I read in a previous post that you can not run the microtuner in weather lower than 32 degrees F. Did I read this correct? Have I done any damage running the performace setting up here in Michigan for the last couple months? Almost every day the last few months have been below 32. Did anyone know about this?

 

I believe I read on the Superchips site that they recommended not storing the micro tuner in a place where the temperature would fall below 32 or 35 degrees, because it may become damaged. But that's all I know about.

 

mta, the bigblackford was right on!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

The post you were talking about said not to use microtuner if it has been stored below freezing like under your back seat all night up there in Mich. and then plug it in and try to reprogram your chip. Like any electronics they should left to warm-up slowly to avoid any condensation build up inside before they are energized. LCD's (like the display on your microtuner) don't work well below freezing. Electron's (like us move slow when it's cold)

T-man

 

Hi mta1221,

As others have already been kind enough to respond (thanks guys!), it's simply an issue of it not being a good idea to flash the PCM at temperatures of freezing or below - make sure it's at least 33 degrees F outside when you flash the PCM with the Micro Tuner, and that the Micro Tuner itself isn't that cold, either.

If you try doing that when it's colder outside (especially when the Micro Tuner itself is at freezing or below temps, usually what happens is that nothing gets hurt (usually, mind you - that's not a 100% guarantee!), but you just can't flash the PCM - it will allow you to read codes, but if you try to actually flash the PCM, it usually wont' do it.

It is potentially possible to damage the Micro Tuner by storing it at temps below freezing, so in wintertime we advise leaving it in the house, not in the truck unless it's in a heated garage, etc.

Of course the vehicle's PCM has to be able to operate and run the vehicle at temps of 50 below zero, etc. - but you just don't want to *flash* it at freezing or below temps.

In other words, don't let the Micro Tuner get to 32 degrees F or below without allowing it plenty of time to warm up thoroughly (and slowly!) before using it - just as it mentioned in the installation manual for the Micro Tuner.

Good luck!

 

The display can get funky at low temps, as do alot of other LCD screens.

 

I totally agree,
I had tried to flash my computer when the outside temp was in the 20's and I could read the codes, but when I tried to tune it, it would just keep resetting itself. Even the tuner itself was stored inside at room temperature.
I went back out a couple weeks later when the outside temp was in the 40's and it tuned with no prob!

Jason

 

Well said, Jason - that's an important point for everyone to remember - both the PCM *and* the Micro Tuner have to be at above-freezing temperatures to safely flash the PCM. Having either one of them at freezing or below will stop the process.

Trying it at freezing or below usually results in the Micro Tuner just locking up and not proceeding - bit in rare cases, that can actually damage the Micro Tuner or the PCM, which is why the warning about that is in the Micro Tuner's manual.

Thanks for your post, Jason!