PCM Diagnostics & Tuning HP Tuners | Holley | Diablo

Mail tune issues.

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Old May 19, 2011 | 08:14 PM
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Default Mail tune issues.

Ive recently had my PCM tuned. Mods on my car is Boltons and a Circle D 4C converter (3600-3800).

I got the PCM in the car and it drives fine. But at WOT it will not shift, just hits the rev limiter.

Has anyone ever encountered this? If so, how do you fix the problem?

Thanks.
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Old May 19, 2011 | 11:45 PM
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The shift points are not correct. You will have to send the pcm back so they can adjust the shifts points more. Its not always easy to nail the shifting perfect on a mail order tune with a big stall.
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Old May 20, 2011 | 06:04 AM
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Thanks minytrker.

I guess that's about all I can do. Bad thing is this will be the third time sending it back if I do send it again.
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Old May 20, 2011 | 06:39 AM
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It could be a transmission issue also
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Old May 20, 2011 | 07:01 AM
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Well I have 2 PCM's. One with a stock tune and one with the mail tune. With the stock tune it shifts fine, swap the mail tune in and it does not shift.

Also my trans has 10,000 miles on it.

Maybe I should consider a dyno shop?
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Old May 20, 2011 | 11:37 PM
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Transmission now slips.. And won't shift on either tune.
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Old May 21, 2011 | 12:31 AM
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Sounds like something is wrong with the transmission more than the tune being off.
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Old May 21, 2011 | 12:34 AM
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Yep sounds more like a tranny issue than a tuning issue to me as well.
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Old May 21, 2011 | 06:48 AM
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Let us know what you find.
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Old May 22, 2011 | 02:07 PM
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Well I didnt really want to put things like this on tech but here's my story.

The first time I sent my PCM to Frost. He accidentally got me and another persons tune mixed up. He said the tune I ended up getting was for a 6sp car. When we first stuck the PCM in it started up and the was idling really weird. Then things got crazy. Idle was really irratic, the car was black smoking really bad and we didn't have any idea what the problem was. It back fired one good time and killed my MAF. Along with liquid gas dripping out of the headers.

I was on the phone with him and he told me to ship it back to him and that he looked back, and on his logs he did indeed send me the wrong tune.

My question is while we had the car out on this 6sp tune, could that have ultimately caused the transmission issues I have now?? The transmission was just fine before this at 10,000 miles on it. I actually waited for it to reach that so I would feel confident in the trans being broke in good before swapping a converter into it.

Also after I got the PCM back for the 2nd time, it wasn't shifting at WOT hence the reason I started this thread.

Any thoughts or opinions will be welcome and thanks guys.
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Old May 23, 2011 | 04:32 AM
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That won't cause your transmission to go bad. First thing everyone blames is the tuner.

Why does the transmission only have 10k on it? Do you have a external cooler? Still using the radiator as a cooler? Who rebuilt or did you buy the trans from?
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Old May 23, 2011 | 05:45 AM
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Tranny has 10k on a rebuild. Using a 32k cooler. And a local reputable transmission shop rebuilt it for me.
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Old May 23, 2011 | 07:27 AM
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Not using the stock cooler? Why was it rebuilt? What does the fluid look and smell like? Was it rebuilt to stock or upgraded internals?
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Old May 23, 2011 | 08:21 AM
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Using the stock cooler also. Fluid smells ok. Rebuilt because the stock torque converter bolts back out and the torque converter let loose inside the tranny. Maybe a few upgrades in it is all.

I have a trans temp gauge an it barely ever went past 160 degrees. All is good there.

Last edited by 99_pewterZ_A4; May 23, 2011 at 08:31 AM.
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Old May 23, 2011 | 08:33 AM
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Stock cooler has a tendency to clog causing overheating and clutches to wear. Did you flush the stock lines before the new install? I would get with the xmsn builder and ask about specifics of the clutches used and if a new pump went in etc etc.
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Old May 23, 2011 | 11:37 AM
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Well I believe I've found the solution to the problem, doing a stock rebuild, using a the converter, flashing the PCM back to stock, and either drive it like that or sell the car.

I'm way in way over my head and budget as of now.
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Old May 23, 2011 | 12:21 PM
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Your this far just finish it.
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Old May 23, 2011 | 02:38 PM
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Yea I understand that. What are some good trannys? I've noticed performabuilts invincible series is ~$2500. plus I've aleady got a good TC.

If I go that route I'll go ahead and buy my buds moser 9in also. And add some power mods.
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Old May 23, 2011 | 03:07 PM
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Originally Posted by MUSTANGBRKR02
That won't cause your transmission to go bad. First thing everyone blames is the tuner.

Why does the transmission only have 10k on it? Do you have a external cooler? Still using the radiator as a cooler? Who rebuilt or did you buy the trans from?
Not true. Not saying it was the tuner either. Depends on the trans settings as well. Line pressure, shift time, PWM, TQ managment, and a few other things that could smoke a trans in short time. My bet is still on a mechanical issue though and not caused by the tune up.
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Old May 23, 2011 | 03:30 PM
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Originally Posted by 99_pewterZ_A4
Well I didnt really want to put things like this on tech but here's my story.

The first time I sent my PCM to Frost. He accidentally got me and another persons tune mixed up. He said the tune I ended up getting was for a 6sp car. When we first stuck the PCM in it started up and the was idling really weird. Then things got crazy. Idle was really irratic, the car was black smoking really bad and we didn't have any idea what the problem was. It back fired one good time and killed my MAF. Along with liquid gas dripping out of the headers.

I was on the phone with him and he told me to ship it back to him and that he looked back, and on his logs he did indeed send me the wrong tune.

My question is while we had the car out on this 6sp tune, could that have ultimately caused the transmission issues I have now?? The transmission was just fine before this at 10,000 miles on it. I actually waited for it to reach that so I would feel confident in the trans being broke in good before swapping a converter into it.

Also after I got the PCM back for the 2nd time, it wasn't shifting at WOT hence the reason I started this thread.

Any thoughts or opinions will be welcome and thanks guys.


I mixed up on the final file that was flashed and DID send you a 6spd calibration. I also paid for the PCM to come back, reflashed it, and shipped it back on my dime and admitted fault; how could I have done you better there?

Sometimes with a steep gear and loose converter it takes more than one shot. I am asking your car to shift at 5950 RPMs and the rev limiter is moved north to 6300. The WOT shift speed is a few MPH beneath where the commanded RPM point occurs. It SHOULD shift. I told you that in order for me to help further, I'd need the PCM back. I was apologetic then as well. The first issue was my fault; this is just tuning. Most cars with your setup will be more than happy the way the cal is setup. Assuming your trans is working properly, this won't be fixed until you send it back or have it gone through somewhere else.

If you want a refund, send it back (before taking it somewhere else) and I will refund you everything you paid, flash it back to stock, and return it to you.

I recently had another car that had a 4K stall and 4.11s that took more than one shot to keep it off the limiter.
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