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• This training walks the user through the Dealer ECM Clearing
Process. TC will need special access, which is granted through the
Truck Engine Call Center (TECC). Please contact….
– Jim Snodgrass:
• Phone 1-800-447-4986 (TECC)
• Email: Snodgrass_James_K@cat.com

• For supported ECMs, this eliminates the need to send the ECMs
back to Caterpillar for clearing.

• Within Cat ET, ECM Test Mode can be utilized on ECMs not
supported by the ECM Clearing process.

• ECM Clearing is supported on the A4E2V1, A4E4V2, and A4E4V3

Engine ECMs.

• NOTE: Cat ET 2013C or newer is required

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• Please check your • A4E2V1 Suffix Codes:
A4E2V1, A4E4V2, – JZ, LA, LC
and A4E4V3 ECMs to
verify clearing • A4E4V2 Suffix Codes:
compatibility – JV, JW, JX, JY, LS, JL, JM
• A4E4V3 Suffix Codes:
• The suffix code on the – LF, LG, LH, LJ, LK, LL, LM, MC,
outside of the ECM MD, ME, MF, RA, RB, RC, RD, RE
should match one in
the list. [last two digits
of ECM Serial
number]

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• Please note that the ECM Clearing process will need to be performed
using the J1939 datalink. Clearing process will NOT work on the CDL
Datalink

• Please ensure that the breakout harness being used to clear the ECM
conforms to the appropriate schematic below.

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• Navigate to Winflash
Hint: Prior to clearing the ECM, the
user may want to record the engine
serial number as well as the previously
loaded flashfile. In the event of an
issue, this information will assist the
troubleshooting process.

• Click the Utilities menu, and choose

“Clear ECM Memory” option. This
updates the ECM list to only show
ECMs supported by the ECM Clearing
Process.

Note: This step also ensures that SIS

flashfile search feature within Winflash,
will direct the users to the proper file in
SIS.

Note: The Clear ECM Memory option is

only available if Cat ET detects an ECM
that is compatible with the clearing
process.

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• Once the list of ECMs is
updated, users will be
prompted with a dialog
box, alerting them that
this process is not
authorized to work with
Factory Installed ECMs.

• Clicking yes will take the

user to FPS to verify if
the ECM was factory
installed.

• Clicking No, or closing

the FPS window after
clicking yes, will allow
the user to continue the
ECM clearing process

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• Next the user must navigate to,
and load the proper ECM clearing
file.

Note: Files can be obtained from

SIS, saved to the hard drive, and
then loaded into Winflash.
Selecting the magnifying glass in
Winflash, next to the ECM will
automatically launch SIS and take
the user to the flashfile search
page, where the clearing file can
be obtained.

Once the file is loaded, click the

“Begin Flash” button on the lower
left hand side of the screen.

• Note: Do not interrupt power

during the clearing process. The
ECM could become corrupt and
un-usable

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• Once the flash
successfully completes,
click the “Cat ET”
button to return to Cat
ET and continue the
ECM Clearing Process

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• The following screen
appears. Following
the instructions on the
screen, click the
“Clear Memory”
button to continue the
process.

• Be sure to only use

the “Clear Memory”
button. The Clear
ECM Memory option
that is available under
the menus, will only
navigate the user
back to this screen.

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 • Click the “Yes”
button to confirm
and continue on
with the process.

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• The user will then be prompted
for a Factory Password to
continue. Please follow your
standard method for obtaining
Factory Passwords.

• Then Click the “OK” button

once the passwords have been
entered.

• TC names will need to be

entered into a database to
allow ECM Clearing password
generation. Please send TC
information to:
– Jim Snodgrass:
• Phone 1-800-447-4986 (TECC)
• Email:
Snodgrass_James_K@cat.com

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• The following message will appear. Please click “OK” to continue on. Cat ET will
then disconnect.

• Please “key cycle” ECM

• At this point:
– The software has been removed from the ECM.
– A default Interlock of 43690 has been programmed.
– The ECM is ready to be used for another ECM replacement or returned to Dealer Stock.

Note: It is highly recommended that a sticker or some other designation be marked on the ECM
before placing it back into stock, to indicate that it is a cleared ECM, and not a brand new
ECM.

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• Prior to flashing an ECM the user needs to verify that the Interlock Code (IC) is currently available
in Feature Protection System (FPS).

