Recent software update for the Special Function ECU/vehicle (J608)?

BeaJ · Feb 20, 2023

Is anyone aware of a recent software update for the Special Function ECU/vehicle (J608)?

I was told via a TPI that there would be one to update the version from 0408 around December of 2022, but I am curious to know if it is 'in the wild' yet.

A Belgian user on FB reported 'an update of the engine management. I don't know what exactly, but it is a recall (in Belgium anyway).' but I can't get more info anywhere.

(I made a more detailed post on this under 'Electrical' as it related to an issue re the ECU draining the leisure battery when it shouldn't.

https://vwcaliforniaclub.com/threads/leisure-battery-draining-with-nothing-in-use-t6-1.45916/)

Damon18 · Feb 20, 2023

Hi BeaJ,
We've just been contacted this morning by the dealer who sold us our Cali (23MY Coast) about an engine management upgrade (1 to 1 1/2 hour job).
We have an appointment tomorrow morning, I will let you know if I get a more detailed explanation.
Cheers Adrian

yossarian · Feb 20, 2023

This is an early MY22. I have the odd fridge dropout and occasional lights stuck on although the latter might be down to Mrs Y.

Jester · Feb 20, 2023

BeaJ said:
Is anyone aware of a recent software update for the Special Function ECU/vehicle (J608)?

I was told via a TPI that there would be one to update the version from 0408 around December of 2022, but I am curious to know if it is 'in the wild' yet.

A Belgian user on FB reported 'an update of the engine management. I don't know what exactly, but it is a recall (in Belgium anyway).' but I can't get more info anywhere.

(I made a more detailed post on this under 'Electrical' as it related to an issue re the ECU draining the leisure battery when it shouldn't.

https://vwcaliforniaclub.com/threads/leisure-battery-draining-with-nothing-in-use-t6-1.45916/)

Had one the other day on a GC was advised it was for addblue, could be the same.

yossarian · Feb 20, 2023

Jester said:
Had one the other day on a GC was advised it was for addblue, could be the same.

J608 seems to do mostly lighting on the T6.1. I'd be surprised if the same module did addblue on the GC.

Damon18 · Feb 21, 2023

Hi BeaJ,
Just back from having our engine management update/grade.
The service guy explained that it was an update to reduce the amount of condensation being produced within the engine (!!) to ensure component life, and would not he said have any effect on the vehicle's performance.
He didn't seem to know any more than that.
Didn't notice any diffenece driving home.
Not much help I'm afraid.
Cheers Adrian

Jester · Feb 21, 2023

yossarian said:
J608 seems to do mostly lighting on the T6.1. I'd be surprised if the same module did addblue on the GC.

Possibly my misunderstanding but my meaning was the vans software update

BeachyBird · Feb 24, 2023

Our 2015 Beach went in for a service this week and they said there was an ECU recall which they sorted while it was there but sorry don’t know what it was, so not much help I’m afraid.

calibusje · Feb 24, 2023

BeaJ said:
Is anyone aware of a recent software update for the Special Function ECU/vehicle (J608)?

I was told via a TPI that there would be one to update the version from 0408 around December of 2022, but I am curious to know if it is 'in the wild' yet.

A Belgian user on FB reported 'an update of the engine management. I don't know what exactly, but it is a recall (in Belgium anyway).' but I can't get more info anywhere.

(I made a more detailed post on this under 'Electrical' as it related to an issue re the ECU draining the leisure battery when it shouldn't.

https://vwcaliforniaclub.com/threads/leisure-battery-draining-with-nothing-in-use-t6-1.45916/)

Hi, I am that user on fb and it is indeed a software update only for the engine management, no lighting or ad blue I’m afraid. It was something I would not notice, they said. Van drives perfect.

Rhauri · Feb 28, 2023

I've been called and it's booked in. The only bit the chap said was that it'd adjust the engine idle speed "and other updates".

Rhauri · Mar 17, 2023

OK, I've now had the "software update" and I think I can tell a few differences:

My van seems to turn off and back on faster when stopped eg in traffic.
It feels like the points at which the vehicle changes gear are different.
When using Adaptive Cruise Control, it was always quick to slow down if the vehicle in front slowed down, but it was very slow to pick up speed again as the vehicle in-front picked up speed again towards the cruise control set speed. This lag seems to have been dramatically removed. It seems to more smoothly tag itself to the speed of the car in-front.
The overall MPG seems to be slightly better (most of the time I'm doing similar journeys and I now seem to be a bit over 1 mpg than I was.)

