Hey guys,

If I am programmed with VMP tunes and transfer back to stock to make a dealership visit. Are they capable at all on finding the tune or am I 100% safe.

Thanks!
Paul

 

You are not 100% safe, but I doubt that they will take the time to dig in and check. They can tell that the PCM *has* been flashed and how many times I believe.

 

Hmm that would kinda suck if they can easily see how many times it's been reflashed. Wonder if they can see what the previous flashes were. Can anybody on here verify this?

 

It is my understanding that they can only see that it has been flashed, but there is no reason for them to be looking at that unless there is a warranty question involved.

 

That's cool if they can only see it's been flashed and as long as they can't prove it wasn't just a fellow dealership that did a flash to the truck.

 

If they look at the maintence history of the truck and there are no reflashes listed, that will be a giveaway. The thing is, if they want to, they can probably prove you have used a tuner.

 

Put it back to stock a week ahead of the appointment.
Drive the truck more than 100+ miles during that week.
This will help get rid of the p1000 dtc code that can only cleared by driving the truck.
Otherwise if they see this code and ask about it just tell them you disconnected the battery.

 

Thanks man! So after the 100 miles with the clearing of the p1000 code can they see how many times the ECU has been flashed?

 

Probably, if they wanted to.

 

Im using SCT x3 from VMP without a single issue from dealership side, once in a while when i flushed to stock, the pcm did throw an error code (Internal ROM error) , when i visited the dealership they directly suspected that the vehicle has been tuned (my truck got a service contract for free service visits!!) if tuned = no contract, i just tolled them that it's a battery issue, please check lol and life went good after that!

 

I leave my livewire hanging off the glass and go to the dealer..Tune installed.I would remove it and return to stock if it was going in for motor or trans work though.Really depends on the dealer I think.

 

It's just best to remove any temptations from the truck before it goes in.
Especially if it has buttons........
We all know how people like to push them!

 

Ahh yes. We call them "**** dikkers".

 

if i go on SCT website and look for a local dealer the Ford dealer where I bought the truck is the closets SCT dealer!

 

Over and over - we've said if you take your truck to a dealership for maintenance, return the tune to stock and remove the programmer!

Yes, they CAN tell if you've flashed it, but it's not something they routinely check. And, even if they DID check they would have to be able to prove the tune caused whatever issue you are having to deny service under a maintenance contract.

But, if they flash the PCM while it's holding a tune, your $300-500 programmer has just become a "brick", until you get it reset, at cost, from your programmer's company.

- Jack