I have 2004 Ford F-150 Heritage V-6 4.2 114,00 origional miles and I am origional owner. It has ran like a sewing machine until recently. Only major thing I have done to the engine is change the plug wires (2) years ago. I parked the truck last weekend and cranked it the next day and it had a ruff idle and the engine light was on. OK...I had never changed plugs so I changed plugs and used Motorcraft replacement. This did not cure the problem. I changed the coil and used an aftermarket brand only because Motorcraft brand was not available at my parts house on the weekend. Still did the same thing...I was a little upset. I took it to the dealer and explained what I had done. They tested and said I had a bad coil. I told them to put another coil on and see if that cured the problem and, if it did not, to not charge me and they agreed. It did not cure the problem. Now they tell me my computer (processor) is bad and they will have to order the part and it will cost $1,300 to replace. Everything I see on in my research is around $500 for unit. Am I being a little paranoid or is that the right price range? Sorry for the long post..venting al little as well!

 

I would never pay 1300.00 for a computer, I would find an aftermarket unit

With a warranty for my truck.

I do not plan to use my truck as a DD for too much longer, so I do not

Need to spend high dollars at this point in time.


You need to balance your priorities with your truck.(funds, how you use the

truck, etc).

Where there any other DTCs ?

There are tons of faults to make the truck run rough.




I have a new aftermarket coil on my 4.2 and it runs perfect.

 

I may not have been clear in my last post. the $1,300 was for labor parts and everything. I am used to being able to do what is needed to my own vehicle. The only time I do not is when I am pressed for time or Physically can not do what is needed. I have looked around and the average price for the computer ia around $500. Any thoughts. Is the rebuilt computers preprogramed with info or does it have to be flashed with new codes before it can run?

 

IIRR, there are only 1 or 2 company's that remfg ECM's.....as long as you buy from a reputable retailer you should have no concerns.

 

I would start by taking to a reputable indpendent mechanic for trouble shooting and a 2nd opinion.

Seems like everyone that I know has had to have their ECU replaced at sometime or another. I feel like 95% of the time the it's misdiagnosed of just a plain rip-off.

Also if it is the ECU do some research to determine if the ECU needs to be flashed for the security, otherwise it should be simple to just swap it out and you could probably pick one up cheap and do it yourself.