I took my 2000 Excursion 7.3 to the Ford dealer for an oil change yesterday. I always return the truck to the stock program with my microtuner 1705 when I take it in for service. I was talking to the mechanic, asking him what he thought about tuners and if they worked. He said that people install them and even when they remove them for service they leave a code in the computer indicating they were there. Is this true??? I thought that when you returned to stock they wouldn't know a tuner had been used??

 

I've noticed when I swap my program back and forth, each time it leaves a code like the battery had been disconnected (don't remember the number right now). You can use the tuner to clear it out and the code will be gone, I think, although I do remember one time I had to clear it twice before it was gone. Maybe change the program a day or two before the service appointment, then clear the code out, and maybe check it once more before dropping the truck off at the dealer.........

 

Does the PSD have a different control computer for IH and Ford. Dodge does and while a fueling box will not pop up any codes on the Dodge computer it throws all kinds of fits on the Cummins one. Dealerships cant read the Cummins one so most people are all right. If the truck have major engine problems they will have a Cummins rep come out and check the Cummins computer. I think its called the ECM or PCM. does anybody know if the PSD hassomethign close to the same thing?

 

Why are you worried about this. Are you aware that using a tuner, or chip, and then removing it in order to obtain warranty service that would be otherwise denied, constitutes fraud, and is a prosecuteable crime. Ford warranties THEIR engine. If you want to make it YOUR engine by using unapproved accessories, then you should be willing to take responsibility for your actions. Repeat after me, "I AM MY OWN WARRANTY STATION!"

 

I personally don't give a flying flip about the warranty, I just want my truck to be in its stock form whenever I take it in for service, in case they decide to update the computer program or something.........

 

Guess we are lucky because our Ford Dealer Service Department has enough service techincians that use the aftermarket programmers for their vechicles that the service advisors ask if your vechicle has an aftermarket program or chip, so they do not accidentally overwrite it. One advisor has a SuperChips sticker on his podium. The aftermarket shop that the delaership owns (that sells grills, bumpers, lights etc......) sells Hypertech programmers in stock, and they install the program for you. So I guess this Ford dealership does not have a problem with warranty issues from programmers. Although they did deny a warranty claim for a F350 Diesel Engine when the tow truck driver observed the owner was pulling a very overloaded livestock trailer and his oil level was low.

 

Carfunkel you wrote: "Are you aware that using a tuner, or chip, and then removing it in order to obtain warranty service that would be otherwise denied, constitutes fraud, and is a prosecuteable crime. Ford warranties THEIR engine. If you want to make it YOUR engine by using unapproved accessories, then you should be willing to take responsibility for your actions. "

Just few comments, I don't have a chip myself or use a tuner but I don't use the ford coffee cup holder either. It may be personally unethical for me to take my Wall-Mart coffee cup holder out when I take my truck in but it is not fraud. Of course I just made that up for illustration. Ford Warranties YOUR engine, not "THEIR" engine. It is a contract with mutual responsibilities. Only damage from the unathorized part "may" void the warranty, that is also specifically stated in your Ford warranty (contract). Fair enough, if I use that non-stock hyper H.P. producing coffee cup holder and spill coffee in the radio it is my responsibilty. Now if my neighbor burns his engine outwhile using a chip he may be denied coverage. Maybe he thinks that a part unrelated to the chip install caused a cascading engine failure. Fraud is such an ugly word, it implies that someone is criminal not just mistaken. Taking the chip out would not be fraud, just poor personal ethics. Ford deny's warranty coverage all the time, they lose more than they win at DSRB. So would you describe Ford predisposition to deny claims that they know will eventually be allowed as good buisness or fraud?

 

So far no one has answered Dans question.. Does a micro_tuner leave tracks ?? I too would like to know.. Does anyone have an answer to this question?

Thanks

 

Besides you can always invoke Ford's worst fear.

Don't buy one this year. <<<<<<<<< That terrifies them.

I have all Ford vehicles in my fleet and personal ownership. Even if a repair is not warranty covered, just complain to the service manager, new car sales manager, dealership GM or owner, then to Ford if you can't get no satisfaction. Most are willing to negotiate a compromise to keep you as a customer.

And that is the first time I have read someone would think installing and then removing an aftermarket device would be fraud. Most educated dealers ask if you have one because they want to prevent inaccurate readings or damage, not to scold you for having one.

 

Mykro, the answer is yes they do leave tracks. Sort of like a boot log in the background of a PC. I was reading a post on another forum, DieselStop.com, a couple of months ago. Two vendors, one that made chips and one that made tuners went at it over whose was better and whose was harder to detect when removed. Each was convinced that the others product could be detected after removal more easily than theirs. They convinced me that no matter what changing the program is detectable.

 

Thanks Oneofsix... I've been chewing on this for awhile, wether to take my truck into Banks to have the Stinger System installed.
I may just have a Monster Exhaust installed instead.

 

Even if a programmer or chip does leave tracks, I think (I'm not sure) there is a way to cover them. I was reading another thread earlier and they were discussing something similar to this; bad chips and how to return the truck to stock in order to install a new one. On a pre-99 remove the #9 fuse in the fuse box. That will reset the PCM and the truck will "forget" you ever had a chip or that it was ever there. On a 99-and up, it's the #15 Fuse. Pull the fuse the day or whenever before you go in for service, (If at all possible do it overnight) put it back in when you ready to head over to the dealership. They shouldn't be able to detect the evidence of a chip or even the fact that you ever had one. If anything they'll think the truck is bone stock. Again, I'm not sure about this, but I'd do that rather than have Ford give me grief about a chip.

 

Something I failed to mention, but is probably obvious, is that you should remove the chip AFTER you pull the fuse out. If you leave it in, it's only going to reset with the chip's program.

 

Oneof6, regardless of what you say, removing a part and returning the truck to stock form is fraud. You are intentionally deceiving the dealership and Ford. To clarify what you said about "their engine" and "your engine", Ford warranties the engine in stock form. If parts, fluids, etc. need to be replaced they are to be replaced according to the standard that Ford sets. If damage is caused by a chip or tuner then it won't be covered under warranty. Ford is also cracking down on the "mod friendly" dealers and from what I've heard is requiring information sent to them directly in order to perform warranty work.

 

Code 603 will pop up in the computer just reset it. code 1111 is the code for everthing is aok.