New Flash Works!
Junior User
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 89
Likes: 0
From: Gobles, MI
Mine runs pretty good; had one instance where it lost memory and had to be reflashed at 3500. My biggest problem is the "battery warning" light that is on when it is damp. Since my shortest trip is 20 miles I am hoping I remain okay. Just remember quiet = hearing aid battery change.
New User
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 3
Likes: 0
From: Castaic CA
Attn: CA 6.0L owners,
Like JohnF250 I received a recall letter from Ford regarding my F350 w/ 6.0. Like JohnF250 wrote, they are claiming a re-flash of the PCM is necessary to correct a problem related to emission standards. They make is sound like it is a necessary re-flash due to California requirements. The letter claims that the re-flash will improve idle, emissions, etc., with only a cost of slightly louder idle. After reading basically two camps on re-flashing, do and don't, I'm not sure whether or not to have the recall work done.
I have 3000 miles and have had no problems. My only complaint is that, so far, I've only been getting about 12 mpg ave.
Mine is an 04' F350 w/ 03' 6.0L built in July 2003.
What are your thoughts, suggestions. Thanks
Like JohnF250 I received a recall letter from Ford regarding my F350 w/ 6.0. Like JohnF250 wrote, they are claiming a re-flash of the PCM is necessary to correct a problem related to emission standards. They make is sound like it is a necessary re-flash due to California requirements. The letter claims that the re-flash will improve idle, emissions, etc., with only a cost of slightly louder idle. After reading basically two camps on re-flashing, do and don't, I'm not sure whether or not to have the recall work done.
I have 3000 miles and have had no problems. My only complaint is that, so far, I've only been getting about 12 mpg ave.
Mine is an 04' F350 w/ 03' 6.0L built in July 2003.
What are your thoughts, suggestions. Thanks
Senior User
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 401
Likes: 0
From: Stockton, CA.
Emissions Recall 03E03:
The federal government requires that all vehciles built from 1996 have the ability to be diagnosed by aftermarket scan tools. This is to ensure that all vehicles meet emission standards without the owners being locked into going to the dealership for repairs. This was addressed by the programming update described under Running Change 5 back in August, but now it is a manditory update.
Since RC5 has been superceded by RC7, this means all vehciles subject to this recall will have increased engine noise at idle due to the deactivation of the pilot injection in the split shot strategy.
The federal government requires that all vehciles built from 1996 have the ability to be diagnosed by aftermarket scan tools. This is to ensure that all vehicles meet emission standards without the owners being locked into going to the dealership for repairs. This was addressed by the programming update described under Running Change 5 back in August, but now it is a manditory update.
Since RC5 has been superceded by RC7, this means all vehciles subject to this recall will have increased engine noise at idle due to the deactivation of the pilot injection in the split shot strategy.
New User
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 3
Likes: 0
From: Castaic CA
So, eventually I'll have to do the re-flash. Should I be worried about encountering new problems, or do you think I being too paranoid? Did you experience anything on the negative side after the re-flash (cdtruckn)?
Thanks for the info.
Thanks for the info.
Senior User
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 401
Likes: 0
From: Stockton, CA.
If your truck has pilot injection Enabled don't do this recall. your truck will become louder at a idle. It gave me my power back from the oct flash. the fuel milage is about the same as yours.
New User
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 21
Likes: 0
From: Union Grove, AL
I have an '03 F-250 XLT SuperCab 4x4 with the 6.0 Powerstroke and Torque Shift Transmission. I was experiencing extremely rough idling when cranking the truck after the engine had cooled down. The whole truck whould shake, and it would smoke. I would have to press on the accelerator until the truck smoothed out, and then wait for a minute or so, and let it warm up. After it warmed up, everything was okay. I had my truck reflashed last week and now everything seems to be back to normal. Rough cranking/idle is gone. Haven't had a chance to check the mileage again, but it appears to be about the same. Overall, I'm very pleased with my truck. It's a pullin' son of a gun!!
