2000/01/01 Caterpillar

Industrial, Marine, and Generator Set Engines: That Use Flash Programming

All

This article is a correction to and a revision of the article with the same title that was published in the November 1999 Issue.

Caterpillar's Service Information System (SIS) may be used to download flash files. SIS is available for Caterpillar dealers, Truck Engine Parts and Service (TEPS) dealers, and customers. The correct way to obtain SIS is through your Caterpillar dealer. There are two different ways to retrieve flash files from SIS.

• SIS CD or SIS DVD

• SIS Web

When a user subscribes to SIS CD or SIS DVD, modem hardware or modem software is not required. A new CD or DVDis provided monthly with the SIS CD subscription or SIS DVD subscription. The CD or DVD will contain all the flash files that are needed to support the Caterpillar products that are included in your SIS subscription. The CD or DVD will only contain flash files that were available on the publication date for the CD or DVD. The CD or DVD may be used on any personal computer that has CD or DVD capabilities. Always view the flash file cross reference information in order to identify the proper flash file for your application. See the "Viewing Flash File Cross Reference Information" section of this article:

Determine the part number of the proper flash file. Use the procedure that follows in order to download flash files from CD or DVD based SIS.

1. Insert the Flash Files CD or DVD into the CD drive or DVD drive of your computer.

2. Select "Winflash" from the Utilities menu on the Cat Electronic Technician (Cat ET) toolbar.

3. "Winflash" will try to detect an Electronic Control Module (ECM). When an ECM has been detected, the "ECM Selector" window will appear. Select the ECM. Select "OK". The "Select Flash File" window will appear.

4. In the "Drives" box, select the CD drive or DVD drive for your computer.

5. Once the "CD drive" or DVD drive is selected, a list of flash files will appear. Select the correct flash file from the list of flash files.

6. Read the information in the "Description" box and verify that you have chosen the correct flash file.

7. Select "Begin Flash" in order to download the flash file from your computer to the ECM.

A user must have an OEM connection or a modem connection in order to use SIS Web. The user must also have an Internet provider. SIS Web enables the user to access very recently released flash files, since SIS Web is updated daily. Always view the flash file cross reference information in order to identify the proper flash file for your application. See the "Viewing Flash File Cross Reference Information" section of this article.

To download flash files through SIS Web, use the following procedure after you have determined the part number of the proper flash file:

1. Go to the SIS Web Main Menu.

2. Select "Flash Software Files".

3. Follow the instructions on the screen. Place the cursor over the part number of the appropriate flash file.

4. Press and hold down the right mouse button. A menu will appear. Move the cursor down the menu to the "Save Link As" selection. Release the right mouse button.

5. The "Save As" Menu will appear. Save the file in a directory that may be accessed with Caterpillar Electronic Technician Cat ET .

6. Select "Winflash" from the "Utilities" menu on the tool bar in Cat ET.

7. "Winflash" will try to detect an ECM. When an ECM has been detected, the "ECM Selector" window will appear. Select the ECM. Select "OK". The "Select Flash File" window will appear.

8. From the "Drives" menu, select the computer drive that contains the flash file from Step 5. Select the directory that contains the flash file from Step 5.

9. Select the flash file.

10. Read the information in the "Description" box and verify that you have chosen the correct flash file.

11. Select "Begin Flash" in order to download the flash file from your computer to the ECM.

There are three different sources that may be used in order to view flash file cross reference information:

• SIS CD or SIS DVD

• SIS Web

• The "For Information, News, and Documents" system (FIND)

1. Insert the "Flash Files" CD or DVD into the CD or DVD drive for your computer.

2. View the contents of the drive that is your CD or DVD drive. Select the "Flash File" folder. Select the "readxref.txt" file or select the "vimsxref.txt" file in order to view the flash file cross references.

3. Determine the correct flash file. Use SIS in order to download the flash file.

Use the following procedure in order to view the flash file cross references with SIS Web.

1. Select "Flash Software Files" from the main menu of SIS.

2. The "Flash Software Download" Screen will appear.

3. There are two documents about flash file cross references that may be selected under "Flash File Cross Reference". The two flash file cross reference documents are "vimsxref.txt" and "readxref.txt". Select the document in order to view the document.

4. Once you have determined the correct flash file, use SIS Web in order to retrieve the flash file.

Use the following procedure in order to view information about flash file cross references.

1. Access the "FIND" system.

2. Select the "TEXT" application from the "FIND" master menu.

3. Type "FLASH" or use the function key F4. Select "Flash" as the "document type". Do not depress your enter key. Proceed to step 4.

4. Use the Tab key and go to the "Key Word/Phrase" line. Type the sales model (for example: "3406E") or type the serial number prefix followed by an asterisk (for example: "2WS*") on the "Key Word/Phrase" line.

   Depress your enter key. A flash file information reference will appear.

5. Type an "s" next to the information in order to view the information. Depress your enter key.

6. Use function keys F7 and F8 in order to scroll through the information.

7. Once you have determined the correct flash file, use SIS or use SIS Web in order to retrieve the flash file.