QuestionIt is 6cyl., 4.0 67000 miles. Years a go someone was cleaning battery terminal on this car. Then the car did not past inspection - they ask my wife if someone was working on it because everything is out of cycle. Then a car mechanic ask her if somebody was doing anything. She mention battery again and mechanic say: "that it! Now you need recalibration because battery should never be disconnected". She say it cost her $150 because they connect computer and reset everything to previous setting. But her owner manual dose not mention any other suggestion except that you need to clean battery terminal. I think meany times mechanics like to blame people unnecessary to secure their job. Somewhere around that time my wife went also for alarm recalibration and she thinks all that because of that battery. They recablirated alarm except passenger side door, they won't open until we press button again. My friend, certified auto mechanic, now working as a buss mechanic for 20 years, say he don't get it, work on many cars and always disconnect every battery without problem. So I am confused now. Thinking maybe that someone made some kind of short or by accident put wrong terminal on wrong post. Or maybe maybe the battery was disconnected for to long? My friend want to make tune up on this car and want to disconnect battery but I told him no, because I need to find your opinion first.
AnswerHi Mario,
Well, in my opinion you were taken on the 'reprogramming'. You can disconnect a battery in ANY car for an unlimited amount of time without worrying about reprogramming. All your mechanic did for the $150 was hard-reset the ECM. You could have done that at home for FREE.
The module in your car has a PROM (Programed Read Only Memory) chip in it that stores all the primary functions of the fuel delivery and management systems indefinitely. This cannot be deleted without being overwritten.
We remove ECM's from cars and sit them on shelves for years before selling them and have never had an issue.
Looking for a reputable service technician? My advice on finding a good technician is: Steer clear of the dealership and 'chain' stores like Firestone, Sears, Pep Boys, Monro Muffler/Brake, Midas, etc. as they usually only employ ONE ASE Certified Tech just so they can say they do and chances are, that guy is the asst. manager or manager and is not in the store to diagnose/repair vehicles anyway. Find a service location in the link below or get some names out of the yellow-pages and do a drive-by. Garages that employ ASE Certified Technicians will be marked with the 'Blue-Seal' insignia. If unsure about whether a place employs Certified Techs, just ask to see their credentials. ALL ASE Certified Technicians will be PROUD to show and display their certificate(s).
Thanks for the question, I hope this information was helpful to you.
Fred
Knucklebusters Used Auto & Truck Parts, Inc.
www.knucklebusters.us
570-453-0910
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Click here: http://www.ase.com/bluesealsearch/locator.php
