They could have a Ford bulletin that says there is an updated reflash for your particular VIN and as a service to you, reflash it. Or if you are having some work done, say a COP changed, they may do a reflash as part of th service and diagnostics. These do not happen often, but they have happened. I just always tell the service writer to put on the ticket that they need to talk to me before that touch the PCM.

It should never happen for routine stuff like oil changes, but it could.

 

Not a problem, we all had to learn it, some of us the hard, expensive way.

 

It sounds simple, but could there at some point be a legit reason that they need to do one of these things? A warranty problem perhaps, or something that arises that they need to? Of course we all hope that this doesn't need to happen, but who knows......

I know that it is my truck. I can promise that if I gave my dealer specific instructions not to do something, and they did it anyway, I would have some very strong words for their General Manager. That said, you don't want to give them any ammo to start a voided warranty claim. Lets just hope the situation never arises.

I guess this is one of the risks of modding a truck under manufacturer warranty.

Skate softly, but carry a big stick.

 

Even with a custom tune, can you not return it to stock tune before you take it to the dealer?

 

Yes, but that will not eliminate the issue we are talking about. Let's say your custom tune is written for your calibration and it has a HEX code of ABC21. Your tuneer devise has to see that code or your PCM will not accept any download. The dealer reflashes your truck and now the HEX is BCD13. Your tuner device will be looking for ABC21 and will not find it so now it is useless.

 

OP...there's alot to read here, but if you'd like to get the Predator functionig again, please fax proof of the dealer reflash to 561-908-0048 then call within an hour (561-908-0040) with the tool powered up and we'll unlock it for you.

From there, your custom tune will be gone, but if you have a copy of it you can email it to me along with a new copy of the backup the tool reads out of your truck and I can update the tune to your new calibration ID (hex code).

Thanks

 

That is good service and a nice offer.

 

Great guy^^^^^

 

Bluejay, Tara, your knowledge of this topic is well received. Thanks for sharing. I always assumed that by returning to stock before a trip to the dealer, I had no worries. Goes to show how little I really know.

I guess if the time ever comes, and the worst case scenario happens, we can only hope that the company we bought our programmer from will step up and help out like DiabloMike is offering. A very nice gesture, and one which should be noted.

 

posts # 2+#5 wasn't good enough.....I guess.....read some the stickys that same info is up there also.....

BTW just so others know PHP charges for reflashes unless instructed to do so by them....so if your truck has been reflashed by the dealer and your custom tunes don't work you'll be paying again to have them rewritten.....

 

Sorry 88, I did read it, but didn't quite understand it. With the extra clarification here, and after reading it again, it all makes sense now. If you read what you wrote from a layman's perspective, I hope you can see why it might seem a little technical.

I specialize in body, and dabble in mechanics. When it comes to computers, PCM's and any sort of wiring, I need things spelled out in idiot form for me. I can learn.... I'm just a little slow. Bear with me.

 

OK, I understand .... really. I first posted thinking of canned tunes, then started to thinking maybe there was a difference in custom tunes in respect to this very issue. Of course, if the dealer does reflash, I guess it's bad either way then.

If it's a recall or warranty fix and something absolutely requires a reflash, what would you do knowing it's gonna be a hassle with the hex code?

Never mind .... I see later ... where this is going.

 

1) Its SCT, not STC.
2) Anyone who doesn't comprehend this should reread the sticky. When you own programmer, you should really figure out how it works before you use it.

 

Wow hptuners is for Chevy vehicles lol. I'd go back to that shop and punch some people in the ****s

 

I've been staying out of this because everyone has been saying what needs to be said - but now I want to TRY to clarify a couple points.

If you have canned tunes, and have set your truck back to stock before the reflash, the programmer should work fine when you get the truck back. Canned tunes are "generic" and are written to work with a large list of stock tunes (which are identified by the hex or calibration code.) There is one exception to this though. It's possible that (especially in a new truck) the new flash will be a calibration that the programmer was never designed for (one that has been developed AFTER the programmer's software was developed). In this case, the manufacturer of the programmer would and should update the programmer software at no cost to you to recognize this new calibration.

If you have custom tunes, they are written to modify the individual stock calibration YOU have in your truck only. A reflash changes this calibration and the tunes will not work with it at all. The reason PHP will charge you for rewriting your custom tunes is because Bill has to start from scratch - it's not a simple matter of telling the programmer to work with the new calibration, taking into account where you live, your driving habits, etc. The tunes have to be all re-created. Bill does not have a "library" of tunes for the various calibrations. I think, but I could be wrong, that the custom tunes on a Predator are created according to a "template" for each hex code, so it becomes a simple matter to substitute a new (already written one) for one that no longer works. The tunes ARE custom, but for a particular hex code rather than a specific vehicle.

And, if you did NOT set the truck to stock before this happened, the programmer has to be unlocked, which is an additional step and may or may not be a complicated process.

So finally, before taking your truck to a dealership, ALWAYS set the tune back to stock, regardless of what programmer you use.

If you are taking the truck for an emissions test, DO NOT change the tune back to stock. Emissions testing does not test the "tune", it only looks at the electrical signals produced by your emissions related components. Setting the tune to stock will put these components into a "not ready" state for a fairly long period, and if they are not ready, you will fail the test.

I know, it was a long read, but hopefully it clears up a few points.

- Jack