ECU FLASHING INSTRUCTIONS FOR:

MINI F56 (2014 – 2018)

SOFTWARE IS NOT CARB APPROVED.

FOR OFF ROAD USE ONLY.

WARNING:

 CONSUMER AGREES TO ALL BYTETRONIK, INC

TERMS AND CONDITIONS. BYTETRONIK, INC. IS NOT
RESPONSIBLE FOR PROPERTY DAMAGE, BODILY
INJURY OR CONSEQUENTIAL LOSSES.

 READ OUT YOUR ECU AND SUBMIT YOUR SOFTWARE

REQUEST BEFORE STARTING INSTALLATION. YOUR ECU
MUST BE STOCK.

Tech Support: [email protected] Page 1 of 20 Installation Guide#: BT-FA56-JAN-2018

 TABLE OF CONTENTS
Page 3: Chapter 1: Installing the FlashAccess Software
A1: Installing the FlashAccess Software Application
A2: Manual Driver Installation
A3: Clearing DTC for Automatic Transmission (Post Flash)

Page 7: Chapter 2: Querying Your ECU

Page 10: Chapter 3: Flashing a Tune Onto the ECU

Page 19: Chapter 4: FAQs & Troubleshooting Error Messages

Page 20: Chapter 5: Flashing the ECU back to Stock

Introduction:
Thank you for purchasing the Bytetronik FlashAccess MINI-F Programming Tool.
To program your vehicle through the OBD2 port using a PC
laptop, you will need to use the FA56 OBD2 programming tool
together with our FlashAccess application program
(downloaded from our website).
www.bytetronik.com/download/.
This instruction manual is a step-by-step guide and terms and
conditions of use.
Bytetronik recommends that you do a pre- installation check.
 ECU must contain OEM stock software
  Make sure the vehicle has been correctly serviced and all
factory recalls have been performed.
 Vehicle ignition must be ON.
 Connect the car to a battery charger.
If you run into any errors during installation, refer to
appendix for instructions.

***Disclaimer***
Bytetronik, Inc. is not responsible for damage that may occur
and/or due to the use of 3rd party “piggyback” units or
aftermarket exhaust valve control products installed prior to,
during, or after the installation of FlashAccess Software.

Tech Support: [email protected] Page 2 of 20 Installation Guide#: BT-FA56-JAN-2018

 Chapter 1: Installing the FlashAccess Software & Drivers

A1: Download and Install the FlashAccess Software Application

Figure 1 Step 1:

 Download the FlashAccess

program onto your laptop

 Leave the checkboxes at

default values and click
“Next”

Figure 2 Step 2:

 Click on “Install” to execute

the installation process.

Figure 3 Step 3:
 Once the installation has
completed, connect the
FlashAccess OBD2 Device to
your laptop

 The FA56 OBD Device will

illuminate a blinking “green”
light once it’s connected.

 Then click on “Finish” to

move forward to the next
step.

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 Figure 4
Step 4:

 The “Terms & Conditions”

window will pop up; click “I
Agree” to Continue to Figure 4.

***Verify that the FA56 Flash

Module is connected to your PC at
this time ***

 Click “Next” to proceed.

Figure 5
Step 5:
 Software will conduct a
hardware check and display
the results.

 Green means it is good to go.

 Click “Next” to proceed.

Figure 6
Step 6:
 Figure 6 will appear, make
sure to read the warning
messages on the screen.

 Click “Next” to proceed.

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 Figure 7A Steps 7A:

***If Figure 7A Appears, then

proceed to Step 8 to Manually install
the USB driver***

Note: You may encounter an issue with

your driver where it does not auto-
install.

 Proceed to Step 8 to
Manually install the USB
Drivers for the FlashAccess
OBD Module.

Figure 7B Steps 7B:

*** If Figure 7B Appears, then skip

ahead and proceed to Chapter 2 ***

 This screen indicates that the

software and hardware are
able to communicate
properly.

 The “USB device voltage too

low” indicates that the OBD
Device is not currently
connected to the vehicle’s
OBD2 Port.

 Proceed to Chapter 2.

Figure 8 Step 8:

 Open “Computer
Management” and check
Device Manager

 Look for the device name

“XDEVICE USB kpCAN”
 Right-click and select
“Update Driver”

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 Figure 9 Step 9:

 Select “Browse my computer

for driver software”

 Click Browse and point to the

default folder:
C:\Program Files (x86)\FLASH
ACCESS MINI F\driver

Note: If you changed the installation

path, then you’ll have to point to the
program location on your local hard
drive.
 Click “Next” and install the
USB Driver

Figure 10 Step 10:

 Figure 10 shows driver has

been successfully installed.

