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Thread: Resetting KAM "Keep Alive Memory" when doing mods to your Ford

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    Techie Bird Birdman's Avatar
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    Resetting KAM "Keep Alive Memory" when doing mods to your Ford

    It is very important that anyone who loads in a new calibration file, fuel pump, MAF Sensor or throttle body (no matter what TB) resets the "keep alive memory".. especially but not limitted to the 2010 -2011's

    resetting "KAM" in these cars means first disconnecting the negative battery cable then turn on the head light switch. Do this for at least 20 minutes with the head lights turned on

    (head lights on because the power that is stored in the PCM goes to the head lights)

    Then turn head lights off after 20 minutes and reconnect negative cable. start car, do not touch gas pedal or turn steering wheel and make sure the A/C and heat is off and let the car idle for at least 2 minutes.. an erratic idle is not abnormal when doing this procedure seeing as how the car is searching for an idle.

    After the car learns its idle it should be fine moving forward. Then you can/should turn on the AC for a min for the computer to adjust to that change and into gear (if automatic) Then take it out for normal average driving to complete the process and allow the proper time for the computer to go through it's adaptation (usually 50 or so miles)
    Last edited by Birdman; 10-03-2011 at 11:21 PM.

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    Re: Resetting KAM "Keep Alive Memory" when doing mods to your Ford

    Good info, George!

    That makes a lot of sense because, starting with the '10s (2009 for Fusion), there are a bunch of conditions that are now compared to an "anticipated" (learned) value and, if off by more than a certain amount, give a wrenchlight and/or a MIL -- either immediately or on the second subsequent drive cycle, depending on the specific condition.
    68fastback™ ;-)

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    Re: Resetting KAM "Keep Alive Memory" when doing mods to your Ford

    good info G....i'll try it next time i decide to put on the TB...
    Failure is simply the opportunity to begin again more intelligently....

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    Re: Resetting KAM "Keep Alive Memory" when doing mods to your Ford

    Quote Originally Posted by Birdman View Post
    ...Then turn head lights off after 20 minutes ...
    Doesn't the computer shut the lights off after 20 minutes as part of the battery saver system? It shuts off other lights on my car after 20 min.


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    Re: Resetting KAM "Keep Alive Memory" when doing mods to your Ford

    Quote Originally Posted by Johnny Dangerously View Post
    Doesn't the computer shut the lights off after 20 minutes as part of the battery saver system? It shuts off other lights on my car after 20 min.


    `
    Remember the battery is disconnected.....you need to manually turn off the headlight switch.

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    Re: Resetting KAM "Keep Alive Memory" when doing mods to your Ford

    Quote Originally Posted by Birdman View Post
    Remember the battery is disconnected.....you need to manually turn off the headlight switch.
    Gotcha. I obviously missed that part..

    Thanks.


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    Re: Resetting KAM "Keep Alive Memory" when doing mods to your Ford

    ...they're just going for any certain load not dependent on key position ...to be sure any residual voltage is drained from the electrical system (there's lots of capacitors in the electronics) so voltage bleed can't inadvertantly 'hold' KAM memory. Actually 5 minutes with the headlights in the on position is probably plenty ...they're just being conservative, imo.

    Whenever we lose power just briefly (way too often) a mini-stereo with an electronic tuner gets all the stored stations lost or scrambled (depends). But when power is back on you can't reprogram it unless you unplug it and wait 5 minutes. I've found if I unplug it and press a bunch of its buttons while the + lead of the plug is grounded to the outlet's ground (screw) ...then it can be reprogrammed immediately ...same principle.
    68fastback™ ;-)

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    Re: Resetting KAM "Keep Alive Memory" when doing mods to your Ford

    George, can you enlighten on WHY this is so important? We didn't do this on the cars at Orfstock, right? What are the implications?

    Thanks, Dave
    "Live every day as if it were your last. One day, you'll be right."

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    Re: Resetting KAM "Keep Alive Memory" when doing mods to your Ford

    Quote Originally Posted by Birdman View Post
    It is very important that anyone who loads in a new calibration file, fuel pump, MAF Sensor or throttle body (no matter what TB) resets the "keep alive memory".. especially but not limitted to the 2010 -2011's

    resetting "KAM" in these cars means first disconnecting the negative battery cable then turn on the head light switch. Do this for at least 20 minutes with the head lights turned on

    (head lights on because the power that is stored in the PCM goes to the head lights)

    Then turn head lights off after 20 minutes and reconnect negative cable. start car, do not touch gas pedal or turn steering wheel and make sure the A/C and heat is off and let the car idle for at least 2 minutes.. an erratic idle is not abnormal when doing this procedure seeing as how the car is searching for an idle. After the car learns its idle it should be fine moving forward.

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    Red is the fastest of all cars onecrazydog's Avatar
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    Re: Resetting KAM "Keep Alive Memory" when doing mods to your Ford

    Quote Originally Posted by Birdman View Post
    It is very important that anyone who loads in a new calibration file, fuel pump, MAF Sensor or throttle body (no matter what TB) resets the "keep alive memory".. especially but not limitted to the 2010 -2011's

    resetting "KAM" in these cars means first disconnecting the negative battery cable then turn on the head light switch. Do this for at least 20 minutes with the head lights turned on

    (head lights on because the power that is stored in the PCM goes to the head lights)

    Then turn head lights off after 20 minutes and reconnect negative cable. start car, do not touch gas pedal or turn steering wheel and make sure the A/C and heat is off and let the car idle for at least 2 minutes.. an erratic idle is not abnormal when doing this procedure seeing as how the car is searching for an idle. After the car learns its idle it should be fine moving forward.
    Bump,

    and I am doing this right now!! The steroe battery had easy access to the posts, so no prob getting at the negative one!! Bonus!!

    The lights don't come on at all so I am guessing it is minimal voltage being drained from the pcm?

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