View Full Version : Is this possible??
Blackened300a
10-25-2007, 04:13 PM
Is it possible for a tune to become ineffective after a period of time?? I had the tune in my car for well over a year now and lately the car seems a bit sluggish off the line.
Has anyone ever notice this or is there something I should be looking for?
I have close to 60K miles but I dont see that as being a issue.
MarauderSM
10-25-2007, 04:35 PM
I don't think so, but if it does couldn't you load the tune back up.
Raudermaster
10-25-2007, 04:36 PM
Could your plugs be fouled Paul? Bad wires? Dirty MAF? Clogged fuel filter? I doubt your tune "magically" disappeared.
Blackened300a
10-25-2007, 04:56 PM
Could your plugs be fouled Paul? Bad wires? Dirty MAF? Clogged fuel filter? I doubt your tune "magically" disappeared.
My car idles very smooth so I dont think the wires or plugs could be a issue, I cleaned the MAF about 3 months ago with electrical contact cleaner so that I can rule out, and I changed my fuel filter a little over a year ago but less then 10K miles. I plan on changing my PVC valve and fuel filter soon.
My only other idea is what happens to a tank of gas that has been in the car for over a month?? Is it possible that I have a tank of crappy gas? I noticed a very slight ping when I drove the car a few days ago but I didnt hear anything tonight when I took it around the neighborhood.
GrazniM
10-25-2007, 06:09 PM
Could very well be the gas, just because you can't hear pinging does not mean there is no pre-detonation occurring. Very very unlikely that your tune has changed in any way - I do not believe there is any way to intentionally or accidentally cause a reset of the PCM that would return it to a factory "default" (just a total PCM failure - then your car wouldn't run). I don't believe the PCM is equipped with storage space allocated for factory default settings - hence the importance not to screw up during loading a tune.
I hooked up my XCAL2 and laptop using livewire and graphed a number of parameters for a test run and the engine knock sensor registers what I believe to be low level preignition (can't hear it at all) I'm just figuring out how to use livewire and am not sure if the numbers are actual; average to 9 or 10 preignitions at 800rpm, 14-15 at 1300rpm, and 25-30 at 2000rpm ... again, I don't hear a thing.
larryo340
10-25-2007, 07:31 PM
My car idles very smooth so I dont think the wires or plugs could be a issue, I cleaned the MAF about 3 months ago with electrical contact cleaner so that I can rule out, and I changed my fuel filter a little over a year ago but less then 10K miles. I plan on changing my PVC valve and fuel filter soon.
My only other idea is what happens to a tank of gas that has been in the car for over a month?? Is it possible that I have a tank of crappy gas? I noticed a very slight ping when I drove the car a few days ago but I didnt hear anything tonight when I took it around the neighborhood.
Paul, don't know the exact date when they start to use the winter blend fuel (=crap) here. That might be the reason why.
Krytin
10-26-2007, 02:51 AM
Paul, Check your rear axle bearing(s) - if they haven't been changed yet I bet they are ready. Ask me how I Know!
Marauderjack
10-26-2007, 03:09 AM
Probably the "Adaptive Learning" feature in the EEC......If you have been taking it easy while driving lately with a lot of sitting in traffic the EEC "takes note" and adjusts to this driving style!!:rolleyes:
You can drive the snot out of it for about a week (not recommended) or simply disconnect the negative battery terminal for a few minutes to re-set the computer??:confused::beer:
Give it a try.....you may be pleasantly surprised!!:eek:
Marauderjack:burnout:
magindat
10-26-2007, 05:06 AM
I'm sure many recall big discussions about acetone in the gas for mileage and octane... blah blah blah.
I HAVE found that a tiny bit of acetone 'restores' old gas. Gas varnishes over time. In simple terms, the molecules hook together and become harder to burn. The Acetone breaks that up just like it would be a solvent for any other 'varnish'.
