Does my Strategy code tell me which Flash I have from Ford? Are they related. I called the dealer where I had my current flash done...it was several months back...It was the heat inductive flash...buzz cycle at beginning only. The one just before that has the buzz cycle after turning the truck off for about 15 seconds or so. I'm wondering if the one I have now is the "so called...FICM killer". My current strategy code is VXCF7N3...does this tell me anything? Spoke to the service writer who stated there is no way they can tell which flash I have.??I informed him that it was done at his shop...he still continued that he wouldn't be able to tell. I asked him if they (Ford) kept records of flashes by VIN..he said no. He said he could flash it for me for $170 but he didn't know anything about the recent November TSB. He aslo wouldn't and has never let me speak to his Tech...like he's scared I might ask and actually learn something. I know...time for a new dealer...but what do you think avout my situation...Do I need the newest flash, and is $170 too high? Thanks.

 

Cheezit... not to jump the gun... since you know a lot more about this than me......


So this is an interim answer subject to Cheezit approval and so on...



If you have the date of the flash --- you can get the version number.

Don't let the Ford dealer fool you.

Mine had my vehicle (VIN) down, with EVERYTHING every done by a Ford dealer, warranty or not, on it.

Far beyond an OASIS report.

I honestly do not believe that there are many (there can be a few) Ford dealers in US and Canada that is not tied into the Ford database.

Not letting you talk to the tech? Is he afraid of showing off his 13 year old electronic genius / mechanical genius?

$170 is WAY too high...

I got it for about $100... out the door.

It is less than 15 minutes of work once they park your vehicle in the bay.

Suppose they paid Ford $50 for the download....


The oldest profession in the world hardly earn more for 15 minutes of work.

 

A related question since many probly don't know which they have. Are they supposed to put a sticker near the radiator when a new flash is done?

 

ok so hears the deal there is no real way to know what flash you have in the truck with out pulling that file name/number off the ficm. you can kinda of guess by date. All the inductive heating is hard on the ficms IMO. just soem harder then others. I still think the reflash is a good thing as it does fix so many other issues and ficms seem to die early not som much from the flash itself but more from failed charging systems (alternator,batteries etc) remmeber just because the battery test good does not mean thats its good at 32f after a 10 hour soak. Once inside the store were you are having it tested will be far warmer then that.

Now on to the sticker. There are a few states that require it for gas engines that would be any IM240 state so far as I know. now noone really uses them but we should.

AND $170.00 WTF man thats steep even by my book.
should be nomore then 1.0 in labor charges. call up dealer and say hey reflash my truck no diag please. just reflash whats it gonna cost.
So far as not being able to talk to a tech so shops wount let you, some tech wont talk to you as well. I will always come up to the front for a customer's question. Ill even tell one how to install parts and what parts they need. Wonder why.... Because when the F it up I know were it will be towed to.
I JUST WONT LOAN THEM MY TOOLS

 

Alright thanks...This new flash...what sounded cool were these two changes that effect the '05 6.0L... 1) Turbocharger vane sweep strategy - Performs a sweep of the turbocharger vanes and unison ring during stationary idle conditions. Vane sweep can occur once per hour to help reduce turbocharger sticking., and
2) FICM low voltage detection monitor - DTC P0560 stored and wrench warning lamp illuminated when PCM vehicle power (VPWR) parameter identifier (PIDS) is below 10.25V for 60 seconds or below 9V for 4 seconds.

 

you also missed the oil cooler moniter wich is great.

 

Well, now that you mention it...I knew about it, but I also monitor it myself with my Insight...those two temps are displayed right next to each other. I plan to overhaul the oil cooler when I hot-soak the intake and kill the egr cooler.

 

Paid $82.04 Canadian last week when Ford flashed mine. That would put it around $75 US.