Tazer JL Mini Programming - One Guy's Experience/Review

[Red Willy]

the Tazer instructions also get updated as the unit does. I've used it for the past 3 years on two different Jeeps, one diesel, and it has worked great. The biggest thing I've found to cause problems is if you don't go through 2 key cycles after reprograming. Oh yeah, for the manual, here you go...

Sponsored

 

[swavescatter]

Thanks for posting OP. The more information out there, the better for the community.

Unfortunately, it seems like this is a case of "beggars can't be choosers" for Jeep programming. I'm used to using Forscan and am getting ready to jump in JSCAN, but have my eye on the Tazer. Not sure I really need it at this point...

 

[Roky]

I’m late to the party here, but I just now finished reading the original post (started reading yesterday) ….? …… all I got to say is that I’m not the sharpest tool in the shed, so if I can understand it anyone can…….you tech guys just need to simplify your thinking a little……..not rocket science, quit trying to treat it as such……

 

[aldo98229]

Geez, is there a Digest version...?!?

I found there are two types of people in this world: those who read instructions and those who don’t.

I am one of those who don’t read instructions. I believe that life’s too short; I prefer to go through it exploring and figuring things on my own by trial-and-error. To the point that I didn’t even know that Tazer had a manual, let alone that it had fifteen pages!

In any event, I got a Tazer 30 months ago: I figured out how to do a certain number of commands...without even knowing that a manual existed.

Do I know how to do every single command on Tazer? No. Do I need to know how to do every single command on Tazer. Hell no.

BTW, Youtube is a godsend for guys like me. I learned to use my Tazer two-minute videos at a time.

BTW - OP, did you work for SAP? God a HATED using that garbage...

 

[aldo98229]

PS - when I worked in the corporate world I used to have one simple rule-of-thumb with my team: if you send me an email that I can’t fit all of it on my screen, I will delete it without even reading it. We are all too busy to be writing and reading entire telenovelas.

 

[Tncdrew]

PS - when I worked in the corporate world I used to have a simple rule-of-thumb with my team: if you send me an email that I can’t fit all of it on my screen, I will delete it without even reading it. We are all too busy to be writing and reading entire telenovelas.

??

 

[RubiSc0tt]

I installed my Tazer JL Lite when I was off shift last week. I followed the manual step by step. I haven't had any issues once I got the hang of the control/ navigation patterns- but I am technically inclined (IT, industrial preventative maintenance, and QA/ Data Analysis), So I'm used to reading stuff and trying to figure it out on my own. It's also very similar to accessing EVIC settings on my 06 Charger- Which you had to move the steering wheel to change some options. Pain in the ass, that was...

I think OP has a few legit points. The manual could use a little reworking. The layout is a bit busy, and I think some of the stuff should be broken out into separate bullet points, but that may just be my own preference.

Also: This is the first I'm hearing about the manual transmission/ shifting into 6th gear issue. Good thing my gears aren't tall enough to use 6th

Also: Pro tip- if you don't like having pieces of paper hanging around everywhere and will inevitably get lost/ damaged, you can download a PDF copy of the manual to your phone and save it locally to your files, or even the cloud (if you have cloud storage) and you'll have access to it. I'll probably add a cheat sheet of control combos for commands to a notes file on my phone, eventually.

 

[RAMSTEEL]

I tapped out of the Tazer world last year. Sorry, I'm in the IT field and find that device problematic. It's not complicated, the manual is easy enough to understand but way too many cycles to apply something or it just doesn't take.

JScan and AlfaOBD are super easy to use, offer way more functionality and the only benefit to the Tazer is the "live" functions like remembering auto start/stop. I can defeat that in other ways. I've experienced odd results with the Tazer and it wasn't due to fat fingering or solar flares, it just got wonky.

I'm sure it's a wonderful product for most but consumers are allowed to voice concerns without being blamed or schooled on reading a manual. Also not a fan of having something left in place or "married" to the jeep. Just my preference.

JScan or AlfaOBD just makes the change with a confirmation and you're done. Not one issue thus far with either product.

 

[Chocolate Thunder]

I think this is a great noob guide to the good/bad/confusing as heck about Tazer. I echo a lot of the head-scratching sentiment as the OP. However overall it’s a great tool with a lot of versatility that’s a little hobbled by the clunky and slightly buggy interface. He made some great points - you’ll need to read and thoroughly understand the manual even though it can be confusing even for smart people. You need to allow more time than you think to make a “quick” change because of the need for doing the reboot/sleep cycles. You need to be prepared for it to take a dump and do weird things occasionally and spend more time rebooting/sleep cycling. You need to be aware that it must be unmarried and remarried prior to and after each dealership visit. You need to buy the SGW cable for the sake of practicality in installing and uninstalling it unless you love backaches and scraping the skin off of your hands.

 

[bjm00se]

the Tazer instructions also get updated as the unit does. I've used it for the past 3 years on two different Jeeps, one diesel, and it has worked great. The biggest thing I've found to cause problems is if you don't go through 2 key cycles after reprograming. Oh yeah, for the manual, here you go...

I'm aware of that sheet. I read and followed it multiple times.

Please tell me which instruction number tells you that you may also need to disconnect the battery for 30 minutes to finish getting the Jeep to accept the new settings?

 

[bjm00se]

BTW - OP, did you work for SAP? God a HATED using that garbage...

No, but LOL. ?

 

[bjm00se]

PS - when I worked in the corporate world I used to have one simple rule-of-thumb with my team: if you send me an email that I can’t fit all of it on my screen, I will delete it without even reading it. We are all too busy to be writing and reading entire telenovelas.

Ultimately, I think that's the disconnect here. I like to express myself in writing. I like to read, and I enjoy the written word. Conversely, I generally can't *stand* chatty youtube VLOG videos. If there's info I want in a youtube, I often have to play it at between 1.5x to be able to get through it.

Many folks read this forum on mobile devices, and expect short "twitter length" contributions.

And I still put two spaces after the period. Ha.

We are all too busy to be writing and reading entire telenovelas.

If you're legit busy, what the hell are you doing on JLWranglerForum?

 

[aldo98229]

If you're legit busy, what the hell are you doing on JLWranglerForum?

If you really care, I’m semi retired now.

 

[bjm00se]

JLWranglerForum can be a tough crowd. That's OK, I've got a thick skin. Still, I feel a little as if I let slip that I don't actually hate Nickelback. ?

 

[acomputernerd]

I followed those instructions multiple times, as did the shop that installed my gears and tires. Finally, on this forum, I connected with a couple other owners of 6 speed JLs. They both confirmed that for the new size to fully be accepted, an additional step, not listed in the manual, needed to be performed - disconnect the battery for 30 minutes to reset the computer. (I won't describe those steps here. Suffice to say that simply disconnecting the black negative terminal on the main battery is NOT sufficient.)

THAT was the magic incantation to get ESS working again with the new tire size.


SO TRUE. I have asked them multiple times to add this to the instructions. When I downsize the tires is when I see it happen the most. I am old blonde and forgetful and by the time they respond I remember to pull both the batteries. I only learned of said instruction after I submitted a support ticket.
I also do not think this quirkiness is the Tazer as much as its Jeep programming.

Sponsored