Pinging?

[89VERT]

I have a 1725 Superchips tuner and I've enjoyed the performance gains it's offered.I always use at least 91 Octane fuel and sometimes 92 . I installed the superchips default settings .
An unusual thing happened tonight.I was coming up a steep hill that has a sharp corner where you need to slow down to about 20 mph . At this speed when I gently eased on the throttle , it started to ping .

Has anybody else experienced this ?Would switching to 92 Octane prevent the pinging?How damaging to the motor could this be ?

[Fourth Horseman]

Maybe you got some flakey gas? I'm assuming that it's not done this to you before.

[GarageMahal]

Were you possibly low on fuel at the time? I believe it is possible that the breaking and cornering may have caused the pump to suck a little air causing a lean condition resulting in the ping.

I could be completely wrong here but I thought I would offer up the idea.

jta

[89VERT]

Thanks for the input , but no the tank was 3/4 full and I was going waaay to slow to slosh the fuel around . I think I'll top the tank off with 94 tommorrow and see what happens.

[Marauderjack]

Funny thing......I just had the same thing happen to me with DR's SCT Custom Tuner program!! :( Slow to 25 MPH then mild acceleration and it rattles like crazy until it downshifts!!?? :nono:

If I do the same thing with OD "OFF" it is OK and downshift occurs with no rattling!!

I still wish there was a way to stop the TC lock-up until you want it..... :mad:

It appears that even with DR's program the silly thing is still trying to get great gas mileage?? :(

BTW.....I only run 93 octane and the knocking is only apparent at about 1200-1300 RPM's in TC lock-up.......A bit more throttle and it downshifts without any significant rattling!!

Maybe there is an adjustment to ensure the damn TC unlocks below 1500 RPM's???

Dennis.....Any suggestions?? :depress:

Marauderjack :pimp:

[Cobra25]

It kinda fuuny this forum came up today, I just replaced the mufflers to Mags 18 in yesterday ,I have the DR stage 1 with chip,plugs, 180 stat,410's cobra exhaust, always use 93 oct fuel,yesterday I punched it and got the pinging for the first time. I was on level ground ,I pretty sure it's not the gas because I been going to the same station for some time now and never had a problem before. I'd like to have it fixed with out going to the Dealer ,does anybody have any idea's?

[Marauderjack]

I just experimented with mine and after several "Spirited" acceleration runs it seems to downshift better without rattling!!?? :up: Someone told my a long time ago that the computers "Learn" a driver's style and try to maximize economy by doing so?? :(

Maybe normal driving results in lower shift points as well as lower downshifting....I'd like to hear what DR has to allow on this?? :)

Mine does not ping above 1500 RPM's or on hard acceleration...At least I cannot hear it?? :nono:

BTW....I wish the car's "default" start-up setting was for OD to be OFF!! Then when you leave town for the open road you could turn it on!! Mine does not ping a bit with OD OFF!!! :up:

Marauderjack :pimp:

[STLThunder]

I just experimented with mine and after several "Spirited" acceleration runs it seems to downshift better without rattling!!?? :up: Someone told my a long time ago that the computers "Learn" a driver's style and try to maximize economy by doing so?? :(

Maybe normal driving results in lower shift points as well as lower downshifting....I'd like to hear what DR has to allow on this?? :)

Mine does not ping above 1500 RPM's or on hard acceleration...At least I cannot hear it?? :nono:

BTW....I wish the car's "default" start-up setting was for OD to be OFF!! Then when you leave town for the open road you could turn it on!! Mine does not ping a bit with OD OFF!!! :up:

Marauderjack :pimp:

Just a thought! It's a little scary thinking that computers "learn" things. :eek: Kind of reminds one of the "Terminator" movies! :uzi:

[Dennis Reinhart]

I just got a phone call from a customer who has had my chip in the car for months and now after installing exhaust he is getting spark knock, so the car AF has to have changed, or fuel quality has dropped, programing doe not change. Now for the few of you with programers experiencing spark knock please be sure you loaded the Premium fuel program NOT the race fuel. This maked as RF this is race fuel not regua fuel if you live in CA the gas there is awfull so I wil help any way I can. Program, if you loaded the Premium fuel program remove the Battery terminal for one full minute the re'install it then drive the car it will relearn a new fuel strategy, if after that you still have pinging send me the programmer back I will make a change free of charge.

