I've read anywhere from 30 seconds to 45 minutes with the headlights on to drain the system and reset the computer to adjust more quickly to new mods added on to the truck... question is - how long do I actually need to keep my battery disco'd to reset my computer? What do the ford technicians recommend?

I unplugged my battery for about 15 minutes. The radio retained it's presets. Does this mean the system was not drained completely to reset the computer or that the radio keeps the presets regardless if it loses power?

Thanks,
somegeek

P.S. - got a 3" exhaust from end of Y pipe back with the larger magnaflow installed today - sounds damn nice. :-)

 

Really not sure, but I would disconnect before going to bed and reconnect in the morning. That should give it plenty of time.

Good Luck

 

Two minutes is plenty. The radio has a reserve battery on some models that holds a charge for quite awhile. I never lost my stations even on my truck after two hours. I have lost my trip odometer miles each time.
Chris

 

I noticed the radio clock was reset but the presets were retained.

Thanks for the info.

 

i thought 97 was the last year that you could reset the computer like that. will it turn off the check engine light also?

 

No, the check light is stored. You need a code reader to clear that. Scanguage, superchips etc.

Chris