I came across this info a couple of months ago while cruising the 350Z section of the Technosquare site. Except for the ECU reset procedure, all the other procedures are available in the Titan service manual. The ECU reset procedure is invaluable, as it allows an almost instant reset of the ECU's RAM instead of the usual method of disconnecting the battery and guessing how long you must leave it disconnected.
I think it's important to do the learning procedures periodically, as it recalibrates the electro-mechanical positioners, namely the throttle valve positioner and the accelerator pedal positioners. After some use, these things get a little out of whack and get lost. This can cause problems like loss of power and idle issues. This method restores the proper min/max position voltages that the ECU sees from them.
I have seen the best improvement in my engine by doing the full procedure, starting with the ECU reset, followed by the other procedures. In fact, after doing this, I got back some of the low-end grunt I'd lost over the past months. I can catch a bit of rubber now, which I haven't been able to do for a long time! It also cured a slightly erratic idle I was having.
Give it a try, but be patient....it may take a couple (or more) tries with your stopwatch to get it right. Timing is critical here! (Edit: See newly added "Easy Method" below).
Note: Make sure the engine is at operating temperature, and all electrical loads are turned off before doing the idle air volume learning. I don't think it matters for an ECU reset.
From the Technosquare website:
Please read all instructions and be familiar with them before any attempts.
A stopwatch or an analog clock with a second needle will be useful.
ECU Resetting Procedures
Timing is extremely critical. If it is NOT DONE within the specified time, the ECU will not reset, and the Check Engine Light (CEL) will remain ON. A stopwatch or an analog clock with a second needle will be useful.
Operations Procedures
1. Confirm that the accelerator pedal is fully released, turn the ignition switch "ON," and wait 3 seconds.
2. Repeat the following steps (2a and 2b) five times within 5 seconds.
2a. Fully depress the accelerator pedal (HARD).
2b. Fully release the accelerator pedal.
3. Wait 7 seconds, fully depress the accelerator pedal and keep it for approx. 10 seconds until the CEL starts blinking.
4. Fully release the accelerator pedal (while the CEL is still blinking)
5. Wait about 10 seconds.
6. Fully depress the accelerator pedal and keep it for more than 10 seconds.
7. Fully release the accelerator pedal (The CEL light will continue to blink).
8. Turn the ignition switch to the "OFF" position, and now you can start the car. The CEL light should be gone.
If the CEL light continues to remain ON, repeat the above steps. Timing is EXTREMELY critical to resetting the ECU.
Edit: Added the "Easy Method" for ECU Reset
The Easy Method:
After experimenting with different timing and reading posts by other members, I've come up with a condensed method of doing this reset. This method works EVERY time, even w/o a stopwatch. I've used this method a dozen times or so, now w/o a watch. After a few times, you won't need a watch or instructions. You'll get so darn good at it that you'll find yourself doing it while waiting at a traffic light.
Timing is not as critical with this method...no stopwatch is needed. Just count in your head...one-one thousand, two-one thousand, etc., or use a stopwatch. The most critical step is step #3....wait 10 sec instead of 7.
1. Ignition "ON"; count to 3.
2. Depress/Release pedal 5 times...hard and fast.
3. Count to 10 (not 7!) and fully depress the pedal
4. Count to 12 (SES should be blinking), release pedal
5. Count to 10, depress the pedal
6. Count to 10, and release the pedal.
7. Turn off the ignition, then start the engine. Done!
Accelerator Pedal Release Position Learning
Operation Procedure
1. Make sure that the accelerator pedal is fully released.
2. Turn ignition switch "ON" and wait at least 2 seconds.
3. Turn ignition switch "OFF" and wait at least 10 seconds.
4. Turn ignition switch "ON" and wait at least 2 seconds.
5. Turn ignition switch "OFF" and wait at least 10 seconds.
Throttle Valve Closed Position Learning
Operation Procedures
1. Make sure that the accelerator pedal is fully released.
2. Turn the ignition switch "ON."
3. Turn the ignition switch "OFF" and wait at least 10 seconds.
Make sure that the throttle valve moves during the above 10 seconds by confirming the operating sound.
Idle Air Volume Learning (Throttle Position Learning)
It is better to count the time accurately with a clock.
Operation Procedures
1. Perform "Accelerator Pedal Released Position Learning."
2. Perform "Throttle Valve Closed Position Learning."
3. Start the engine and warm it up to normal operating temperature.
4. Turn the ignition switch "OFF" and wait at least 10 seconds.
5. Conform that the accelerator pedal is fully released, turn the ignition switch "ON," and wait 3 seconds.
6. Repeat the following (steps 7a, 7b) procedures quickly five times within 5 seconds.
7a. Fully depress the accelerator pedal (HARD)
7b. Fully release the accelerator pedal.
8. Wait 7 seconds, fully depress the accelerator pedal and keep it for approx. 20 seconds until the Check Engine Light (CEL) stops blinking and turns ON.
