What's up with SCT X3?

SKRAPR · January 14th, 2008, 11:50 PM

Frustrated! Pissed off actually . . . been busy lately with the first round of mod's:

1) 4:10 FRPP Gears (Sweet)
2) MGW Short Throw Shifter (Completely Bad-Ass)
3) SCT X3 Tuner (WTF????

)

I just don't get it. I've read lots of good things about the SCT programmers. But my experience has so far been . . . let's just say . . . less than impressive. The shop that did the gears for me recommended the it when I got the gears. Since I needed one to calibrate the speedometer with the new rear end and will use it for more mod's . . . I went ahead and got it. The shop did the initial tune install so it was VIN locked to my car when I got it . . . so I know that it worked at least once . . .

First of all, the thing comes with no user manual . . . no warranty info . . . not much of anything but a website. So I spend some time browsing the site and find the manual etc. After a few days, I decide I know enough to do the incredibly in depth task of flashing a 93 octane tune . . . yeah right . . . it cannot be this difficult.

After it programs up to 99%, the thing just locks up. I try this 3 times . . . same result. So I go back to the SCT website and read more . . . apparently this is fairly common. They say that the fix is to return your car to the stock tune and reformat the programmer's memory chip to get rid of any inherent corrupted files, then upload the latest firmware etc.

So I follow instructions and go back to the stock tune. This is where it all goes to hell in a hand basket!! The first thing that I notice is that the programmer now thinks that I am attempting to change vehicles (apparently, you can unlock the device 5 times and change vehicles before it becomes a glorified paper weight) I notice that mine now says that I have 4 unlocks left. I've read that you are supposed to reinstall your stock tune if you ever need to take your car back to the dealer for any service. So, am I to understand that I can only revert back to the stock tune 4 more times for dealer service before the thing self-destructs?

To add further frustration, the directions on re-programming the device's memory chip did not work like the SCT site said . . . I keep getting a "device is locked and not accessible" message. So, now I've got a device that will not reformat . . . and a car with 4:10 gears and a stock tune . . . the speedometer is screwed! I'm afraid to try and load the rear-end tune back up only to have to unlock the thing again and be down to only 3 more unlocks? I just don't get it. I've got an email in to SCT support but still have not heard anything. I hope this turns around quick because right now . . . this thing is $400 wasted.

Any SCT X3 owner's out there run into anything like this before? Any fixes?
Sorry for the long thread . . . gotta vent sometimes.

HMUSN · January 14th, 2008, 11:53 PM

Go ahead and click my sig.

That guy will answer all your questions man

SKRAPR · January 15th, 2008, 12:04 AM

Sorry dude . . . excuse my "net-speak" ignorance . . .

Your sig? Are you referring to the link on your signature "HMUSN" . . . or the link under the image for "Need a tune for your Xcal? click here?

HMUSN · January 15th, 2008, 12:06 AM

the link that says click here.

SKRAPR · January 15th, 2008, 12:29 AM

Cool. Thanks.

HMUSN · January 15th, 2008, 12:30 AM

anytime

Emay · January 15th, 2008, 03:10 AM

I think that the majority of Xcal users here are having great experiences with their SCT's.

Also, SCT is more responsive on a phone call, it helps to pick up the phone on occasion and not rely on the internet mail. Not to mention, if you have this many questions up front, your going to have more as you go down the road. That's inevitable.

I haven't had any of the problems you describe. I flash back and forth within my tunes nearly daily at times. It has yet to become a paper weight.

06VistaGT · January 15th, 2008, 03:33 AM

I haven't had any issues with my Xcal2, i've heard that the 3 has had a few issues though.

OHYELLER · January 15th, 2008, 07:42 AM

I live near Charlotte. Can you PM me, I have a possible solution to your frustration. Thanks.

SKRAPR · January 15th, 2008, 05:49 PM

Hmmm.

Are you using the Xcal2 or Xcal3? From what I've recently been told, the X3's have some issues. Someone has also just told me that on the intitial flash back to stock, it will become unlocked once (drop from 5 unlocks to 4). But after that, as long as you are flashing back to the same car, it's supposed to not go below 4 when you flash back and forth from a programmed tune and the stock tune.

Anyway, Yes, I do have a lot of questions. I just got the thing. It's just frustrating when the burden is placed on the buyer to get the thing working. If the fix would that SCT described had worked, you probably would not be hearing from me right now.

But, I will call them.

Mrdestboi · January 15th, 2008, 06:05 PM

shoulda bought the predator....

Mrdestboi · January 15th, 2008, 06:07 PM

jk, where did u purchase ur tuner from? depending on your source's customer service u should be able to contact the vendor if u feel you have a defective product... you said it yourself, u used 1 unlock token (lol) alright and for what?

