Technical Resetting the ECU..any potential problems with thi

[peterp]

Hi all
Further to my previous post below regarding a sluggish Brava,I've decided to try and reset the ECU as a possible cure.
This is actually a brand new one fitted under 1000mls ago,but can anyone tell me if there any possible problems associated with doing this or is this a reasonably common straightforward repair..?
If that does'nt works I'll be asking again what your opinions are on my problem!!!

Thanks
Peter.


Fiat Brava owner-no mods...yet!

 

[ArButhnot]

There's a bit on resetting the ECU in the FiatBOO.co.uk repair guide. I've never done it as I'm not sure how long the radio would keep its code without the battery.

Mad as a fish

 

[peterp]

Thanks mad
seems quite straightforward so I'll give it a shot.
Was wondering if there are any potential problems with doing this.
i.e Could you damage the ECU or something..?
Anyone ever experience any problems doing this?
Thanks
Peter.

Fiat Brava owner-no mods...yet!

 

[Helz]

Heya,
I've not reset it on purpose but did once have a flat battery which reset it for me in the same way as disconnecting it :I. I was lucky enough not to need a code for the radio but as Arbuthnot mentioned that is the only potential problem so be ready for it. It was very weird to drive for the first couple of hours until it relearned my driving (very responsive steering and acceleration). Don't think you can mess up the ECU itself provided you follow the instructions and reconnect the battery properly.

Good luck

<font color="violet">

. o O Helz O o .

Proud owner of a silver Baby Brava with shiny silver accessories
</font id="violet">On the way: Air induction, 'Zorst, Skull and Crossbones tyre valve covers​

 

[alfanige]

We reset them all the time, no problems doing it its just diconnecting the battery after all! Make sure you follow the bravo guide though with how long, then what to do etc.

Alfa Romeo 156 2.4 JTD (210BHP)
Fiat Punto JTD (130BHP)
Fiat Barchetta

http://www.angeltuning.co.uk
http://www.bravo-guide.co.uk THE Fiat Bravo site

 

[peterp]

Thanks Guys
Are you sure it wont lose the radio code as I don't have it!!

ta
Peter.

Fiat Brava owner-no mods...yet!

 

[Helz]

It may lose it. I thought mine was a gonner but it reset itself without a code. Fiat dealers/ auto electricians can reset the radio code for £15-20 if necessary.

<font color="violet">

. o O Helz O o .

Proud owner of a silver Baby Brava with shiny silver accessories
</font id="violet">On the way: Air induction, 'Zorst, Skull and Crossbones tyre valve covers​

 

[ArButhnot]

Did mine at the weekend. Left the battery disconnected for 90 mins. The radio was fine, but the damn traffic alert came back on.
Taking the advice on the BOO site, I didn't rev it much and drove 'normally' for about 15 mins. I don't know how long the self-learning bit takes, but I can now go up small hills in 5th, instead of 4th. The fuel consumption is down but that could be me playing.
I reckon you should go for it. It didn't hurt my car. The only danger, I reckon, is that you are disappointed with the results. Mine's a 1.6 100 so I didn't expect much anyway.

Mad as a fish

 

[peterp]

Thanks for the ongoing advice Arbuthnot.
Will try this weekend to see if it sorts out the slight hesitancy problem I seem to have.
I'm expecting the fuel consump to suffer as a result,but it's got to be worth a try.
Apart from what you have mentioned,any other problems encountered so far..?
Let me know how its getting on with the 'learning' aspect please mate.
Cheers
Peter.


Fiat Brava owner-no mods...yet!

 

[ArChugNot]

More ongoing advice...

After zooming along the highways of France for 2 weeks, I've now come back and found two things.

1. I've had to re-register to get onto the forum as it didn't recognise my Email address.
2. The car's gone all slow on me again!

It says somewhere else that the reset could take 300 miles to learn your driving style - though I can't remember ever telling it that I wanted to take minutes to accelerate from 40 to 70 in top. I'm not planning any long, fast journeys too soon, so I'm going to reset it again and see what 300 miles of my usual driving gets me.

 

[Bahney]

I have done this loads of times. just from setting up my ice etc and constantly disconnecting the battery.

there is one prob you may encounter which is the airbag warning light, i once disconected my battery and it came on and that was a year ago and it is still there, i cba to take it to fiat and pay them £45 to plug a box in and whipe the error.

the "learning" process takes around 500miles not 15min !!! it is learning your air/fuel mixture and also ajusting to the style of driving you do you loose around 3mpg untill it has learnt.

the car can be a bit sluggish or fast during the learning process to just take it with a pinch of salt. you don't have to treat the car any diffrent, just drive it normally.

hope this helps.