Battery tender needed for First SCT flash?

[Schwerin]

Last time I did an SCT it was 2005 and it just took like 5 minutes.

How long does a first ECU backup/reflash take now? Should I put the car on a battery tender while its processing?

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[JTM88]

I used a 10a battery charger when I did mine. It may not be necessary, but its cheap insurance IMO.

 

[robvas]

If your car can't be in accessory mode for ten minutes you have bigger issues

 

[Schwerin]

If your car can't be in accessory mode for ten minutes you have bigger issues

Well I haven't seen anything exactly how long the backup and reflash takes, hence my question. Any video on it jump cuts or fast forwards instead of telling you the actual time needed.

 

[Whitedevil95]

I usually throw the tender on mine while I flash. Might not be necessary but Id rather be safe than sorry.

 

[SBR70.3]

Speaking from experience, I would suggest a battery tender. This is regarding my GTI, not my Mustangs, but the situation could occur.

I frequently change from a stage 1 to stage 2 map when I take my GTI to the track. No issues there and the flash takes maybe 2-3 minutes. I recently bought an E85 tune. That flash took longer than I expected. Long story short, my ECU was bricked. I had to send the ECU and my Cobb Accessport to Cobb for repair. Only cost was shipping, but still it was a pain in the ass to deal with.

 

[TXGTPig]

So I just went through the tuning process from scratch. In all total, I'd say it was about a 25-30 minute ordeal. I kept mine on a tender.

 

[JTM88]

Speaking from experience, I would suggest a battery tender. This is regarding my GTI, not my Mustangs, but the situation could occur.

I frequently change from a stage 1 to stage 2 map when I take my GTI to the track. No issues there and the flash takes maybe 2-3 minutes. I recently bought an E85 tune. That flash took longer than I expected. Long story short, my ECU was bricked. I had to send the ECU and my Cobb Accessport to Cobb for repair. Only cost was shipping, but still it was a pain in the ass to deal with.

Had a similar experience with my GTI. I didn’t have the battery charger clamp secured properly, and the battery nearly died right at the end of a tuning .

That car burned through a battery almost every year like clockwork so I always used a charger when tuning.

 

[robvas]

In my experience the SCT is good at saying "you don't have enough juice" and won't try to flash

 

[GTyosh]

You should ALWAYS have a battery tender for any and all flashes. You risk bricking the pcm if you don't.

 

[K Myers]

Last time I did an SCT it was 2005 and it just took like 5 minutes.

How long does a first ECU backup/reflash take now? Should I put the car on a battery tender while its processing?

If your battery is weak yes, but it won't hurt

 

[NightmareMoon]

Never used one, as flashes take ~5-10 minutes, but if the battery is getting old its not a bad idea.

 

[Robottrainer]

Last time I did an SCT it was 2005 and it just took like 5 minutes.

How long does a first ECU backup/reflash take now? Should I put the car on a battery tender while its processing?

Flashing is a huge battery drain. Hook up a charger or you risk bricking the pcm if the battery dies

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