How to "unmarry" an SCT X3?

RavenGT

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Anybody know how to do this? I have an X3 that SCT will not work on due to the early serial number. Am I just stuck with a ~$350 paper weight? The vehicle it's married to is long gone. I have a project car that needs tuning and really would prefer to not buy another device.
 

stkjock

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Send it to SCT, $150 Fee, last I heard

edit,SCT won’t unlock,it?
 

RED09GT

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You have to send it in as STKJOCK said. I have an early serial number X3 and SCT can't seem to get it working so that I can update it to work with live link II. I can still load tunes with it but have a newer locked one that I bought for $50 to datalog with since it will still take updates.

I think SCT are trying to get people to trade up so that they don't have as many frustrated customers due to the glitchy nature of the early X3's, it's probably costing a bunch to keep up with the tech support. They do offer a trade in program but a lot of days I wonder why I haven't switched to HP tuners.
 

Juice

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Anybody know how to do this? I have an X3 that SCT will not work on due to the early serial number. Am I just stuck with a ~$350 paper weight? The vehicle it's married to is long gone. I have a project car that needs tuning and really would prefer to not buy another device.
Did you buy it locked for $350?
But yea, SCT can unlock for a fee
OR
Restore to stock.
Only ways to unmarry device. And since the car is no longer accessible......SCT is your only option.
 

RavenGT

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Did you buy it locked for $350?

Bought it new for about that much in 07 to tune my then-new 08 GT. SCT won't unlock it due to the early serial number. Gonna open this thing up to see exactly what we are working with here. Looks like I'll have to buy a new X4 for my 10 GT project car. Meanwhile I have another X4 that is married to my 14 GT. Leaning towards getting an S550, which will need yet another X4.

Somebody can figure this out, just have to find the right person with the right skill set. This one device per car shit has got to end.
 

Juice

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The tuners are VIN locked. If you can connect to a pcm with matching VIN, and restore to stock, that should unlock it.
 

skwerl

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Of course it is locked to one VIN. How else would SCT stop people from ripping them off by tuning multiple vehicles with one device? Quit being a cheap ass and toss it. It was $350 you spent over a decade ago and you already used it for however long you had the car.

And on that note, why didn't you send it along with the car when you sold it? Or unlock it before selling the car? Kinda late to be trying to claw back a few dollars spent 13 years ago.
 

AndrewNagle

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Of course it is locked to one VIN. How else would SCT stop people from ripping them off by tuning multiple vehicles with one device? Quit being a cheap ass and toss it. It was $350 you spent over a decade ago and you already used it for however long you had the car.

And on that note, why didn't you send it along with the car when you sold it? Or unlock it before selling the car? Kinda late to be trying to claw back a few dollars spent 13 years ago.
now that is the Skwerl we all love and know
 

RavenGT

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The device opens by just pressing on these two tabs on the bottom and pulling the two case halves apart. DO NOT do this if your device is still under warranty. This is an old X3. Way out of warranty.x31.JPGx32.JPGThe user interface simply attaches with a ribbon cable.x33.JPG
The OBD-II cable is easily detached.x34.JPG x35.JPGNote the ARM processor and the SD card.x36.JPGDisplay easily detaches as well.x37.JPGUnderside of board.x38.JPG
Now to examine the contents of the SD card...
 

RavenGT

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What I thought is an SD card at first glance is actually an MMC card. Not surprisingly, it does not use any Windows file system. My best guess at this point is some sort of Linux file system. Anybody know?

crd2.JPG crd1.JPG
 

RavenGT

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Not expecting easy, but certainly not impossible either.
 

Juice

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I would bet it is due to SCT's PROPRIETARY software and encryption.
 

RavenGT

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Well yes, of course it's proprietary. Encrypted though? In working with the Device Updater application, so far I can see that it has Obsidian anti-cracking software attached. An application would not be encrypted, usually only data would be.
 

RavenGT

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Mission accomplished. This will all be covered on a new Youtube channel that will debut this spring. Honestly though, the easiest way to unlock your X3 is to purchase a new reflashed MMC card that will become available this spring as well.

The channel will focus on long-form videos addressing a number of topics, mostly dealing with things related to software, electronics, and electrical, as well as device cracking, upgrading base cars with premium features, including a complete base to premium upgrade including the cluster, touch screen, and HVAC. Forscan tweaks, DIY SCT tuning, and demystifying the SJB will also be covered among other things. All videos will be GT-centric as well as 10 and 11-14-centric, although a fairly substantial part of it will apply to the 05-09 cars as well.
 

Juice

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Im not a lawyer, but SCT may have an issue with "device cracking". Im sure reverse engineering is not allowed by their EULA.
 

stkjock

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Im not a lawyer, but SCT may have an issue with "device cracking". Im sure reverse engineering is not allowed by their EULA.
that's the first thought I had after thinking "Wow, cool, that Raven was able to crack the device"
 

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