Is the computer reset by disconnecting the battery?
Tom

 

Yes, disconnecting the battery will reset the computer but I couldnt reset the computer since I needed it to retain its memory of the codes that were generated to assist in diagnosing the intercooler prob.

 

No,

To reset the computer, you have to remove the neg. battery terminal, and then turn on the headlights to drain the residual charge used to keep the tell-tales information in the PCM alive. Once the system is drained completely, the PCM will reset and goes home to default settings.

This works just like the clock chip in your computer, except instead of a secondary battery, a capacitive charge is used, hence draining the juice by turning on the headlights, or stepping on the brake pedal (brake lights).

Hope this helps...

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Chuck 'Wyldman' Shelton
wyldman@houston.rr.com
Black 99.5 Lightning Build # 1273, DOB 5-14-99, NLOC #315
Best run to date 12.857 @103.48
CD Changer; Tow Pkg.; Lojack; Sal's custom nitrous chip; G-Tech/Pro; SnugLid; BedRug; Invinca-Shield, full kit; NOS KIT 100 hp shot (currently); Clear and smoke Lexan fog light covers; 3M Ti Window Tint; Bel radar detector (shouldn't be an accessory); PowerStack cone filter (a.k.a. supercharger waker upper); American Auto Designs ram air hood; Cal-Tracs traction bars; Bassani headers;Goodrich T/A Drag Radials; Muth Signal Mirrors, Recieved today (2-22) Thanks Roger!

 

Chuck, Thanks for the tip!
Tom

 

The question we have for you Nathan is this:

Did they complain about your mods or "threaten" to refuse warranty claims on your truck?

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Wes Tarbox
90 LX 5.0 (10.69 @ 134.7)
96 Cobra (12.63 @ 114.5)
97 SHO
99 Lightning (13.20 @ 103.3)
http://members.aol.com/Wa2fsT/index.html

 

I just got the truck back and the sluggishness has not gone away. Originally, I thought it was because the intercooler fluid was supressing the spark. Now, the dealer is refusing to perform further work on my truck due to the fact that that

'the truck is throwing codes that say it is lean. your aftermarket airfilter is causing this. this is no longer a warranty issue'

 

Interesting information Nathan. I must admit, that I am really amazed at how much dealers and techs around the US don't know how the EEC systems they work on everyday work. The filter kit can't cause your truck to throw a lean code. If it were a speed density system, then it sure could. But because we have mass air meters on the new Lightnings, the meter will be able to tell that extra air is entering the motor (that's the point of mass air ) and the PCM will compensate the mixture for it. In your case, the Superchip is running the show, so that could be your answer right there. I have info on that subject that you wouldn't really want to hear, but I can't disscuss that, not in public at least. I'd find a dealer that knows what they are doing. As for resetting the PCM memory, all you have to do is disconnect the negative battery terminal and leave it off for a minute or two. That cuts the power to the PCMs keep alive memory and it will use up whats stored in the capacitors in about a minute. If you don't clear it, you'll have the P0605 code that indicates the either the PCM is bad, or there has been a chip installed. I think you would have been better off leaving it in if you couldn't clear the code, because now to the dealer, it looks like you knew that could have caused a problem and pulled it out before bringing it in.

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SAL
13.24@103mph
All stock with Power Surge Performance 99 Lightning Chip and Filter Kit
PowerSurgePerf@aol.com

 

Well, what about headers then? I have the Bassani headers and the dealer was pretty bent out of shape about them as well.

 

Wellll, since the headers are after everything that the PCM monitors,except the HEGOs, they don't really have a huge effect. They just expel the exhaust faster. I still have to do some A/F testing with the Bassanis on my 99, so I can't really give you a solid answer for that.

------------------
SAL
13.24@103mph
All stock with Power Surge Performance 99 Lightning Chip and Filter Kit
PowerSurgePerf@aol.com

 

Lean condition? Could it be the fuel pump tee cracking problem I've been reading about. Just a thought.

