DIY: Easy Way to Reset ECU without battery disconnect
Registered User
Joined: Jan 2013
Posts: 9
Likes: 0
FWIW, with my previous car there were similar discussion about ECU resets after non-forced induction engine mods. Some said it makes a difference and others said no. The proof was attaching and OBD2 connector pre and post mods. I can tell you that there can be a difference. It depends on the car, the mods, how the person drives the car and how many miles have been driven.
An easy test would be to connect an OBD2 monitor pre and post mods.
An easy test would be to connect an OBD2 monitor pre and post mods.
Not to rain on anyone's parade, here, but is there any hard, empirical data to indicate that resetting the ECU does anything, at all? Again, not seat of the pants, as that's a useless measure of anything as subtle as this would be.
The main reason I ask, is that my understanding is that the ECU on this (or any modern car, for that matter) is continually modulating and updating the data it processes, based on current driving conditions. We're talking about milliseconds, and seconds worth of evolving data. It doesn't compile days, weeks & months worth of information. That would provide no advantage to the car's control systems.
Quite fundamentally, THAT is the whole reason that modern cars even have the digital ECU systems, so that the engine and associated systems can nearly instantaneously monitor what is happening, and adjust as needed.
The main reason I ask, is that my understanding is that the ECU on this (or any modern car, for that matter) is continually modulating and updating the data it processes, based on current driving conditions. We're talking about milliseconds, and seconds worth of evolving data. It doesn't compile days, weeks & months worth of information. That would provide no advantage to the car's control systems.
Quite fundamentally, THAT is the whole reason that modern cars even have the digital ECU systems, so that the engine and associated systems can nearly instantaneously monitor what is happening, and adjust as needed.
Registered User
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 138
Likes: 4
A little update to those having issues with this. I tried doing it this way 20 times with no success, only slow blinking that's it. Then I tried this method over on the370z forum and it worked.
1. Push start button twice to get - Ignition "ON", count to 3.
2. Depress/Release pedal 5 times - hard and fast.
3. Count to 10 (not 7!) and fully depress pedal.
4. Count to 12 (SES should be blinking), release pedal.
5. Count to 10, depress pedal.
6. Count to 10, release pedal.
7. Turn off ignition, then start engine. ECU reset is done!
1. Push start button twice to get - Ignition "ON", count to 3.
2. Depress/Release pedal 5 times - hard and fast.
3. Count to 10 (not 7!) and fully depress pedal.
4. Count to 12 (SES should be blinking), release pedal.
5. Count to 10, depress pedal.
6. Count to 10, release pedal.
7. Turn off ignition, then start engine. ECU reset is done!
Registered User
Joined: Jun 2014
Posts: 13
Likes: 0
A little update to those having issues with this. I tried doing it this way 20 times with no success, only slow blinking that's it. Then I tried this method over on the370z forum and it worked.
1. Push start button twice to get - Ignition "ON", count to 3.
2. Depress/Release pedal 5 times - hard and fast.
3. Count to 10 (not 7!) and fully depress pedal.
4. Count to 12 (SES should be blinking), release pedal.
5. Count to 10, depress pedal.
6. Count to 10, release pedal.
7. Turn off ignition, then start engine. ECU reset is done!
1. Push start button twice to get - Ignition "ON", count to 3.
2. Depress/Release pedal 5 times - hard and fast.
3. Count to 10 (not 7!) and fully depress pedal.
4. Count to 12 (SES should be blinking), release pedal.
5. Count to 10, depress pedal.
6. Count to 10, release pedal.
7. Turn off ignition, then start engine. ECU reset is done!
Registered User
Joined: Oct 2014
Posts: 1,047
Likes: 104
From: Charlotte NC (sorta)
So this will avoid all sorts of issues, and also let you reset the ECU without needing a single tool or getting out of the car.
Registered User
Joined: Jul 2013
Posts: 27
Likes: 0
From: Qatar
I notice that there is a frequency that the light is blinking. The first time it starts, its rather slow; then it goes to fast
It also makes a pause in flashing, at about 7 seconds. I think all these variations are indicating something, but not sure what.
I timed the "10 second" wait in the video; close but more like 11 seconds. That would indicated the 370Z timings, which seem to be a bit longer, are preferred.
Still having difficulty getting this to work using the 370Z guidelines... I wish I knew what the light flashing timings meant
Regards
It also makes a pause in flashing, at about 7 seconds. I think all these variations are indicating something, but not sure what.
I timed the "10 second" wait in the video; close but more like 11 seconds. That would indicated the 370Z timings, which seem to be a bit longer, are preferred.
Still having difficulty getting this to work using the 370Z guidelines... I wish I knew what the light flashing timings meant
Regards
Registered User
Joined: Dec 2014
Posts: 96
Likes: 11
From: North Fort Myers, FL
For those of us who have never done this before, I have made a minor, but important, change
1. Push start button twice to get - Ignition "ON", count to 3.
2. Depress/Release gas pedal 5 times - hard and fast.
3. Count to 10 (not 7!) and fully depress gas pedal.
4. Count to 12 (SES should be blinking), release gas pedal.
5. Count to 10, depress gas pedal.
6. Count to 10, release gas pedal.
7. Turn off ignition, then start engine. ECU reset is done!
Believe me it doesn't work using the brake pedal no matter how many times you try it or what timing you use!
When you assume. you make an *** out of u and me. LOL!
1. Push start button twice to get - Ignition "ON", count to 3.
2. Depress/Release gas pedal 5 times - hard and fast.
3. Count to 10 (not 7!) and fully depress gas pedal.
4. Count to 12 (SES should be blinking), release gas pedal.
5. Count to 10, depress gas pedal.
6. Count to 10, release gas pedal.
7. Turn off ignition, then start engine. ECU reset is done!
Believe me it doesn't work using the brake pedal no matter how many times you try it or what timing you use!
When you assume. you make an *** out of u and me. LOL!
Registered User
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 117
Likes: 13
After doing this several times without success, I took both my battery cables off the batter and touched them together. Its an old dealership trick to clear out the memory. Unfortunately, like anything, it would erase all settings.
To my surprise, after touching them together for 10 seconds and jumping into my car to start setting radio stations, etc...all was retained. And best of all...no more check engine light.
To my surprise, after touching them together for 10 seconds and jumping into my car to start setting radio stations, etc...all was retained. And best of all...no more check engine light.
