I come to you this evening with some cool information. For those who have attempted to reprogram the HUD (Heads-Up Display) module in 2014-2017 Holden VF Commodore and all its export models, with the latest available software from SPS, may have been left dismayed when they no longer have an image come up on the windshield. After many hours, some assistance from my Aussie friends, lots of Redbull, and 3 HUDs. I have finally found a backwards way to recover the once working HUD. 

I was using the VXNANO, a cheap J2534 interface made as a frustrating alternative to the high end or factory offered interfaces. From the information I was told here is what is happening. The VXNANO is using an ARM32 processor for basically everything. The brilliant software developers overseas did not allow the devices to access the same amount of read and write buffer space as say something like a genuine MDI2. Sooooo, with this being said, you are able to begin the programming process, however the buffer will fill up and after roughly 20 minutes, it will fail. This leaves the HUD without an operating OS or any calibrations. However, when using SPS or DPS, you ARE able to Get Info from the HUD and see that it indeed is communicating. If you cannot talk to it and you are sure everything is correct elsewhere, she might be dead Jim.

It is UNCONFIRMED whether this has the same effect when using a genuine MDI, please let me know if it works as it should.

The Solution:

 

Well, it's simple! Decrease the amount of buffer space in the utility file, and reprogram with a friendly neighborhood copy of DPS.

 

The buffer space is located in the Utility file at 0x16 & 0x17, I have found that 0x03 & 0xFF are values that will not cause any problems with the VXNANO. I have also found that the Utility file checks the current OS and for some reason if the result does not match what is on hand, it skips it. Very odd GM, very odd. So to get around a failure at Step 05, change 0x61 from 08 to 06. This will force the OS to be overwritten, restoring your HUD.

 

Also, the VIN stored in these, doesn't seem to matter at all, there is no theft lock function noted anywhere, so I don't know ¯\_(ツ)_/¯

 

I'm far from an expert on this subject, figured I'd post and see if I could maybe help someone out.

Happy Hacking 🙂

Great share, Thanks bro 🗣️

Yes great share. Thanks 🙏 

sorry im naive and new at this lol, where do i find this utility file. i just went to flash my wifes hud on her 2014 and it did just as you said, 20 minutes in and failed with the vx nano.

Flash with SPS or with DPS? If is with SPS, will require to “grab” files, edit required and then package them and flash via DPS

Ok, so i got my hands on the utility file, how do i do about modifying it to fix this issue? I have Hex Editor Neo as well as the dps, and archive tool, just not sure on where to go from there. i have converted the 4 files into a zip with the archive tool and confirmed i have everything, just unsure on where or how to make changes to the utility file. Appreciate the help so far guys!