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Is a reflash needed after a motor swap?

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Old 03-10-2014, 10:01 PM
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Default Is a reflash needed after a motor swap?

Purchased a truck that had a "new" rebuilt motor installed. It has a little rough idle and a few other things that dont seem just right. I have went through all the normal tune up solutions/checks but not really correcting the symptoms. I asked the previous owner if the PCM was reflashed after the install and he said no. Should it have been reflashed after the new motor? Will/could this help my truck run better?
Old 03-10-2014, 10:05 PM
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If it was a stock drop in without any upgrades I don't see a reason to need a reflash.
Old 03-10-2014, 10:14 PM
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I was reading on the forums that the reflash could address the throttle issue, which I may have, fuel economy - Im getting around 10, and just replaced the MAF. I disconnected the neg lead for an hour but nothing seemed different. I figured my last option was the reflash
Old 03-11-2014, 03:08 AM
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This video is from Makuloco.

Just removing the ground doesn't clear everything. The pcm has a memory that will hold certain codes is how I understand it.
After I installed a new motor my thottle body kept cycling over and over. This fixed it and a few other things. Real easy to do, just have make up a jumper wire. Then your pcm will have to relearn. He explains it very well in the video.
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Old 03-11-2014, 08:35 AM
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Guess I just need more info about reflash. From what I read, it addresses some issues, but will also set your computer back to stock. Others have mentioned adaptive learning. I feel that my truck was ran for a long period of time with a bad MAF and now runs rich. I installed new MAF and thought that the reflash would correct the fuel air ratio problem I think I have.

Am I wrong?
Old 03-11-2014, 08:44 AM
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A reflash is completely clearing the ECU and loading new firmware. While it will, in broad terms, accomplish what you want, you're killing a mouse with a sledgehammer.

Adaptive learning doesn't change the base parameters in the firmware. It makes changes in operating parameters in terms of adjustments from the base parameters. You need to clear the l;earned parameters, which is what the vid above addresses.
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Old 03-11-2014, 09:01 AM
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Makes sense.
Old 03-11-2014, 09:06 AM
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follow up question - am I correct in my way of thinking about adaptive learning? If the truck runs for a long period of time with an issue, the truck will "compensate" or learn to run like that?
Old 03-11-2014, 09:17 AM
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Depends on the issue. If it's out of the parameters far enough to throw a code, it kicks into closed loop and runs on the fixed firmware tables without sensor input.



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