Important!! ALL X-calibrator Owners Please Read..
Mach 1 Member
Joined: November 3, 2005
Posts: 566
Likes: 0
From: Cary, NC
Doug,
This may be a dumb question, but does the "read strategy" procedure you reccomend have to be done when the unit is brand new, I.E. before a tune is initailly uploaded while all the stock parameters are still in the PCM? I've had my tune for a couple of months now (with no service work done). Will I still be able to read the proper strategy code for future reference?
This may be a dumb question, but does the "read strategy" procedure you reccomend have to be done when the unit is brand new, I.E. before a tune is initailly uploaded while all the stock parameters are still in the PCM? I've had my tune for a couple of months now (with no service work done). Will I still be able to read the proper strategy code for future reference?
Cobra R Member
Joined: July 21, 2005
Posts: 1,538
Likes: 0
Should we not hang a tag on our car to the dealership......DO NOT TUNE or update my tune?
My stuff is so modified, I won't consider going to ford for warranty work.
BTW, Doug has worked with me every time I have had a tune problem or conflict.
My stuff is so modified, I won't consider going to ford for warranty work.
BTW, Doug has worked with me every time I have had a tune problem or conflict.
Member
Joined: August 22, 2006
Posts: 25
Likes: 0
This may be a silly question… If a Ford dealership changes the strategy, shouldn’t they put a new calibration sticker on the computer module? This would give some indication that the program has been changed. I guess one could always ask…
Former Vendor
Joined: January 13, 2006
Posts: 1,030
Likes: 0
Hey guys, and gals....
This issue has come up a few times and I feel I need to make a post about it to help. Please feel free to pass this along to ANY forum you may post on that may have a 05-up Mustang both GT and V6..
I've had a few customers that even when they returned their vehicles to stock and went to the dealer and the dealer reflashed or updated their calibrations. When they got home they reloaded the tune into their vehicle and it wouldn't start. Also, when they tried to return the vehicle to stock it wouldn't start.
Explaination....
When the dealer updated their computer it then changed the Calibration code inside the PCM. Unlike 04 and earlier models the X-calibrator didn't see this as a new vehicle and simply deleted the tune that the dealer installed and wrote the old program on the PCM. This old tune doesn't have the same settings and this causes the car not to start, to put it in simple terms.
Now for the bad part, being that it deleted the tune file that the dealer has installed it wont start. Returning the vehicle to stock doesn't work either because all you are doing is returning it to the factory program from the intial tune.
In other words, the dealer would have to reflash the new code into the PCM again.
Now, Prevention.....
The first thing you need to do when you get your X-calibrator in is to goto " Read DTC menu" and then scroll down to " Read Strategy" and read this information from your car. Then write this down somewhere secure, like inside the X-calibrator box.
Then, if you have to take your car in for service first check your strategy by doing the above after returning it to stock. Take it in for service and when you get the car back BEFORE uploading a tune Read the strategy again and compare it to the one you had before taking it in for service.
If they match then simply install the tunes and drive away happy.
If they do not match then DO NOT install the tuner but rather contact your SCT dealer and give them the new Strategy code and get some new tunes for your new code.
Every dealer CAN email these to you, not every dealer WILL email these to you.
On 05's I've not had any problems with this because the main codes for the 05's haven't truly been updated. This has truly began with the 06's.
Below are a few Strategy codes and the Calibration codes for which they stand for.....
Strategy = Calibration
FBNF1G3 = TJF1
FBNE0G5 = GYX1
FBLF152 = VDX1
FBLF1G2 = SRV0 Which is the one that VDX1 updates to.
Just let me know if you have any questions or if I can be of any help. Like I said please pass this along to any forums you know, this information can help alot of people.
Thanks, Doug
This issue has come up a few times and I feel I need to make a post about it to help. Please feel free to pass this along to ANY forum you may post on that may have a 05-up Mustang both GT and V6..
I've had a few customers that even when they returned their vehicles to stock and went to the dealer and the dealer reflashed or updated their calibrations. When they got home they reloaded the tune into their vehicle and it wouldn't start. Also, when they tried to return the vehicle to stock it wouldn't start.
Explaination....
When the dealer updated their computer it then changed the Calibration code inside the PCM. Unlike 04 and earlier models the X-calibrator didn't see this as a new vehicle and simply deleted the tune that the dealer installed and wrote the old program on the PCM. This old tune doesn't have the same settings and this causes the car not to start, to put it in simple terms.
Now for the bad part, being that it deleted the tune file that the dealer has installed it wont start. Returning the vehicle to stock doesn't work either because all you are doing is returning it to the factory program from the intial tune.
In other words, the dealer would have to reflash the new code into the PCM again.
Now, Prevention.....
The first thing you need to do when you get your X-calibrator in is to goto " Read DTC menu" and then scroll down to " Read Strategy" and read this information from your car. Then write this down somewhere secure, like inside the X-calibrator box.
