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        General >> Problems >> ECU resetting!
        
(Message started by: deedee20 on Mar 17^th, 2009, 12:05pm)

Title: ECU resetting!
Post by deedee20 on Mar 17^th, 2009, 12:05pm

Hiya all. Does anyone know why the ECU would keep resetting?. It doesn't happen all the time, just when it feels like it!
When you start the engine, it will show all the lights check then, depending on its mood, will send the mileage, speedo, fuel and temp gauge right over then back to normal and resets the trip.
Drives me mad when trying to obtain the distance of a trip or the overall MPG I am getting.
Any ideas?
Thanks ???

Title: Re: ECU resetting!
Post by Tompion on Mar 17^th, 2009, 12:43pm

Are you saying it happens once the engine is running?

It’s normally caused by a duff battery, and happens when you turn on the ignition.

Dave

Title: Re: ECU resetting!
Post by Cosray on Mar 17^th, 2009, 1:02pm

That is not your EEC resetting IMHO - it's the instrument cluster's built-in microprocessor responding to an overnight voltage drop below 10V. It also governs your tripcomputer.

Directly after that happens press your daymileage button for 10 secs; after the beep keep pressing until you get to BATT and you have an accurate reading.

My starter won't function under 9V since it has a double relay: one for the motor and one for the crank.

Do the same with engine running; should be no less than 13V.

You can induce the same behaviour after dis/reconnecting your battery. Here's an execellent read: http://www.fordscorpio.co.uk/instreset.htm

It follows that you may have a silent user e.g. glovecompartment or bootlight staying on. I had that twice; lowcost switches, batterydrain 2 x 0.6A !

Number of ways how to proceed but anyway measure your draincurrent in rest; should be nowhere over 0.5 A (500mA). Your battery has a 70Ah capacity so that currentdrain would last you 5 days x 24h.

For safety you could have a lowcost Black & Decker BDV080 Smart Battery Maintainer connected during the night connected to your lighter or battery; works fine for me.

HTH,
Ray

Title: Re: ECU resetting!
Post by Tompion on Mar 17^th, 2009, 1:12pm

on 03/17/09 at 13:02:21, Cosray wrote:

Directly after that happens press your daymileage button for 10 secs; after the beep keep pressing until you get to BATT and you have an accurate reading.

Note if you do the above a reset will occur (the needles will flick round) next time you turn on the ignition (basically teaching the needles where zero is).

Title: Re: ECU resetting!
Post by Cosray on Mar 17^th, 2009, 1:28pm

on 03/17/09 at 13:12:26, Tompion wrote:

Note if you do the above a reset will occur (the needles will flick round) next time you turn on the ignition (basically teaching the needles where zero is).

Thank you Tompion for that addition: truly the instrument cluster will remember this 'reset' condition and, if say you'd leave the car standing for a week, it' d still come up with needles flicking and you'd wonder why!

Ray

Title: Re: ECU resetting!
Post by Highlander on Mar 17^th, 2009, 7:51pm

Start at the beginning :)

As Tompion says its usually a battery on its way out or possibly a battery with too low a rating.

Check these possibilities out first.

Title: Re: ECU resetting!
Post by heliphil58 on Mar 18^th, 2009, 11:50am

Had the same problem with a battery fitted by Lucas 095 the battery did'nt have enough guts to do the job now fitted an 097 battery as for the cosworth and all is fine

Title: Re: ECU resetting!
Post by Cosray on Mar 18^th, 2009, 12:25pm

deedee20 - what Scorpio type/year is it?

Make sure BATT Voltage with engine running is no less than 13V, otherwise not enough chargingcurrent will flow into you battery.

Best is measuring what chargingcurrent in Amps goes into the battery, any Kwikfit can do that.

They can also test whether battery has a bad cell.

They might just be a tad prejudiced... beware.

HTH,
Ray

Title: Re: ECU resetting!
Post by deedee20 on Mar 23^rd, 2009, 1:33am

Wow, thanks for all the replies and info! Sorry i haven't replied before now but have been away. Will check the battery tomorrow. Thanks again.

Title: Re: ECU resetting!
Post by NiceMan on May 23^rd, 2009, 8:20am

I have sometime ago this same "reset" when old battery is too old... Whit new battery not make that anymore.
I put New Bosch S6 70Ah battery(S6001) to my cossu.
Orginal height is 17.5cm and this new are 19cm but its go there and can use battery cover.
Now startmotor can run long =)
Only at motor not sart now... :-(