Im trying to load my custom tune since I have some issues with my original dyno tune. I got the e-mail with the file but have been trying to upload this new tune and am at my witz end. I put the car back to stock, updated the firmware, and updated the file with still no luck. I keep getting to the last step in actually uploading the file onto the Xcal3 and I keep getting this error message::

Output char buffer is too small to contain the decoded characters , encoding “Unicode (uft-*)” fallback ‘system.text.decoderreplacementfallback’.parameter name:chars


Anyone every get this message or know what I'm doing wrong. Thanks for the help.. BTW this is for my 00 Mustang
John

 

Ah, have you talked to the guy who wrote your custom tune? That's where I'd start, but not on this forum because none of us have a clue what's wrong!

If your tuner is at all reputable, he should get you fixed up in short order.

- Jack

 

When I had a prob uploading tunes to the programmer I called SCT and they told me I needed to format the memory card in the programmer, but nowhere in my documentation did it mention having to do that at all. I'd give SCT a call.

 

I have the same problem with my VMP email tunes, I can get them to work. I will be sending my programmer to Justin to load the tunes himself. I have tried everything from talking to sct, down loading all the recent updates and his tunes still dont work for me. My cannned tunes work fine though. When I go to load my custom tunes all I get is error and I have to build a recovery file for my stock tune which ends up getting locked in the programmer I love my xcal 2 for my stang but so far I think my xcal 3 is a piece of crap, Im very unhappy with it.

 

Man, I hope that you can get that issue worked out. SCT is usually on their game and I'm sure they'll figure out what's up. Sorry I can't be any help, but at least I feel your pain.

Good luck.

 

I'm hoping I have this figured out I called SCT and they told me what i need to do. First off my tuner for some reason sent me a .mtf file and the programs wont allow us to uploaded that file extension. That I think is only for tuners to work with. In order to upload custom tunes with the XCal3 they need to be in the .ll3 format. If not you will get this error. The difference in format should correct the problem but i wont know until I upload it.

My tuner still hasn’t e-mailed me the .ll3 files but once I get them I will post the results. This Xcal is difficult to work with between the firmware updates, software updates, uploader, and other crap its confusing.

--07 Crew do you know what file format your trying to upload? I would double check and make sure they are NOT .mtf instead of .ll3 which they should be.

 

Yes, MTF Files are what the Tuning Guys use to store all the data and changes. The file you should have received was a compiled LL3 (LiveLoad) file. Curiously, I can't imagine why the software would even let you load an MTF file into the XCal since it most certainly wouldn't work.

Glad you finally got an answer to your problems. I think once you get the LL3 file, you'll be good to go.

Take care.

 

Mine are .ll3 files.....I have all the recent updates and had Sct actually logged on to my computer and downloaded everything for me so I just sat back and let them have at it. It still didn't work, I then sent them my programmer and they sent it back a week later saying everything was fine with the programmer that it was Justins tunes. Maybe my computer some how is stripping the files? I don't know. I load and unload tunes all the time for my 05 stang so I know what Im doing. This is really annoying, I have a lot of money invested in this thing and it just wont load custom tunes. So Im going to send the tuner out once again and hope it will eventually work Im to the point I not going to trust the thing and will end up leaving the truck alone for now.

 

While Justin is probably not PERFECT, who of us are? I suspect he's pretty close to that standard. So, have you talked to Justin about this problem? My guess is, he will go all out to fix it, especially if there's been some error on his part. Reputable people, like Justin, work that way.

- Jack

 

Yea Justin is a stand up guy.....he is very good at what he does, I don't blame Justin one bit, I talked and emailed him several times and he is always on key with every ? I have for him. I trust his tunes it's the xcal 3 that is letting me down. SCT has way to many kinks to work out in it, they tried to out do themselves over the tried and true xcal 2 and dont seem to have it right. James at SCT said the xcal 3 just has issues with some vehicles, some work fine while others just have a bunch of kinks to work out, he admitted to me it's no where near as good as the xcal 2.

 

Finally got the .ll3 file and it worked with my Xcal3 but the problem isnt fixed. Loaded the tune into the car and started her up and of course it died. It did this 3 times and then idled at like 500RPM for around 30 seconds. Then went to my normal idle at around 1000. This tune is really starting to **** me of now.

Also now when I drive it, it bucks more than before (going slow in 1st and 2nd gear) and when not in gear after I rev it the RPM drops to normal and spikes for a sec. So if i rev it and then hit the gas again the car stumbles and bogs for a sec.

I noticed on my Autometer A/F ratio gauge its fluctuating more on the lean side but still fluctuating. I know this isnt accurate but something is different. It seems like the exhaust smells more and it doesn’t seem as powerful. Maybe I just expected better or am judging the tune too quickly. Ill drive it a couple more days and then repost. Could these problems be solved after driving it and having to computer learn my driving habits? I think it’s a long shot but just throwing an idea out there.

I’m thinking I should just trailer the car to my tuner ands tell to keep it as long as it takes. Any ideas or suggestions?

 

Who did the custom tune..?