 Click “Close” and exit out.

Figure 11 Step 11:

 Figure 11 indicates the

XDEVICE USB kpCAN driver is
good to go…

*** Congratulations!! You can

proceed to Chapter 2 for
Flashing instructions ***

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 Chapter 2: Querying Your ECU
Summary: Before we can send you a tune file for your car, we need to gather some information about your
ECU/DME.

Step 12:

Connect FA56 OBD Module to your PC via the

MINI USB port. Connect the OBD end to the
car’s OBD2 port.

Turn Ignition switch to “ON” position

Launch FlashAccess software.

Buckle the driver seat belt and leave driver

door open.

Step 13:

Make sure the items under System Status are

all Green.

Step 14:

Make sure the USB cable is plug in directly to

the PC and not via a USB Hub.

Hit Next to Continue…

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 **ONE TIME PROCESS**

Locking of the OBD Flash Module to your ECU.

 Clicking “Next” will “lock” this Flashing

Module to your ECU.

 THIS PROCESS CANNOT BE REVERSED!

Step 15:

ECU Query in Progress…

Step 16:

ECU Info identified.

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 Step 17:

DETAILED ECU info has been gathered; we need

this info!

Hit the box that says: “Copy Screen Text”

Step 18:

Screen text has been copied, need to paste this

onto a Notepad.

Open Notepad (press the “Windows” key and

type in “Notepad”, hit Enter.

Step 19:

Paste the detailed ECU info onto Notepad.

Step 20:
Save this file as txt and email to:
[email protected]

Be sure to also include your device Serial

number.

NOTE: Once we have received your ECU info, Bytetronik will reply back with your
tune file within ONE BUSINESS DAY (EXCLUDING WEEKEND AND HOLIDAYS).

Tech Support: [email protected] Page 9 of 20 Installation Guide#: BT-FA56-JAN-2018

Chapter 3: Flash Tuning Your MINI Cooper F56

Before you begin, make certain you have downloaded your TUNE FILE onto your local hard drive (either via
email or DropBox).

Figure 21 Step 21:

 Connect FA56 OBD Module

to your PC via the MINI USB
port. Connect the OBD end
to the car’s OBD2 port.

 Make sure all other

electrical components (eg.
Headlights, A/C, etc.) are
turned off.

 It is also recommended that

a battery charger is
connected to the car
battery.

 Turn Ignition switch to “ON”

position

 Click “Next” to continue.

Figure 22 Step 22:

Buckle the driver side seatbelt and

don’t touch any electronics inside
the car or close any doors!

 Make sure to connect an

external battery charger to
your car battery!

 Make sure your laptop is

connected to a power
supply!

 Buckle the driver side seat

belt!

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 Figure 23 Step 23:

 The application will auto-

detect which ECU version
you have.

 It also detects your Flash

Module’s Serial number.

 Verify the vehicle

information matches your
vehicle

 If any of the above info is

NOT correct, then STOP!!!
Contact us for additional
assistance.

 If the vehicle info is correct,

then click “Next”.

Figure 24 Step 24:

 Before flashing your ECU,

you MUST “read the coding
data” and save it on your
computer.

 If this pop up window

appears and you have not
saved the coding data, then
click “Yes” to abort the
flashing process.

 Click on the “Diagnostics”

button to read coding data.

***WARNING***

Failure to save your coding

file will cause issues with
your vehicle’s drive train
functions!!!

***WARNING***

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 Figure 25 Step 25:

 DO NOT “Read ECU

Memory”!!!!

 To save a copy of your

Coding Data, click the
“Diagnostics” button.

Figure 26 Step 26: Saving Coding Data

 Click “Read Coding Data”

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 Figure 27 Step 27:

 Save the “Coding Data” on

to your computer and give it
a name. In this example, we
named the file “my coding”;
you may give it your unique
file name.

DO NOT LOSE THIS FILE!

 Remember the location of

this file because you will
need to “Recode” your ECU
after it has been flashed.

Figure 28 Step 28: Programming the ECU

 With the Coding Data saved,

it is safe to proceed with
Flashing

 Select “Program ECU

Memory”

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 Figure 29 Step 29:

 Select the Tuning file to flash

(This would be the tune file
received from Bytetronik).

 Click “Open” and follow the

prompts on the screen.

Figure 30 Step 30:

 Programming in progress.

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 Figure 31 Step 31:

 Programming completed.

 Switch ignition to “OFF”

position.

 Once ignition is switched

OFF, click on the “Ignition is
OFF” and continue.

