dfw

**my95z28** · 03-07-2014, 03:23 PM

Originally Posted by Boss949

Congrats. Shaun is a great tuner and better person.

What gas are you using?

Here's some tips about using the SCT tuner if you want them:
1. Buy a trickle charger (3amp )and use this when changing tune. SCT has an issue with 2011+ 5.0's. It's a voltage issue and trickle charger is great insurance.
2. Always change the tune at your house.
3. Make sure your Auto Lamps are off. (I learned the hard way)

Thanks,

Steve

Care to expand on these? What are the issues that come up when using a SCT?

**Boss949** · 03-07-2014, 03:52 PM

Originally Posted by my95z28

Care to expand on these? What are the issues that come up when using a SCT?

I decided to change my tune at the drag strip and I "bricked" the car. Would not load the tune or recover my stock tune. We disconnected the battery for 20 min. and finally able to load the tune.

If I remember correctly; got a "charging system" error. It was at night and I forgot that I had the "auto lamps" on !!!!

I called SCT and spoke to one of the dealer rep technicians. He admitted that there was a problem with the 2011+ 5.0 in the voltage system. A random issue with a voltage surge and they were working on a fix. Still haven't heard about a fix.

His recommendation was the same as Shaun's: Get a Trickle Charger and use this when changing the tune. Never change the tune away from home. All accessories "off" , including "auto lamp".

I purchased a trickle charger from Auto Zone. Actually, I couldn't find a 2 Amp; only a variable (Schumacher 2-10 amp, which works great).

Works great and have not had an issue with loading a tune since.

Hope this helps.

**DirtyD** · 03-07-2014, 04:13 PM

Originally Posted by my95z28

Care to expand on these? What are the issues that come up when using a SCT?

Check this thread. http://dfw50s.com/showthread.php?t=2630

Basically the SCT handheld demands a lot of voltage from the car's ECU. If you have too much electrical demand on the car's charging system without the alternator to recharge it, the ECU essentially shuts itself down to protect from electrical surge.

**my95z28** · 03-07-2014, 04:36 PM

Good info, glad I learned about it before hand! Thanks guys

**Boss949** · 03-07-2014, 04:45 PM

Originally Posted by DirtyD

Check this thread. http://dfw50s.com/showthread.php?t=2630

Basically the SCT handheld demands a lot of voltage from the car's ECU. If you have too much electrical demand on the car's charging system without the alternator to recharge it, the ECU essentially shuts itself down to protect from electrical surge.

I wish I would have been a member here when I first tuned my car.

Great post and excellent description of the problem and fix.

I'll be sure to refer others to this in the future.

**DirtyD** · 03-07-2014, 06:11 PM

Originally Posted by my95z28

Good info, glad I learned about it before hand! Thanks guys

No problem. Just glad I could save you from a potential headache.

Originally Posted by Boss949

I wish I would have been a member here when I first tuned my car.

Great post and excellent description of the problem and fix.

I'll be sure to refer others to this in the future.

Thanks. This issue popped up a lot on SVTP, so I decided to finally type something up.

You don't always need a trickle charger, however. Just roll both windows down, and turn off all accessories (lights, radio, HVAC, etc) and keep all doors, trunks, and hoods closed. You should still be able to tune the car that way.

**Boss949** · 03-07-2014, 06:18 PM

Originally Posted by DirtyD

No problem. Just glad I could save you from a potential headache.

Thanks. This issue popped up a lot on SVTP, so I decided to finally type something up.

You don't always need a trickle charger, however. Just roll both windows down, and turn off all accessories (lights, radio, HVAC, etc) and keep all doors, trunks, and hoods closed. You should still be able to tune the car that way.

I've turned everything off and all acc. and it still bricked; that's when I called SCT and got the info about the charger.

**DirtyD** · 03-07-2014, 06:29 PM

Originally Posted by Boss949

I've turned everything off and all acc. and it still bricked; that's when I called SCT and got the info about the charger.

I've only been successful by turning everything off twice. But I forgot to note that if you do it without a trickle charger, the car needs to be cooled down. If the car is still hot/warm from driving, you have a higher chance of it bricking.