ECU adaption clearing

[MarkB]

I've read that the adaption that the engine ECU has learnt can be cleared by unplugging the ECU for a few minutes.

I'm not keen on this. Can it be done via VAG-COM?

Will clearing the adaption also put the adjustable adaption channels back to factory settings. (ignition advance)

[tartan_rob]

Mark - I have heard this can be done by clearing the fault codes on the Engine...not sure if it works though, I suppose if there are channels that store the trimming then you can check them before and after.

[S2tuner]

Disconnecting the ECU only will clear some adapted values which VAG Com does not display. Clearing codes won't do it, even if you do it 100 times in a row, been there tried that. Adaptation channels do not get reset to default if you disconnect power from ECU.

[MarkB]

Thanks, that was the answer I was expecting but hoping wouldn't be the only way.

[Sebastian]

There are several learning values, most if not all are stored in non-volatile areas of the ECU. When clearing fault codes one does clear some of the learned values like readiness, but there is no procedure to clear "all". Usually adaptation channel 000 helps resetting additional learned values, what this can be depends highly on the individual control module. Other values like the EGR valve adaptation or the more commonly known throttle body adaptation can not be reset, they can just be overwritten.

Usually when disconnecting the ECU from the power supply there isn't going to be real "clearing" process happening, but it's like cold booting/resetting your home computer. All the stuff stored on the "hard drive" will still be there, just some "open documents" may be gone.