How do you reprogram a car's computer?

Answer 1

The answer to this question depends COMPLETELY on why you want to reprogram. Are you wanting a tune-up for performance or economy improvement, then you're looking in the right place.

Generally speaking, the computer settings can be modified within certain ranges for all the sensors, resulting in changes in how the ECU interprets the signals being sent. You can use this to boost the performance or increase the economy or to add or modify your fuel system and get maximum benefit from your work.

This can be accomplished on a number of vehicles. The only way to tell is to contact the manufacturer, and be certain about the results. However, there are some companies now offering this service on certain makes and models, with the list expanding every day. There's one, called EFILive that offers licensing to permanently modify computer settings on all GM cars.

While I disagree with the manners of the owner, Paul, I support the technology and have had some experience with one of their reps.

There is another method to change the parameters, the formulae the computer uses to operate your engine controls. Yu can now buy systems, originally designed for racing applications, that allow you to "piggy-back" on the existing ECU and send modified signals that affect the timing, the O2 Sensors, the MAP and MAF (and others) as well as the injector pulse with or duty cycle.

These systems are widely available for most Japanese vehicles (which ones truly aren't?) and scarce for American-made (GM, Ford, Dodge etc.) vehicles.

Whatever your purpose in wanting to change your settings, remember this: it can all be un-done if you mess it up. As it is this writer's opinion that vehicles on the market today are engineered for First for gasoline consumption and second for the consumer, I say do whatever you can to throw the balance of the scales into your favor.

You can also find information on some alternatives at ClubHHO.com