Cali Phillip · Mar 17, 2023

Rhauri said:
OK, I've now had the "software update" and I think I can tell a few differences:

My van seems to turn off and back on faster when stopped eg in traffic.

It feels like the points at which the vehicle changes gear are different.

When using Adaptive Cruise Control, it was always quick to slow down if the vehicle in front slowed down, but it was very slow to pick up speed again as the vehicle in-front picked up speed again towards the cruise control set speed. This lag seems to have been dramatically removed. It seems to more smoothly tag itself to the speed of the car in-front.

The overall MPG seems to be slightly better (most of the time I'm doing similar journeys and I now seem to be a bit over 1 mpg than I was.)

Mine was updated on a recent service.
I noticed the gear change points but little else.

calibusje · Mar 17, 2023

Rhauri said:
OK, I've now had the "software update" and I think I can tell a few differences:

My van seems to turn off and back on faster when stopped eg in traffic.

It feels like the points at which the vehicle changes gear are different.

When using Adaptive Cruise Control, it was always quick to slow down if the vehicle in front slowed down, but it was very slow to pick up speed again as the vehicle in-front picked up speed again towards the cruise control set speed. This lag seems to have been dramatically removed. It seems to more smoothly tag itself to the speed of the car in-front.

The overall MPG seems to be slightly better (most of the time I'm doing similar journeys and I now seem to be a bit over 1 mpg than I was.)

I'm afraid/ suspect it's a subjective feeling: the update has no effect on how it drives. I have had the update for a month now and there is no difference in driving with before. What you describe seems to have more to do with how your driving software is set up; it seems rather the setting of the gears (the 'replacement' of the sport mode that the t6.1 no longer has) has to do with it. Is this still the same as when you brought it in?
‘Auxiliary system settings’ I guess in English:

BeaJ · Mar 21, 2023

yossarian said:
View attachment 105132This is an early MY22. I have the odd fridge dropout and occasional lights stuck on although the latter might be down to Mrs Y.

Thank you Yossarian. How do I see this screen on my vehicle? I want to 'help' my local dealer be more proactive...

andyinluton · Mar 21, 2023

calibusje said:
I'm afraid/ suspect it's a subjective feeling: the update has no effect on how it drives. I have had the update for a month now and there is no difference in driving with before. What you describe seems to have more to do with how your driving software is set up; it seems rather the setting of the gears (the 'replacement' of the sport mode that the t6.1 no longer has) has to do with it. Is this still the same as when you brought it in?
‘Auxiliary system settings’ I guess in English:
View attachment 106030

That setting only affects how the ACC reacts when either the car in front that has been holding you up moves out of the way or if you press resume.
It doesn't have anything to do with the gear change points in normal driving.

calibusje · Mar 21, 2023

andyinluton said:
That setting only affects how the ACC reacts when either the car in front that has been holding you up moves out of the way or if you press resume.
It doesn't have anything to do with the gear change points in normal driving.

I know that, I was trying to make something else clear but obvious didn’t work. Sorry for that. The update doesn’t change anything you can see or feel. So I tried to search for an explanation for a supposed change the poster thinks there is:
“It feels like the points at which the vehicle changes gear are different”

Rhauri · Mar 27, 2023

calibusje said:
I'm afraid/ suspect it's a subjective feeling: the update has no effect on how it drives. I have had the update for a month now and there is no difference in driving with before. What you describe seems to have more to do with how your driving software is set up; it seems rather the setting of the gears (the 'replacement' of the sport mode that the t6.1 no longer has) has to do with it. Is this still the same as when you brought it in?
‘Auxiliary system settings’ I guess in English:
View attachment 106030

I'll have a look at the settings, but I'm pretty sure I've never changed that bit in settings.
- With a lump more driving now having been done since the update, I am consistently and overall getting a slightly improved MPG on what I used to get. Yes, it's only about 1 MPG better, but that'll add up over time for me, and across all the vans that get the update mean less CO2 pollution.....