[Ross]

Dennis comes through again! :up:

[Silver_04]

BTW....I wish the car's "default" start-up setting was for OD to be OFF!! Then when you leave town for the open road you could turn it on!! Mine does not ping a bit with OD OFF!!! :up: Marauderjack :pimp:

I wish traction control was set to off as well upon startup. I haven't changed my programming yet, so I'll be keeping an eye on this thread.

[Marauderjack]

Silver04...

After many tests I have found that after the TC locks up in forth (O/D ON) and upon slowing down it doesn't unlock unless I give it throttle which causes knocking!! We think it should unlock while braking and coasting...Checking??

It seems the car downshifts while coasting as follows:

Forth-Third (TC Locked) about 32 MPH

Third-Second (TC Unlocks) about 15 MPH

My problem is accelerating at 20-25 MPH (1200 RPM's)......Knocking!! Also 35 MPH in forth with TC locked slight knocking just before downshifting!!

None of this is severe and I think DR can re-program the TC to unlock while coasting and/or braking and completely eliminate my problem!! :up:

I will talk to him Monday to see what we need to do......Meanwhile I will just drive with the O/D OFF around town........No knocking with O/D OFF!! :banana:

Marauderjack :)

[MapleLeafMerc]

Thanks for the info guys. I don't have a tuner or a chip but have experienced weird shifts many times with this car. It does not like stop and go traffic, that I know for sure.

I also wish that OD and TC were off by default.

Nice av, 89VERT.

[MainEngDwarf]

I pretty much have the exact same set up as Marauderjack, except with maybe less miles :) After reading this thread earlier I went out and experimented, (any excuse to take the Marauder out :bounce: ) Sorry folks but I didn't have any problems. Maybe because my computer is still learning or something,(only 2000 miles so far).

[SergntMac]

Just thinking out loud here, but you guys using the 9100 SCT programmer might want to ask Dennis about this.

IMHO, this programmer replaces the delta chip most of us are familiar with, and I'm wondering about this. If y'all are using this programmer to it's full capability, you're getting a lot of performance possibilities, some of which may require adding a lower temp stat and colder plugs, to operate safely and to it's full potential. The detonation you describe here, sounds like you may have "over-programmed" your MM, only because other mods are not in place? This is just something to consider here, please ask Dennis.

[TripleTransAm]

Very good observation, Sarge. Didn't think of that possibility at all, but it does make perfect sense!

[Glenn]

When you program your MM at the edge of performance this type of ping will happen on occasion as described above. It's no big deal, you either give it more gas to kick down the transmission or let up on the gas a little and accelerate a little slower to eliminate the ping. I have it with my MM and I had the best dyno tuned in American. It you wanted less HP 90% of the time it can be programmed for less HP and no ping. I want my maximum HP and will live with a little ping at 25-30 under these conditions and I still get 20-21 mpg.

Glenn

[Dennis Reinhart]

Very good point Mac, I have never recommended just doing a chip, so I have no idea how many are having this issue, and of those that are, you should know if you are running a colder stat and plugs, again I am talking to those that have this issue its no big deal if you send me the programmer.

I will fix this, I talked to Jerry today, this is called tip in spark knock its due to the fact the car is locked up in OD which means the car is at a high load situation if you snap the gas pedal lightly the transmission does not have time to drop out of OD and that's why they are getting a very quick rattle, again this is a very easy fix, I will do it same day, I receive it, other than this, your cars are running better than they ever have, they have more power better gas mileage, firmer shifts removed top speed limiter, if your unhappy return the car to stock, and send the programmer back for a refund, lets not beat this to death, if you have problems pick the phone up and call, that's what I am here for,


I never knew there was a problem till someone told me to go look here. I cannot fix any thing unless I know there is a problem, and I sure do not want new members seeing this without knowing the full situation, and scaring them from even buying tuning for there cars.

The tuning I sell is the best there is, we make more safe power than any one period, we have members here that have gone to tuning sessions that have bought a stage 1 to see only a three to five RWHP gain on the dyno, what does that say about our chips, the tuner has basically the same program as the chip except for the fact that it has been converted to a new file format, Jerry is constantly improving his data base, so again I will take care of this just call me.

