HowTo: Perform an ECU Reset (learned behavior) - M37/M56/Q70

[Ilya]

This thread is in regards to the following post: HowTo: Install Paddle Shifters - M37/M56/Q70

I'm drawing a blank and didn't want to take your thread too off topic but can you post the link to the reset? I'd like to reset it myself.

[adeedpb]

ECU Accelerator Pedal Reset Procedure
Note: Timing is critical for this to work

1. Turn the ignition switch to on. Dash gauges lit. Don’t start the engine! (Click start button twice without your foot on the brake)
2. Wait 3 seconds.
3. Fully depress and release the accelerator pedal 5 times within 5 seconds.
4. Wait 7 to 10 seconds.
5. Fully depress the accelerator pedal for approximately 10 seconds. At this point the check engine light starts to blink quickly indicating Diagnostic Test Mode II (Self-diagnostic results) has started.
6. Release accelerator pedal and wait 5 to 10 seconds.
7. Fully depress the accelerator pedal for 10 seconds. At this point the check engine light should change to blinking slowly indicating “Erasing ECU Memory”.
8. Release the accelerator pedal and turn the ignition switch to off.
9. Restart the engine. The check engine light should be out.

Here is a video of it being done on a G37:

[Ilya]

Thanks. I'll try this tomorrow and let you know if my car behaves any better. Back to Flappy Paddles

[Ilya]

So, I gave this a whirl and WOW. Car drives day and night differently. Previous owner must have been 200 years old. Car RIPS from stand still and/or from parking lot entrances. I'll have no issue beating traffic now while pulling out of plaza's and streets.

Took me 3 tries to time it right .

[DoN_BLaZe34]

Nice, going to try this later today

[DoN_BLaZe34]

This isn't working for me

[LVApeMan56]

TollboothWilly did me a solid and reset the ECU for me. I immediately did a few runs 0-100mph and some quick starts at the lights. I haven't had an issue with sluggishness since then at all.

[adeedpb]

Is your SES light blinking faster and slower, etc or nothing at all? Maybe it doesn't work for the Q70s, tbh I was surprised it worked at all for the M as it was a trick I learned for my G.

[DoN_BLaZe34]

Scratch that, I got it to work

Tomorrow on my way to work will be the real test of whether or not I feel a difference

[beachbum718]

Will this erase my transmission update which made my car drive way sportier? Dont want to lose it

[adeedpb]

No it will not effect any updates that have been made to the ECU or TCU.

[Ilya]

It just clears values, not the actual firmware/software running the ECU/TCU.

I did take the car for a 50 mile drive tonight to a pickup softball game. MAN, I've been missin a TON of performance since getting the car in November. I feel like I'm driving a new car.

[Larz]

There was absolutely nothing wrong with my car. I did the reset just for giggles. Holy Crapoly! What a difference! In DS mode, it's like a whole other car and in D mode it's more responsive and peppier (if that is a word). I highly recommend we all do this simple chore. BTW it took me two tries, LOL.

[Debonair]

I do this with my scanner.

[Ilya]

There was absolutely nothing wrong with my car. I did the reset just for giggles. Holy Crapoly! What a difference! In DS mode, it's like a whole other car and in D mode it's more responsive and peppier (if that is a word). I highly recommend we all do this simple chore. BTW it took me two tries, LOL.

Yep! Nothing was technically 'wrong' with my car either but it's a whole different beast now. Love it.

I do this with my scanner.

I used to do it with UpRev on my M35 (also cleared learned fuel settings which may be the same or different). But I don't have UpRev on this car yet.

And my scanner, although I can clear the codes (also I can use my BT dongle + torque app) doesn't seem to fully clear it.

[Darthswan]

What if check engine light isn't blinking? Mine doesn't blink. it's just on.

[austin713]

Just did this as well. i used to do this on the G to clear SES lights from my High flow cats, but never noticed a difference. ive got a 2011 M without the transmission update and needless to say it hesitates and has sluggish pulls all the time. after doing this, wow! its just smoother overall. still going to try and get the transmission update done when i take it in for an oil change and TB cleaning. hopefully they dont charge me.

[Ilya]

What if check engine light isn't blinking? Mine doesn't blink. it's just on.

You're mis-timing something.

[jtsull]

I bought a 2013 M37 with 6700 miles about 3 months ago. Seemed a bit sluggish but got better now that I'm pushing 11K. I did the reset and have to admit there is definitely more than a perceived improvement. More responsive. I expected a relearn of shifting but this seems to have something to do with throttle response as well? Thanks for the info!

[Darthswan]

What if check engine light isn't blinking? Mine doesn't blink. it's just on.

You're mis-timing something.

I'll work on my timing after I put my boys to sleep.

[Darthswan]

When I turn it on, the light doesn't flash. Does the door need to be open/closed? I'm stretching here.

[DoN_BLaZe34]

Have u tried watching the YouTube video? That helped me get the timing together

[Larz]

It will likely NOT work on your first try, based on the collective experience posted here. Most had to do it twice, and lots of others had to do it more than twice.
Not sure this actually matters, but I started the car, turned off everything like radio, air/con, auto headlamps, etc so that nothing would be running while doing this. Then switched the engine off, closed the door, waited for the interior lamps to shut down, and began the procedure. The second tine I did it, I concentrated mainly on the timing, but still watched the engine light. I counted out loud to make sure I didn't mis-count.

[Darthswan]

My timing was off. Was able to do it this morning. Noticeably different driving. Especially accelerating in a turn. Car use to stall some, not any more. Thanks for this.

[DM37x]

Thank you for this post. My car drives like it should now.

[ElectrophoNick]

Performed this on my '11 M37X last night and this made a HUGE difference!!!!
My car used to be very sluggish and hesitant from 0-20MPH no matter the type of acceleration, it was almost as if it was shifting from 1st to 3rd at 10MPH.
After the reset, there is a noticeable difference in how smooth it drives now.

[icrf]

I'm definitely going to try this. When I had the transmission updated a few months ago, it definitely felt peppier after that, but I think it's mostly back to the old behavior now. My theory is that I can't always drive hard. I'll be second in line at a light accelerating slowly behind grandma, and my car doesn't know that's not my choice. It just sees me accelerating slowly and learns that behavior.

What I'd like to see is everyone here updating and seeing positive change, post back when you notice it not being as peppy as it was. I'm curious how long it lasts. Personally, I think it was a few days to a week for me. Definitely less than a month. Maybe clearing the ECU just becomes a Monday morning before leaving for work routine.

Also, every time you guys are back at your dealer for something, ask for a way to disable the learning aspect of the transmission. I was told there wasn't a way, but there's no technical reason why it should be impossible. There just has to be enough feedback from otherwise happy owners to convince corporate to make something available to those that request it.

[jmissile]

How come I can only get it to flash slowly after the first 10 sec press of the pedal and not quickly like the directions say. . And then after the second time holding the pedal down after that it starts to flash quickly. I've got deleted resonators and the check engine light has been coming back on after I do this procedure only after a couple days but I feel like the car runs better after getting the check engine light to go out after using this trick. It seems to work anyways just not sure why my check engine light flashes opposite to what the directions say...2011 m56s

[adeedpb]

Those directions were written up for a g35 / g37 there may be slightly different behavior in our newer ECUs. The instructions are from the my Motordyne Plenum Spacer installation manual for my G35. I noticed the same thing but assumed it was just a difference in behavior.

I wouldn't think a resonator delete would throw a CEL, did you change anything with the O2 sensors or Cats?

[jmissile]

Negative, did nothing else to the exhaust. I did try out the washer mod, but that shouldn't affect anything. ..