Need a retune?

[ledzilla]

Back in 2010 I got a Zack tune after getting my 4:10 gear installed. I don't remember much about the way my car performed, though, so this is why I want to ask...

While my transmission was getting rebuilt, the battery was disconnected.... For at least a week. And during some of the reinstallation procedure, the battery was momentarily reconnected for very brief periods as power was needed for certain things (like getting necessary items back out of the trunk because the decklid lock cylinder has seized from never being used).

Would any of this cause the custom tune to be removed and have everything flashed back to stock? Do I need to have the tune flashed again?

I ask because I'm shifting up through the gears too quickly, and that seems vaguely familiar from before getting the tune. Also, for some reason when going about 45mph and faster and I drop the pedal down to get a passing gear nothing happens. It's incredibly frustrating trying to get up speed solely in 4th gear. Or is it possible that somewhere along the line the shift tables that Zack had programmed in have been wiped back to stock but the tune is still intact?

I'm just trying to get all the funkiness I'm experiencing post-rebuild figured out.

[SC Cheesehead]

Do you still have the tuner? Why not just reload it?

[Mr. Man]

If Zack re-tuned you with his computer I'd guess your OEM tune is in his computer along with ours. Disconnecting the battery should have no effect on the tune. You just may need a different tune that incorporates your current needs. Get in touch with Lidio or Mo's and they can set you up like you want.

[ctrlraven]

Your PCM can't just go back to stock because of the battery. The stock tune is actually saved on your flash tuner when you upload a new tune so the only way for it to go back to stock is if you returned the car to stock via the flash tuner or someone reflashed it back to stock.

With the battery being disconnected, it could take 300-600 miles for the adaptive learning to re-learn your driving habits.


If Zack re-tuned you with his computer I'd guess your OEM tune is in his computer along with ours. Disconnecting the battery should have no effect on the tune. You just may need a different tune that incorporates your current needs. Get in touch with Lidio or Mo's and they can set you up like you want.
Zack doesn't have anyone's OEM tunes on his computer. The only place a stock tune will ever be is either on the PCM/ECU when the car is stock tuned or the stock tune gets uploaded to the flash tuner when uploading a performance tune.

[ledzilla]

Ok, so the tune and the modified shift tables, even with the long battery disconnect, the frequent connect/disconnect of that battery that was experienced, and the complete rebuild of the transmission, should all still be intact with out needing to get anything reflashed?

[SC Cheesehead]

Ok, so the tune and the modified shift tables, even with the long battery disconnect, the frequent connect/disconnect of that battery that was experienced, and the complete rebuild of the transmission, should all still be intact with out needing to get anything reflashed?


That would be correct.

[ctrlraven]

You have to look at what was lastly changed which was the transmission. If it's not shifting the way you remember it use to before needing a rebuild after 300-500 miles then something is up with the transmission.

[ledzilla]

Yeah, it shifts too soon, and doesn't give me passing gear at certain speeds. Although, I think there may be something to that partially as within a certain speed range the speedo goes wonky, bouncing around. I've had to manually shift into 2nd because it'll get up into fourth gear and not drop down, not even at WOT.

[ctrlraven]

I would take it back to the place that rebuilt it. Something with the trans is the issue.

To rule out the tune if it makes you feel better, return the car to stock and see how it drives. If it still does it then you know 100% it is the transmission or something related to it.

[fastblackmerc]

I would take it back to the place that rebuilt it. Something with the trans is the issue.

To rule out the tune if it makes you feel better, return the car to stock and see how it drives. If it still does it then you know 100% it is the transmission or something related to it.

+1.

Sounds like there is an issue with the rebuilt tranny.

[Mr. Man]

Zack doesn't have any one's OEM tunes on his computer. The only place a stock tune will ever be is either on the PCM/ECU when the car is stock tuned or the stock tune gets uploaded to the flash tuner when uploading a performance tune. Zack tuned MsD's car in Kentucky many years ago from his computer and I do not have an SCT. NJ emissions fails her car now because things are turned off. So where is her stock tune? I don't understand. :)

[ctrlraven]

Zack tuned MsD's car in Kentucky many years ago from his computer and I do not have an SCT. NJ emissions fails her car now because things are turned off. So where is her stock tune? I don't understand. :)
Does she have a flash tuner? SCT Xcal 2 unit?

[fastblackmerc]

Zack tuned MsD's car in Kentucky many years ago from his computer and I do not have an SCT. NJ emissions fails her car now because things are turned off. So where is her stock tune? I don't understand. :)

Your best bet is to contact Zack.

[Mr. Man]

Does she have a flash tuner? SCT Xcal 2 unit?
Neither.

We were talking with Zack about a re-tune in the parking lot and I went into the hotel to talk about it w/ BigDogJim. When I came out Ms.D said Zack had re-tuned the car (Ms.D's virtue is not patience). She had already driven the car and loved it so I took it for a quick ride and asked him to soften the 2-3 shift. He whipped out his computer and plugged it into the port under the dash and pushed a few keys. The 1-2 shift in Ms.D's car will rip your head off if your not prepared for it though.

[ctrlraven]

Neither.