9. Fully release the accelerator pedal within 3 seconds after the CEL is ON.
10. Start the engine and let it idle.
11. Wait 20 seconds.
12. Rev up the engine two or three times and make sure the idle speed and ignition timing are within the specifications.
I think it's important to do the learning procedures periodically, as it recalibrates the electro-mechanical positioners, namely the throttle valve positioner and the accelerator pedal positioners. After some use, these things get a little out of whack and get lost. This can cause problems like loss of power and idle issues. This method restores the proper min/max position voltages that the ECU sees from them.
I have seen the best improvement in my engine by doing the full procedure, starting with the ECU reset, followed by the other procedures. In fact, after doing this, I got back some of the low-end grunt I'd lost over the past months. I can catch a bit of rubber now, which I haven't been able to do for a long time! It also cured a slightly erratic idle I was having.
Give it a try, but be patient....it may take a couple (or more) tries with your stopwatch to get it right. Timing is critical here! (Edit: See newly added "Easy Method" below).
Note: Make sure the engine is at operating temperature, and all electrical loads are turned off before doing the idle air volume learning. I don't think it matters for an ECU reset.
From the Technosquare website:
Please read all instructions and be familiar with them before any attempts.
A stopwatch or an analog clock with a second needle will be useful.
ECU Resetting Procedures
Timing is extremely critical. If it is NOT DONE within the specified time, the ECU will not reset, and the Check Engine Light (CEL) will remain ON. A stopwatch or an analog clock with a second needle will be useful.
Operations Procedures
1. Confirm that the accelerator pedal is fully released, turn the ignition switch "ON," and wait 3 seconds.
2. Repeat the following steps (2a and 2b) five times within 5 seconds.
2a. Fully depress the accelerator pedal (HARD).
2b. Fully release the accelerator pedal.
3. Wait 7 seconds, fully depress the accelerator pedal and keep it for approx. 10 seconds until the CEL starts blinking.
4. Fully release the accelerator pedal (while the CEL is still blinking)
5. Wait about 10 seconds.
6. Fully depress the accelerator pedal and keep it for more than 10 seconds.
7. Fully release the accelerator pedal (The CEL light will continue to blink).
8. Turn the ignition switch to the "OFF" position, and now you can start the car. The CEL light should be gone.
If the CEL light continues to remain ON, repeat the above steps. Timing is EXTREMELY critical to resetting the ECU.
Edit: Added the "Easy Method" for ECU Reset
The Easy Method:
After experimenting with different timing and reading posts by other members, I've come up with a condensed method of doing this reset. This method works EVERY time, even w/o a stopwatch. I've used this method a dozen times or so, now w/o a watch. After a few times, you won't need a watch or instructions. You'll get so darn good at it that you'll find yourself doing it while waiting at a traffic light.
Timing is not as critical with this method...no stopwatch is needed. Just count in your head...one-one thousand, two-one thousand, etc., or use a stopwatch. The most critical step is step #3....wait 10 sec instead of 7.
1. Ignition "ON"; count to 3.
2. Depress/Release pedal 5 times...hard and fast.
3. Count to 10 (not 7!) and fully depress the pedal
4. Count to 12 (SES should be blinking), release pedal
5. Count to 10, depress the pedal
6. Count to 10, and release the pedal.
7. Turn off the ignition, then start the engine. Done!
Accelerator Pedal Release Position Learning
Operation Procedure
1. Make sure that the accelerator pedal is fully released.
2. Turn ignition switch "ON" and wait at least 2 seconds.
3. Turn ignition switch "OFF" and wait at least 10 seconds.
4. Turn ignition switch "ON" and wait at least 2 seconds.
5. Turn ignition switch "OFF" and wait at least 10 seconds.
Throttle Valve Closed Position Learning
Operation Procedures
1. Make sure that the accelerator pedal is fully released.
2. Turn the ignition switch "ON."
3. Turn the ignition switch "OFF" and wait at least 10 seconds.
Make sure that the throttle valve moves during the above 10 seconds by confirming the operating sound.
Idle Air Volume Learning (Throttle Position Learning)
It is better to count the time accurately with a clock.
Operation Procedures
1. Perform "Accelerator Pedal Released Position Learning."
2. Perform "Throttle Valve Closed Position Learning."
3. Start the engine and warm it up to normal operating temperature.
4. Turn the ignition switch "OFF" and wait at least 10 seconds.
5. Conform that the accelerator pedal is fully released, turn the ignition switch "ON," and wait 3 seconds.
6. Repeat the following (steps 7a, 7b) procedures quickly five times within 5 seconds.
7a. Fully depress the accelerator pedal (HARD)
7b. Fully release the accelerator pedal.
8. Wait 7 seconds, fully depress the accelerator pedal and keep it for approx. 20 seconds until the Check Engine Light (CEL) stops blinking and turns ON.
9. Fully release the accelerator pedal within 3 seconds after the CEL is ON.
10. Start the engine and let it idle.
11. Wait 20 seconds.
12. Rev up the engine two or three times and make sure the idle speed and ignition timing are within the specifications.
