Battery Cables

Anybodyhome

Anybodyhome

USN Retired (1973-1993)
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There have been many questions regarding electrical issues posted in the forum and one of the most common replies goes back to the battery cables and the near universally accepted fact the OEM battery cables are garbage.

So, my question is this, because I'm not sure if I've seen it addressed:
If someone decides to replace their battery cables, how much information is lost when the battery is disconnected? Easier things like radio presets are one thing, but what about information changed via JScan, like tire/wheel sizes, TPM disabled, etc.? In other words, when the battery is disconnected, does the ECM reset to a default value across the board which would require reprogramming everything not stock with JScan?
 
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Anybodyhome said:
There have been many questions regarding electrical issues posted in the forum and one of the most common replies goes back to the battery cables and the near universally accepted fact the OEM battery cables are garbage.

So, my question is this, because I'm not sure if I've seen it addressed:
If someone decides to replace their battery cables, how much information is lost when the battery is disconnected? Easier things like radio presets are one thing, but what about information changed via JScan, like tire/wheel sizes, TPM disabled, etc.? In other words, when the battery is disconnected, does the ECM reset to a default value across the board which would require reprogramming everything not stock with JScan?
Click to expand...

ECM parameters should be retained with keep alive or stored memory. I don't know what the time constant is, each OEM has a different strategy... I would think in the time it takes to replace a battery, or clamps, etc you would not lose anything critical. Maybe if you leave have the battery disconnected for several days/weeks/months?

For instance, in the Ford environment any mods have to be commanded to be unwritten/changed to be removed. Keep power off for 5 yrs and the various modules will be exactly as they were left. I don't have the same knowledge with my Jeep, yet, but I would be shocked to find out they are instantly reverted back without power...
 
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Anybodyhome said:
There have been many questions regarding electrical issues posted in the forum and one of the most common replies goes back to the battery cables and the near universally accepted fact the OEM battery cables are garbage.

So, my question is this, because I'm not sure if I've seen it addressed:
If someone decides to replace their battery cables, how much information is lost when the battery is disconnected? Easier things like radio presets are one thing, but what about information changed via JScan, like tire/wheel sizes, TPM disabled, etc.? In other words, when the battery is disconnected, does the ECM reset to a default value across the board which would require reprogramming everything not stock with JScan?
Click to expand...

When I replaced my battery clamps, I didn't loose anything. Radio remembered everything. ALL my Jscan settings stayed too. I'd say my battery was unhooked for maybe hour and a half? Took me longer to find my lugs and crimper than to replace everything.
 
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