We were talking with Zack about a re-tune in the parking lot and I went into the hotel to talk about it w/ BigDogJim. When I came out Ms.D said Zack had re-tuned the car (Ms.D's virtue is not patience). She had already driven the car and loved it so I took it for a quick ride and asked him to soften the 2-3 shift. He whipped out his computer and plugged it into the port under the dash and pushed a few keys. The 1-2 shift in Ms.D's car will rip your head off if your not prepared for it though.
You would need to talk to Zack if he did the tuning that way.

[Mr. Man]

You would need to talk to Zack if he did the tuning that way.
True dat. I think one of these days I'm going to buy an SCT and have one of the boys load a stock tune along with the performance tunes.:)

[captain]

What VooDoo does this guy possess? How is this story possible? Zack has a computer that opens and closes ECM...down loads and stores...Just like SCT?
Wouldnt you need the entire software program? Ford doesnt even have that.
They have access via the internet but they dont own it.??????????????????

[ledzilla]

I'll try to get in touch with the guy who rebuilt my trans as soon as I can, then. See what he thinks.

[SC Cheesehead]

What VooDoo does this guy possess? How is this story possible? Zack has a computer that opens and closes ECM...down loads and stores...Just like SCT?
Wouldnt you need the entire software program? Ford doesnt even have that.
They have access via the internet but they dont own it.??????????????????

No VooDoo.

http://www.sctflash.com/products.php?PID=43

Pro Racer, SCT Tuners, you go from there.

[Richy04]

Mr. Man

When Zack loaded the tune, his equipment stored your original tune on his SCT gear. He has the full blown dealer version so he may have it stored for you on his stuff. If he can't locate it, you can have Ford reload an original MAV2 tune back into your computer with the proper vin number and all. They will charge you at least an hours labor to do it. They will simply overwrite the tune that is in there with their Ford Proprietary computer system. Maybe you can send the computer to some guys on here who work for Ford and they can do it cheaper, or buy/borrow another MAV2 programmed computer from someone here who has a spare stock computer for an 04 Marauder while yours is being flashed out of the car so you don't lose use of the vehicle. I'm in NJ and I flash mine back to stock a week before I go, then I reload the tune back in the lot when I pull out. Back in 2008 I had no problem with the tune, in 2010 they failed me and showed me a printout 34 feet long. They changed their software to read deeper into the computer looking at each sensor, in 08 they just looked for codes. So now you will need to flash it back every two years to get the sticker. If your rear O2's are turned off, they will fail you, their new software knows what is on and what is off. It will fail without a check engine light being present.

[Mr. Man]

Mr. Man

When Zack loaded the tune, his equipment stored your original tune on his SCT gear. He has the full blown dealer version so he may have it stored for you on his stuff. If he can't locate it, you can have Ford reload an original MAV2 tune back into your computer with the proper vin number and all. They will charge you at least an hours labor to do it. They will simply overwrite the tune that is in there with their Ford Proprietary computer system. Maybe you can send the computer to some guys on here who work for Ford and they can do it cheaper, or buy/borrow another MAV2 programmed computer from someone here who has a spare stock computer for an 04 Marauder while yours is being flashed out of the car so you don't lose use of the vehicle. I'm in NJ and I flash mine back to stock a week before I go, then I reload the tune back in the lot when I pull out. Back in 2008 I had no problem with the tune, in 2010 they failed me and showed me a printout 34 feet long. They changed their software to read deeper into the computer looking at each sensor, in 08 they just looked for codes. So now you will need to flash it back every two years to get the sticker. If your rear O2's are turned off, they will fail you, their new software knows what is on and what is off. It will fail without a check engine light being present.
I found out about the new software in '011. I was able to take it to a private shop and they did a tailpipe test and it passed. Guy said it was one of the cleanest cars he'd seen. I will need to pay this year for another two year sticker or get a SCT w/a stock tune and 2 other tunes from Lidio or Mo's.
Also been thinking about trying for NJ Collector status so I can forget about all this emissions crap. They just check your mileage.

[1stMerc]

Mr. Man

When Zack loaded the tune, his equipment stored your original tune on his SCT gear. He has the full blown dealer version so he may have it stored for you on his stuff. If he can't locate it, you can have Ford reload an original MAV2 tune back into your computer with the proper vin number and all. They will charge you at least an hours labor to do it. They will simply overwrite the tune that is in there with their Ford Proprietary computer system. Maybe you can send the computer to some guys on here who work for Ford and they can do it cheaper, or buy/borrow another MAV2 programmed computer from someone here who has a spare stock computer for an 04 Marauder while yours is being flashed out of the car so you don't lose use of the vehicle. I'm in NJ and I flash mine back to stock a week before I go, then I reload the tune back in the lot when I pull out. Back in 2008 I had no problem with the tune, in 2010 they failed me and showed me a printout 34 feet long. They changed their software to read deeper into the computer looking at each sensor, in 08 they just looked for codes. So now you will need to flash it back every two years to get the sticker. If your rear O2's are turned off, they will fail you, their new software knows what is on and what is off. It will fail without a check engine light being present.

What he said. The tuner update software has prevision where by you can download the stock tune to your computer via the handheld. As long as he has an unlocked or the (ability to unlock) a hand held tuner he can tune your car.