05mustang_kb_charged · January 15th, 2008, 07:32 PM

the 4 unlocks or for 4 more cars, it is incase you sell it to someone and they flash it to there car then back to stock then they sell it and so on. it won't be a paper weight you can send it back to SCT and for a nominal fee they can put the 5 back on and you can continue selling it. as long as it is your car it will stay 4

KingChronic · January 15th, 2008, 07:35 PM

there are 2 different X3's, one of them comes with no tunes on it, and you have to have a tuner do a tune, and the other comes with all sorts of canned tunes for alot of cars sort of like the strategy tuner.

make sure you got the one with the tunes.

SKRAPR · January 15th, 2008, 08:30 PM

Well, since I have been assured that I would not lose any more "unlocks" . . . I just re-flashed from stock to a 4.10 / 93 Octane tune. It seems to have worked from stock. Not sure if this means that I will have to go back to stock everytime before I want to change something else (haven't tried to go from one tune to the next yet). . . but I took it out for a quick spin and the speedometer seems to be right. So that's a good thing.

Not sure what the problem is or was (hopefully). When I got the programmer, it was about 15 degrees outside that day . . . and I think that the shop left it in the back seat until I picked the car up that evening. Maybe the cold weather did something . . . anyway . . . I'm going to kick the tires with it and see what's up.

Hopefully no more problems with it but I'll keep you posted. Thanks to you guys who gave the good info.

KingChronic · January 15th, 2008, 08:41 PM

it doesnt count against your unlocks when you change tunes, and return vehicle to stock ect. only when you return to stock, and go to another vehicle. you can only use it on 5 vehicles before it has to go to SCT to have them reset it.

2006greyGT · January 15th, 2008, 08:49 PM

I got the first Xcal3 they had sold at my speed shop.They had problems with it that delayed me getting my car back for two bright sunny weekend days(dyno-ed it too).Not good for a vert.I had the same result when visiting their website.Phone calls were the way to go.

SKRAPR · January 15th, 2008, 10:07 PM

Spoke too soon . . . still having problems . . .
Guess I'll call tomorrow

MMP, Inc. · January 20th, 2008, 03:47 AM

Make sure you load it with the latest firmware. You may have one that was sitting on the shelf. Click the link below:

SCT Flash Devices - MORE Power . . . Period!

psycho bob · January 20th, 2008, 03:51 AM

still.....mr. moderator.....have you ever heard of this company before. MMP, Inc. anyone know of them. seems as though all they want to do is open an account here and sell their stuff without really showing their knowledge

January 14th, 2008, 11:50 PM	#1
SKRAPR Regular 2005 Mustang GT Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Charlotte, NC Posts: 277 iTrader: 0 reviews	What's up with SCT X3? Frustrated! Pissed off actually . . . been busy lately with the first round of mod's: 1) 4:10 FRPP Gears (Sweet) 2) MGW Short Throw Shifter (Completely Bad-Ass) 3) SCT X3 Tuner (WTF???? ) I just don't get it. I've read lots of good things about the SCT programmers. But my experience has so far been . . . let's just say . . . less than impressive. The shop that did the gears for me recommended the it when I got the gears. Since I needed one to calibrate the speedometer with the new rear end and will use it for more mod's . . . I went ahead and got it. The shop did the initial tune install so it was VIN locked to my car when I got it . . . so I know that it worked at least once . . . First of all, the thing comes with no user manual . . . no warranty info . . . not much of anything but a website. So I spend some time browsing the site and find the manual etc. After a few days, I decide I know enough to do the incredibly in depth task of flashing a 93 octane tune . . . yeah right . . . it cannot be this difficult. After it programs up to 99%, the thing just locks up. I try this 3 times . . . same result. So I go back to the SCT website and read more . . . apparently this is fairly common. They say that the fix is to return your car to the stock tune and reformat the programmer's memory chip to get rid of any inherent corrupted files, then upload the latest firmware etc. So I follow instructions and go back to the stock tune. This is where it all goes to hell in a hand basket!! The first thing that I notice is that the programmer now thinks that I am attempting to change vehicles (apparently, you can unlock the device 5 times and change vehicles before it becomes a glorified paper weight) I notice that mine now says that I have 4 unlocks left. I've read that you are supposed to reinstall your stock tune if you ever need to take your car back to the dealer for any service. So, am I to understand that I can only revert back to the stock tune 4 more times for dealer service before the thing self-destructs? To add further frustration, the directions on re-programming the device's memory chip did not work like the SCT site said . . . I keep getting a "device is locked and not accessible" message. So, now I've got a device that will not reformat . . . and a car with 4:10 gears and a stock tune . . . the speedometer is screwed! I'm afraid to try and load the rear-end tune back up only to have to unlock the thing again and be down to only 3 more unlocks? I just don't get it. I've got an email in to SCT support but still have not heard anything. I hope this turns around quick because right now . . . this thing is $400 wasted. Any SCT X3 owner's out there run into anything like this before? Any fixes? Sorry for the long thread . . . gotta vent sometimes.

