Was at the Ford dealer all day today. These local guys were great, in the service department they inspected my car for a need for CPU updates and found that the computer needed some of the TSBs that Ford had put out and they got them from the internet. They erased my CPU and reflashed it with a entirely different CPU number and program. I attempted to reflash the computer with my X-calibrator and again was given an "unlock failure code." :bang: After some time with SCT on the phone we arrived at the conclusion that my CPU must be evaluated by an SCT tech (Dave). Tonight I will be pulling out my computer and packaging it for overnight shipping tomorrow. My car will be down for 3 days and I figure this is an opportunity to put on my headers/h-pipe/engine mounts.

P.S. For those of you interested a new CPU from Ford is roughly $600.00 with a $100.00 core charge. :shock: So you can imagine my worry about mailing it, hope insurance can cover this if it is lost or damaged.

 

Eeek! I sure wouldn't like the sound of that!

 

What make's SCT seem to think there's a problem with your CPU, as apposed to thier tuner? Just curious?

 

Had you already flashed it with the SCT prior to the dealer service check and dealer reflash? If so, that could be the problem. If the SCT reflasher is like others on the market (e.g. AccessPORT), it "marries" itself to the computer when you perform the reflash. Before doing any type of other reflash to the computer (such as a dealer reflash), you have to completely revert back to stock otherwise the reflasher won't recognize your computer.

 

Stop by a computer place and see if they have an ESD (electro static discarge) bag to put the CPU in. You never know how sensitive the unit might be. Then put it in a box it just fits in then wrap that box in some bubble wrap and put it in another box. It' will be worth the little extra cash.

 

Sounds like SCT is not very trusting. Pretty lame actually - it looks as though they are 'checking up' on your story.

sad.

 

Hi,

You mention TSB's for your computer, please pass those on if you have them handy. On the same topic is there a place we can look up all FSB's for Mustangs?

Thanks,
Jim

 

thats why im having a professional do my sct. just go get it checked out by a pro!! :nono:

 

I had attempted to flash the computer several times prior to going to Ford but each time I was unable to because the X-calibrator could not "unlock" my CPU so my car has never been tuned and Ford confirmed when they checked my car yesterday for free. SCT has ran out of ideas about what could possibly be the problem with the flash. They have sent me another X-calibrator, it did the same thing, the original retailer sent me other tunes (about 5 different ones) and this was still not the answer. Even Ford had trouble unlocking the computer when they reassigned a new number to it but I think they would be reluctant to exchange a processor that was performing to factory specs under warranty. If you are interested in TSBs then you should go by your Ford dealer and they can "update" your computer with what Ford has identified as problems like rough idle and slow return to idle after depressing the accelerator. Ford did not charge me for this update or even to diagnose my car, I am not personal freinds with them either, not sure how your dealer might handle this. :scratch:

 

We need to ask super chip some questions like if the dealer changes the computer will the chip still work as it marries that computer. Should we always change back to the stock tune before going to the dealer? Will doing this prevent this problem? How long before SC will return your box? A man without his PONY is in pain. I know this first person.
I plan to have my SCT done with a dealer that has a dyno to work out the tune for MY engine. I don’t like the idea of a generic tune. I feel if you are going to spend the $$$$ you should do it correctly and have it dyno tuned. What do you think? Weigh in on this. No non owners or want to Bs please.

 

We need to ask super chip some questions like if the dealer changes the computer will the chip still work as it marries that computer. Should we always change back to the stock tune before going to the dealer? Will doing this prevent this problem? How long before SC will return your box? A man without his PONY is in pain. I know this first person.
I plan to have my SCT done with a dealer that has a dyno to work out the tune for MY engine. I don’t like the idea of a generic tune. I feel if you are going to spend the $$$$ you should do it correctly and have it dyno tuned. What do you think? Weigh in on this. No non owners or want to Bs please.
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I discussed these questions with Ford and found that you should probably put your stock tune back on before each return trip to Ford. If you want them to not be able to "see" that you have tuned the vehicle then leave your battery unplugged for at least 20 minutes as this will erase the memory of the computer that logs codes and check engine lights. There will be some info left on your computer but it will show up as a ROM code and means nothing to the dealer.

When you flash the factory tune back to your car the X-calibrator is available to tune another computer so I am told by SCT. If you have 2 05 Stangs you can program both as long as they are the same CPU code but you will only be able to tune one at a time.

SCT will have my CPU tomorrow at 10:30 a.m. as I have overnighted it tonight. They informed me they will unlock it, tune it, and overnight it the same day and I should have it back by Friday with the ability to reflash new tunes as it should have been originally.

SCT or any dealer that gives you a "generic" tune is a starting point and should be modified by buying a block of time with a dyno, not just 3 pulls. It has been my experience that tuning a car with a computer takes no less than 3 baseline pulls followed by at least 2 hours of purchased time with the dyno and operator that can involve up to 20 pulls per hour. B)

 

OK, a big question for SCT is how many reflashes can the computer take.

Typically, there are a limited number of times you can reflash before the ECU loses capacity to store data. With the WRX, for example, the ECU can only take 100 reflashes (although some have gone up to 120 or so with workable results).

It really isn't an issue unless you are doing mods and follow up tuning every weekend, but it is still something I'd like to find out about for the Mustang computer.

:scratch:

 

I will ask them tomorrow and let you know, I plan on doing several re-flashes myself. :scratch: