These first instructions will suit VERSION 2 of the Dominator Series (Jan 2014 onwards)
Click on image below
The following ONLY applies to Version 1 Dominator MK1, MK2 and MK3 Rail Tuning Modules. (Pre 2014)
Tuning the Dominator Series Performance Chips is easy. Follow the steps below to accomplish this. Dominator 3 Series tuning has further steps and can be viewed at the ** point of the page (see below)
Let’s proceed.
Once the lid has been removed from the Tuning Module the orientation we want is to place the harness connector plug at the 6 o’clock position.
Locate the various items on the board. In the video below you will soon recognise the items of interest.
In the video, where you see the white toggle switch being moved some models have a jumper instead. It is used in the same way. ie place the jumper from “RUN” mode (right 2 PINS) to “PROGRAM” mode (left 2 PINS) and back again after programming.
Below is a step by step guide of the tuning process for MK1, MK2 and MK3 Performance Modules:
(Both the Rail tuning and Injector Tuning modules use the same procedure. Dom MK3 with harness at the 6 o’clock position the Rail Tuning is on the RIGHT hand side and Injector Tuning is on the LEFT)
1) TURN THE VEHICLE IGNITION “ON”.
2) SET JUMPER (OR TOGGLE SWITCH) TO “PROGRAM” MODE (POSITION FURTHEST FROM THE TUNE SELECTOR DIAL).
3) ROTATE TUNE SELECTOR TO DESIRED TUNE.
4) PRESS TUNE BUTTON MOMENTARILY. (LED FLASHES FOR APPROX 10 SECONDS).
(some boards have 2 LEDs on the board. One light that flashes when you depress the tune button and the other LED will flash whilst the tune is being written)
5) AFTER LED STOPS FLASHING PLACE JUMPER (OR TOGGLE SWITCH) TO RUN MODE. (POSITION CLOSEST TO TUNE SELECTOR DIAL).
6) Important: AFTER YOU PLACE THE JUMPER (OR TOGGLE SWITCH) BACK TO RUN MODE PRESS THE TUNE BUTTON AGAIN. (This will save the settings)
7) TURN THE IGNITION OFF AND WAIT 30 SECONDS. (a good time to replace the lid of the Chip)
8) AFTER YOU HAVE LEFT IGNITION OFF FOR AT LEAST 30 SECONDS START VEHICLE AS NORMAL.
There is no limit to the number of tunes you can try. If your vehicle is blowing smoke, you can turn down the tune one level. Remember, “some” smoke may be seen on initial roll on as the turbo starts to spool up. This is normal and acceptable.
The following video link show the tuning process for the Dominator Style Performance Module with the TOGGLE style switch (not the Jumper Style) and does not show step 6 as written above. You should include step 6 ie press the tune button at the end of the sequence.
Chip Tuning Dominator Mk1 Tune Video
**DOMINATOR 3.
To vary the tune from the preset levels on the Dominator 3, we suggest dropping the injector tuning settings to the lowest setting so that JUST the Rail is tuned first. So bring back the Injector tune selector to position No1. On the board, the with the harness at the 6 o’clock position (facing downwards) the selector on the right is for Rail Tuning. The selector on the left is for Injector Tuning.
Then run up the Rail tuning setting, one setting at a time until under hard acceleration you notice the fuel limiter cut out*. Back off the Rail tune setting by one level so that the limp mode does not occur again under very hard acceleration.
Next, increase the Injector tuning until you see black smoke. Then back off the injector setting one level. You will then be in the “sweet” spot for all areas of tuning without pushing either tuning area hard.
* Fuel limiter cut out is experienced when running at full throttle your vehicles goes into Limp Mode.
Chip Tuning sell Hi Spec Fuel Limiters if you wish to go through this tuning threshold. We fit the Hi Spec Fuel Limiters to most vehicles so that an extra power level is achieved. See our online store or contact us for more information.
On the high settings, check for black smoke (too rich) or Engine Check Lights or Exhaust Gas Temps that climb too fast. If any of these are seen, bring back the rail tuning selector 1 or 2 settings till the problems desist.
NB: The above tuning method is used since on our Performance Modules we do not use an old antiquated resistor style tuning as our competition do. Simply turning a dial (and nothing else) is a dead give away proving that other brands of Chips are using a variable resistor to tune your engine. Turning a dial does not program a sophisticated computer, you are simply increasing or decreasing tune levels by adding more or less resistance to the signal. This method is very old fashion and is not true digital tuning. Our Diesel Performance Modules use true mapped fuel correction points that are programmed into the hardware so the CPU runs the new tune program.