Tuning a spare computer?
Thread Starter
|
New User
Joined: Jul 2018
Posts: 2
Likes: 0
Tuning a spare computer?
Does it make sense to get a spare Ecu to install and then tune / delete your truck? Anyone ever do this to a vehical? Not sure if it would hide everything from a dealer if/when you take it in for warranty work. or if this idea would work in general. Seems like you could return it completely back to stock.
Senior User
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 487
Likes: 0
From: CT
I just had the ring and pinion replaced in my truck under warranty. Brought the truck in tuned and deleted, the dealer couldnt have cared less. Unless you melt a piston or burn up a transmission I cant see the warranty being voided.
Logistics Pro
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 4,795
Likes: 47
Does it make sense to get a spare Ecu to install and then tune / delete your truck? Anyone ever do this to a vehical? Not sure if it would hide everything from a dealer if/when you take it in for warranty work. or if this idea would work in general. Seems like you could return it completely back to stock.
much easier and cheaper to simply return it to stock before taking it to the dealer
Posting Guru
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 1,352
Likes: 4
Does it make sense to get a spare Ecu to install and then tune / delete your truck? Anyone ever do this to a vehical? Not sure if it would hide everything from a dealer if/when you take it in for warranty work. or if this idea would work in general. Seems like you could return it completely back to stock.
Mountain Pass
Joined: Jan 2017
Posts: 150
Likes: 10
From: Amarillo & DFW
93notch, not meaning to hijack your thread. Solid question though.
Senior User
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 487
Likes: 0
From: CT
I just run an ezlynk tuner with all the common hardware that goes along with a delete, nothing out of the ordinary. Im just waiting on ezlynk to release all the baseline parameters so I can write my own tune, im not a fan of the currant files offered by the techs.
Trending Topics
Frmr Ford Trans Engr
Joined: Aug 1999
Posts: 24,704
Likes: 2,626
From: SE Florida
Does it make sense to get a spare Ecu to install and then tune / delete your truck? Anyone ever do this to a vehical? Not sure if it would hide everything from a dealer if/when you take it in for warranty work. or if this idea would work in general. Seems like you could return it completely back to stock.
Returning the computer to stock won't get rid of all the evidence that there was a tuner installed. There is software in the truck (no, I won't say where) that can detect when the engine makes more power than stock. When it sees this it sets a code that is stored away from the engine computer. If you can find this code you'll also find that you can't delete it. The dealers can find the code and if they do, they can deny a warranty claim that could be due to more power than stock.
I know about this because I was at Ford when it was developed. I worked with the people that created this software. I won't argue whether it exists or not, nor will I describe how it works. I really don't care if anyone believes me or not, I post this for the benefit of those that are concerned about keeping their warranty intact.
FTE Stories
Ford Trucks for Ford Truck Enthusiasts
AEV FXL Super Duty - the Super Duty Raptor Ford Doesn't Make
Brett Foote
Lobo Vs Lobo: Proof the F-150 Lobo Should Be Even Lower!
Michael S. Palmer
Ford's 2001 Explorer Sportsman Concept Looks For a New Home
Verdad Gallardo
10 Best Ford Truck Engines We Miss the Most!
Joe Kucinski
2026 Shelby F-150 Off-Road: Better Than a Raptor R?
Brett Foote
2027 Super Duty Carhartt Package First Look: 12 Things You NEED to Know!
Michael S. Palmer
10 Most Surprising 2026 Ford Truck Features!
Joe Kucinski
Top 10 Ford Trucks Coming to Mecum Indy 2026
Brett Foote
5 Best / 5 Worst Ford Truck Wheels of All Time
Joe Kucinski
Freshman User
Joined: Sep 2017
Posts: 47
Likes: 0
Sounds like fraud to me.
Returning the computer to stock won't get rid of all the evidence that there was a tuner installed. There is software in the truck (no, I won't say where) that can detect when the engine makes more power than stock. When it sees this it sets a code that is stored away from the engine computer. If you can find this code you'll also find that you can't delete it. The dealers can find the code and if they do, they can deny a warranty claim that could be due to more power than stock.
I know about this because I was at Ford when it was developed. I worked with the people that created this software. I won't argue whether it exists or not, nor will I describe how it works. I really don't care if anyone believes me or not, I post this for the benefit of those that are concerned about keeping their warranty intact.
Returning the computer to stock won't get rid of all the evidence that there was a tuner installed. There is software in the truck (no, I won't say where) that can detect when the engine makes more power than stock. When it sees this it sets a code that is stored away from the engine computer. If you can find this code you'll also find that you can't delete it. The dealers can find the code and if they do, they can deny a warranty claim that could be due to more power than stock.
I know about this because I was at Ford when it was developed. I worked with the people that created this software. I won't argue whether it exists or not, nor will I describe how it works. I really don't care if anyone believes me or not, I post this for the benefit of those that are concerned about keeping their warranty intact.
SD
Fleet Owner
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 26,007
Likes: 575
From: Brentwood,CA
Part of it is in the transmission and built in to the torque management. If you have the money and access to IDS its not hard to create a second ECU. You just have to have access to the as built data and you can link everything including all modules. I don't advocate doing this but I also don't see it as a problem. It's so cost prohibitive for most people that it would never become a widespread issue. Look up the cost for the ECU and the core charge.
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
stackedstroker1
6.0L Power Stroke Diesel
4
Jul 24, 2009 05:28 PM