ECU question

[Hikaru9]

Does the battery have to be unplugged for one to reprogram the ECU?

I picked up my MS3 from the dealership where they said they reflashed the ECU (recall), but I noticed that the battery was never disconnected. (i.e. my radio stations were still programmed, and the trip computer still had my miles in its memory)

Thanks in advance! ^_^)/

 

[BluMicaR]

I believe they've reFLASHed your PCM and perhaps the service guy wasn't up to par on his 'say what you mean' or a little confused. Your ECM is what learns while you drive how to adjust things like air/fuel on the go, your PCM is what has the maps and ratios and timings programmed into it that the ECM uses when it 'maps' air/fuel according to what the car is saying - i.e. I have alot more cold air coming in, better match with fuel adjustment...

That's /my/ layman understanding, anyhow...

 

[SwampAss]

It's flashed through the OBD port. Car needs to be on for this to be done.

 

[Hikaru9]

I believe they've reFLASHed your PCM and perhaps the service guy wasn't up to par on his 'say what you mean' or a little confused. Your ECM is what learns while you drive how to adjust things like air/fuel on the go, your PCM is what has the maps and ratios and timings programmed into it that the ECM uses when it 'maps' air/fuel according to what the car is saying - i.e. I have alot more cold air coming in, better match with fuel adjustment...

That's /my/ layman understanding, anyhow...

Hmm... I'm having the look on my face that I usually get from my clients when I try to explain what had gone wrong with their server/ workstations. =p

Thanks for the information! I'll fill up the gas and see if I can tell any difference in mpg or how the car drives (probably can't tell). *^_^*

 

[Sacrilicious]

if it was that ocdii thing, then you will likely not be able to tell. it was just a flash to get rid of a CEL that comes on when you're driving in cold weather. really lame...=/

 

[BluMicaR]

Hmm... I'm having the look on my face that I usually get from my clients when I try to explain what had gone wrong with their server/ workstations. =p

Thanks for the information! I'll fill up the gas and see if I can tell any difference in mpg or how the car drives (probably can't tell). *^_^*

Hehe, in the spirit of my company's IT guys:

"Have you made sure the car is your own?"
"Okay, are you using the /ignition/ to start it?"
"Okay, and you are turning the key, correct?"
"All right, good. Right is gas. I want you to follow my directions. To make the car go forward, engage the right pedal by appying steady, even pressure; now, this is a little tricky! At the SAME TIME you need to be letting your foot off the clutch slowly, that is the far LEFT pedal - make sure you are using the pedal and not the foot rest, this is important!"

Gah, I hate our troubleshooting department. "YES, my computer is plugged in, AND on! Upgrade me to tier 2 already!!"

Hehe.

 

[fourthmeal]

if it was that ocdii thing, then you will likely not be able to tell. it was just a flash to get rid of a CEL that comes on when you're driving in cold weather. really lame...=/

LOL! OCD-II


Was that a fruedian slip??

 

[Sacrilicious]

lolz...whoops...it was oBdii! xD

OMG I HAVE TO GET THE RECALL DONE NOW NOW NOW! ><;

 

[desperado-c]

lolz...whoops...it was oBdii! xD

OMG I HAVE TO GET THE RECALL DONE NOW NOW NOW! ><;

Okay, but after you get in your car to head to the dealer, get out and double check to make sure you turned off the all the burners on the kitchen stove and you locked the door to your house. Just to be safe unplug all the lamps and appliances, too. There, now you can go get the reflash.