually started the engine. Once I asked the support in Celtic and they explained me that, I finally managed to write the modified map into the ECU.
That's when the things went south. When the device told me that the process finished successfully, the car automatically turned back on (during the process it turned off for some time - screen down, radio off, etc - I was prepared for it as it was described in the manual) and the dashboard was full of warning lights. Brake failure, ESP failure, "check engine" etc. The screen showed the notice that the car has a fault in drive, acceleration is reduced and I need to be checked at the nearest dealer. The Emotion tuning device found an error code (P375C) and asked me if I want to delete it. I thought it might help with the warning lights and agreed, but it didn't help. I checked the car with Carly and it found 37 error codes. I asked the support if it's alright and they said it's not and that I should try write the original file back. I tried but the car started to turn itself off 10-20 sec after I turn the ignition on, and then showed a battery warning light.
The support suggested that I take the car for a 20 min drive to recharge the battery, and try writing the original file again while having a battery charger connected to the car to make sure it doesn't turn off during the process. I ordered a battery charger on Amazon and today tried once again to write the original file back to ECU with the battery charger connected.
It seemed to work, at least the device told me that the process successfully finished. But once the car went back on, the same warning lights appeared on the dashboard.
Right now I am not sure what to do, I asked the support whether I could have the car checked by a specialist, let's see what they say.
So if you're thinking to do the same, better wait until this situation is resolved somehow. For now I just spent almost 500 quid and got no value, only headache.
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My experience with Emotion Tuning from Celtic so far
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- Newbie
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- mr.tourette
- Lifer
- Posts: 4294
- Joined: Thu Aug 27, 2015 9:16 am
- Location: north wales
My experience with Emotion Tuning from Celtic so far
ugh.. not good.. hope you get sorted pal
if its got tits or tyres..its trouble
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- Lifer
- Posts: 8469
- Joined: Wed Jan 20, 2021 7:20 pm
- Location: Spaldingski
My experience with Emotion Tuning from Celtic so far
Nightmare, pal.
I've heard of this many times with 'plug and play' DIY software (in other makes of car but same situation), where the slightest glitch with your ignition switching off/ battery charge/ whatever whilst the upload is happening causes havoc.
I would speak to Celtic Tuning again and ask what they are going to do regarding their software not uploading correctly. If it is a lack of info from their instructions, it is their problem. If they provided corrupt files, it is their problem. If you read the instructions wrongly, then difficult one.
If you take it to BMW, they will be more than happy to say you need a complete new ECU/ EMS.
I've heard of this many times with 'plug and play' DIY software (in other makes of car but same situation), where the slightest glitch with your ignition switching off/ battery charge/ whatever whilst the upload is happening causes havoc.
I would speak to Celtic Tuning again and ask what they are going to do regarding their software not uploading correctly. If it is a lack of info from their instructions, it is their problem. If they provided corrupt files, it is their problem. If you read the instructions wrongly, then difficult one.
If you take it to BMW, they will be more than happy to say you need a complete new ECU/ EMS.
All good things come to those who wait. I'm really impatient which explains a lot.
F31 320i. Good car.
E89 20i Now fully dried
Z3 'free litre'. Project and a half. Complicated!
Mazda3 sold
Tatty old R56 Mini Cooper. Money pit!
F31 320i. Good car.
E89 20i Now fully dried
Z3 'free litre'. Project and a half. Complicated!
Mazda3 sold
Tatty old R56 Mini Cooper. Money pit!
- Zulu4
- Member
- Posts: 838
- Joined: Tue Mar 16, 2021 1:22 pm
- Location: Lincolnshire
My experience with Emotion Tuning from Celtic so far
I'm surprised the instructions didn't tell you to have a battery charger connected whilst doing the update initially.
Good luck
Good luck
2007 3.0si Auto Sport Roadster. Whippy.
Previous:
2003 3.0i SE Roadster. Whippy.
Previous:
2003 3.0i SE Roadster. Whippy.
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- Senior Member
- Posts: 2552
- Joined: Fri May 26, 2017 3:40 pm
- Location: Plymouth
My experience with Emotion Tuning from Celtic so far
Celtic have mobile engineers around the country as well as fixed sites I am sure someone can sort it for you
Mark
Plymouth
E89
35i
Carmine Red
Black leather
Plymouth
E89
35i
Carmine Red
Black leather
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- Member
- Posts: 241
- Joined: Fri Oct 30, 2020 3:31 pm
My experience with Emotion Tuning from Celtic so far
I too have been looking around for remote ecu update, thought I found a reliable tuner but ended up not working well & I'd retuned it for a refund.
Was in contact with Evolve initally made payment to them & suddenly they refunded saying that E89 N20 can't be remapped via Obd. Spoke with Mosselman & they too said that it can't be done, so now Im really sceptical about this. Was told the only way to do remote remap correctly is to use Ktag or Kess but these tools are mega dollars.
Was in contact with Evolve initally made payment to them & suddenly they refunded saying that E89 N20 can't be remapped via Obd. Spoke with Mosselman & they too said that it can't be done, so now Im really sceptical about this. Was told the only way to do remote remap correctly is to use Ktag or Kess but these tools are mega dollars.
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- Member
- Posts: 204
- Joined: Sat Aug 10, 2019 6:26 pm
- Location: North Hampshire
My experience with Emotion Tuning from Celtic so far
I remapped my 2015 20i with an Emotion device.
I remember checking their warranties with a fine-tooth comb and asking a few questions by email to ensure that I'd be covered if it bricked my ECU. Can't remember all the precise detail (it was May 2020) but so long as you followed their instructions correctly i think you're covered.
A fully charged battery before each step is a pretty good idea though.
I remember checking their warranties with a fine-tooth comb and asking a few questions by email to ensure that I'd be covered if it bricked my ECU. Can't remember all the precise detail (it was May 2020) but so long as you followed their instructions correctly i think you're covered.
A fully charged battery before each step is a pretty good idea though.
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- Lifer
- Posts: 8469
- Joined: Wed Jan 20, 2021 7:20 pm
- Location: Spaldingski
My experience with Emotion Tuning from Celtic so far
When I had my N20 mapped by Superchips (or Remap Kings as they are now), I had a mobile tech come out. He removed the ECU and plugged it into hardware in the back of his van, rewrote the files and installed it back in the car, so the OBD port was not touched. It all worked first time, no warning lights to reset, nothing.
Fingers crossed it has been faultless so far.
Fingers crossed it has been faultless so far.
All good things come to those who wait. I'm really impatient which explains a lot.
F31 320i. Good car.
E89 20i Now fully dried
Z3 'free litre'. Project and a half. Complicated!
Mazda3 sold
Tatty old R56 Mini Cooper. Money pit!
F31 320i. Good car.
E89 20i Now fully dried
Z3 'free litre'. Project and a half. Complicated!
Mazda3 sold
Tatty old R56 Mini Cooper. Money pit!
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- Member
- Posts: 241
- Joined: Fri Oct 30, 2020 3:31 pm
My experience with Emotion Tuning from Celtic so far
That is the big difference Pondrew where Im at there's no such luxury.