2006 F-250 6.0
181,000mi
4690 ENG HRS

I have no clue what flashes this thing has had, is there any way to figure out what software is on it? Local dealer told me it could cost $500 to update the software, I was a little surprised.

At this point in time are the current flashes good to go? Worth $500?

Local dealership was in Cary/Raleigh NC Crossroads Ford.

 

Get someone with a Snap-on scanner and see what one you have.
this is what your looking for in the Global OBDII section of tests
<img src="http://imageshack.us/a/img11/3743/user00121103030059.jpg" alt="Image Hosted by ImageShack.us"/><br/>
Mine is the VXCF9H7.HEX that is the number your looking for.

From that you can see if you need or want a update it. Some are better than
others. It really depends on what you need. Post the info here and you will
be able to get some feedback on what you have.

Sean

 

The latest flashes give you the wrench light codes for over/underboost and coolant/oil temp delta's (maybe a few other things), and the inductive heating for the injectors in the FICM flash. I would shop around, I think $500 is quite high. Some think the latest flashes hurt fuel economy but with your truck being a 2006 they might actually help. If you run a tune the factory flashes are overwritten anyway, and the PHP FICM tunes have the inductive heating strategy, which I think is important for stiction control.

Brian

 

I have an 06' with the new flash and it didn't help or hurt my fuel milage.. May not be the case for everyone though.

 

Ordered a "DashBoss" yesterday, hoping that when it shows up maybe it will allow me to see what software is currently on the engine. Will advise at that point, thanks guys!

 

Regular consumers do not currently have the ability to see what strategy they have on the PCM/FICM

Hopefully sometime within the year or so. The hold up is actually GM vehicles as they have thousands of computer flashes and it makes for a huge mess when those vehicles ask for what computer they have.

Ford is pretty easy, but Chevy makes it difficult.

Josh

 

For $500 you can mail the PCM and FICM to PHP and get a rollback and a FICM tune. You'll know what you have, and it'll be awesome.... just sayin'.

 

For a gallon of new Rotella T6 I would do it if you come by.

Sean

 

This is BY FAR a much better option than the current Ford flash.