NCS_Read | tech-support-r

Reading From a Module - Tutorial

Open up NCS Expert. Go to File->Load Profile. For module reading, it doesn't matter too much what profile is used. NCS Dummy Profile is preferable as it has the ability to write to modules too. If you don't have the NCS Dummy Profile, it can be downloaded from here (Once downloaded, move to C:\NCSEXPER\PFL where all the other NCS Expert profiles are located). The Expert Mode (Expertenmodus in German) will also work for reading, but won't write back to modules. For this walkthrough, the NCS Dummy Profile will be used.

Press F1 to access the VIN options.

Press F3 to begin communcations with the vehicle. Once the chassis and VIN module are chosen, the VIN and Vehicle Order will be read. Once this is done, NCS Expert can read other modules.

Choose your chassis. A list of chassis codes can be found here and a more thorough list here.

Choose the module to read the VIN and Vehicle Order from. Choosing CAS is fine for this step.

If successful, the VIN and Vehicle Order will flash up on the screen. This might take a little time (less than 30 seconds).

If this doesn't work and an error message is shown, the first thing to check is that the cable is connected properly and that the ignition is on. The next thing to check would be that the OBD Driver has been installed.

Once the VIN is shown, hit the 'Back' button (F6).

To choose the module you wish to read, press 'Process ECU' (F4).

Choose the module from the window. For this example, ABG is chosen.

Before proceeding, let's do a couple of checks to make sure everything is set up correctly. The job name should read 'CODIERDATEN_LESEN' - this is a read operation. Under 'get coded', the module which will be read is listed - make sure this is the module you intended to read.

Once this has been checked, press 'Reading ECU' (F4) to begin the read operation.

After a little time (up to 30 seconds as an estimate), the main window will display 'coding ended' and the NETTODAT file will pop up. This window can be closed (it is possible to set up NCS so this window doesn't pop up, since it isn't needed, but it is beyond the scope of this simple tutorial).

There are a variety of error messages which could be shown if the read operation fails. Most will be to do with the cable not being connected properly or drivers not correctly installed.

Now that the read operation has completed, the files can be found at C:\NCSEXPER\WORK (if you installed NCS Expert on the default install path). The first file (which is most commonly used) is FSW_PSW.TRC - this is the trace file. The second is the NETTODAT file, which is occassionally used for more advanced coding.

That's it. Every time you want to read a module, this process can be used. The easiest way to write back to a module is from the screen that is currently open in NCS, so if you are planning on writing to the module straight after making the modification, just leave NCS open.