I just programmed toms tune in my 01 zx3 auto. Its a noticable gain but my shift pressure wasnt messed with tom told me nor have I messed with it he left that to me. Is it normal having the tune the auto tranny shifts very hard even just regular driving it no wot? cause my 1-2 shifts so hard regular driving it I hear a clicking noise when the gear engages from 1st to 2nd is this normal? just worried never heard or felt this b4?

I have Tom tune and I have a atx and I don't have this kind of problems. Power gain after tune, shift nicely. You might have a transmission problems. IF I remeber corectly this early Focus models had problems with fuel pomp and auto trannys.

Or send a data-log to Tom maybe tune need to be brushed a little bit, it took two attempts with mine to make my car run sweet ;)

I highly doubt a transmission problem occured the minute I uploaded the tune, even if I adjust the shift pressure I thought that only mattered at WOT not daily driving/regular driving? so is it normal to be shifting hard as hell just baby drivin it lol?

Two questions:

1. Are you getting a CEL or other code?
2. What happens if you un-load the tune and return to stock?

no cel or codes and when put back to stock it runs fine shifts soft and normal? tom said to just lower the shift pressure a lil bit to my liking. Also when I load the tune my fan runs the whole time literally like the fan wont shut off and I didnt mess with the fan temps its set at 200 degrees for low fan? whats the deal with that? when stock the fan goes on and off like normal?

I believe that toms tune resets the fan to come on at 180-200.

yeah but the entire time I drive the fan should stay on lol? whats the stock degree for my 01 zx3 low/high fan temp supposed to be? cause it functions as normal when I return it to stock?

Why are you worried about it? Its not hurting the motor.

Have you adjusted your shift pressures?
Do you still have the stock thermostat? Sock is rated at 195 degrees, Tom may have written the program based off the 180 degree out of a contour. If this is the case, you could either have him redo the tune with programming for the 195 thermostat, or (a better option IMO) replace the stock thermostat with the 180 degree.

yeah I just bought the contour 180 stat tom told me once thats in my fan will operate as normal and come on when needed instead of being on constantly with my stock tstat right?

Yep, I went through the same thing.

ok ill put the 180 stat in tommorow and that will stop it from staying on consantly? also I lowered my shift pressure it was extemely too hard I thought. It still shifts hard through 1-2 the most like a jerk type feeling is this normal and safe being that way? everyone says yeah I just wanna be sure?

I don't agree that it's normal. I've got Tom's tune and I would NOT describe my 1st and 2nd gear shifts as "hard," even with increased pressure. Have you talked to Tom about this? I'm wondering if there isn't something else going on there.

Just out of curiosity...will your vehicle go into overdrive with the tune loaded?

Yeah I would consult the tuner that's what he's there for. Also have you tried flashing back to stock and seeing if the problem still persist?

Does the car feel less harsh when you lower the shift pressure or does it feel like it doesnt change no matter what you adjust? I have a zetec/ATX with Tom's tune and when I adjust pressure to +25% in the tuner, my car can chirp tires shifting 1st to 2nd (fairly stock car engine wise) and over all is really harsh for daily driving but if I adjust it 0% and below the car mellows out but the shifts are still quick, firm, and crisp.

You need to discuss this with Tom.

With an XCal you have all the control you could want for your purposes. You will eventually find a happy medium or perhaps load your own tune. There are many options with the xcal unit and you can adjust them all yourself. Once he "teaches" you how to use it and what the functions are for you will be fine.

Tom and I go way back in regards to tuning

I would say talk to Tom

yeah I tried going back to stock and it was fine and shifted normal. with the tune I lowered the shift pressure and it shifts hard and firm but its a small jerk type feeling so that isnt normal?

Lower the psi to the desired feel , them more psi the firmer , the lower the psi the less firm shift , find that happy medium for you

I adj yours the same a few of the guys above , everyone has a diff feel for what they like

Tom

im just wondering with me lowering the shift pressure am I still gonna get gains from this tune across the band? just wondering cause most say the hard shifts are what the gains are from these tunes?

I'm gonna let you in on some experiences i JUST had with a focus power tune:

Stop reflashing your ECU. give the tune time to gain an adaptive strategy. i found the Shift settings when i first loaded the tune to be very aggressive, but as the adaptive memory built, the shift strategy got as close to exactly how i wanted it as i could expect.. it's mild enough to accommodate street driving, but when you stick your foot into it, you'd better keep a grip on the steering wheel.

No tuner can read your mind, but the adaptive strategy logic in the computer can. let it do work, and i'm sure you'll like tom's tune as much as i do.

My Shift PSI Settings:
1-2: +10
2-3: +15
3-4 +15

EDIT: even if you choose milder shift settings, you'll still get the fairly nifty gains from the added octane. Snappier throttle, smoother idle, and a torque boost. What's not to love?

well its not as bad as I may have described but with the tune on and shift pressure at zero my 1st gear going to 2nd is a jerk type feeling is this ok/normal?

any input^^^?

With the tune, yes. Now I'm not tom, but this is my experience.

Relax and enjoy it, and if you'd feel better, check the transmission fluid every few hundred miles to look for signs of stress (darkening/burning smell).

cool eases my mind so some of you guys with the tune got the jerk type feeling gear to gear sometimes even daily driving?

still having these issues tom is in the process of retune files I thought maybe my tranny had issues but it shifts normal when its returned to stock ecu but when I load the tune its a strong jerk feeling leaving 1st to 2nd to 3rd even daily driving. so it shouldnt be my tranny right? if its when the tune is off? maybe I have a sensitive tranny?

sounds like the shift pressure is a little high to me....... should be a very easy and simple fix.

maybe I have a sensitive tranny?

Maybe if you adjusted your pressure level your sensitive tranny might have a more pleasureable experience...

You have to learn how to ease him/her/it in a little.

Sorry. Couldn't help myself. [hihi]

sounds like the shift pressure is a little high to me....... should be a very easy and simple fix.

yeah toms gonna give me new tune files till its right he says their is still stuff he can do to remedy this issue. I trust him he knows his shizznitt.

I'm gonna let you in on some experiences i JUST had with a focus power tune:

Stop reflashing your ECU. give the tune time to gain an adaptive strategy. i found the Shift settings when i first loaded the tune to be very aggressive, but as the adaptive memory built, the shift strategy got as close to exactly how i wanted it as i could expect.. it's mild enough to accommodate street driving, but when you stick your foot into it, you'd better keep a grip on the steering wheel.

No tuner can read your mind, but the adaptive strategy logic in the computer can. let it do work, and i'm sure you'll like tom's tune as much as i do.

My Shift PSI Settings:
1-2: +10
2-3: +15
3-4 +15

EDIT: even if you choose milder shift settings, you'll still get the fairly nifty gains from the added octane. Snappier throttle, smoother idle, and a torque boost. What's not to love?

You have a different car then i do but you sir are the first ive seen so far to post anything about your tune.

Maybe its a speed tweak no one else wants to reveal?

I have mine at:
1-2 +15%
2-3 +15%
3-4 +15%

I have a duratec so my trannyis probably different as well.

Have you checked your motor mounts? The jerk your feeling could be the motor and trans bumping against or rocking on the mounts. With new mounts shifts should feel better if that's the problem.

Have you checked your motor mounts? The jerk your feeling could be the motor and trans bumping against or rocking on the mounts. With new mounts shifts should feel better if that's the problem.

off topic, but what does a bad motor mount look like? are there any pictures of a bad one.

I thought when i get my tires rotated ide peek in at the mounts but i dont know what im looking at.