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PROGRAMMING SUPPORT

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Title : Programming Instructions for A26a Engine Swaps
Applies To : A26a (2017-2021 A26) Engine Swaps (both NEU and new)

CHANGE LOG
Please refer to the change log text box below for recent changes to this article:
12/09/2025 - Added info about reman engines
9/12/2025 - Changed "A26" to "A26a" and added "2017-2021"
09/09/2025 - Added additional screenshot description
08/29/2025 - Changed process to reflect using SDS
07/09/2025 - Fixed broken iKnow Link





DESCRIPTION
This document guides dealer technicians through the programming process for an A26a (2017-2021) engine swap (both NEU
and new engines).

PROCESS UPDATES
This programming process has been rewritten because all A26a programming is now done through SDS (not NavKal).
A26a engine swap case files should be submitted to the Powertrain group. The Vehicle Programming group can assist up
on request from the dealer or Powertrain team.
Normal A26a ESNs start with 124KM2Y. Reman A26a ESNs currently start with an "S". Do not update your ECM
programming with reman ESNs as it will break the programming process.

PROGRAMMING STEPs

1.

Connect SDS to the old ECM on
the old engine. Completing this
step captures the parameters
from the old ECM and will ensure
you get the exact same
programming into the new ECM.
Connecting is all that is needed.

1.

2.

3.

2.

3.

Connect SDS to the new ECM.
1. Menu
2. Select Connection menu.
If no connection has been
selected previously, this
menu item will show "No
Connection".
3. Select Nexiq USB-Link 2
USB or Nexiq USB-Link 3
USB. Only use a USB
connection for
Programming. Do not
program via a wireless or
bluetooth connection.
Begin Programming Process
1. Menu
2. Programming
3. A26A Blank Flash

1.

2.

1.

2.

Visual of programming screen
(click on picture to see full size pic)

4.

1. Instructions
2. Data entry: VIN, Select
Config Date,
Miles/Hours/Fuel
3. Programming Button

5.

Enter VIN in "VIN" field, and wait
for "Configuration" field to
populate with a drop down menu
full of options.

6.

Per the SDS programming
instructions (shown in step 4
screenshot), select a point in time
when this module was working.
In most cases, it would be the
date representing the connection
to the previous module on the
previous engine.

1.

7.

Program:
1. Once all fields are
populated with the correct
info,
2. Click "Program" button
2.

3.

3.

8.

9.

Getting Template:
1. Download Template: "Not
In 20504 SDS Template"
2. Unzip Template: There
are various ways to unzip a
file.
a. Start by right
clicking on the
downloaded file,
b. then select an
option that provides
unzip functionality.
The screenshot to the
right shows 2 of the
options you might
see. (Some of the
other options are:
"Winzip", "Extract",
2.
"Extract To Here", or
possibly other
options.)
c. If you need
assistance with this
step, you can:
1. work with a
coworker
2. work with
your service
manager/advisor
3. or, submit a
case file to the
EZ Tech support
team (click here
for Case File
Opening Best
Practices)
Loading "Not in 20504 SDS
Template" into SDS
1. Menu
1
2. Load a Template
3a. Select unzipped
template file
3b. SDS cannot use zipped
files. After downloading,
3a
you must unzip the
template file. See step 8
(above) for details.
4. Programming Screen
a. check box "Show
3b
Edited Parameters
Only" (bottom of
screenshot)
b. large red box
shows parameters
contained in template,
and their values
c. click "Program"
button
note: screenshot 4
shows 3 parameters
colored in white and 2
parameters colored in
yellow. Yellow
parameters are only
available to users that
have engineering
access. Dealer

2

technicians will not
see those parameters
or their values when
logged into SDS. As
long as the white
parameters from
screenshot 4 show
correctly in your SDS,
you can trust that the
other 2 that you
cannot see are also
correct.

Change ESN: (Normal A26a ESNs
start with 124KM2Y. Reman A26a ESNs
currently start with an "S". Do not
update your ECM programming with
reman ESNs as it will break the
programming process.)

4

1

1. Menu
2. Programming
3. All Parameters
4
4. Programming Screen
A. Search for "ESN"
B. Enter new ESN
C. Click "Program"
button
Change IQAs - there are 2
different processes depending on
the type of A26a engine being
installed (NEU vs new):
1
1. NEU (New Exchange
Unit) engine. This type of
engine has an "R" in the
ESN (ie
124KM2R1234567): get
IQAs from paper provided
with engine.
11.
2. New engine. This type of
engine has a "Y" in the ESN
4
(ie 124KM2Y1234567): get
IQAs from Vehicle
Programming Group via
case file.
3. Reman engine. This type
of engine has an ESN that
begins with an "S". Get
IQAs from the injectors.

2

3

10.

12. Click "Program" button

2

3

Check to see if the miles in the
cluster odometer are accurate
(they might have doubled). If
miles are not accurate, use DLB
to update the body controller and
13.
cluster to the latest software
version. Then use DLB to "set
odometer". You can find that
option in DLB under the "Tools"
menu.

OTHER RESOURCES
Master Service Information Site
RC2600001 - Vehicle Programming Resource Center
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