Then, if you have to take your car in for service first check your strategy by doing the above after returning it to stock. Take it in for service and when you get the car back BEFORE uploading a tune Read the strategy again and compare it to the one you had before taking it in for service.
If they match then simply install the tunes and drive away happy.
If they do not match then DO NOT install the tuner but rather contact your SCT dealer and give them the new Strategy code and get some new tunes for your new code.
Every dealer CAN email these to you, not every dealer WILL email these to you.
On 05's I've not had any problems with this because the main codes for the 05's haven't truly been updated. This has truly began with the 06's.
Below are a few Strategy codes and the Calibration codes for which they stand for.....
Strategy = Calibration
FBNF1G3 = TJF1
FBNE0G5 = GYX1
FBLF152 = VDX1
FBLF1G2 = SRV0 Which is the one that VDX1 updates to.
Just let me know if you have any questions or if I can be of any help. Like I said please pass this along to any forums you know, this information can help alot of people.
Thanks, Doug
Thread Starter
Legacy TMS Member
Joined: July 28, 2004
Posts: 848
Likes: 0
Doug,
This may be a dumb question, but does the "read strategy" procedure you reccomend have to be done when the unit is brand new, I.E. before a tune is initailly uploaded while all the stock parameters are still in the PCM? I've had my tune for a couple of months now (with no service work done). Will I still be able to read the proper strategy code for future reference?
This may be a dumb question, but does the "read strategy" procedure you reccomend have to be done when the unit is brand new, I.E. before a tune is initailly uploaded while all the stock parameters are still in the PCM? I've had my tune for a couple of months now (with no service work done). Will I still be able to read the proper strategy code for future reference?
Yes, the " Changes to" means the code that it will change to with the Ford update. Actually this information is available publically at www.Motorcraft.com and then goto the tech info and then latest calibration information. Yes, its for ALL fords so there's quite a bit to go through.
The Strategy Read will work at anytime as well as on any Ford. You can even use someone elses X-cal to read the strategy if need be. This is one of the generic functions from the X-calibrator.
As for the sticker, they are supposed to!! They used to do a small sticker in the engine bay giving updated information. Nowadays Ford doesn't pay enough to take the time, in the dealer's defense, but truly they should do it. I'll try and update the calibrations some more on the first post too.
Can we get this thread as a sticky please??
GT Member
Joined: January 23, 2007
Posts: 114
Likes: 0
Hi everyone. great site i'm learning a lot about my car.
I purchased on ebay a steeda cold air intake with xcal tunner. can i just install these and go i belive it has two tunes installed 1 for 87 the other for 93. it came from a 5spd man 05 mine is an 06 5spd man. i'm getting a little nervios now reading how people cars wont start due to a tune. also is it hard to do or use. thanks for your help. Saverio
I purchased on ebay a steeda cold air intake with xcal tunner. can i just install these and go i belive it has two tunes installed 1 for 87 the other for 93. it came from a 5spd man 05 mine is an 06 5spd man. i'm getting a little nervios now reading how people cars wont start due to a tune. also is it hard to do or use. thanks for your help. Saverio
Bullitt Member
Joined: August 6, 2006
Posts: 451
Likes: 0
Hi everyone. great site i'm learning a lot about my car.
I purchased on ebay a steeda cold air intake with xcal tunner. can i just install these and go i belive it has two tunes installed 1 for 87 the other for 93. it came from a 5spd man 05 mine is an 06 5spd man. i'm getting a little nervios now reading how people cars wont start due to a tune. also is it hard to do or use. thanks for your help. Saverio
I purchased on ebay a steeda cold air intake with xcal tunner. can i just install these and go i belive it has two tunes installed 1 for 87 the other for 93. it came from a 5spd man 05 mine is an 06 5spd man. i'm getting a little nervios now reading how people cars wont start due to a tune. also is it hard to do or use. thanks for your help. Saverio
You'll get a response in other related threads.BTW, guys, TacoBill included this info in his sticky.
Bullitt Member
Joined: April 11, 2006
Posts: 428
Likes: 1
From: South Austin Texas
Hi everyone. great site i'm learning a lot about my car.
I purchased on ebay a steeda cold air intake with xcal tunner. can i just install these and go i belive it has two tunes installed 1 for 87 the other for 93. it came from a 5spd man 05 mine is an 06 5spd man. i'm getting a little nervios now reading how people cars wont start due to a tune. also is it hard to do or use. thanks for your help. Saverio
I purchased on ebay a steeda cold air intake with xcal tunner. can i just install these and go i belive it has two tunes installed 1 for 87 the other for 93. it came from a 5spd man 05 mine is an 06 5spd man. i'm getting a little nervios now reading how people cars wont start due to a tune. also is it hard to do or use. thanks for your help. Saverio
Do not load some other cars tune in yours!!!!
You will be asking for BIG trouble.
Hope this explains a little.
And please Mr. Moderator , lock the thread.
Great info, thanks.