The tuner is far better than a chip, chips fail the connections can be contaminated, they can be ruined if removed with key on you can fry the EEC if the J2 port is not cleaned properly, all 2005 Fords will have no service ports flash tuning is here to stay.

[TripleTransAm]

I'm glad this thread showed up, good reference for those planning this route in the future.

I kind of lost track of what's been happening on the tuning front. There was talk of a laptop-based tuner, and I believe some here have used it. Is there a web site that can describe in detail what is the available functionality with these different units? ie. a SCMT web site with details on what parameters it can tune, and maybe a web site that shows the laptop version? (I have seen the latter in the past, but have since lost the link)

[Dennis Reinhart]

Again this is all laid out in the thread, group sale tuner in my forum. This tuner only has only the ability to store up to three separate files, while at the same time storing your stock EEC file, you can choose which file to flash the EEC with, so when these went on sale I loaded two files one was for free, one was Premium fuel one was Race fuel, if you use the race fuel program with 91 octane the car is going to spark knock, because it has more timing. SCT will soon be selling a tuner that will allow you to make minor timing changes and wheel size and possible shift point changes, this is several months away, now the tuner we are talking about here also has as an additional option of external cable and software that would allow you to, down load a corrected file I could send you Via email, that you can then flash the EEC, but the cable is expensive, and SCT is trying to source this so they can reduce the cost, again this is a minor problem here fellers, just send the tuner back I will adjust it you will not lose any RWHP nothing will change but this spit second spark knock at light throttle. Billy Shear was here at my shop today I found this on his car I fixed it in five minutes and the car runs great, I am sure he will be posting some thing tomorrow.

[RCSignals]

I talked to Jerry today, this is called tip in spark knock its due to the fact the car is locked up in OD which means the car is at a high load situation if you snap the gas pedal lightly the transmission does not have time to drop out of OD and that's why they are getting a very quick rattle,

That's exactly what I was thinking it was. Just think of not down shifting in a standard transmission car soon enough, while driving up a hill.

If I recall Ford recommends taking the transmission out of O/D on hills.

[SergntMac]

Thank you, Dennis.

[Marauderjack]

Hey Sarge....

I do have the stat and plugs....:up:

My car runs GREAT and the low speed knocking won't hurt anything....sounds like the clatter you hear when starting a hot engine with a little too much base timing.....only momentary at 1200 RPM's!!

I may run down to Jax this week to meet Dennis and let him make the changes he and Jerry suggest. If the car had to remain "as is" I would leave it this way since it runs far better than stock and driving around town with O/D off works fine!!

This site with the "Brain Pool" we have gets it done!!! :up:

Thanks to all involved!!

Now.....On to the BLOWER!!!!! :banana:

Marauderjack :)

[Cobra25]

I feel we all are very lucky to have Vendor's like Dennis Reinhart who give us answers to our problem's and are willing to help us when we need it. I've called Dennis a few time's and always found him to be straight foward , Honest and helpful. And these day's how many vendor's are like that? Not many !

[89VERT]

I e-mailed Superchips regarding this issue and they suggested using 92 Octane fuel . I'll try this and post the results .

[TAF]

I e-mailed Superchips regarding this issue and they suggested using 92 Octane fuel . I'll try this and post the results .
What grade fuel were you using before?

[89VERT]

I have used 91 almost exclusively since I got the car. I occasionaly use 92 when that's all that's available.

[Kenny's car]

I have a Tuner and have experienced the same knock, when slowly accellerating up a hill. I did not have the problem until winter set in. I have a lot of experience with fuel suppliers and attribute my knock to the fact that most fuel suppliers have a "winter" mix fuel, and a summer mix which meet the posted octane requirements, but the winter mix fuel has a lower vapor pressure, which can lead to knock. Basically winter fuel does not have the highest knock protection because of the lower average ambient temprature.
Sarge's idea of a lower t-stat is pretty good in my opinion, though as he said if you use Dennis's programmer he would be the authority.

[looking97233]

Here in Oregon the gas is not so good either. The pump says 92, but I have this problem on my totally stock MM. On tip in from cruse, it pings.

