would it be possible to get a tuner for my i have an 1999 exploer 4.0sohc with an exhaust,intake and i would like to get a tuner for it. would it be possible to have the egr turned off/ the post cat 02 sensors turned off. the stock shift points seem pretty good i would like to keep them except with increased firmness. i also don't really care about gasmilage and can get 93octane where i live.

the last question i have is i have an superchips now that i have used once it is red and says sct on it. would i be able to trade that in or should i just sell it on ebay the program on it kinda sucks cause the car won't get out of it's own way until over 3000rpm then it is not bad

Thank you,

 

Sure, I can program an SCT tuner for it, or I can reprogram that red chip for you, including turning off the EGR and O2 sensors. I can probably program a much better tune than you have now. Who did you get it from?

 

i got it from and i would like to go with a tuner just because it is easier and has the ability to read codes too

 

Okay, call MotorHaven to get started. Sorry, don't accept trade-ins, not a used car lot and MotorHaven doesn't sell used parts!

 

I have a 1999 Explorer with the 5.0L engine. I'm planning on getting the ElmScan tool to read fault codes, etc.

I don't mean to disparage the forum sponsors, but I can't shell out $400 for a tuner. Can I accomplish any tuning things using the Elm interface? I'm really only interested in fuel economy as well as custom settings for when I tow a 3800 pound trailer.

Also, does anyone know of a list of explanations to go with the fault codes? I don't just mean the SAE text, but some idea of what to look for. "EGR Flow Insufficient", just doesn't tell me very much. (That's just an example. About half the codes are indecipherable to me, even if they are English.)

Thanks,
Thomas

 

No, you cannot tune with a code scanner, not one bit. Reading OBDII fault codes from the computer and flashing the onboard ROM with new parameters a two entirely different things. If you want to play.... you gotta pay (and its a lot less than $400 when using the instant rebate).

 

one last question the original computer code was CDE2 the dealer said they reflashed it but there are no reflash stickers on it can i take it to any dealer to findout what my computer code is or do i have to take it back to the one that did it

 

Any dealer ought to be able to tell you.

 

I don't mean to be excessively critical of your opinion, but you are dead wrong. I may not be a mechanic, but I'm a serious computer geek. The ElmScan interface is not just a code reader - it's an input-output device just waiting for the proper codes to be deciphered. There is no doubt in my mind that given an appropriate interface, I can make the computer in my truck play the Star Spangled Banner. There's a great hacker forum at http://www.scantool.net/forum/index.php where they are reverse engineering the specs, inputs, and outputs for the ODB port.

Also, here is a link to OBD Theory and Operation, provided by Ford:
http://www.motorcraftservice.com/vdirs/retail/default.asp?pageid=diag_theory_retail&gutsid=diags heet&menuIndex=16

It seems that each year model, and to some extent the engine type, affect the way the ODB port reads and responds to codes. I already know that if I apply 18 volts to one particular pin, I set the ROM in flash mode. That's easy - just hack the interface module and buy a transformer and switch to place voltage where you need it. Of course, I still have to work out the codes, but NO, I DON'T HAVE TO PAY TO PLAY!

Anyway, I recognize that the forum sponsors would prefer that we bought their tune up kits, so you have to toe the company line. I'll continue looking for information.

Thanks,
Thomas

 

First and foremost, it it beyond the capabilities of 99.99% of the people out there to tune with such an interface, and despite the fact that you can hack a way to flash the ROM doesn't mean you're going to be able to even begin to approaching figuring out the 600+ scalers, switches, 1, and 3 dimensional arrays contained in the ROM, especially since they are not documented. So go ahead, spend a year or two figuring it out at the byte level, and then perhaps consider yourself penwise and pound foolish when you get a tune that's half as good as what the guys who have 15-20 years of experience with it do in 10 minutes with the proper software.

Second, I neither have the time, nor desire to go investigate every scan tool out there. Note that you said "scan tool" when you asked the question, not programming tool.

I'm a computer geek myself, have been twiddling bits in assembler since the 8-bit 6502 days, and melting solder on a variety of projects.... that doesn't mean I'm going to waste my time writing a PC-BIOS. There's a difference between can be done, and whether its worth the effort to get done. That's one reason why I change oil on my 67 F-100 myself, but not on the 2000 Ranger (it costs more and is too time consuming on the Ranger, cheaper to pay someone else).

So sure, you "can" program it if you hack the hardware with a power supply and reverse engineer the PCM. But you "can" do that with a PC, a PDA, even a Nintendo Gameboy if you wanted. I'm sure if you put your mind to it you could hack up an interface to do it with an HP calculator since they have programming capabilities. But frankly, I've got better things to do with my time then reinventing the wheel.

If you already knew the answer to your question before you asked it, why did you post the question? The only reasons I can think of is you're either a crumudgeon or you just want to purposefully stir up trouble. You have been both excessively critical and disparaging, despite you claims to the contrary.

 

Have a question you guys sound like you may be able to help out on.

I've got a '98 Explorer 5.0 sitting in my 87 Jeep. It runs well and I'm overall happy with it. One of the minor annoyances I have is that I did not install a fuel tank pressure sensor - so I always have the check engine light on with that code.

Additionally - I'd like ot diable the back two O2 sensors and switch the beast over to a single cat.

A few questions - is there software out there that will let me do this myself? Are there companies / individuals that can give me a custom flash.

Lastly - is there any detriment to switching to a single cat for a vehicle that is used 99% offroad only?

Thanks.