Senior User
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 401
Likes: 0
From: Stockton, CA.
Some reason different trucks react different to the flashes, if any body as a problem like you did the new flash probably will fix it but if it isn't broke don't flash it unless you had the October flash that disabled the pilot injection anyway, then go ahead and do the recall flash. (just my opinion)
Senior User
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 212
Likes: 0
I don't understand why the recommendations to not flash. If the dealers flashes and screws something up, that's better than not flashing and letting a possible problem persist into something that could be worse. I think if the manufacturer sends out a recall (which costs them time and money) then they've figured the benefits outweigh the cost. If the flash screws up, then they need to fix the reason why the flash won't work with the existing rig. Am I way the heck in left field on this one?
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Senior User
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 401
Likes: 0
From: Stockton, CA.
the flash disables the pilot injection that makes your truck quiet at a idle. I did not have a problem with the way my truck ran or started untill the oct. flash, now it starts funny, lost 3 MPG. if i could i would stay with the orignal flash. in your case it don't matter you have a 04
Senior User
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 417
Likes: 0
From: Stockbridge
Originally posted by JohnF250
I don't understand why the recommendations to not flash. If the dealers flashes and screws something up, that's better than not flashing and letting a possible problem persist into something that could be worse. I think if the manufacturer sends out a recall (which costs them time and money) then they've figured the benefits outweigh the cost. If the flash screws up, then they need to fix the reason why the flash won't work with the existing rig. Am I way the heck in left field on this one?
I don't understand why the recommendations to not flash. If the dealers flashes and screws something up, that's better than not flashing and letting a possible problem persist into something that could be worse. I think if the manufacturer sends out a recall (which costs them time and money) then they've figured the benefits outweigh the cost. If the flash screws up, then they need to fix the reason why the flash won't work with the existing rig. Am I way the heck in left field on this one?
You need to get yourself about a gallon of coffee, and read all the posts concerning reflashes at least back to April, both here and at The Diesel Stop. After all that you will fully understand exactly how far out in left field you are.
Senior User
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 212
Likes: 0
If a flash screws my truck up, I will take back to the dealer and heads are gonna roll. How else is Ford supposed to know how to fix a nasty flash if owners don't flash and don't report? That's like not voting in our national election IMO
Senior User
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 239
Likes: 0
From: Northeastern Pennsylvania
Fellas, like has been said before. If it ain't broke don't fix it. Mine is running like a champ, well 99.8% of the time, and I am on the original programming. I am afraid to let them screw up a perfectly good running motor. Anyway, when I run my vin on their site, there are no recalls what so ever for this truck. I personally, hope it stays that way.
Lariat
Lariat
Junior User
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 50
Likes: 0
From: Livingston, TX
Lariat:
Unless you run your vin at a dealer you won't get the correct info. The site at fordvehicles.com where you sign on and put your vehicle in does not have the correct info. Mine says no recalls and no other info. Dealer says that I hace an ICP sensor needing replacement, and an emission tag to be replaced . Also other info on the site is incorrect. I emailed them about the problem---no response.
Unless you run your vin at a dealer you won't get the correct info. The site at fordvehicles.com where you sign on and put your vehicle in does not have the correct info. Mine says no recalls and no other info. Dealer says that I hace an ICP sensor needing replacement, and an emission tag to be replaced . Also other info on the site is incorrect. I emailed them about the problem---no response.
Senior User
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 239
Likes: 0
From: Northeastern Pennsylvania
Jontx,
Ok Point taken. But called the home office and EMTabmm ran it on OASIS and came up with the same information. I kind of couldn't believe it myself. Opps, emmision label came up, but nothing else. Still have not gotten that "recall".
Lariat
Ok Point taken. But called the home office and EMTabmm ran it on OASIS and came up with the same information. I kind of couldn't believe it myself. Opps, emmision label came up, but nothing else. Still have not gotten that "recall".
Lariat