Figure 32 Step 32:

 ECU Programming
completed, click on “OK” to
continue.

Tech Support: [email protected] Page 15 of 20 Installation Guide#: BT-FA56-JAN-2018

 Figure 33 Step 33: Recoding the ECU

 Click “OK” to continue with

recoding of your ECU.

 Turn Ignition switch to

“ON” position

Figure 34 Step 34:

 Click the “Diagnostics”

button.

Tech Support: [email protected] Page 16 of 20 Installation Guide#: BT-FA56-JAN-2018

 Figure 35 Step 35:

 Select the “Coding Data”

that was saved prior to the
flashing of the ECU. In this
example, we named our
coding file “my coding”;
your file may be different
than ours.

 Click the “Open” button to

recode the ECU.

Figure 36 Step 36:

 Recoding completed; click

“OK” and hit the “Close”
button.

 Click on the second “Close”

go back to previous screen.

NOTE: The Processor inside your

ECU can only be reprogrammed 60
times!! So try to avoid unnecessary
flashing.

End of Reprogramming for Manual

Vehicles!!!

Tech Support: [email protected] Page 17 of 20 Installation Guide#: BT-FA56-JAN-2018

 A3: Clearing DTC for Automatic Transmission (Post Flash).

Figure 37 Step 37: Clearing DTC for

Automatic transmission!

 For vehicles with

Automatic transmission,
the follow error will show
up (Figure 27).

Figure 38 Step 38:

 Turn Ignition switch to

“ON” position

 Simply click the button

“Clear Trouble Codes” to
clear this DTC.

End of Reprogramming for

Automatic Vehicles!!!

*** END OF Chapter 3 ***

Tech Support: [email protected] Page 18 of 20 Installation Guide#: BT-FA56-JAN-2018

 Chapter 4: FAQs & Troubleshooting Error Messages

Error: “Drivetrain Malfunction” error post flash on a Answer: Refer to Step #27 above… and read the
F56 Automatic, how do I clear it? Installation Guide one more time.

Error: “Crypto routine error”?

Answer: Your tuned file may have been corrupted
by your email security routine. If your tune file has
been sent to you unzipped, you may wish to
request it be resent in a zipped format.

Error: “Version expired”… Answer: You need to download the newest version
from the Bytetronik website.

Error: Forgot to read out the Coding Data, post- Answer: You will need to pay a BMW/MINI shop to
flash, the car behaves “funny”… recode your car using the factory BMW Tool.

Question 1: In the FlashAccess software, there is a Answer: No. Doing this will BRICK your ECU. Don’t
“read function”. Can I read out my ECU and then even try!!! You will get a copy of your OEM Tune
flash it back into my ECU? that you can use to flash your ECU with stock
mappings. And all tune files will come from
Bytetronik; so there’s no need for you to read
anything out from your ECU.

Question 2: How much is to recover a BRICKED Answer: It cost $500 to recover a BRICKED ECU, plus
ECU? you have to cover Round-trip shipping.

Question 3: What is the ECU Read function for? Answer: That’s a function reserved for Dealers. The
End-User cable is not able to read the entire usable
rom. You have been warned (for the second time).

Question 4: I have exceeded the 60-flash limit on Answer: You’ll have to send the ECU back to us for a
my ECU and it won’t let me flash it anymore, what recovery and to reset the counter. The cost of this
now? service is $200 plus round-trip shipping prepaid.

Question 5: Does the Flash Module data-log? Answer: No, not yet. We are working on this feature.

Tech Support: [email protected] Page 19 of 20 Installation Guide#: BT-FA56-JAN-2018

 Chapter 5: Flashing the ECU back to Stock
If you wish to revert back to your ECU back to Stock, then follow the below steps. The Stock Rom
should have been emailed to along with your Tune or Structure ROM file. Locate your Stock Rom
and place this file onto your PC’s Desktop.

Figure 39 Step 39:

 Open FlashAccess and advance to

this screen to the left.

 Click on “Program ECU Memory”

button on the bottom left.

Step 40:
 Since you should already have the
coding file for this MINI; so click
“NO” to proceed.

Buckle the driver side seatbelt and avoid

closing any doors!

Step 41:
 Select the “Return_ROM_xxx”
MOD file to flash (This would be the
tune file received from Bytetronik).

 Click “Open” and follow the

prompts on the screen.

 ECU will be flashed back to Stock.

 Then follow the same steps as

illustrated above (from Step 30
through Step 38).

*** END OF Chapter 5***

Tech Support: [email protected] Page 20 of 20 Installation Guide#: BT-FA56-JAN-2018