CanX
04-27-2008, 06:54 PM
How long without power to reset an 01 Xterra's ECU?
I've been reading on various forums for various makes of vehicles that an ECU RAM reset should be done after any mods. This apparently lets the ECU 'learn' how to best optimize performance based on the new inputs.
Pulling off the negative line from your battery and waiting for about 30 seconds seems to be the most common way to reset the ECU. Honda owners pull off both the ends and touch them together. Some suggest pushing down on the brakes during that 30 seconds to drain any power left in the system.
But, apparently it's a little different from manufacturer to manufacturer and from make to make. Some ECUs need longer than others to do resets.
So how long for 1st gen Xterras? I've also read some Nissans have a combination of turning on the ignition and depressing the accelerator in certain combinations to do it.
The more I think about doing the reset to optimize the performance, the more it makes sense. I've noticed that my Scanguage mysteriously began to be 5-10% over on calculating mileage. Scanguage couldn't figure it out, and even after I had it wiped and reprogrammed with the upgrade, it still does it. Then it dawned on me: the funny mileage numbers started when I put in the NGK spark plugs and wires. With no reset the ECU is working on old parameters and adjusting to them. Or, so I guess.
Anyway, who knows more about this or has done it?
I've been reading on various forums for various makes of vehicles that an ECU RAM reset should be done after any mods. This apparently lets the ECU 'learn' how to best optimize performance based on the new inputs.
Pulling off the negative line from your battery and waiting for about 30 seconds seems to be the most common way to reset the ECU. Honda owners pull off both the ends and touch them together. Some suggest pushing down on the brakes during that 30 seconds to drain any power left in the system.
But, apparently it's a little different from manufacturer to manufacturer and from make to make. Some ECUs need longer than others to do resets.
So how long for 1st gen Xterras? I've also read some Nissans have a combination of turning on the ignition and depressing the accelerator in certain combinations to do it.
The more I think about doing the reset to optimize the performance, the more it makes sense. I've noticed that my Scanguage mysteriously began to be 5-10% over on calculating mileage. Scanguage couldn't figure it out, and even after I had it wiped and reprogrammed with the upgrade, it still does it. Then it dawned on me: the funny mileage numbers started when I put in the NGK spark plugs and wires. With no reset the ECU is working on old parameters and adjusting to them. Or, so I guess.
Anyway, who knows more about this or has done it?