I tried to reset the computer in my L since it was suggested that that would wipe out the memory of downtown stop-n-go driving all week and give it a little more zip.

I disconnected the negative terminal on the battery, went back to the cab (dome light etc didnt come on, good sign), and then turned on the headlights and counted to 10. Looked dead as dust.

Then I hooked up the negative again, got in, and nothing was different, like it even had the correct time of day and radio stations on my stereo. WTF??

I didn't have time to play with it more last night, but what else do I need to do? Wait longer with the headlights on or what?

 

The minimum time I've heard quoted as correct was 10 minutes... some say as long as 30 to reset the PCM... it has capacitors that hold a charge for a while and need to get discharged...

Best bet is to pull the neg, turn on the headlight switch, walk away for 20 minutes then reverse the process... works for me...

you'll know that it's reset because as you turn the key on (not to start, just to run) the gauges will peg themselves, and then after a few moments reset. your trip mileage will also be 0.0...

 

If you disconnected the batt, you reset keep alive memory to the PCM. The radio has capacitors that store power to keep your presets. As for the headlight thing, I have no idea where that came from, because it sure doesn't appear in any Ford procedures .

 

Heard it from others... doesn't hurt, so I just followed what other have told me...

 

I heard the headlight discharge method only works, if, within 10seconds of turning on headlights, you hold 1 finger on your driver's side cowl cover screw, and hold the other arm in an "L" shaped fashion (like signaling a right turn). this sends the unwanted voltage skyward, instead of toward your zipper. well, thats what i heard!

 

All right, thats it... I'm never posting here any more... I'm going to go crawl under my desk now...

 

Sal:

Do you mean to say that after 10 seconds the computer is reset, even though the radio, trip odometer, etc, look like they've had power the whole time due to capacitors?

Beefcake:

I too read the headlight thing in several other posts. As you said, it can't hurt...

 

Jeez man toughen up a little. BBQ jokes with everyone.

--Joe

 

last time i discharged the truck via the "cowl screw/ human conduit" system, my wife saw me standing there, signaling a right turn, and asked, "what in the hell are you doing"?. not wanting to go into detail, or sound like an idiot, i quickly replied, "I'm taking the Lightning Oath.

 

BBQ:

You should have told your wife you were praying to Our Lady of Blessed Acceleration.

 

knowing i consider that movie "the greatest film ever made", she would have thrown something at me, or something

Beef2, i've heard the headlight thing, for 3 years now, so i know it's "not your's", and i have a better chance of beating Sal or Jim in a race, than you do of fitting under any desk.

 

My wife would do the same thing.

 

this is true...

one question... how do you know that?!?!?

 

beefcake2002L don't you know when you are being tricked?
MRBBQMAN was just trying to find out how long never was.

(apparently, it's about 2 hours and six minutes)

 

I'M THE BBQMAN!!!, and i have the license plate to prove it.


besides you mentioned your "humongusness" earlier this year, during the Beefcake/Beefcake2 discussions