January 14th, 2008, 11:53 PM	#2
HMUSN Doc 1986 SVO Join Date: Nov 2006 Posts: 36,836 iTrader: 9 reviews	Go ahead and click my sig. That guy will answer all your questions man __________________

January 15th, 2008, 12:06 AM	#4
HMUSN Doc 1986 SVO Join Date: Nov 2006 Posts: 36,836 iTrader: 9 reviews	the link that says click here. __________________

January 15th, 2008, 12:30 AM	#6
HMUSN Doc 1986 SVO Join Date: Nov 2006 Posts: 36,836 iTrader: 9 reviews	anytime __________________

January 15th, 2008, 03:10 AM	#7
Emay May 08 ROTM 2008 Audi S6 Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: S. Elgin Posts: 6,637 iTrader: 3 reviews	I think that the majority of Xcal users here are having great experiences with their SCT's. Also, SCT is more responsive on a phone call, it helps to pick up the phone on occasion and not rely on the internet mail. Not to mention, if you have this many questions up front, your going to have more as you go down the road. That's inevitable. I haven't had any of the problems you describe. I flash back and forth within my tunes nearly daily at times. It has yet to become a paper weight. __________________

January 15th, 2008, 12:04 AM	#3
SKRAPR Regular 2005 Mustang GT Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Charlotte, NC Posts: 277 iTrader: 0 reviews	Sorry dude . . . excuse my "net-speak" ignorance . . . Your sig? Are you referring to the link on your signature "HMUSN" . . . or the link under the image for "Need a tune for your Xcal? click here?

January 15th, 2008, 12:29 AM	#5
SKRAPR Regular 2005 Mustang GT Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Charlotte, NC Posts: 277 iTrader: 0 reviews	Cool. Thanks.

January 15th, 2008, 03:33 AM	#8
06VistaGT Hardcore Enthusiast 2006 Mustang GT Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Fayetteville, NC Posts: 1,872 iTrader: 0 reviews	I haven't had any issues with my Xcal2, i've heard that the 3 has had a few issues though. __________________ Dyno vid http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t6PDbkL5DXk

January 15th, 2008, 07:42 AM	#9
OHYELLER Regular 2005 Mustang GT Vert 5 sp Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Western North Carolina Posts: 106 iTrader: 0 reviews	I live near Charlotte. Can you PM me, I have a possible solution to your frustration. Thanks.

January 15th, 2008, 05:49 PM	#10
SKRAPR Regular 2005 Mustang GT Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Charlotte, NC Posts: 277 iTrader: 0 reviews	Hmmm. Are you using the Xcal2 or Xcal3? From what I've recently been told, the X3's have some issues. Someone has also just told me that on the intitial flash back to stock, it will become unlocked once (drop from 5 unlocks to 4). But after that, as long as you are flashing back to the same car, it's supposed to not go below 4 when you flash back and forth from a programmed tune and the stock tune. Anyway, Yes, I do have a lot of questions. I just got the thing. It's just frustrating when the burden is placed on the buyer to get the thing working. If the fix would that SCT described had worked, you probably would not be hearing from me right now. But, I will call them.

January 15th, 2008, 06:05 PM	#11
Mrdestboi Enthusiast 2006 Mustang GT Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Gardena, Ca Posts: 500 iTrader: 0 reviews	shoulda bought the predator.... __________________ Vroom <~~~ Stock Vr0oOm <~~~~ me 2006 silver/Black, red interior, moon roof, shaker 1000 JLT Cai, Steeda TB spacer, Hurst Short Throw Shifter, Pypes O/R H, MangaFlow AxelBack, Diablo Pedator...

January 15th, 2008, 06:07 PM	#12
Mrdestboi Enthusiast 2006 Mustang GT Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Gardena, Ca Posts: 500 iTrader: 0 reviews	jk, where did u purchase ur tuner from? depending on your source's customer service u should be able to contact the vendor if u feel you have a defective product... you said it yourself, u used 1 unlock token (lol) alright and for what? __________________ Vroom <~~~ Stock Vr0oOm <~~~~ me 2006 silver/Black, red interior, moon roof, shaker 1000 JLT Cai, Steeda TB spacer, Hurst Short Throw Shifter, Pypes O/R H, MangaFlow AxelBack, Diablo Pedator...

