JL Tazer Needs to go. Is there a better option

[HooliganActual]

Does anyone know: is it really necessary to unmarry the Tazer when taking in the Jeep for service if all I used it for was to set the tire size? Does it leave a fingerprint in the system that a Tazer was or is being used?

I read a real good write up by Zauto once but can't find it right now; however, here's an explanation from another forum:
https://www.jlwranglerforums.com/forum/threads/tazer-mini-needs-to-stay-married.61293/#post-1310209

This gist is that when you marry the Tazer, it takes a snapshot of the PCM settings, etc. and memorizes/stores them (in what let's call one file) for when you unmarry.

Then you, through the Tazer, makes changes to those settings, which the Tazer is holding in "another file". If you just remove the Tazer, the PCM runs fine (without live functions) as it's meant to do.

But if you don't unmarry, thus "reinstalling" the original file, all of the Tazer's PCM settings in it's live and open file could be overwritten by a PCM flash performed by the service technician. There may or may not be any issues with that because the PCM flash will just theoretically overwrite the old PCM "file" which it would do whether a Tazer had be previously installed or not. BUT when you get the vehicle back, your previous Tazer setting, tire size for instance, probably won't be there. When you go to plug your Tazer in to reset the tire size, the Tazer has the old original PCM file on it and either will see a mismatch between what it thinks should be there and what actually is there or it could possibly overwrite the new PCM flash. That can be risky because software doesn't typically like to go backwards in revisions. You could possibly brick your PCM.

I'm no expert on this and maybe others with a deeper knowledge will pipe in, but I did a lot of research on this a couple of years ago and I remember just enough that there are 2 things you don't want to do:
1) As described above, taking the vehicle to the dealer with the Tazer still married, and
2) Leaving the Tazer installed when taking it to the dealer for service...how do I know this one...because they flashed my PCM on a simple Express Lane oil change and bricked the PCM for about 2 hours before they came and told me. The Tazer plugs into the Security Gateway (which means something else is unplugged) and in order to do the PCM flash and reboot, that plug needed to be installed.

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[jav_eee]

I have read conflicting reports on whether or not it can actually disable AutoPark.

It does not disable it in my vehicle, unfortunately. I have a dog that I sometimes have to tie up when I'm leaving (remote gate opener + random stray dog outside the fence makes it interesting) so not having to be fully in the jeep while pulling through (this goes for the ranch gates too) is nice. Hate that I can't do that.

 

[JamesWyatt]

I read a real good write up by Zauto once but can't find it right now; however, here's an explanation from another forum:
https://www.jlwranglerforums.com/forum/threads/tazer-mini-needs-to-stay-married.61293/#post-1310209

This gist is that when you marry the Tazer, it takes a snapshot of the PCM settings, etc. and memorizes/stores them (in what let's call one file) for when you unmarry.

Then you, through the Tazer, makes changes to those settings, which the Tazer is holding in "another file". If you just remove the Tazer, the PCM runs fine (without live functions) as it's meant to do.

But if you don't unmarry, thus "reinstalling" the original file, all of the Tazer's PCM settings in it's live and open file could be overwritten by a PCM flash performed by the service technician. There may or may not be any issues with that because the PCM flash will just theoretically overwrite the old PCM "file" which it would do whether a Tazer had be previously installed or not. BUT when you get the vehicle back, your previous Tazer setting, tire size for instance, probably won't be there. When you go to plug your Tazer in to reset the tire size, the Tazer has the old original PCM file on it and either will see a mismatch between what it thinks should be there and what actually is there or it could possibly overwrite the new PCM flash. That can be risky because software doesn't typically like to go backwards in revisions. You could possibly brick your PCM.

I'm no expert on this and maybe others with a deeper knowledge will pipe in, but I did a lot of research on this a couple of years ago and I remember just enough that there are 2 things you don't want to do:
1) As described above, taking the vehicle to the dealer with the Tazer still married, and
2) Leaving the Tazer installed when taking it to the dealer for service...how do I know this one...because they flashed my PCM on a simple Express Lane oil change and bricked the PCM for about 2 hours before they came and told me. The Tazer plugs into the Security Gateway (which means something else is unplugged) and in order to do the PCM flash and reboot, that plug needed to be installed.

Ah, I see. So it's less about the Service Dept flagging you for messing with the settings than it is about the risk of a settings conflict and PCM bricking. I wonder how it works if I have the Service Dept set the tire size themselves, then later they have to flash the PCM. Do they have to be reminded to reset the tire size or are their systems smart enough to record and keep custom parameters. Same with things like adding LED lights and you have the dealer add that to the settings. I'll read that link – perhaps these things are addressed there.

 

[JamesWyatt]

If all you used it for was to reset tire size, why leave it in place at all?

Oh, I don't leave it in place. "Married" just means the software locks your Tazer to that VIN/vehicle. Whether attached physical to the vehicle or not, it's married. My question was more about how the Tazer sets tire size – that is, does it look to the dealer like they did it? If so, does the tire size change carry forward if the dealer flashes the PCM, etc.

 

[HooliganActual]

Ah, I see. So it's less about the Service Dept flagging you for messing with the settings than it is about the risk of a settings conflict and PCM bricking. I wonder how it works if I have the Service Dept set the tire size themselves, then later they have to flash the PCM. Do they have to be reminded to reset the tire size or are their systems smart enough to record and keep custom parameters. Same with things like adding LED lights and you have the dealer add that to the settings. I'll read that link – perhaps these things are addressed there.

Theoretically, paying the dealer to do set your tire size should be permanent regardless of future software updates. Essentially it’s the same way that the factory is able to tell one Rubicon that it has the Aux Switches and another one that it doesn’t. They are actually changing the settings in the computer not unlike you changing a word document on your computer and it remembering that change the next time you open that file. Some of the other programming tools, like Jscan, work this way and are “immune” to the PCM updates done by the dealership. The Tazer is basically a little hacking device but as such its changes are not permanent.