[Dennis Reinhart]

I believe there is some confusion over what's available and who makes what, as far as tuners go for our cars, let me straighten this out. There is a Superchips Tuner model # 1725 this is an off the shelf programmed tuner that has a good all around program for the 03 Marauder. 89VERT bought this directly from Superchips not me.

I do not believe they have a model for the 04 yet. Superchips was founded in England in 1983, Superchips, Inc. was one of the first companies specializing in the “tuning” of computer-controlled vehicles for more power. Superchips sells a Blue one bank chip and says Superchips right on it. Starting in 05 all ford cars will have no service port so the demand for chips will drop in the coming years,

At the beginning of this year my friend Jerry W went in to partnership with Chris Johnson and David Posea, Jerry sold his tuning software to Superchips, Now they are the owners of SCT or Superchips Custom Tuning, SCT is a total separate entity of Super chips. They have there own Chips that are 4 bank and they are Red that say SCT on them they also will have a new Four Program Chip similar looking to what I have been selling in the past, this chip has 4 position rotary select switch. Superchips is fazing out of the custom chip business.

Now the tuner I ran the special on comes to me Blank its not a 1725. I load the tuning files that I have been selling here since day 1, these are files we constantly revise to gain you the maximum safe RWHP on, if we find we can change some thing, its done, I am a silver SCT dealer I have all the files for any Ford Lincoln Mercury car made I can change any value in there files, so if we find that something is not right if there is something you do or do not like by all means let my self or SCT know. We will fix it immediately. I am a Superchips dealer as well so if I can help the members here with a issue of something with Superchips even though they did noy buy it from me I will.



Dennis A. Reinhart

[89VERT]

I trust that everybody is now aware that my situation involved a 1725 unit from Superchips and not anything from Dennis .

My apologies if I got people confused .
I 'm just a dumb hockey playing Canuck !

[89VERT]

Update!

I've tried two full tanks of 92 Octane fuel and......
the pinging /detonation has vanished.

Thanks for the advice from all !

[studio460]

Let me share my experiences. Remember, I live in California, and all I can get here is our crappy 91-octane "premium" fuel.

1. Got a dynotune from SCT guys several months ago.
2. Experienced knocking at low RPMs under load immediately after tune.
3. Both Jerry and Chris retuned the car several times that day to try to eliminate knocking.
4. Drove back to L.A. from San Diego dynotune--knocking persisted.
5. Purchased Denso IT-22s/180-degree stat from Dennis to reduce knocking--no noticable improvement.
6. Drove to SEMA in Las Vegas to have Chris from SCT reflash my EEC again.
7. Drove back to L.A. from SEMA--knocking persisted.
8. Purchased SCT 9100 ProRacer EEC flasher/tuner/software/cable directly from SCT, but have no clue of what to change to resolve issues.
9. Can't seem to get the serial port on my PC to talk to the 9100 anyway (EEC version of tuner is NOT a USB device--it's serial).
10. I do not have the factory CRD1 file in the tuner (the tuner comes blank).
11. No one at SCT seems to be able to get my original dynotune file sent to me.
12. Since the dyno's 02 sensor was defective at the time of the original dynotune, I have no accurate baseline AF data to compare. I don't even have a CRD1 factory EEC file anymore to compare.
13. Planning on ordering Dennis' cooling mod to help address the knocking issue.
14. Really don't know what else to do here anymore. IMO, the ProRacer software is too cryptic for the layperson to try to program.

[Fin Harder 92]

Much thanks to Dennis for adjusting my tuner yesterday. Five minutes and I was good to go. These SCT's really are the bee's knees.


Take Care

[Reduaram]

I have been experiencing the same thing. I suspected that it might be from adding octane booster to Esso 91 gas so I stopped adding it on the last fill a couple of days ago and I haven't heard it since. The rattling was occuring mostly when I was accelerating but also would happen when I turn the ignition off.

[TripleTransAm]

I have been experiencing the same thing. I suspected that it might be from adding octane booster to Esso 91 gas so I stopped adding it on the last fill a couple of days ago and I haven't heard it since. The rattling was occuring mostly when I was accelerating but also would happen when I turn the ignition off.