Dee Jay

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99.5 Red Lightning
Superchip
K&N cone air filter
Flowmaster Deltaflows
Intercooler Fan
13.37@102.99

 

Sal-

Have you taken your L to the track with the Bassani's? If so, what kind of an improvement did you see? I have heard the gain is only about 10-12 rwhp.

 

So are they completely unwilling to do a diagnostic on it? I mean, if its running poorly, they should at least make an effort to find out why...even if it IS something with the chip.

Maybe I don't understand how these '99 computers work (I know they get more sophisticated every year), but on the older Ford EECs if you pull the chip, it reverts back to the stock programming. If the '99 works this way, no matter what code its showing, it should run ok I'd think. Of course, after having my chip now for almost the entire life of my truck, I bet it would feel like it runs crappy in stock mode.

Guess I'll pull my chip, clear the computer and put the stock filter box back on before taking it in for service! :-(

I thought some of these mods were ok and SEMA has gone to battle for us; the user of the aftermarket parts. I thought dealers couldn't refuse warranty claims unless they could PROVE that the mod caused the part to fail.

That's why I think they'd at least make a better effort to diagnose the problem. They should at least be able to tell you WHY the truck runs poorly...are they claiming the "code" in the PCM is overriding the stock programming causing it to run badly?

Sorry for your trouble so far. :-\

------------------
Wes Tarbox
90 LX 5.0 (10.69 @ 134.7)
96 Cobra (12.63 @ 114.5)
97 SHO
99 Lightning (13.20 @ 103.3)
http://members.aol.com/Wa2fsT/index.html

 

RedSVT, can you elaborate on the fuel pump problem?

Also, they said that the WDS ? System was the one they used for the chip reading. Sal, is this a best-of-breed diag tool or should they have tried another one?

[This message has been edited by Nathan (edited 03-09-2000).]

 

Nathan,
Which dealer are you working w/? If they're the SVT dealer in SA (only one), I'll be sure not to go to them.

 

Evening Nathan:

I am a little bit reluctant to jump into this, but I think you need a little reassurance and a little direction.
1. As stated, you can clear out the memory of a chip being installed by the methods already detailed. Since you did not do this, not your fault given the reason you went in in the first place, you are more or less compromised with this particular dealer.
2. It is my experience and that of many others, that the changing of the air filter configuration and addition of headers or other similar exhaust modifications if carried out with the re=installation of all the original hardware, which is possible with all of the air filters I have seen here and certainly the Bassani headers, there should be no ill effects on the motor and no computer diagnostic problems.
3. That may well not be the case with a chip, whatever chip you install. And, I do not say that in a negative way. There, you are messing with stuff that could affect issues that might result in a code coming up.

As I have stated several times earlier, I have both a Superchip and a PSP chip. Both were purchased more or less immediately after they were first available and there are some teething problems. I have chosen to deal directly with Mike and Sal and have been completely satisfied with their answers/opinions and proposed solutions. Sadly, I have to wait for non winter gas before getting both chips updated, which should solve most if not all driveability problems I have experienced.
4. As Sal has stated very well, there are far too many dealer service departments who are not really that capable of understanding stock engine configurations, let alone mildly modified ones. The less the competence level, the more **** they seem to become. I refuse to take my Moby to my selling dealer and use the Lincoln dealer next door because he is better technically and has a great attitude.
5. Try pulling the chip and completely erasing the memory of it by using the methodology earlier posted and see if it gets rid of your driveability problems. It sure did for my truck.

Good Luck!
Bill

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99.5 Lightning
Build #247
PSP Chip/Filter
Bassani full system
White/normal options
Tamiya 1/10 scale Bolt
Several old trucks/cars
Thunder & Lightning
Rag Doll Cats
E-mail MOSTOYSINC@AOL.com
Kennesaw, Ga. (Atlanta)