January 15th, 2008, 07:32 PM	#13
05mustang_kb_charged Hardcore Enthusiast 2005 Mustang GT 10.32@137.70 Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: LSU Country Posts: 2,747 iTrader: 0 reviews	the 4 unlocks or for 4 more cars, it is incase you sell it to someone and they flash it to there car then back to stock then they sell it and so on. it won't be a paper weight you can send it back to SCT and for a nominal fee they can put the 5 back on and you can continue selling it. as long as it is your car it will stay 4 __________________ 326 cubic inches of Turbocharged hell will be running soon Tuned by Wes @ TPS

January 15th, 2008, 07:35 PM	#14
KingChronic Gun Whore 04 Whipple Cobra 10.61@129.96 Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Alexandria, VA Posts: 2,443 iTrader: 0 reviews	there are 2 different X3's, one of them comes with no tunes on it, and you have to have a tuner do a tune, and the other comes with all sorts of canned tunes for alot of cars sort of like the strategy tuner. make sure you got the one with the tunes. __________________ Modded Mustangs Make-A-Wish for Bubba "BWAL09" [url]http://www.moddedmustangs.com/forums/clubhouse/112652-hey-guys-mm-needs-unite-bubba.html[/url] [QUOTE=Drgnracin72;1870015]please do this country a favor and go play tag football with an oncoming car[/QUOTE]

January 15th, 2008, 08:30 PM	#15
SKRAPR Regular 2005 Mustang GT Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Charlotte, NC Posts: 277 iTrader: 0 reviews	Well, since I have been assured that I would not lose any more "unlocks" . . . I just re-flashed from stock to a 4.10 / 93 Octane tune. It seems to have worked from stock. Not sure if this means that I will have to go back to stock everytime before I want to change something else (haven't tried to go from one tune to the next yet). . . but I took it out for a quick spin and the speedometer seems to be right. So that's a good thing. Not sure what the problem is or was (hopefully). When I got the programmer, it was about 15 degrees outside that day . . . and I think that the shop left it in the back seat until I picked the car up that evening. Maybe the cold weather did something . . . anyway . . . I'm going to kick the tires with it and see what's up. Hopefully no more problems with it but I'll keep you posted. Thanks to you guys who gave the good info.

January 15th, 2008, 08:41 PM	#16
KingChronic Gun Whore 04 Whipple Cobra 10.61@129.96 Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Alexandria, VA Posts: 2,443 iTrader: 0 reviews	it doesnt count against your unlocks when you change tunes, and return vehicle to stock ect. only when you return to stock, and go to another vehicle. you can only use it on 5 vehicles before it has to go to SCT to have them reset it. __________________ Modded Mustangs Make-A-Wish for Bubba "BWAL09" [url]http://www.moddedmustangs.com/forums/clubhouse/112652-hey-guys-mm-needs-unite-bubba.html[/url] [QUOTE=Drgnracin72;1870015]please do this country a favor and go play tag football with an oncoming car[/QUOTE]

January 15th, 2008, 08:49 PM	#17
2006greyGT Premium Member 2006 Satin Silver GT 11.08@125.22 Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: KC Posts: 2,946 iTrader: 0 reviews	I got the first Xcal3 they had sold at my speed shop.They had problems with it that delayed me getting my car back for two bright sunny weekend days(dyno-ed it too).Not good for a vert.I had the same result when visiting their website.Phone calls were the way to go. __________________ 2.6l KENNE BELL 298 Stroker, Ported heads Pro Motion Built 3650/McLeod RST/ MGW Short Throw Long tube/O/R X /Borla Touring 8 rib/65 lb injectors/GT500 twin fuel ET Drag Slicks/3.73 gear Detroit Truetrac /CDC AGR Spoiler

January 15th, 2008, 10:07 PM	#18
SKRAPR Regular 2005 Mustang GT Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Charlotte, NC Posts: 277 iTrader: 0 reviews	Spoke too soon . . . still having problems . . . Guess I'll call tomorrow

January 20th, 2008, 03:47 AM	#19
MMP, Inc. Regular Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: www.MuscleMotors.com 818-888-7778 Canoga Park/Los Angeles, California Posts: 114 iTrader: 0 reviews	Make sure you load it with the latest firmware. You may have one that was sitting on the shelf. Click the link below: SCT Flash Devices - MORE Power . . . Period!

January 20th, 2008, 03:51 AM	#20
psycho bob I Post Entirely Way Too Much 07 GT/86 LX 5.0 12.86@104 Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: colorado springs, co/ Tulsa, OK Posts: 7,528 iTrader: 0 reviews	still.....mr. moderator.....have you ever heard of this company before. MMP, Inc. anyone know of them. seems as though all they want to do is open an account here and sell their stuff without really showing their knowledge __________________ heads, cams, and eforce using up all the air around

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