Am i entitled to my calibration code?
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Am i entitled to my calibration code?
I had my 04 Screw flashed in January for idle roughness. I saw where there were some newer TSB out regarding this problem so i took it into the dealership. I asked them where the calibration code sticker was and they said that the code was stored in their system and that i wouldnt ever need it. I thought that if i wanted an xcal2 , Troyer would need to know this info. How can i get the code or do i need it?
Thanks,
Thanks,
Senior Member
Joined: Jun 2005
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From: Dallas, Texas
As far as I know. Yes, you are entitled because anytime that an emissions related component is altered it is mandated by the government that all auto dealers display an authorized modification label.
Senior Member
Joined: May 2004
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From: Sunny FL
You have to have the new code in order to get custom tunes. Ask your dealer for an “Authorized Modification” sticker and have them write the new code on it
Last edited by jpdadeo; Jun 23, 2005 at 07:14 PM.
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Joined: Mar 1998
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From: Virginia
Hi Gobra,
Actually, as another poster mentioned, that *is* an emissions issue, and they are supposed to affix the "Notice of Authorized Modification" sticker in a prominent location under the hood and write in the new calibration code (they reference it in a different way/format than we do, but we can cross-reference that info). Sometimes they just write in a TSB number, that isn't good enough, they need to write in the new calibration code.
Now the problem is many techs simply won't do it because of how little they get stubbed (paid) to do it under warranty (they work on straight commission, usually) and their service managers don't care or don't check that in many cases (service managers are usually swamped with far more pressing matters - it's not a fun job they have).
So now the only way they can get that info is to reconnect the WDS system and get the hex code - meaning they will have to pay a mechanic to do that (& they love charging $79-$99 fees to do that 5 minutes of work). So because they have to pay the mechanic their commission (instead of telling them that because they failed to do the work correctly in the first place, they'll be doing it free) they don't want to do that without charging *you* for them to do what they were supposed to do in the first place. And they usually get away with it because they *know* the only reason you really need that info is for a tune.
Can you *force* them to do it? In some cases you can by simply telling them that this is required because it's an emissions-related modification. Now you can always try forcing your hand - but then I'd never take your vehicle back to them again for *anything* - and never buy anything else from them again, either. There's also a school of thought that says it's sometimes not a good idea to annoy your service department!
Catch-22.
However, in the 2004 & up F-150, 99 times out of 100 we can simply tune the vehicle to it's *original* code and everything will be fine - we do it every day, and there is rarely a problem, so it's just not that big a deal - it's just irritating that they didn't do their job correctly in the first place, and are giving you a hard time about it by telling you that you don't need that info.
Bottom line? The easiest thing to so is just have us tune it to the original code, and if the new code is incompatible, we'll have a copy of whatever your stock tune is in the XCalibrator and can read *it* to determine the new code and tune for it if need be.
Actually, as another poster mentioned, that *is* an emissions issue, and they are supposed to affix the "Notice of Authorized Modification" sticker in a prominent location under the hood and write in the new calibration code (they reference it in a different way/format than we do, but we can cross-reference that info). Sometimes they just write in a TSB number, that isn't good enough, they need to write in the new calibration code.
Now the problem is many techs simply won't do it because of how little they get stubbed (paid) to do it under warranty (they work on straight commission, usually) and their service managers don't care or don't check that in many cases (service managers are usually swamped with far more pressing matters - it's not a fun job they have).
So now the only way they can get that info is to reconnect the WDS system and get the hex code - meaning they will have to pay a mechanic to do that (& they love charging $79-$99 fees to do that 5 minutes of work). So because they have to pay the mechanic their commission (instead of telling them that because they failed to do the work correctly in the first place, they'll be doing it free) they don't want to do that without charging *you* for them to do what they were supposed to do in the first place. And they usually get away with it because they *know* the only reason you really need that info is for a tune.
Can you *force* them to do it? In some cases you can by simply telling them that this is required because it's an emissions-related modification. Now you can always try forcing your hand - but then I'd never take your vehicle back to them again for *anything* - and never buy anything else from them again, either. There's also a school of thought that says it's sometimes not a good idea to annoy your service department!
Catch-22.
However, in the 2004 & up F-150, 99 times out of 100 we can simply tune the vehicle to it's *original* code and everything will be fine - we do it every day, and there is rarely a problem, so it's just not that big a deal - it's just irritating that they didn't do their job correctly in the first place, and are giving you a hard time about it by telling you that you don't need that info.
Bottom line? The easiest thing to so is just have us tune it to the original code, and if the new code is incompatible, we'll have a copy of whatever your stock tune is in the XCalibrator and can read *it* to determine the new code and tune for it if need be.