I upgraded from XCal1 to XCal2 and got the XCal2 yesterday. Went to install my custom tuning this afternoon and everything went well until I went to start my truck. It would turn over and but not start. I reloaded the stock tune and started the truck with no problem. I tried the download process a couple more times and read over the instructions to make sure I didn't miss anything but still no luck. Call Troyer Performance and talked to a nice gal and she had me read the strategy on my stock programming and she then imformed me that I had been reflashed! Could have happened when I took it in for oil change/fuel filter change at the dealership. I always put it back to stock before I go. No problems with XCal1 reloading the tune.

This is just an FYI for others that are upgrading and might run into the same problem. I know TP will take care of this for me and soon I will be able to enjoy my custom tuning again.

I think to feel better about this I need to take my other car out for a long drive.

89 Vette


Kevin

 

Sorry to hear that. You were ready to play and now you have to wait longer. That is the biggest reason I did not want to go with a custom tune. I can't control what the dealer will or will not do, and if they re-flashed without my knowledge while my tune was installed, I would be having to wait longer and pay a fee again for the tunes to be re-done. They say " Good things happen to those who wait". Hope everything works out for you.

 

Treat me like a 2 year old.What does re-flashed mean?A dealer can make your tuner not able to break into the tune he just put in?Like a password lock?
Man if I have to start changing my own oil again I'll need bigger tires or a lift kit.
Can you tell a dealer don't mess with the computer if you use him for your oil changes?Are they all that darn nosey?

 

Reflashed means the dealer updated the programming in the PCM and now has a different code. I don't know how it affects the custom tunining. I should have told the dealer each time I took it in not to reflash. I don't know when the reflash would have taken place. It won't happen again!

Kevin

 

If you leave your tune in the truck and it gets reflashed I believe you lose your tune and you would need to download a new one (for a fee). The tuner keeps your old factory tune. If you tell them not to mess with the PCM, they may question you or figure out that you have done something to your factory PCM and put something in the service notes about voiding warranty if you have engine complaints. Again, this is all hypothetical but when someone says don't do this, I think the question most dealers would ask is WHY?. Some dealers will be o.k. with it and others will throw a fit or an excuse to refuse service. If the vehicle is in for service and is within the warranty period I think they may do it anyway even if you say no, because of instructions from FORD. The only way you really may know is when you hook up your tuner and it does not work. What can you really do if they reflash anyway even though you said no?. They are providing service under warranty as mandated by FORD and you are altering the PCM of your vehicle with an aftermarket device? Don't really know how it would turn out, but with some visits I have had at a few dealers I don't think any of us would win, regardless. They have more time and money and no one is dead or injured.

 

Hi Kevin,

I want to thank you for your time today during our phone conversations - from what we cna gather, this vehicle was reflashed to MHE0 LONG ago, before you ever got your XCal 1 - and that makes sense, as up until about the middle of 2005 we could always tun ea vehicle back to it's *original* code if it got reflashed, and it would run fine - meaning we did not have to do all new tunes. At worst, the customer simply had to do an unlock and then he would reload his original custom tunes and be up & running.

Ford has changed something middle of last year that prevents us from being able to do that, hence your no-start due to this undocumented reflashed to MHE0, which is your new code -

Now we will probably go over a couple more things with you, such as getting a dump from your current XCal 2 and comparing that to the dump from your original XCal 1 when it arrives back here to us, so we can see if there are any differences in the binary between those 2 stock program downloads, as part of our diagnosis of all of this - it would be nice if we could get back to not having to do all new tunes due to a reflash.

Also, for those who are posting things that are not accurate - in a situation like this, where the customer is the victim of an undocumented reflash BEFORE they get their tuner, there is no charge for us to re-do their tunes to the new code. There is only a fee when they get their new tuner, it's working fine, and then AFTER that they get reflashed - because that is something that is under their control, as they can tell the service department not to reflash their PCM.for example, die to remote start concerns, because remote start devices basically disable PATS in a roundabout way. It's really too much to get into here, but at any rate, thats; the deal - nobody gets charged in this type of situation, where they get their new tuner and they get a no-start - we take that on the chip, and re-do all that work for nothing.

So what will ultimately happen for Kevin is that we will be doing all new tunes for his MHE0 code in a couple of days, so that he is up & running with his new custom tuning & his new XCal 2.

 

Thanks for calling Mike and taking time out of your day to clarify everything! I am sorry this is causing extra work for you because I know you must be VERY busy with the group buy. You should be getting my X-Cal1 tomorrow I would think. I sent it back before trying the X-Cal2 thinking I would have no problems. Of course, hindsight is 20/20 and now I get to drive with the stock tune. I totally agree with you that the stock tune sucks. Please call me if you need anything else answered.

Once again, thanks for calling and I want you to know that I appreciate your extra time on this.

