2005 explorer 6 cyl flex fuel PCM problems

[High_Order1]

Hi!
First post here - sorry it has to be about a problem. I am new to Ford Explorers. I have a 2005 6 cylinder vin code K (flex fuel) 4wd XLT
one that is starting to give me problems.

I did search around here some before posting, and I hope maybe y'all here could help?

Vehicle ran fine until about a week ago (my time frames are a little hazy). I was driving when the wrench came up, engine failsafe displayed in the readout, and the vehicle sat at idle. I stopped and restarted it, and drove a little further until it bobbled and did it again.

I made it to autozone and they pulled these codes: P2104, P2110, P2111, and P2112 which corresponds to Throttle Actuator Control stuck
open, stuck closed, forced idle (fmem mode) and I think limited RPM's.

I couldn't do all the pinpoint tests on the Ford DVD myself, but I did find the throttle position sensor wasn't smooth and failed 2 of the four range tests. The one test for the motor seemed ok.

So, I replaced it. Noone in my area of East Tennessee had one; it had to come from Atlanta. I put it on pretty quickly, and drove it around. Fixed!


NOT!

Then the next day, it quit three more times. Cold, hot, just started or running for awhile. No specific conditions seem to stick out.

So, I break down and take it to the dealership after making sure I didn't mess the connectors up on the TPS and throttle motor.

90 dollars later they tell me the PCM is bad. 1100 for a new one pleasethankyou. Obviously, declined.

So, I have a bunch of questions:

Could the powertrain controller really be bad? I always thought they either worked or they didn't.

I don't trust the dealership there based on how they were acting. Is there any way for me to test it myself?

Can I just buy one from a junker (assuming it is working?)

If I can't is there a trusted place on the net you guys use? The only place I found wanted 860.00, not much of an improvement.

Does it have to be from the same month/year, just the same year, or 2002-2005? Also, same exact engine, mfg plant, too?

Doesn't it need some vehicle specific programming to make it work with my car?

Can I get this done somewhere else besides a dealership?

If I am going through all the trouble to get a new one, would it be just as cost effective to buy a tuned one from a company?

Finally, I have been thinking about those OBDII rigs they advertise on the internet. You know, you buy their box and their cable, you find some freeware on the net, and you are supposed to be able to do things.

Do these things do everything a dealership one does (besides flashes?) At 90 a pop, I am thinking I could pay one off in two-three reads.

Thanks again, and I would truly appreciate any thoughts on this. I intend to run this vehicle until the body falls off the frame, so whatever I can do myself, I am going to.

-Shawn

[96_4wdr]

Car-Part.com--Used Auto Parts Market

[TheHandyman]

Get a second opinion if you think they may be wrong. I have seen bad Ford dealers, so I know how you feel.

Also try contacting a good Ford technician (96_4wdr who answered above is one) and get them to help interpret the codes, if you find you are getting consistant codes.

If it keeps giving codes for items that are not bad then I'd agree it's bad. "PCMs just work or not"? NO! How many ways do you know of that a computer can fail!! :-O

The older PCM computers could not be reprogrammed for a different vehicle, and I suspect this is still true. So you need to get one to fit your exact vehicle - same year, engine and accessories.