ECU Reset... How?

[paul_c]

Hey guys, my cooper has been running alittle rough (hesitation between 2k-3krpm) the past few weeks so i've invested in a new K&N panel filter and some NGK plugs. I also want to reset the ecu to banish any dodgy values but can't find a guide on how.

I assume it's disconnect the battery for 10mins
reconnect battery start car without touching any pedals
allow to tick over and learn idle
wait for fans to kick in then fans to stop (showing engine fully warmed)
then go for a good blast to learn my driving style

...am i on the right lines?

[MINI-Morgan]

ECU Reset using the speedo diagnostic controls:

1) Hold in your odometer reset button and at the same time turn your key to position 1

2) Release the odometer button and then press it repeatedly until it shows the #19

3) Stop at 19 and the display will go back and forth between "test on" and "off"

4) Push the button when it is on off and the press it repeatedly until you get to #21

5) It will display an option to reset. Press the button and your displays will go blank and your guages will flutter and then the displays will come back on

6) Turn off the key and then your done

[Mark84]

Nice tip! can this be added to the FAQ and DIY as i think its very useful when mods have been done to a car to let the ecu reset properly!

[Nath316]

Thats a hell of a lot to do

I remember a day when all I had to do on a ford was to remove fuses 4 and 11 for a few mins and the start engine

[MINI-Morgan]

Quote: Originally Posted by Nath316 (original)

Thats a hell of a lot to do

I remember a day when all I had to do on a ford was to remove fuses 4 and 11 for a few mins and the start engine

Takes you 30seconds max though.....

[MINI-Morgan]

Quote: Originally Posted by Mark84 (original)

Nice tip! can this be added to the FAQ and DIY as i think its very useful when mods have been done to a car to let the ecu reset properly!

I believe it is on one of the FAQs but certainly isnt coming up in search. Thats where I first ever read it myself.....

[Meeerrrk]

what will this do in the mini, in what situation would you want to do this?

[Richard Crofts]

Disconnecting the battery will soft reset the ECU (eg clears certain emissions and other warning lights etc) Usually only requires 30 seconds of disconnection. Wont clear the ECU settings though or the stored fault codes.

TBH the MINI will adapt to a very limited amount as you drive it anyhow, theres no real need to reset the ECU

[Dazzonamission]

Hi guys, i cannot use this procedure on my 09/2001 mini cooper, i am not too sure why ..but as Tommy T also experienced in a previous thread,we do not get the full list of functional numbers in the test menu but only have 6, 10 and 21 to choose from,however if i go to 21 and wait the display goes off the dials flicker with some noise and everything then restores to the previous state.
But i am not too sure if the ECU has been reset.

Any help would be much appreciated.
Darren

[NeuroBeaker]

Quote: Originally Posted by MINI-Morgan (original)

ECU Reset using the speedo diagnostic controls:

1) Hold in your odometer reset button and at the same time turn your key to position 1

2) Release the odometer button and then press it repeatedly until it shows the #19

3) Stop at 19 and the display will go back and forth between "test on" and "off"

4) Push the button when it is on off and the press it repeatedly until you get to #21

5) It will display an option to reset. Press the button and your displays will go blank and your guages will flutter and then the displays will come back on

6) Turn off the key and then your done

Quote: Originally Posted by Richard Crofts (original)

Disconnecting the battery will soft reset the ECU (eg clears certain emissions and other warning lights etc) Usually only requires 30 seconds of disconnection. Wont clear the ECU settings though or the stored fault codes.

TBH the MINI will adapt to a very limited amount as you drive it anyhow, theres no real need to reset the ECU

Do you think this would be a helpful thing to do after installing an open cone air filter, having previously run the stock air intake?

All the best,
Andrew.

[PARTSMAN109]

Quote: Originally Posted by MINI-Morgan (original)

ECU Reset using the speedo diagnostic controls:

1) Hold in your odometer reset button and at the same time turn your key to position 1

2) Release the odometer button and then press it repeatedly until it shows the #19

3) Stop at 19 and the display will go back and forth between "test on" and "off"

4) Push the button when it is on off and the press it repeatedly until you get to #21

5) It will display an option to reset. Press the button and your displays will go blank and your guages will flutter and then the displays will come back on

6) Turn off the key and then your done

This is actually a cluster reset and not a ECU/DME reset.

[DaFlake]

As Partsman stated, this is really not an ECU reset at all. My understanding in all of this (having spoken to several tuners) is that the only way to really reset the ECU is to actually flash it.

Now, that being said, people "claim" that the car feels different after the dash reset but there is no proof and when I did it to my MINI I felt no difference. Maybe my butt is not sensitive enough.

[MINI-Morgan]

Quote: Originally Posted by DaFlake (original)

As Partsman stated, this is really not an ECU reset at all. My understanding in all of this (having spoken to several tuners) is that the only way to really reset the ECU is to actually flash it.

Now, that being said, people "claim" that the car feels different after the dash reset but there is no proof and when I did it to my MINI I felt no difference. Maybe my butt is not sensitive enough.

Ummm the only correct way to do it is how I do it with my laptop and using the proper ECU development tools. Nothing else that I have found lets you reset so much e.g. all the adpations (Theres many of them). Well unless you go to BMW anyway and then they can do the same.

But like I said above that reset was taken from the FAQs a while back and it does seem different after it has been done. but maybe my butt dyno just went numb and I was getting different sensations.

[DaFlake]

Quote: Originally Posted by MINI-Morgan (original)

Ummm the only correct way to do it is how I do it with my laptop and using the proper ECU development tools. Nothing else that I have found lets you reset so much e.g. all the adpations (Theres many of them). Well unless you go to BMW anyway and then they can do the same.

But like I said above that reset was taken from the FAQs a while back and it does seem different after it has been done. but maybe my butt dyno just went numb and I was getting different sensations.

Ok, I use the term "flash" lightly so let me clarify. I have MTH which uploads or flashes the ECU with new tables. Thus resetting them. However, you are correct, you have to have proper software to do this.

That one bit in the FAQ has always been a bit controversial and the folks that I have spoken to at MTH and at others say that the reset mentioned does nothing for the ECU.

That being said many argue it and claim that it does work (didn't for me). Personally I don't think that it does anything for the ECU (maybe the BC1) but without a MINI technical background it is hard to fully grasp.