Pro-CAL timing question

[CrankAddictRich]

Hey all.. I just got my Pro-cal and I have a question regarding the timing and installation process.

A friend of mine is doing the install... he is a former NHRA mechanic, is ASE and Ford certified. After he reviewed the instructions, he said he wanted me to have the calibration on my own PC, not his. We theorized this course of action and wanted to just make sure we understood the process, because it wasn't entirely clear on any of the instructions or videos.

1. I create an account on Ford Performance, download the software to my PC, update the Pro-Cal tuner to current firmware etc.
2. I hook the tuner to my truck, in my driveway, where it copies the stock tune.... Here's the first question, the stock tune is still on the truck, correct?
3. I plug the tuner into my PC, where it validates my VIN and then loads the tune file onto the tuner.

At this point, I can drive to his shop and he can hook up the tuner and install it, correct?

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[Brian_B]

Hey all.. I just got my Pro-cal and I have a question regarding the timing and installation process.

A friend of mine is doing the install... he is a former NHRA mechanic, is ASE and Ford certified. After he reviewed the instructions, he said he wanted me to have the calibration on my own PC, not his. We theorized this course of action and wanted to just make sure we understood the process, because it wasn't entirely clear on any of the instructions or videos.

1. I create an account on Ford Performance, download the software to my PC, update the Pro-Cal tuner to current firmware etc.
2. I hook the tuner to my truck, in my driveway, where it copies the stock tune.... Here's the first question, the stock tune is still on the truck, correct?
3. I plug the tuner into my PC, where it validates my VIN and then loads the tune file onto the tuner.

At this point, I can drive to his shop and he can hook up the tuner and install it, correct?

Yes
And yes
And yes
All he will have to do it plug it in the OBD port and hit a button to load the tune. Takes about 5 minutes and a few key cycles.

Hardest part is just setting up the FP account online

 

[CrankAddictRich]

Yup.. that's what we both agreed.

 

[Valhalla]

Once you set it up it's easy, no reason to go see him at all. It is built for everyone on the tuner side. On the PC side you may have difficulty. That is the pain in the ass part. Took me 30 minutes to prepare it. Like Brian said, maybe 5 to install.

 

[JL8jeff]

You may want to put a battery charger on when doing the install just so you don't run into issues with a power drain.

 

[CrankAddictRich]

Once you set it up it's easy, no reason to go see him at all. It is built for everyone on the tuner side. On the PC side you may have difficulty. That is the pain in the ass part. Took me 30 minutes to prepare it. Like Brian said, maybe 5 to install.

Oh... agree 100% It is super simple and I'm certain I could do it myself. I just wanted to be able to have paper work for the install in case there's ever a warranty issue with Ford and he didn't want to simply give me a receipt for something he didn't even witness or help with.

 

[CrankAddictRich]

You may want to put a battery charger on when doing the install just so you don't run into issues with a power drain.

I've seen this mentioned before, but all of the installs that I've seen... it looked like they took 5 minutes or less.. I can't imagine the battery draining during this, unless you've already got a weak battery.

 

[kcmusa]

Just follow the directions. Easy to do.
my understanding is the warranty is only for the device/software. If you install it does not void your vehicle warranty.

 

[Ducati1098]

Just follow the directions. Easy to do.
my understanding is the warranty is only for the device/software. If you install it does not void your vehicle warranty.

The 3/36 is for the vehicles warranty, not the device. If something fails after it’s been installed, warranty coverage and approval is supposed to come from Ford Performance instead of Ford.

Which is why there’s a big warning to all dealerships that Ford performance parts have been installed once the tune is loaded into a vehicle.

They could certainly deny it if they wanted to (although unlikely) without the correct paperwork.

This is what dealerships see every time they pull up the vehicle’s information:

 

[kcmusa]

The 3/36 is for the vehicles warranty, not the device. If something fails after it’s been installed, warranty coverage and approval is supposed to come from Ford Performance instead of Ford.

Which is why there’s a big warning to all dealerships that Ford performance parts have been installed once the tune is loaded into a vehicle.

They could certainly deny it if they wanted to (although unlikely) without the correct paperwork.

This is what dealerships see every time they pull up the vehicle’s information:

there is the Magnuson-Moss Warranty Act. Would be hard to deny the vehicle warranty for installation by the consumer.

 

[Ducati1098]

there is the Magnuson-Moss Warranty Act. Would be hard to deny the vehicle warranty for installation by the consumer.

Magnuson-moss act is for aftermarket replacement parts. For example: if I wanted to buy a Autozone air filter instead of Ford’s air filter, they cannot deny the warranty because of that.

It’s not for performance parts that change/modify OEM parameters.

 

[CrankAddictRich]

You guys arguing back and forth is exactly why I am having an ASE Certified and Ford certified shop perform the install. My friend, the shop owner just wanted me to have the software and login information on my personal pc, not his work computer... so my question was mostly about that part of the process and the timing involved.

Install happens today.

 

[Brian_B]

I've seen this mentioned before, but all of the installs that I've seen... it looked like they took 5 minutes or less.. I can't imagine the battery draining during this, unless you've already got a weak battery.

So... you aren't wrong.

But...

Read around these forums often enough, and it's full of bad batteries. And weird electrical glitches that randomly occur and then go away when you recharge the battery. It's a combination of both the batteries just not holding up very well, and the computer modules being very sensitive to fluctuations in power quality.

And if it just so happens to decide to pick the time when you are flashing Pro Cal to have a battery fart, and the possibility of that occurring is low, but not Zero - you brick your Bronco.

Low odds, I agree. But very bad consequences when it takes like 20 seconds to put the jumper clips on the battery terminals to avoid it all together. It's most likely the only technical reason Ford requires an ASE mechanic to do the install - if something bricks when it's flashing, and all it really takes to mitigate that is using a charger.

 

[Valhalla]

To the OP, yeah we do this once we fell the OP is satisfied... or if they never reply...

Guys, it boils down to if you take dumb chances, or if you play it smart. It would be very bad to lose battery during the tuning. A good charge should get you through easy peasy. I'd love to say I was in the play it smart "I'm no fool category. When I took off in the Bronco to "top off the charge" prior to install, I guess Jimeny crickets was saying "take it away stupid!"

PS, mine turned out fine.

 

[Johnny Mo]

Yes
And yes
And yes
All he will have to do it plug it in the OBD port and hit a button to load the tune. Takes about 5 minutes and a few key cycles.

Hardest part is just setting up the FP account online

I did the stock tune copy on my own and just had the Dealership do the ProCal flash a few days later. So yes like Brian said totally fine.

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