I was thinking about the flash issue – the fact that you can’t “unflash” a truck. Now I’m curious. If a flash is simply a software program then why can’t they just reflash the truck with the previous program and restore the previous program?

I am no computer guy, and there may be a good reason they can’t redo a program, but, like, they can repair the software on the Mars rover from a bizillon miles away then why can’t the restore the settings on a freeking 64 bit chip?!?!

Any wisdom out there?

poco

 

Personally I agree, I don't think the reason is that they can't, instead it's several other reasons such as:

1) They don't get paid by Ford to flash backwards
2) They lose the prior upgrades when new ones are downloaded
3) The service people don't know or care how to do it

I've heard of one individual that was successful getting flashed back and he agreed to the Oct. flash on the condition that if it hurt the performance he could go back to the original. When he complained immediately he got his flash back. What's so ironic is that he had the exact same complaints as many others such as lower power, less fuel mileage, vibrations, and engine noise.

What has me frustrated is that they install the flash to supposedly better the performance. So why don't they care when the flash obviously hurts the performace. I never complained about anything before the October flash and now the truck is junk but they don't seem so eager to reflash now.

Personally I think that Ford has mandated these flashes to cover up problems whether emissions or mechanically related and ultimately that is the reason they won't let you go back. Customer satisfaction is second to admitting their mistakes.

 

They would have to have SAVED the previous version...
AND have the ability to track which ones had it...
and write the facility to do it...
but most of all they had to WANT to do this...

Every tried to get your wife to do something she REALLY doesn't want to do

 

This has been on my mind, also. Reflashing, with an older one, still, is a reflash.

In addition to the three important points made prior to this statement, this simply would confirm that the procedure is available -- the issue is to get the dealership to do it, and with someone qualified to do it.

If one does not want the reflashing, simply add to the work order the following:

Not withstanding anything to the contrary herein,

I do not authorize any flashing/reflashing of any of the Truck's computers; This prohibition is of the essence.

Just a Thought.....on......My Perceptions......

 

If they reflash back before the oct. flash, that will let your PI work and since FMC doesnt want your PI working in fear of all the failed injectors and ruined motors, 99.9% of the dealers were probably told to lose the old program. How conveniant for ford..

 

Some of the problem may be in the Ford computor "learning cycle" You could disconnect the batteries for 30 minutes, reconnect and let the computer learn it's enviroment for the next 5 driving cycles. I have had experience with racing Mustangs where it was apparent that the computer was clogged with data and disconnecting solved some problems.
The Problem with the dealers is that they don't know one flash from another. This is all new for the average mechanic who is used to reading a code reader and exchanging parts. Without knowing the proceedure the dealer is using, there is no way to determine if they understand the effect of different flashes or even the difference between them.
The New Preditor Tuner is a "Flash Manager" of sorts.
The Predtor saved my flash and installed another that works better. The only complaint I had with the stock flash was the Smokey starts. The preditor reduced the smoke to nearly none.
At least it gives me some control over the problem.

 

So the Preditor you are talking about cand change the programming of the trucK? How do you know what settings to use? Are there defaults? Sorry for the questions... i just don't know what the Preditor actually does.

poco

 

I was talking to the service manager at the dealership. I was talking about performance chips. He suggested waiting on the flash that is supposed to be coming out that will fix the Oct reflash blues.

 

pocpbueno - look at the no. 1 thread about the preditor. It's a power programmer and much more. Granatelli and Diablo seem to know more about programming these things than ford.

 

I wonder if you "RE-Flash" with an aftermarket/performance product, then have a problem will it void the warrenty??

 

The dealer where I bought my truck also sells perf chips. I asked the warranty question of the service manager. He said the dealer won't void a warranty, but if you were to have a catastrophic failure, the Ford tech rep could refuse to honor the warranty if the chip is suspected of being the cause.

If you use a Predator and use the middle setting for additional performance and better mileage you would probably be ok. But if you go to the top setting, drag race and blow your engine, you might have a warranty problem.

 

Very good point.....

With the history of the follow-through from the dealerships & FMC itself, if you are going to add that perf chip, get the dealership's assurance in the work order adding the chip.

Keep in mind that infamous phrase------" Gee, I don't recall ever saying that to the customer. " Cover your ***, for with this truck it is simply, too imporant.


Just a Thought.........on...........My Perceptions....

 

This problem with the computers is probably not with the flash itself but with corruption of the data in the computers.
The reason I say this is because the problems are not universal like they would be if "the flash" were bad. Not all 6.0 Fords are defective. I don't know the numbers but my hunch is that there are actually very few trucks with this problem. The problem may actually be in a few computers which is why new flashes hardly ever solve the problems, like the poor mileage.

 

Agree, and the corruption of the data comes mostly from the dealers inability to correctly install it.

 

Also this corruption of data can be caused by many things, such as accessories that have been added and wired incorrectly causing voltage fluxuations. Sometimes even EMP type interferrance like solar flairs and Police EMP gadgets (that shut down fleeing cars) may corrupt data.