Kevin

 

Didn't mean any offense Mike. I corrected my post so that it was not "misleading". Like you said people need to chose what makes them happy. And I am tired of the XCAL2 vs Edge posts. They get nowhere FAST. and everyone seems to be an expert. I know by reading your posts that once the unit is delivered and is in working condition that it is out of your hands what happens. And you can only hope that the information you gave to the individuals is followed properly. I know that there is a fee (as you stated) If it is re-flashed again by the dealer without the persons knowledge(during a successful install and ownership of XCAL2). The new code needs to be obtained(if possible) as you stated on your previous posts or it can be read of the XCAL-2 when it is sent in. You can't run a business for FREE. I know from reading here that you go out of your way to help individuals, EVEN if they screwed up after you told them how to do something properly. I also know that many are very anxious to get their tuners and don't follow directions or instructions and quickly blame the company Even if it was their fault. I know nothing about tuning other than what I have learned from your informative posts and from other peoples mistakes. I simply chose to go with the "canned tuner" because I'm never in one state for longer than 3 months which means I would have to deal with many different service centers nationwide; and I run the possibility of something happening out of my control.And I may have had to be sending the unit in to you more times than I would like(for the time being). I know that Custom tuning IS the way to go for the BEST performance from our vehicles. I just needed the "flexibility" while I am traveling. Thanks again for the info.

 

In order.........

Hi Kevin,

And my thanks to you for working with us on this - I really appreciate you letting me try to do what I want to delivery for your truck, and it will be interesting to see if your truck "likes" what I'm sending you - but either way, we will get it worked out for you, my friend.

And for TX - FX - 4 - Thanks very much for your kind reply - and no problem at all!

I have to confess, it's a tough area to walk that fine line on - meaning, regardless of either of those scenarios, it's a lot more work for us, and we hate to see any customer have to bite the bullet - so we don't charge anything when it's a situation where they just first get their tuner and get a no-start, due to an undocumented reflash - we charge only when they get their tuner, it works, and then they *later* get reflashed & need tunes - but even then, the small amount we charge doesn't cover the amount of time we have to spend - heck, I hate having to charge anyone anything. What I really miss are the days prior to about July 2005, back when we could re-tune a vehicle back to it's original code no matter what Ford did.

But, the reality is we just have to deal with what we are dealt, the best we can - thanks again for your kind reply, & I hope I didn't ruffle your features - I seem to be doing that more often here of late. Can anyone say S-T-R-E-S-S-S-S-S....?!?

Speaking of STRESS, the shop build-out will be completed tomorrow - now all we have to do is buy all new desks, chairs, a bunch of computers, get the router, switches & wiring in for the network, get the telephone company back out again, and then, once all of that is done - arrange to move everything in one weekend so that we open the next Monday at the new shop never having missed a beat - all while this Group Buy is going on - oh, and needing to get a Dyno Day (read: Dyno weekend) scheduled in as quickly as possible - I think I need a drink or 6!

And on top of that, we just set record month again last month - that's twice since August - despite having darned near doubled our staff, I still need about 6 or so of me - anyone know of a god cloning operation?!?

Seriously, thanks for your understanding, TX-FX-4, it's greatly appreciated!

 

Thank you Mike. Congratulations on the new expansion. I read your post a while back when it was starting. I hope they finish soon. It's hectic trying to run your business, answer questions and direct and plan construction. WHEW. Just thinking about it is getting me stressed out. My sincere congratulations. Thank you for your dedication.

 

Hi Mike;

Cloning was discussed and alternatives offered a while ago ....

https://www.f150online.com/forums/sh...hlight=cloning


But, having said that, at this point, I'm ready to offer anything if I could get my DOA X2 back. Maybe I should just drive down and get the dang computer sytems and network done for ya . (Hope you're not going wireless - I hate that chit, but because it leaks like a sieve, the CIA, FBI & all the other alpahbet soup organizations love it).


Cheers
Vic

 

The new file works great Mike!!!! Thanks for all your time and effort on getting this solved. After driving on the stock tune for a few days I was looking forward to getting the custom tune loaded again. What a difference the custom tuning makes!!!! Now if I can just keep from flooring it every time I drive.

Thanks again for all your effort!!! I really appreciate it.

Kevin

 

Hi Kevin,

You're more than welcome, & in the next few days I'll get your other tunes knocked out & emailed to you.

I really appreciated you letting me try a couple of things on there - I was delighted to see that the EAY4 worked just fine, and the new things we did to really amp it up have paid off as well - that thing should be a relative rocketship by comparison!

Have fun,

 

Mike, Thanks for all your help and even calling me on Sunday to see how my truck was running. There is no comparison to the stock tune and the new tune you sent. The truck has much better throttle response and more enjoyable to drive.

Thanks again,

Kevin

 

HI Kevin,

You're very welcome, & your other 2 tunes were emailed out to you last night - I think you'll be very happy with them as well.