How to tell if your tune is locked

Not every tune that misbehaves in NSP is locked, and not every lock is obvious. Here is how to tell whether your Haltech Nexus or Elite tune is password protected, and how much of it.

Signs your tune is password protected

• NSP asks for a password when you open the .nexmap or try to connect to the ECU.
• Some sections can't be opened or edited — commonly sensors, fuel tuning or ignition tuning — while the rest of the tune is accessible.
• Tables or settings are hidden or read-only even though you're running a compatible version of NSP.

Full lock vs partial lock

Tuners can protect a whole tune or only parts of it. A full lock stops you working with the calibration at all without the password. A partial lock leaves most of the file open but protects specific areas — often the fuel and ignition maps that represent most of the tuner's work.

Either way, the protection lives in the .nexmap file itself, which is why the fix is to work on the file rather than the ECU.

It might not be a lock

Before assuming a password is the problem, rule out the usual suspects:

• Software version — an older NSP install may not open a file saved by a newer one. Update NSP first.
• Wrong file type — make sure you have the .nexmap tune file, not a log or an export from another tool.
• Damaged file — a file that was cut short when copying or emailing may fail to open for reasons that have nothing to do with a password.

Check yours for free

Upload your .nexmap on our home page. We read the file on the spot and tell you whether it's locked — and if it isn't, there's nothing to pay. If it is, we show you your engine setup as proof before you decide to unlock it.

More guides: Bought a car with a locked tune? · Your tuner won't give you the password