OBD detect a previous tune?

[ralph7]

I know that a dealer can tell and was wondering if perhaps a common OBD scanner would show a tune in place or maybe something done and deleted.

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[Deleted member 69311]

I forgot to remove my tune when taking my car in for a new clutch and the dealer called me and asked if I can come flash the stock tune back on because the techs computer couldn’t connect to the cars PCM.

I’m assuming a tune blocks their devices’ access so they can’t flash it back to stock and the car blows up after? I flashed it back to stock and they were able to connect.

If you’re wondering whether a basic ODB II scanner which reads and clears codes can tell you whether a tune is on the car or not, I don’t think there’s something out there like that. You would probably be looking at a more advanced device.

 

[ice445]

If you have something that supports Forscan you can look at the key cycle counter, that's always reset during a flash and that's how they tell.

 

[KingKona]

I know that a dealer can tell and was wondering if perhaps a common OBD scanner would show a tune in place or maybe something done and deleted.

No. But as Ice-Ice-Baby wrote, you can check key-cycles with Forscan.

If you share the point to your question, we might be able to help you better.

 

[Cobra Jet]

If you have something that supports Forscan you can look at the key cycle counter, that's always reset during a flash and that's how they tell.

^^^ Yep. And the way Ford and the Service Centers can sometimes deny warranties is if that key count is obviously stupid low... because on a car that would not have been ever touched that key count cycle will be a crazy value... even on a car driven sparingly it would have a normal key cycle value.

 

[ralph7]

No. But as Ice-Ice-Baby wrote, you can check key-cycles with Forscan.

If you share the point to your question, we might be able to help you better.

Curiosity, nothing more.
The car pulls hard to me, but I haven't had anything remotely fast for over 40 years,
so what would I know or remember...

 

[KingKona]

Curiosity, nothing more.

You're not being clear; curiosity about what? Why are you asking about detecting previous tunes?

 

[ralph7]

You're not being clear; curiosity about what? Why are you asking about detecting previous tunes?

Because the car pulls hard enough that I would wonder if it isn't a stock tune.

 

[KingKona]

Because the car pulls hard enough that I would wonder if it isn't a stock tune.

If you're worried, a dealership can flash it back to stock for $350 or so. Definitely run 93 octane in the car if you even suspect it might be tuned.

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