• To verify the IC:

• Navigate to https://fps.cat.com
• Under the Pricing tab, choose the “Estimate Feature Cost”
• Select RC-5 under the feature dropdown and then enter the rest of the data. This example
shows serial number LHX21111 (in Serial Number box) going to the IC of 116 (in both the Old
Value and the New Value).
• Then click “Submit”.

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• If the user receives an error stating that an IC is not set up in FPS, first,
verify that the correct Flashfile is being used. If the correct flashfile is
being used and the user is still receiving an error, please have your TC
contact Jim Snodgrass with the following information:
• Full Engine Serial Number
• Flashfile part number to flash on the ECM

• Jim Snodgrass
• Phone: 1-800-447-4986 (TECC)
• Email: Snodgrass_James_K@cat.com

• As the database is populated and rule sets are created in FPS, this
error will become less common. For the time being, this step will help
eliminate wasted time while obtaining Reason Code 5 passwords
during the flashing process.

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• In order to flash a
new application
software file onto
the ECM, the user
must reconnect Cat
ET to the ECM.

• When Cat ET
reconnects, the
user will see this
screen. Please
click the “WinFlash”
button to continue.

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• The user may now
flash a new
application file onto
the ECM following
standard process.

Note: Files can be

obtained from SIS,
saved to the hard
drive, and then
loaded into
Winflash

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• Once the flash
successfully completes,
click the “Cat ET”
button to return to Cat
ET and continue the
ECM Clearing Process

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• The personality mismatch box
will appear. Click “Cancel” to
ignore this message. This
allows the user to navigate to
the Configuration screen for
continuation of the process.

• If the user clicks “OK”, they

may fall into a “loop” of
screens and the process will
not work properly. If this
happens, simply disconnect
Cat ET, and then Re-Connect
Cat ET, and they will be able
to start over by pressing
“Cancel” on the Personality
Module Mismatch screen.

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• Next, the user must
navigate to the
configuration
screen in Cat ET.

• Once on the
configuration
screen, the user will
need to program
the appropriate
serial number for
the engine that the
ECM will now be
loaded on.

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• Once the user clicks
“OK”, they will need
to Disconnect Cat
ET and then
Reconnect Cat ET.

• Once reconnected,
the personality
mismatch box
appears again. This
time the user must
click “OK”.

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• The user will then
click “OK” to
continue on.

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• The user is then
prompted for a Factory
Password to continue.
Please follow the
standard method for
obtaining Factory
Passwords.

• Then Click the “OK”

button once the
passwords have been
entered.

Note: These
passwords are
required to remain in
emissions compliance

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• The ECM has now been successfully cleared, reflashed, and
had the serial number programmed to a new application
flashfile.

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• While Clearing an ECM
– You are not authorized to modify this reason code.
• Cause: User is not authorized to perform the transaction they are attempting

• While Flashing a New Application Software

– For assistance, please complete the DSN (Dealer Solution Network) online password request form(click
HERE) and provide it to your Technical Communicator (TC) for entry into the DSN. Before requesting
passwords, please ensure the correct engine serial number is programmed into the ECM. Also, provide a
detailed story of failure or reason for denial of passwords.The engine rating is not available.
• Cause: Ruleset not set up for the rating they are trying to change to. This is the message seen for everything except On-
highway and Reman engines.

– For assistance, please contact the Truck Engine Call Center at 309-578-3901 (Direct or International) 1-
800-447-4986 (within North America only) Email: Truck_Engine_Call_Ctr@cat.com. Please note e-mails
must be followed by phone confirmation.The engine rating is not available.
• Cause: Ruleset not set up for the rating they are trying to go to. This is the message seen for On-highway and Reman
engines.

– Requested rating change for this engine serial number does not match the last rating change in FPS
history OR does not match the 'As Shipped' from TMI. This transaction will be included in the audit report
for cleared ECMs. Do you want to proceed with this transaction?
• Cause: Ruleset is set up, there is no history in FPS or PSPS/TMI (factory) showing this rating was previously on the
engine.

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• Clearing File Part Numbers
– A4E4V2: 433-8148
– A4E4V3: 441-6053
– A4E2V1: 440-6886

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• Copies of this training can be found on:
– https://dealer.cat.com/FPSdma
– https://dealer.cat.com/catet

• For any questions on the ECM Clearing Process please

contact:
– Jim Snodgrass
• Phone: 1-800-447-4986 (TECC)
• Email: Snodgrass_James_K@cat.com

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