Add about 1 oz per 10 Gallons. It won't hurt anything except the paint if you leave it on there if you spill. It's really just a tiny bit and WILL restore that gas. Of course, you'll want ot get down to the local station and fill up with some fresh 93 ASAP.
hbarrett
10-26-2007, 05:50 AM
The problem may be what others are suggesting, but I have experienced the same thing a few times since I first installed a tuning program in my MM. Maybe the way we drive after installing a tune allows the PCM to recalibrate by learning? I don't know, but it seems to me that I have to re-install the tune about once a year, and it always seems better for a while after the tune is re-installed. Good luck.
Is it possible for a tune to become ineffective after a period of time?? I had the tune in my car for well over a year now and lately the car seems a bit sluggish off the line.
Has anyone ever notice this or is there something I should be looking for?
I have close to 60K miles but I dont see that as being a issue.
Blackened300a
10-26-2007, 06:59 AM
Probably the "Adaptive Learning" feature in the EEC......If you have been taking it easy while driving lately with a lot of sitting in traffic the EEC "takes note" and adjusts to this driving style!!:rolleyes:
You can drive the snot out of it for about a week (not recommended) or simply disconnect the negative battery terminal for a few minutes to re-set the computer??:confused::beer:
Give it a try.....you may be pleasantly surprised!!:eek:
Marauderjack:burnout:
You know what, I forgot about that feature. The last few times I took the car out I drove it very normal, Sure I took it above the speed limit but I havent gone WOT in probably a month. Within the past 2 months since I took it to the track ,I have been very light on the throttle and sat in traffic a lot. I think its time to fill the tank and let it stretch its legs.
Thanks for the insight!
The gas issue Im taking to mind as well. Im taking the car out tonight and will make sure I fill it up.
Ill keep you guys posted.
My adaptive learning is OFF on my KB car.
This way the car will always be as consistent as the day it was on the rollers.
Blackened300a
10-26-2007, 07:36 AM
My adaptive learning is OFF on my KB car.
This way the car will always be as consistent as the day it was on the rollers.
This can be done through tuning? Cause I dont need my car learning anything but how to smoke tires and run 13's in the 1/4.
Paul you mean like this one! Good luck with the problem.
Blackened300a
10-26-2007, 07:55 AM
Paul you mean like this one! Good luck with the problem.
Yeah exactly like yours!! Hopefully we will have a rematch before you go S/Ced.
That would be fun. Are you coming to Atlanta? It goes in the shop as soon as I get back for a couple of goodies. After it goes in I will fess up to the changes.
Blackened300a
10-26-2007, 08:04 AM
No, Im leaving for the Bahamas tomorrow so that kinda drained my vacation time and funds til next year.
Have fun out there and good luck with the mods! I dont think Ill have any chance hanging onto a 11 second GM :D
MENINBLK
10-26-2007, 09:46 AM
Probably the "Adaptive Learning" feature in the EEC......If you have been taking it easy while driving lately with a lot of sitting in traffic the EEC "takes note" and adjusts to this driving style!!:rolleyes:
You can drive the snot out of it for about a week (not recommended) or simply disconnect the negative battery terminal for a few minutes to re-set the computer??:confused::beer:
Give it a try.....you may be pleasantly surprised!!:eek:
Marauderjack:burnout:
This is the EXACT reason why.
You will need to disconnect your computer for at least 20 minutes.
Your ECM will adjust the calibration to adjust for engine 'AGE'.
When you disconnect the ECM from power,
you need to kill the KAM (Keep Alive Memory)
which stores the tables for the 'AGE' values.
Disconnecting the power is how it is erased.
When you reconnect the power you will need to let your ECM relearn to idle.
This is simple.
Just reconnect the power.
Make sure that ALL the accessories are OFF (AC, Wipers, Lights, Heated Seats, Radio, etc...)
Start the engine and let it idle until the cooling fan turns on.
That's it ! Your Baseline idle has now been set and you are ready to drive again.
BEWARE... Your Marauder is going to drive like the day you first got it,
only it will be tweaked by the installed tune.
Blackened300a
10-26-2007, 11:24 AM
I assume disconnecting the battery wouldn't work? Or do I have to physically find the ECM and unplug it?
Will my stock tune need to be installed when I go through this or will it work fine with the reflash?
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