Not bitching or complaining here. The tuner has done everything that was advertised and I'm happy with it.

I've gotten to use the tuner twice now. Once to tune the truck to the 87 program and the second was to read the diagnostic codes. Two things came up while using it.

First, the documentation is really good and I did read the booklet cover/cover BEFORE I tried out the tuner. The only thing I found was on page 3 where the sample fuse boxes are shown. I have a 2001 F-150 and my box is identical to what is labeled as "Figure 7 Typical Fuse Arrangement 1996 Explorer Fuse #3, 20 Amp". It should have been labeled like figure 3 which is labeled "2000-2001 F150 Fuse #9, 20 Amp". However, the correct fuse was #10 not #9 as figure 3 label says. Are the figures mis-labeled? I ended up referring to my owners manual to verify the correct fuse. I think Mike even commented in another thread some time ago about checking the owners manual if any question arose.

Second item concerns the diagnostic side of the tuner. I followed each step very carefully and successfully read out the P1000 code. Yeah, I know, the "Monitor Checks not Complete" code. My problem came after the clearing or not clearing the codes step. How do I safely exit and disconnect? According to the book (and the tuner did it) I go back to the 'A=Tuning B=Diagnostic' page. Hence I'm in a continous loop. Do I go through the tuning side and just not do a re-program to get out? The book doesn't say. I chose to turn off the ignition and disconnect at the A or B page and that was probably the wrong thing to do, but I didn't know what else to choose at that point.

Again I want to stress that I am very happy with the tuner and I am NOT attacking Mike or the Superchips people. I am simply trying to pass on what I have observed constructively.

Russ

 

I was just going to post the fuse thing. The pics are wrong and my 2001 Screw is fuse 10 for fuel pump not 9 as noted.

 

I also think that "Fuel System" designation in the instructions should be changed to "Fuel Pump". Maybe I'm an idiot, but I pulled the fuel pump fuse and the fuel pump relay fuse (hey, part of the "Fuel System", no? Wanted to be certain I wouldn't damage anything since the warnings are clear.
Anyway, turns out the fuel pump relay fuse is also the fuse for the PCM. Which is why my tuner couldn't establish communications.
Maybe I'm the only one with the "senior" moment?

 

Hi rksylves,

Good comments - and this is not new with the updated 1715 by the way, this issue of some of the 1999 & newer fuse boxes (actually, the Power Distribution Box) under the hood being different is something that was always mentioned right up front in the last manual for the previous generation 1715 Micro Tuners - in fact, it specifically instructed to double-check your vehicle's owners manual to confirm the correct fuse for the fuel pump, which is usually the #10 fuse but can also be the #9 on some of these vehicles - we've seen it both ways.


In most of the 1999 & up trucks, the fuel pump fuse is #10 in the PDB under the hood, on the driver's inner fender - but there are some vehicles in which it *is* the #9 fuse instead - and you can thank *Ford* for that, not Superchips. In fact, we've seen numerous instances where the fuse layout embossed into the bottom of the lid for the PDB are also wrong right from the factory, and differ from the owner's manual. This is one of several reasons why we say to always double-check the vehicle's owner manual for the correct fuse to the fuel pump, especially in the 1999 & newer vehicles.

I don't know if they explain that in the new manual with the updated 1715 units (I haven't read every word yet) like they used to, but they always did before. In the installation manual for the previous generation of the 1715, they pointed out the fact that the pictures may not agree with your vehicle - that was stated from Day 1 in the original 1715 Micro Tuner docs, as anyone with the previous generation 1715 will see in their manuals. I haven't specifically looked to see if that is also in the new manuals or not, so I guess I should take a look.

Thanks for your comments, & enjoy your Micro Tuner!

 

I kind of figured that verifying with the owners manual was the right track to follow. Expecting the manual that comes with the tuner to cover ALL possible variations and styles of PDB's in one or two pages would be a bit much.

I'm actually more interested in my second question above. Where do I safely exit/disconnect during a diagnostic read? I am very nervous to try it again just in case I was lucky the first time in not hurting the tuner or computer by disconnecting when I did.

Russ

 

I think the Microtuner manual should be fixed. They are opening themselves up for warranty claims that they cannot deny regardless of what their disclaimer says. If I were to remove the fuse they tell me to and damage my engine they would be responsible. All I have to do is show the lawyers the manual. Luckily I remembered a thread on this from a while back where everyone said the fuse is 10 not 9. I verified it in my manual and also by the fact that 9 is 15 amp and the pump uses 20 amps.

 

Linetest:

You are not the only one who thinks they should change it to "fuel pump". I took out the fuse for fuel pump relay also. I even took the stupidity farther and called mike to figure out why i couldnt establish communications. I figured it out once i read what else the fuse disables.

 

That's the right track to follow, get the lawyers involved. Watch how fast Mike stops posting once that sort of thing gets started. I'm of the opinion that Mike posting here is a rare and wonderful resource that I would hate to see come to an end. Saying words like "-opening themselves up for warranty claims" and "All I have to do is show the lawyers the manual" just might be enough to do it.


Now for the disclaimer (read really fast and in a really quiet voice).

All correspondence submitted by myself are given as opinons by the same and are not to be construed as fact, admission of supposition or direction for or to the general public. No warranty is expressed or implied by any of my lunatic ramblings. Void where prohibited. Pat. Pending. No part of this transmission may be re-produced without the expressed, written consent of the commissioner of baseball and congress.

 

Hi Russ,

Sorry about that, I completely missed your *real* question there - oops!

You can disconnect after reading and/or clearing the codes - when it's done, it goes back to the screen that says A=Tune Vehicle, B=Diagnostics. At that point you can shut off the ignition & disconnect the unit.

By the way, your last post cracked me up - thanks. I love the disclaimer read quickly in a low voice - absolutely *classic*!

 

My post was not directed at Mike or anyone for that matter. Mike has been nothing but helpful on here and the other site. Superchips is the one that needs to fix their manual. I am happy with my purchase, you misunderstood the point of the post.

 

Hi Norm,

I know you weren't attacking me, no problem!

In fact, your posts here are normally like mine, trying to help others & provide helpful information, etc. I did feel that one post was a bit over the top, but just figured you maybe had a bad day, etc. - like we all do sometimes. Life is far too short to sweat the small stuff Norm, & your help and participation here is greatly appreciated.

I have to say that the other gentleman's post about the disclaimer read quickly and in a low voice cracked me up, as that is just how a lot of commercials for automobiles & home loans, etc. are done - and that's always been a pet peeve of mine, as it's obvious to anyone with a brain that nobody can ever understand those disclaimers - especially when read quickly in a low voice over a radio or TV commercial - so when I read that post, I couldn't help but crack up laughing, as I literally heard that being read in my mind, as I read the post - very funny.

Hang in there Norm, & talk to you soon!

 

Wasn't trying to tear into you specifically Norm, I got your point and in fact I agree with you. Sometimes forums can turn ugly really fast once the tone turns. I just wanted to stop that turn and I guess I went a tad too far. I apologize.

I agree that it would be nice if Superchips could either update their examples or replace them with some words about referring to the owners manual for the specifics. I don't know if anyone from Superchips reads these forums but I thought it would be a good place to start.

 

Its all good! No offense taken and none intended. I just thought it was ironic that they have warnings in little boxes about how they will not cover certain failures yet their instructions to "prevent" those failures are wrong. I could have worded my post differently I guess. Hindsight is 20/20 eh?