Wallsy, Hope it helps. I was reviewing the instruction link and whilst not 100% the same it should guide you enough to see. The US ones seem to be tucked up a bit where as ours are just horizontal to the floor under the dash.
Let us know what you find.

 

Wallsy, holy crap, I don't believe it!

The problem I think you may have is that the PO has had a Superchips or similar and has left the tune in your truck's computer. You won't be able to detect if it is there unless you can plug the old tuner unit back into the OBCII port, which you obviously can't cause you never got the unit.

The JWVB does firm up the shifts, but not chirping firm, just not-slushy-slurry shifts. It is there, but you'd have to know it to realise that the old slush shift has firmed up.

I heard Clay talking about the back-yard VB mods I think Reg was referring too where they drilled holes between the galleries in the VB. The problem with these VB units is that the shifting is then built into the VB and can't be adjusted through the tune.

The good thing about the new PHP Hydra chip is that the stock tune is available on the website. But can you live with it until you get one?

The only thing that I can think MIGHT be a chance of working to take your truck to a Ford Stealership and ask them to re-flash your truck's computer back to stock.

I have a Superchips that could theoretically do this, but the first message that comes up on the Superchips unit's display is that the unit is 'VIN locked' - obviously a manufacturer trick to stop unit sharing or reselling. I've never tried hooking it up to another F-truck so I don't know whether it's bluff or it really is VIN locked on first use.

I could try opening the unit and removing any internal battery so it goes through it's initial start up again. If it did, then it could be plugged into another truck.

 

Sorry Wallsy I didn't even think about a programmer being left in??? I did have one in my old GMC a Hypertech(or something) it too was VIN locked but could be move to other trucks if you set the original truck back to stock. I left mine in my old truck when i sold it.

 

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Gents,

This is what I found when I removed the cover. Don't know much about chips, but this looks like the standard bung to go in that hole?? I'm stuffed now!

 

Wallsy, no problem there. That is a stock PCM & bung. When you order your PHP Hydra you need to quote the 4 character code on the PCM - is it 'HVK3' for yours?

The Gen1 tuners just re-flash the chip inside there by plugging into the OBDII port and writing a new program to the truck's existing memory. So there will be no physical evidence if a Gen-1 tuner has been applied.

Your photo also confirms that no Gen-2 or Gen-3 piggy-back module is already there either.

So a reflash to stock, or fitment of the Hydra should get you around your current problem.

BUT

That tranny shop did fit the JWVB didn't he?
Like he wouldn't have just fitted one of those other 'special' hard-modded units so that you'd come back and say 'take it out'. Would he pull a cunning stunt like that? Cause that chirpy hard-as-buggery shift that you're talking about just isn't natural, and certainly did NOT happen to me when I fitted my JWVB right over the top of the Superchips 'Top Performance' tune in my truck.

Just thinking aloud here....

 

Simon,
Got me stumped mate. The guy who fitted it would be game enough to pull that sort of stunt with me. He knows I would go him for everything if he did. Its just a pig to drive and feels like its going to destroy the box with every change. Starting to really annoy me now!!!! A left over chip would have been an easy option, but that is out of the question. Right now I just need answers as to what has happened to cause this type of changing. I hope its not a faulty JWVB.

 

Wallsy, Do you access to anyone who may have a tuner or OBD11 reader that maybe able to confirm if you PCM has been re-flashed?? Or perhaps a trip to the stealership for an diagnostics check would tell you.

 

Glenn,

No access to anyone with who can check my PCM. Other thing is my truck is a direct import form the US so ford Australia want absolutely nothing to do with it. Tried that once before.

 

Any one out your way in Brisvegas with an OBD11 reader? Local Mechanic ect?? I wouldn't have thought it would be such an issue for FA but then again perhaps the PCM codes are way different????? I am lucky that my mechanic is kitted out for F-Trucks. Is there any F truck specialists in Qld??

 

Wallsy, I can't see how a tuner would make the shifts that bad. The tuner doesn't even know the JWVB is in there so would not be doing anything different.

Your guy has now fitted 4 VB's and every one, including yours, has had the same issue afterwards. It can only be: 1) your truck (toon), 2) your JWVB is faulty, or 3) something he is doing.

I'm ruling out 1) - same before & after, even a Superchips tune would not impact the shifting that much.

That leaves options 2 and 3. My money would be on 3, but it could be an unlikely 2.

Is the ATF level & type correct? (Opt 3 if the wrong type was used).

Here's a pic of my JWVB being fitted up:
https://picasaweb.google.com/1077641...68225391631122


Can you contact JW and ask what he thinks?

 

Their diagnostics equipment should be able to still read your PCM, and it will take them all of 10seconds to do it. If its a dealership that doesn't want your business, see if you can find another one that does.

That said, you can order a cheap Bluetooth OBDII device, and pair it with the Torque Pro app if you have an Android phone.

 

Just went and saw ford Australia and they are worried about updates etc trying to happen when they scan it. They are unsure if it damage the PCM so they are not will to touch it, as I suspected. I also spoke to the guy up here that has the contract for the QAS f trucks. He suggested that I just get a chip that over rides it all, such as Clay suggested. Its just a hassle that I don't have any stock tunes if this is the issue. If its not, then I don't know what it could be???

 

Wallsy,
I know this wont help you too much but when I get home in 3 weeks i am going to fit my JWVB that Clay sent me and I will report back if i see the same issues as you. As for ordering a chip I know the tunes from PHP are good to run with the JWVB and that is what I have ordered. the exact same as Simon. And I found the pricing to be pretty good with the PHP and it is one of the few that seem to be almost limitless(as in I can program tunes written by Beans or DP if I chose). I am just not 100% if the Hydra has a inbuilt stock setting or it is a tune that leaves your original PCM code alone? I would suggest dropping an email to Jay at PHP and see what they say???????

Adrian,
Have you heard of any good apps for the iphone for our trucks? I have tried a few and whilst I can get my phone to connect to the wifi adapter after that i seem to get a whole lot of nothing in the information world. Just wondering if anyone has anything that actually works with the iphone????

 

Guys, the Hydra web-site offers the Stock tune - both with and w/o modified VB.

Wallsy, you could download the stock tune (modified VB) to Pos1 of the Hydra chip.

Let us know how you go. It would def be worth ringing Clay (first thing in the Business Hours morning here gets them late in the afternoon).
Main questions - could it be the tune? Ever had a faulty JWVB? Any ideas what would cause overly harsh shifting? Can the fitted-up JWVB is positively identfied as a JWVB if the pan is dropped?

 

Simon,

been speaking to Clay on email during the day regarding the issue. He has suggested a chip like the DP F6 or NO LIMITS one. That would cure the issue if its a chip issue. I am going to chip the truck and always was, just wanted to get all the bolt on accessories on before sorting that out. Pretty much there now. The big thing about the chip is that it will completely override any existing programming that is in the truck. So really, the stock setting will always be modified to suit the JWVB but that is no real issue as I don't plan on removing that thing unnecessarily. Fingers crossed that its the issue and that the chip sorts it. Plan on ordering that tomorrow. What is the PHP like. worth investigating??