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Apexi Smart Controller install help!

Old May 18, 2017 | 08:13 AM
  #1  
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Default Apexi Smart Controller install help!

For those who have the Apexi Smart Controller installed, I am having problems trying to initialize the device.
I started with ignition in OFF position.
With foot off the brake, press the ignition button twice to ON position (Engine is not on).
The apexi controller is blinking white - which means it needs to be initialized.
With foot OFF the gas pedal, hold down the bottom DOWN button (1 knot). The light goes from blinking white to blue and I release the button.

At this point in time, i've tried two things
1) Before holding the UP button (3 knots), I step on the gas pedal all the way and keep it there. I press and hold the UP button until it is red and release the button. Per the manual, it should stop blinking if the initialization was successful but it keeps blinking white.
2) I press and hold the UP button simultaneously stepping on the gas all the way. It still does the same thing as (1) where it goes to red but continues blinking white after.

Can anyone provide insight on how to initialized?
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Old May 18, 2017 | 08:29 AM
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Also, I removed the apexi controller for now and now my check engine light is on and it says traction control is off. I tried to press the traction controller button but it doesn't work. Do I need to take it to the dealer or will it reset after I drive a bit
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Old May 18, 2017 | 09:10 AM
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I had something similiar when I first installed it, I'm a little fuzzy on the details. Do you have it wired backwards? I believe one of the connections to the harnesses and unit can be wired up backwards. You should not have to bring anything to the dealer, the check engine light should go away after initiating it correctly.
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Old May 18, 2017 | 09:16 AM
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I'll double check to see if it is wired backwards. I did not think of this when i installed it and re-read the manual.
When you installed it, did your check engine light also turn on?
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Old May 18, 2017 | 09:35 AM
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Yeah I'm pretty sure I had it wired up backwards to the harness the first time. If I recall there are pins that go from harness to controller. I remember that it was showing white lights no matter what I did, if its wired right you should have no check engine lights on.
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Old May 18, 2017 | 10:36 AM
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Originally Posted by e60bmw
Yeah I'm pretty sure I had it wired up backwards to the harness the first time. If I recall there are pins that go from harness to controller. I remember that it was showing white lights no matter what I did, if its wired right you should have no check engine lights on.
It looks like I also had the connection backwards. The red dot on should be lined up on the same side as the clip. I was able to initialize it now, however, the check engine light is still on. I'll drive around some more to see if it will turn off. Right now, my check engine light is on, traction control is off and whenever I ride in ECO or Normal mode, even with low rpm, the ECO light does not turn on. Did you have this issue?
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Old May 18, 2017 | 10:41 AM
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I have not had those issues, you may just have to reset the battery. Or if you have a code reader it may show something. I believe in the manual it mentions something if you happen to get a check engine light on and how to fix.
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Old May 18, 2017 | 11:50 AM
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Thanks e60bmw! After resetting the battery, the car returned to normal. I'll drive some more to verify it doesn't come back on but so far check engine light is off, i can turn on/off traction control, eco light turns on at low RPMs again and the apexi controller is still programmed.
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Old May 18, 2017 | 03:57 PM
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How are you liking the apexi so far? I drive in red and sport mode all the time.
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Old May 18, 2017 | 05:02 PM
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I definitely feel the difference with it. It almost caught me by surprised at first. I'm still testing out the other settings. At the moment I have it on yellow (boost 1) setting and liking it so far. I do a lot of driving during rush hour m-f so I'm not planning on keeping on red. Just looking for something to address that lag lol
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