Since the reformulation of their premium fuel offering (and thereby dropping from 92 octane to 91), Esso has dropped off my list of Marauder-approved fuels. I get some part-throttle pinging now and again.

So,
Esso 91 = :down:

Octane boosters in any modern car = :down: :down:

As much as I hate it, I've been forced to start swilling Petro Can 94 to fuel my MM, which is now at > $1 per liter here in <S>screw-us-in-the-arse-land</S> Quebec.

[Dennis Reinhart]

The original problem was related to a software glitch off the SCT site thats why I asked for all members that bought tuners in the group buy to send them back for corection, I have corected all files now for the Marauder and they are as good if not better from previous files, so if you have not sent this back before please do. I will corect it and send it out right away.

[scareme]

I bought the tuner from Dennis and had a problem with spark knock. Dennis had this fixed and sent back within a day. Just send it back as he has mentioned if there is a problem. I haven't had any problems even with beating on the car thoroughly since I got it back.

[ParkRanger]

13. Planning on ordering Dennis' cooling mod to help address the knocking issue.


Shooter:

1. I already have the cooling mod installed and occasionally still knock at low RPMs.
2. Returned DR's SCT tuner a few months back for reprogram and reinstalled. Still have knocks - maybe it needs to be reprogrammed again?
3. How about if we add a few gallons of racing fuel when filling up to enrich the 91 gas? Maudominquez' idea - costly but may work?

Any ideas?

PR

[Marauderjack]

The only way to keep the good performance of the SCT tune and eliminate "tip in" knocking is to keep the TC unlocked at low speeds so as to keep engine RPM's up!!! :up:

Lidio has done this very effectively and I would think by now Dennis can do it as well?? :bows: Lidio locks the TC in 4th gear only above 60 MPH....Mine is currently set to lock in 4th gear only at 50 MPH.....It also unlocks automatically below 40 MPH!!! :banana:

The elimination of the TC lockup at lower speeds allows the engine RPM's to increase as the TC "slips" and eliminates that damn knocking!! :up:

BTW...Before the changes above I found that mine would only knock when the TC was locked and the RPM's were between 1000 and 1200....when accelerating slightly. Any more throttle and it would downshift with considerable knocking!! :eek:

I think SCT is working on a file that allows the TC to unlock when coasting or braking?? Maybe Dennis can address this??

Marauderjack :bounce: :beer: :up:

[Dennis Reinhart]

The only way to keep the good performance of the SCT tune and eliminate "tip in" knocking is to keep the TC unlocked at low speeds so as to keep engine RPM's up!!! :up:

Lidio has done this very effectively and I would think by now Dennis can do it as well?? :bows: Lidio locks the TC in 4th gear only above 60 MPH....Mine is currently set to lock in 4th gear only at 50 MPH.....It also unlocks automatically below 40 MPH!!! :banana:

The elimination of the TC lockup at lower speeds allows the engine RPM's to increase as the TC "slips" and eliminates that damn knocking!! :up:

BTW...Before the changes above I found that mine would only knock when the TC was locked and the RPM's were between 1000 and 1200....when accelerating slightly. Any more throttle and it would downshift with considerable knocking!! :eek:

I think SCT is working on a file that allows the TC to unlock when coasting or braking?? Maybe Dennis can address this??

Marauderjack :bounce: :beer: :up:

This issue never happened till we went to the new file format NO one has complained of tip in spark knock on the old Diablo chips, Tip in started when we converted files to SCT, This has been corected I have spoke on this several times. The issue was with some files on SCT that did not get converted properly, all this has now been taken care of, David at SCT has made a speacial value file that Jack is using, I can delay torque converter lock up just like Lidio we use the same software, this may be what some of you would like if so I will do it but the tip in spark knock can be cured without moving the lock up point up, it was do to slight error in the software SCT has fixed that, I have added this to all files along with a better spark table and the files are as good as the original files we sold last year before going to SCT

[studio460]

This issue never happened till we went to the new file format NO one has complained of tip in spark knock on the old Diablo chips, Tip in started when we converted files to SCT, This has been corected I have spoke on this several times. The issue was with some files on SCT that did not get converted properly, all this has now been taken care of, David at SCT has made a special value file that Jack is using, I can delay torque converter lock up just like Lidio we use the same software, this may be what some of you would like if so I will do it but the tip in spark knock can be cured without moving the lock up point up, it was do to slight error in the software SCT has fixed that, I have added this to all files along with a better spark table and the files are as good as the original files we sold last year before going to SCT
Dennis:

My Marauder has knocked under load at low RPMs since my intial dynotune with Jerry and Chris, and following subsequent retunes by Chris at SCT. My question to you, Dennis, is, does this "software glitch" affect files generated by SCT from a dynotune also? I now have all my original dynotune .zcf files from Jerry's laptop, thanks to David's help at SCT. In total, I have about a dozen SCT .zcf files for my CRD1 Marauder--do they all need "correcting?" I'm only asking this here because this is the first time I've heard of this apparently known problem with SCT files. I have the programmable SCT 9100 tuner and Advantage software that I purchased directly from SCT, so any technical support from you, Dennis, on this specific issue would be out of your generous kindness--thanks!

[studio460]

1. I already have the cooling mod installed and occasionally still knock at low RPMs.
2. Returned DR's SCT tuner a few months back for reprogram and reinstalled. Still have knocks - maybe it needs to be reprogrammed again?
3. How about if we add a few gallons of racing fuel when filling up to enrich the 91 gas? Maudominquez' idea - costly but may work?
Hey there, ParkRanger!

Well that's NOT good news about the cooling mod (which I just received, but haven't installed yet). Do you also have colder Denso plugs (I went two-steps colder to IT-22s) and a 180-degree thermostat? Keeping 55-gallon drums of Toulene around to increase my octane is simply out of the question for me since I live in an apartment. Hopefully, there IS some kind of programming glitch with our current SCT files that can be corrected. We'll have to just wait until someone can sort this out and communicate to us what the corrective procedure is. Maruaderjack's suggestion may be the only solution.

[studio460]

Before the changes above I found that mine would only knock when the TC was locked and the RPM's were between 1000 and 1200 . . . when accelerating slightly. Any more throttle and it would downshift with considerable knocking . . . I think SCT is working on a file that allows the TC to unlock when coasting or braking?? Maybe Dennis can address this??
Marauderjack:
These are the EXACT SAME SYMPTOMS/PROBLEMS I have been having since my SCT dynotune by Jerry. And this is after SEVERAL retunes from both Jerry and Chris. I hope your on to something here because I'm growing pretty weary of trying to resolve this issue.

[studio460]

[. . . the knocking] was due to slight error in the software SCT has fixed that.
How do those with SCT 9100 tuners/SCT Advantage tuning software fix their own files?

[Dennis Reinhart]

NBC Shooter you have a totally different situation your car was tuned on a dyno so you have an optimal tune, the car is tuned for peak RWHP so you are running as much tuning as Jerry has dialed in while watching real time data such as knock sensor activity, so having the car on the dyno is one thing, having it on the street under a full load is another, there is nothing to be weary about, its a minor fix if your car is flashed you can suck the flashed file out with the tuner. I can take that file that is stored in the tuner and retrieve it and pull about 1 or 2 degrees of timing this will cure your issue, this is not the same thing that other people have had issues with all this has been corrected, you have a separate problem that is easily fixed.

[darebren]

I hate to add another post here, but thanks everyone, I finally figured out what the new noise is I hear after i had my headers installed.. maybe i just never heard it before, but now at around 1,000 RPM's i get a rattle/buzz that seems to be out of the passenger side exhaust pipe.. and maybe it is this ping/spark tip in.

I am going for dyno tune soon anyway, so we will see what shakes out of that pretty soon... want the A?F ratio boosted anyway.. and a second program to take out timing for the NOS.

[DirtyDog]

I hate to add another post here, but thanks everyone, I finally figured out what the new noise is I hear after i had my headers installed.. maybe i just never heard it before, but now at around 1,000 RPM's i get a rattle/buzz that seems to be out of the passenger side exhaust pipe.. and maybe it is this ping/spark tip in.

I am going for dyno tune soon anyway, so we will see what shakes out of that pretty soon... want the A?F ratio boosted anyway.. and a second program to take out timing for the NOS.

Check that rattle and see if it is coming from your cat. Kooks has had problems with some Magnaflow Cats. Mine went out with only 200 miles on it.