Superchip Calibration
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Joined: Nov 2000
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From: MI, USA
Superchip Calibration
Mike,
My truck has been having trouble at idle. I have found other threads describing my exact same problem. With a warm engine in the cold weather, after coming to a stop, with the truck in nuetral (5spd), engine RPM will drop to below 500 then up to ~1000 and back down to 750. Sounds like an Idle air control valve problem to me. The dealer says there is nothing worng. They suggested that since the intake and exhaust have been modified, it may be more sensitive to loads at idle. Does superchips calibrate thir programs based on aftermarket mods? Will your chip help?
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2000 XLT SC FS, 4.6/5-spd, 3.55 LS, 4X4 Off-Road, Black w/ Silver 2-tone. Pro-chamber Cat-back exhaust w/dual 3.5" chrome slash cut tips, K&N Filter, AutoMate alarm w/keyless entry & pwr window control, Air Horns, Bugflector, Cowl cover, Window shades, Carbon fiber headlight covers.
My truck has been having trouble at idle. I have found other threads describing my exact same problem. With a warm engine in the cold weather, after coming to a stop, with the truck in nuetral (5spd), engine RPM will drop to below 500 then up to ~1000 and back down to 750. Sounds like an Idle air control valve problem to me. The dealer says there is nothing worng. They suggested that since the intake and exhaust have been modified, it may be more sensitive to loads at idle. Does superchips calibrate thir programs based on aftermarket mods? Will your chip help?
------------------
2000 XLT SC FS, 4.6/5-spd, 3.55 LS, 4X4 Off-Road, Black w/ Silver 2-tone. Pro-chamber Cat-back exhaust w/dual 3.5" chrome slash cut tips, K&N Filter, AutoMate alarm w/keyless entry & pwr window control, Air Horns, Bugflector, Cowl cover, Window shades, Carbon fiber headlight covers.
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Joined: Mar 1998
Posts: 13,385
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From: Virginia
Hi Throttljock,
I wouldn't expect the Superchip to fix that. We do get a lot of feedback from Superchip owners who comment on getting a smoother idle, but I wouldn't say that it's going to fix this situation.
I think the first thing to do (aside from testing your hunch that it's an IAC issue) is to double-check your K&N air filter and make sure it's not over-oiled, and check the cleanliness of your MAF (mass airflow meter) as well, paying particular attention to the hot-wire. If the K&N has too much oil on it, that can sometimes contribute to idle issues like this, by the oil migrating onto the wire in the MAF. To clean it, just disconnect the battery, and take a couple of Q -tips dipped in a little bit of running alcohol, and go over the wire gently.
This is not a problem that happens to most people when they do things like K&N air filters, Airaid kits, etc., as most people have no such issues with those kinds of mods, so I don't believe that this is an issue of increased load sensitivity, or we'd see it in the majority of cases where people use K&N's etc., and we don't. I could be wrong of course, but that's my hunch.
Since it's been to the dealer and they found no codes, that only means that whatever this is doesn't throw the check engine light, nothing more. It doesn' mean that "nothing is wrong". A lot of things can happen that give very noticeable symptoms and terrible driveability without ever throwing a check engine light, unfortunately. You can easily have a marginal or failing MAF, and not get a check engine light.
Unfortunately the way Ford has set their warranty reimbursement policies, they won't pay dealers to do any true "diagnostic" work, so if they can't find an error code telling them to replace a specific part when they scan your vehicle with their SBDS system, that's about where most of the stop. Unfortunately, it's very hard to find a true diagnostician at any dealership these days, as they won't tolerate the BS warranty reimbursement schedules.
It sounds like it's time for the truck to be seen by a driveability expert, if your hunch doesn't pan out regarding IAC.
If this is something that is happening often, or if you can re-create the problem, I would talk with your dealership and get them to agree to have a mechanic ride with you while you re-create the symptom, so the mechanic can see, hear, and feel it, so at least they'll know that there is in fact a real issue that continues.
You might also want to search through the TSB's, etc.
I wish I could be of more help,
------------------
Mike Troyer
Performance Products, Inc.
National Distributor of Superchips
(540) 862-9515
Email: mtroyer@compuserve.com
Performance Products F150Online Superchip ordering system: F150Online Superchip Ordering System
First National F-150 Online Rally Event Organizer
I wouldn't expect the Superchip to fix that. We do get a lot of feedback from Superchip owners who comment on getting a smoother idle, but I wouldn't say that it's going to fix this situation.
I think the first thing to do (aside from testing your hunch that it's an IAC issue) is to double-check your K&N air filter and make sure it's not over-oiled, and check the cleanliness of your MAF (mass airflow meter) as well, paying particular attention to the hot-wire. If the K&N has too much oil on it, that can sometimes contribute to idle issues like this, by the oil migrating onto the wire in the MAF. To clean it, just disconnect the battery, and take a couple of Q -tips dipped in a little bit of running alcohol, and go over the wire gently.
This is not a problem that happens to most people when they do things like K&N air filters, Airaid kits, etc., as most people have no such issues with those kinds of mods, so I don't believe that this is an issue of increased load sensitivity, or we'd see it in the majority of cases where people use K&N's etc., and we don't. I could be wrong of course, but that's my hunch.
Since it's been to the dealer and they found no codes, that only means that whatever this is doesn't throw the check engine light, nothing more. It doesn' mean that "nothing is wrong". A lot of things can happen that give very noticeable symptoms and terrible driveability without ever throwing a check engine light, unfortunately. You can easily have a marginal or failing MAF, and not get a check engine light.
Unfortunately the way Ford has set their warranty reimbursement policies, they won't pay dealers to do any true "diagnostic" work, so if they can't find an error code telling them to replace a specific part when they scan your vehicle with their SBDS system, that's about where most of the stop. Unfortunately, it's very hard to find a true diagnostician at any dealership these days, as they won't tolerate the BS warranty reimbursement schedules.
It sounds like it's time for the truck to be seen by a driveability expert, if your hunch doesn't pan out regarding IAC.
If this is something that is happening often, or if you can re-create the problem, I would talk with your dealership and get them to agree to have a mechanic ride with you while you re-create the symptom, so the mechanic can see, hear, and feel it, so at least they'll know that there is in fact a real issue that continues.
You might also want to search through the TSB's, etc.
I wish I could be of more help,
------------------
Mike Troyer
Performance Products, Inc.
National Distributor of Superchips
(540) 862-9515
Email: mtroyer@compuserve.com
Performance Products F150Online Superchip ordering system: F150Online Superchip Ordering System
First National F-150 Online Rally Event Organizer