Clone VAG Simos 18.1 ECU by Autotuner, Flex or KESS3?

Question:

Have a working Simos 18.1 unit with damage and one donor. Is there a way to clone these ECUs? What tool to clone?

Here is the clue.

Cloning needs full decrypted reads. For reading there are several, KT200, Foxflash, OBDSTAR DC706, Xhorse multi prog etc can do boot 1791 to read-write simos18.1. But most tools don’t fully decrypt vin area = NO CLONE or TRANSFER. Cloning is only possible with Immo data transfer. So these programmers will not clone Simos 18.1 ECU.
Immo off is available only if tool writes to immo area. Some tools read Immo but will not write it. If same software number, no need clone, just online for immo.

Trasdata and ktag do not decrypt the vin area so I doubt kessv3 does. = NO TRANSFER

Autotuner:

Can autotuner clone simos 18.1? Yes, it can. But need prepare dumps. Do a full backup.

Autotuner does decrypt these areas.

Autotuner can fully decrypt all the immo data areas.

Alientech KESS3:

You need to read dumps with kess3 or hexprog in boot mode and then immo can be transferred.

KESS3 supports Simos 18.1 cloning when used with the appropriate protocols and boot mode setup. It can read and write the full ECU data, including security blocks, and transfer them to a donor ECU. Its powerful microprocessor and automatic line recognition make it efficient, though it’s pricier and typically used by professionals. Cloning requires ensuring the donor ECU is compatible, as KESS3 won’t handle hardware mismatches.

Flex (Magic Motorsport)

For clones, it’s better to FLEX.

Flex is a professional-grade tool that supports cloning of Simos 18.1 ECUs. It can read encrypted data, unlock the ECU in boot mode, and transfer all necessary data (including VIN, power class, and immobilizer info) to a donor unit. Flex is known for its reliability with newer VAG ECUs and is often used by tuning shops for full cloning, not just tuning. It requires a good understanding of the process, as compatibility between the original and donor ECU part numbers is critical.

CMD Flash:

Cmd had an update about it.

Key Considerations for Cloning Simos 18.1:

Compatibility: The donor ECU must match the original in hardware (part numbers) and firmware version, as the Simos 18.1 has One-Time Programmable (OTP) sectors that can’t be fully replicated. Cloning focuses on transferring editable data like immobilizer info.
Boot Mode: Most tools require opening the ECU and connecting in boot mode (e.g., via Tricore pinouts) to bypass security and access all data.
Immobilizer Data: Successful cloning means transferring VIN, Component Security (CS), MAC, and power class, not just the engine map or coding.
Avoid Clones: Cheap clone tools (e.g., cloned KTAG or KESS) often fail with Simos 18.1 due to incomplete protocols or inability to handle encrypted data.

Related posts:

OBDII365