Having the dealer change the settings would be the best IMHO except that some dealers won’t even do something as simple as changing your tire size and others will charge an arm and a leg to do it (probably cuz they don’t want to and hope the price will scare you off).

 

[Mr._Bill]

The settings in the computer are fixed. Once they are changed, they stay that way until they are changed again. The exception is some factory options that are installed later. Some of the dealer computer updates will reset everything to the way it was when it left the factory. It is a good idea to keep a written record of all the changes made, and check them after any dealer visits.

ZAutomotive recommends that the Tazer be unmarried and removed before any dealer service visit. Usually, it is okay just to remove it. If you are taking it in for something that could involve a computer update, then definitely unmarry it.

The issue with the Tazer is that it makes a snapshot of the settings that can be changed when it is married to the vehicle. When it is unmarried, it restores the settings back to the snapshot it took. All the changes are lost and have to be entered again when it is married back to the vehicle. To avoid this issue, some are using Jscan to make the changes before marrying the Tazer. This gives them the Live Functions when it is installed, and they don't have to worry about the changes when removing it for service.

 

[Moe-Jave]

It does not disable it in my vehicle, unfortunately. I have a dog that I sometimes have to tie up when I'm leaving (remote gate opener + random stray dog outside the fence makes it interesting) so not having to be fully in the jeep while pulling through (this goes for the ranch gates too) is nice. Hate that I can't do that.

Are you running firmware 11.4.4 released in 1/2023? I ask since they made major changes in the 11.4 family.

Tazer JL Mini Firmware Updates

That feature works on my 23 JTM.

 

[jav_eee]

Are you running firmware 11.4.4 released in 1/2023? I ask since they made major changes in the 11.4 family.

Tazer JL Mini Firmware Updates

That feature works on my 23 JTM.

I sure am. I've been communicating with them about a couple of bugs I've noticed and they've been saying since last year that an update is "coming soon". Still waiting...

 

[Moe-Jave]

I sure am. I've been communicating with them about a couple of bugs I've noticed and they've been saying since last year that an update is "coming soon". Still waiting...

Got ya -- sorry you're having trouble. I was hoping that would do it for you!

 

[jav_eee]

Got ya -- sorry you're having trouble. I was hoping that would do it for you!

Last night i cycled that setting off and back on again then did the 2 reboot cycles. I'll check today to see if it worked.

 

[Moe-Jave]

Last night i cycled that setting off and back on again then did the 2 reboot cycles. I'll check today to see if it worked.

I'm optimistic! I've had similar lag in feature/value changes even doing the full reboot and two sleep cycles. That is independent of the Tazer too, of course. Just how it goes sometimes...

 

[Bobchadwickga]

Looking at the JScan device. Mainly want it to change the tire size when I get new tires in the next couple months. Will I need the SGW cable to make this change?

 

[Moe-Jave]

Looking at the JScan device. Mainly want it to change the tire size when I get new tires in the next couple months. Will I need the SGW cable to make this change?

Yes. Note JSCAN is an app for iOS or Android. You’ll need an interface for OBD-2 through an SGW bypass cable (I like the low-power BT4 kind). There are lots of threads on this.

The newest Tazer JL Mini plugs right into the SGW ports directly.

 

[jwolfejt]

Put JL Tazer on 23 Gladiator. Primarily bought to disable the autopark feature but found there were a few other things it does that are useful. Change tire size, turn on rear camera when blinkers. Other than those features I don’t use anything else

BUT the Tazer introduces a lot of electrical bugs. It causes my link between iPhone and radio to disconnect randomly. Bluetooth or wired. When I shut off truck the radio volume increases.if the radio was not on it will turn on if I shut truck off. Radio stays on for 10-15 seconds after I get out of truck. Sometimes radio will turn on randomly when I get in truck and have not yet started it.
there is about have dozen other little things I noticed too. I unmarried Tazer and kept it off for a few months and problems went away. Recently I installed it back on after making sure I updated firmware and my problems all came back. However, I have yet to experience iPhone disconnect but have really not driven it for longer trips where I used to have disconnect issues.

has anyone expierenced same or similar issues? Is there a better option to disable autopark, adjust tire size and more that doesn’t introduce new issues?

I just installed one in my 23 and it works flawlessly - did you update the firmware on yours before installing it ? I did that before installing - also did that back when i had my '21 and never had any issues on that one either.

 

[XraytecH]

Put JL Tazer on 23 Gladiator. Primarily bought to disable the autopark feature but found there were a few other things it does that are useful. Change tire size, turn on rear camera when blinkers. Other than those features I don’t use anything else

BUT the Tazer introduces a lot of electrical bugs. It causes my link between iPhone and radio to disconnect randomly. Bluetooth or wired. When I shut off truck the radio volume increases.if the radio was not on it will turn on if I shut truck off. Radio stays on for 10-15 seconds after I get out of truck. Sometimes radio will turn on randomly when I get in truck and have not yet started it.
there is about have dozen other little things I noticed too. I unmarried Tazer and kept it off for a few months and problems went away. Recently I installed it back on after making sure I updated firmware and my problems all came back. However, I have yet to experience iPhone disconnect but have really not driven it for longer trips where I used to have disconnect issues.

has anyone expierenced same or similar issues? Is there a better option to disable autopark, adjust tire size and more that doesn’t introduce new issues?

A handful of glitches since 2021. Firmware patches have fixed that. The present build is the most stable by far. Have not had any issue since upgrading to the latest firmware.

Might wanna try updating the firmware on your Tazer OR get everything set to the way you want it and simply unplug it.

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