Harman 52i-TC attempted software update now controller has no software and stove won't run

[driordan]

Hi there,

My Harman Accentra 52i-TC was running fine, despite some rattles here and there. It was however seeming to take a long time to shut down after the flame went out - combusion fan would sometimes continue to run for what seemed like hours. So I came the software update on the product page, and the documentation said there was a software update (2024-04-15) and it stated that one of the improvements was faster ignition and shut down, and something else that sounded like it would help preserve the auger motor. So I grabbed my USB flash drive that came with the stove, downloaded the new software, and followed the instructions to a tee.

It seemed like it completed, per the description in the directions, and I was presented with a Select Language screen. To confirm I went the Software Version Info screen (Diagnostic page 5/6) were listed and the software version for the "Controller" is now 0.00.00 whereas some of the other versions are 25.04.15 (reflective of the supposed update; see below). Then I noticed the combustion fan just runs non-stop now when the stove is plugged in - on or off. The stove also won't attempt ignition. On the main Burn Mode screen there are not readouts - 0 RPM for the fans, no temp for the igniter coil, no temp for ESP, no feed rate. Upon going to the test screen, trying to test the various Combustion Fan modes (Off, Max, Full) there is no response, no response to test the Room Fan either.

The instructions said if you have a power failure or for some reason the update fails, then an alternate way to flash the update is listed: power off and unplug the stove, plug in a different USB flash drive with the software update on it, and plug it in. I did this, and this time I noticed some more details I didn't really read when the progress statements were running across the screen in the yellow text on the black background. Namely the following sequence of statement (see attached video - not sure if that works):

Control Board 3-20-05372 Detected
Control Board Not Reporting Version
Controller Firmware Image Good
Controller/Touch Firmware Mismatch
Writing Controller Firmware
.............
Controller Firmware Write Failed
.............

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It seems now I have a totally non-functional stove as a result of this attempted software update, for which I followed the instructions completely. Stove is outside of the electronics component warranty (2 years), and I'm worried I'm going to be told that the control board/logic board is bricked now.

Has anyone experienced this issue?


I cannot find any older firmware versions to download and try. Prior to the update the Easy Touch Control sofware was running 22.03.01 for everything (below). It was installed on 12/27/2022 and had never had any software updates.

I'm quite frustrated that there's no tech support from Hearth & Home Technologies (Harman) and they just kick you to the dealer. My dealer has a track record of claiming they install a lot of this particular model, but then not seeming to know much about them. For instance the technician didn't know that the nut holding the combustion fan blade to the combustion fan motor shaft was reverse threaded when I asked them to replace a combustion fan motor that was making an irritating high pitched noise in the first couple months of owning. I'm waiting to speak to their sales guy and technician but I am not expecting they will know what to do besides throw parts at it (i.e. a new control board).

 

[ARC]

I read where you are suppose to put zip file directly on usb and then some where else I read it needs to be inside a folder. confusing

• MAKE SURE THAT THE FIRMWARE UPDATE .ZIP IS EXTRACTED INTO IN A FOLDER ON THE USB NAMED "HarmanFW", EXTRACTED FILES OUTSIDE OF THE FOLDER WILL CAUSE A LOADING ERROR.

 

[driordan]

I read where you are suppose to put zip file directly on usb and then some where else I read it needs to be inside a folder. confusing

• MAKE SURE THAT THE FIRMWARE UPDATE .ZIP IS EXTRACTED INTO IN A FOLDER ON THE USB NAMED "HarmanFW", EXTRACTED FILES OUTSIDE OF THE FOLDER WILL CAUSE A LOADING ERROR.

Yes, I did that. Like I said I followed the instructions closely. There was nothing on the USB drive besides a folder entitled "HarmanFW" containing the contents of the "HarmanFW.zip" downloaded from Harman's website. I formatted them all to FAT32 before, as directed in the instructions. The other components did successfully have software updated but the controller had the software erased, apparently, and now it won't write it. My controller board is version: 3-20-05372AE. The "What's new document" for software version 2024.04.15 says compatibility was added for "3-20-05372". If the board is was damaged by the software update, I am out of the electronics warranty period and a new board is $430. Convenient that Harman would decide to make software updates that corrupt and brick their control boards.

The updated has been tried with 3 USB drives including the one Harman provided. I have tried when plugged into a surge protector (as it always has been) and without. I can see a red light flashing on the controller board but I haven't pulled the unit out yet and I don't think the owners manual has any instruction on how to interpret diagnostic codes.

I'm wondering if there are multiple revisions to the controller board and the 3-20-05372AE revision is somehow not a stated match for the software update, and the update process wiped the old controller software but then couldn't write the new one because it has "AE" in the version. No way to test this unless I can find one of the older software versions (the 22.03.01 that came loaded on it, or the other update they put out and I never did: version 23.02.14.

 

[Tonyray]

I use a Harman but it's an older analog model P61A...
11yrs old and used 24/7 most of winter..
if and when I ever need to replace it will be another non digital analog model.
so we don't have to go thru the above but i hope u find the fix,,,