ISSUE DATE:
SERVICE BULLETIN SUBJECT:
VINs or MODELS AFFECTED:
COMPLETE BY:
SERVICE BULLETIN #:
Labor Operation Code:

11/10/2022
800 Volt Limited Release Vehicle Controller Software Update
Service Specified Buses
Next Service Opportunity
SB-22-144
N/A

NOTICE! It is expected that this process may require up to one hour per bus.
Please schedule appropriately to minimize vehicle downtime.

VEHICLE CONTROLLER SOFTWARE UPDATE
Description

This procedure describes the process for updating the Vehicle Controller software to the latest version.

Headquarters: 1815 Rollins Road, Burlingame, CA 94010
East Coast Manufacturing: 1 Whitlee Court, Greenville, SC 29607
West Coast Manufacturing: 383 Cheryl Lane, City of Industry, CA 91789

1|Page

Tools/Programs Required
Tools Required:
• Laptop Computer
• Nexiq USB-Link 2

Programs Required:
• Proterra Diagnostics Tool

Software Files Required / Preparation

IMPORTANT: NEVER access the software from the USB memory device, ALWAYS copy the
software files to your computer hard drive and access the software from this location. Secure the
bus with the Vehicle Master Disconnect in the rear ON.

Component

Part Number

Version

Vehicle Controller

063191

4.8.1

It is recommended that you copy the entire “service bulletin files” folder to your local machine in order
to more effectively keep track of the software versions you are deploying:
\\bus.local\files\Engineering\Service Bulletins\Service Bulletin Files for SC-22-144\

Summary of Software Changes:
Vehicle Controller:

•
•

Allows pre-conditioning during manual charging.
Allows chiller operation during manual charging.

Headquarters: 1815 Rollins Road, Burlingame, CA 94010
East Coast Manufacturing: 1 Whitlee Court, Greenville, SC 29607
West Coast Manufacturing: 383 Cheryl Lane, City of Industry, CA 91789

2|Page

VEHICLE SOFTWARE UPDATE PROCEDURE
Description

This document contains the necessary information to update the Proterra Vehicle Integration
Controller. This controller provides the electrical integration of ancillary systems on 800V models. It
owns the vehicle operational state control, startup and shutdown, steering, pneumatics, thermal
management, and brake interlock controls.

Tools/Programs Required
Tools Required:
• Laptop Computer
• Nexiq USB-Link 2

Programs Required:
• Proterra Diagnostics Tool

Software Files Required / Preparation

It is recommended that you download any files local to your machine. To program the vehicle
controller, you will need a *.hex data file. This file will contain memory address and data information
that will be written to the controller in order to update the user code space. This will not update the
boot loader or other firmware files.
IMPORTANT! NEVER access the software from the USB memory device, ALWAYS copy the
software files to your computer hard drive and access the software from this location.

Headquarters: 1815 Rollins Road, Burlingame, CA 94010
East Coast Manufacturing: 1 Whitlee Court, Greenville, SC 29607
West Coast Manufacturing: 383 Cheryl Lane, City of Industry, CA 91789

3|Page

Preparing the Vehicle to be Programmed

When programming a vehicle, it is critical that the low-voltage batteries remain connected throughout
the process. Ensure that the LV batteries are fully charged before starting the process. If they are
low, use the vehicle to recharge them buy turning on high-voltage or place the bus on a low-voltage
charger for the duration of the process.

Connecting to the Vehicle

1. Power up and login to the Proterra-Supplied laptop or a comparable PC that has the Proterra
Diagnostics Tool software installed with a valid license.
2. Turn on the 12/24V rear Vehicle Master Disconnect located at the curbside rear charge port
access panel.
Vehicle Master
Disconnect

3. Connect the Nexiq USB Link2 device to the laptop and to the OBDII Diagnostic Port located in
the streetside wheel well box.

4. Press and hold the streetside wheel well “Work Light” switch until the work lights turn on.
5. On the laptop, double-click on the “Proterra Diagnostics Tool” software icon to start the
software.

Headquarters: 1815 Rollins Road, Burlingame, CA 94010
East Coast Manufacturing: 1 Whitlee Court, Greenville, SC 29607
West Coast Manufacturing: 383 Cheryl Lane, City of Industry, CA 91789

4|Page

6. When the program opens, read and click “OK” for the high-voltage safety prompt.
7. On the Home tab, select the appropriate device from the drop down and click “Connect”.

8. Once the diagnostic tool has connected to the vehicle, a VIN number and connection status
will be displayed on the Home screen, and tabs available to navigate. If you do not see the
Home Screen, check that the low-voltage batteries are connected and that the Nexiq tool is
plugged in.
NOTE: 800V Proterra vehicles are equipped with an automatic battery disconnect that will
protect the low-voltage batteries from a deep discharge.
9. Before beginning the programming process, check the bus for existing faults by clicking on the
“Diagnostics” button below and make a note of any found.

Headquarters: 1815 Rollins Road, Burlingame, CA 94010
East Coast Manufacturing: 1 Whitlee Court, Greenville, SC 29607
West Coast Manufacturing: 383 Cheryl Lane, City of Industry, CA 91789

5|Page

Update Using the Proterra Diagnostic Tool

1. Click on the “Overhead Charging” button on the left side of the screen.
NOTE: If the bus that you are working on is not capable of overhead charging, skip to step 3
below.

Click “Overhead
Charging”

2. Record the value displayed in the “Vehicle Tag” data field. This will be re-entered into the
controller after the software update.

Record Vehicle Tag

Headquarters: 1815 Rollins Road, Burlingame, CA 94010
East Coast Manufacturing: 1 Whitlee Court, Greenville, SC 29607
West Coast Manufacturing: 383 Cheryl Lane, City of Industry, CA 91789

6|Page

3. Navigate to the “Configuration” tab in the left menu.

Click
CONFIGURATION

4. Select the option for Vehicle Controller “Start Flash”.
NOTICE: The “Initial Flash” button is only for offline programing of the Vehicle Controller with
an Offline Programming Kit.

Beside Vehicle Controller,
Click START FLASH

Headquarters: 1815 Rollins Road, Burlingame, CA 94010
East Coast Manufacturing: 1 Whitlee Court, Greenville, SC 29607
West Coast Manufacturing: 383 Cheryl Lane, City of Industry, CA 91789

7|Page

5. In the pop-up window, select the software flash file to load the controller. The correct file is
named SW_VIC_4.8.1.
Select the file and
Click “Open”

6. The Programming window will come up and may take a few minutes to complete.

7. After completing the software update, turn off the “Work Light” switch inside the streetside
wheel well box.

8. Click on the “Overhead Charging” button on the left side of the screen.
NOTE: If the bus that you are working on is not capable of overhead charging, skip to step 10
below.
9. Turn OFF the 12/24V rear Vehicle Master Disconnect located behind the vehicle curbside rear
charge port access panel, wait ten seconds, and then turn back to ON.

Headquarters: 1815 Rollins Road, Burlingame, CA 94010
East Coast Manufacturing: 1 Whitlee Court, Greenville, SC 29607
West Coast Manufacturing: 383 Cheryl Lane, City of Industry, CA 91789

8|Page

10. Verify that the vehicle turns on with no faults and that it is capable of charging.
11. Return the vehicle to service.

Headquarters: 1815 Rollins Road, Burlingame, CA 94010
East Coast Manufacturing: 1 Whitlee Court, Greenville, SC 29607
West Coast Manufacturing: 383 Cheryl Lane, City of Industry, CA 91789

9|Page