does pulling PCM relay reset emissions readiness?
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Trailering
Joined: May 2025
Posts: 20
Likes: 4
does pulling PCM relay reset emissions readiness?
My 2000 7.3 6 speed was stolen and recovered earlier in the year, since then I have been pulling the under-hood PCM and other 2 identical relays and the fuel pump fuse for whatever extra protection/peace-of-mind that will give me when the truck isn't being used (humor me... haha). I don't use it every day, just when I need to haul something, so it sits a lot.
Does pulling the PCM relay like this reset the emissions readiness? My gut tells me no, since it's a relay, it's probably only passing power when the ignition is turned or when the vehicle is running. Is that correct?
I used to keep the batteries disconnected when I wasn't driving it for a long time just to keep them from draining, but then it was a headache to get the truck's emissions drive cycles to actually trigger the readiness when it comes emissions time, one time I had to drive it daily for a month to get it to finally trigger. I want to make sure pulling the relays isn't doing the same thing again.
Thanks fellas!
Does pulling the PCM relay like this reset the emissions readiness? My gut tells me no, since it's a relay, it's probably only passing power when the ignition is turned or when the vehicle is running. Is that correct?
I used to keep the batteries disconnected when I wasn't driving it for a long time just to keep them from draining, but then it was a headache to get the truck's emissions drive cycles to actually trigger the readiness when it comes emissions time, one time I had to drive it daily for a month to get it to finally trigger. I want to make sure pulling the relays isn't doing the same thing again.
Thanks fellas!
Lead Driver
Joined: Aug 2022
Posts: 5,075
Likes: 1,417
From: Oologah, OK
don't know,
but I keep a Battery Tender on my Excursion, because if I don't,
in 3 weeks time, it won't start, volts showed 11.8 when I returned home after a vacation trip of 3 weeks...
I forgot to plug in the battery tender before I left home.
so, now the batteries are not in as good health as they were before that stupid mistake....
just normal wet cells and 2 plus years old now.
but I keep a Battery Tender on my Excursion, because if I don't,
in 3 weeks time, it won't start, volts showed 11.8 when I returned home after a vacation trip of 3 weeks...
I forgot to plug in the battery tender before I left home.
so, now the batteries are not in as good health as they were before that stupid mistake....
just normal wet cells and 2 plus years old now.
Cargo Master
Joined: Apr 2012
Posts: 2,028
Likes: 530
From: Bottom Of Pikes Peak
sounds like you live in the wrong state... Sorry, i don't have anything useful either. We have emissions here in Colorado but we don't need to worry about that.
isn't there an easier method to keep the truck from being started during a theft attempt?
As John said, battery maintainer or just use it once a month to get batteries charged back up
isn't there an easier method to keep the truck from being started during a theft attempt?
As John said, battery maintainer or just use it once a month to get batteries charged back up
Thread Starter
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Trailering
Joined: May 2025
Posts: 20
Likes: 4
I did have a solar maintainer on it, but that was stolen from the truck when the truck was stolen. I do intend on eventually making a kill switch, but I haven't had time to mess with it, so I've just been pulling relays.
Butt-Head
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 9,453
Likes: 2,936
From: Reed Point, MT
The PCM already has what's called "Keep Alive Memory" supplied at all times by the battery. Removing the PCM relay will not clear the codes or reset any monitors as the relay only supplies power to the PCM when the key is in the run or start position anyway.
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Trailering
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