1996 F350 7.3L Engine Control Computer
Lead Driver
Joined: Jun 2021
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Does anyone have any ideas where would you buy an Engine Control Computer for a 1996 F350 Diesel 7.3L Crew Cab #F6TF-12A650-AYE? I'm kinda new to this and can't find the part anywhere.
The problem is when the truck is driving down the road, it suddenly downshifts at the wrong time. This makes it unreliable. We've replaced 3 transmissions in it, this one only has 30,000 miles on it.
The problem is when the truck is driving down the road, it suddenly downshifts at the wrong time. This makes it unreliable. We've replaced 3 transmissions in it, this one only has 30,000 miles on it.
YOU HAVE NOT DETERMINED YOUR ECM IS BAD. Lets start with what have you done for your truck for repairs, does your TAIL LAMPS (all 3) work properly and with brake pressed, do you have incandescent bulbs in those lamps, and do you have any trailer wiring on this truck
What other issues are you having. Have you considered, just once in all of this, TO CHECK FOR CODES?
We can help you but youre taking a very pin the tail on the donkey kind of game to be replacing 3 transmissions before you even check for codes, let alone power and grounds.
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6th Gear
Joined: Oct 2022
Posts: 6
Likes: 1
From: USA
It hasn't thrown up any codes, and it hasn't with any of the three transmissions, in 90,000 miles. Sometimes while in 1st gear, it shifts into 3rd gear and almost kills the engine. That's why I'm looking for a computer. It would eliminate if that is the problem. I just can't find the computer. Everyone is out of stock.
Lead Driver
Joined: Jun 2021
Posts: 5,221
Likes: 805
It hasn't thrown up any codes, and it hasn't with any of the three transmissions, in 90,000 miles. Sometimes while in 1st gear, it shifts into 3rd gear and almost kills the engine. That's why I'm looking for a computer. It would eliminate if that is the problem. I just can't find the computer. Everyone is out of stock.
That doesnt click , compute, etc. Have you checked for codes because you saying it hasnt thrown codes is different than check engine light, for example, being on or off.
Lead Driver
Joined: Jun 2021
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I dont know how the diesels work but the codes wouldnt be special id think which means they should be readable how other codes for the engine running is read. i know it has an additional module, so maybe that adds the complexity
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6th Gear
Joined: Oct 2022
Posts: 6
Likes: 1
From: USA
It's a 1 1/2 hour tow to the closest transmission diagnostics. Replacing the computer is a win-win for me. If it fixes it, that's great, if it doesn't fix it, then I have 2 good computers.
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Butt-Head
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 9,453
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From: Reed Point, MT
It hasn't thrown up any codes, and it hasn't with any of the three transmissions, in 90,000 miles. Sometimes while in 1st gear, it shifts into 3rd gear and almost kills the engine. That's why I'm looking for a computer. It would eliminate if that is the problem. I just can't find the computer. Everyone is out of stock.
However, shifting to 3rd at low speeds will not, in itself, kill the engine. These start out in 4th when there's no B+ to the solenoids. Shifting to 3rd and applying the torque converter clutch at the SAME TIME will. 4x4? If so, you need to monitor the "4x4 low" input to the PCM. If the PCM is being fed info that a shift to low range has occurred while you're doing 10 MPH, the transmission will be commanded to 3rd and probably lock up the torque converter too.
The reason the PCM cares is that if it doesn't know the transfer case is in low range, the transmission won't shift out of first until the engine is at about 2800 RPM. By having a low range input, the shift scheduling speed is divided by 2.7x times.
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Lead Driver
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6th Gear
Joined: Oct 2022
Posts: 6
Likes: 1
From: USA
Ebay...about $500. It doesn't have to matter about the actual PCM code, so long as the hardware number is "DPC-202".
However, shifting to 3rd at low speeds will not, in itself, kill the engine. These start out in 4th when there's no B+ to the solenoids. Shifting to 3rd and applying the torque converter clutch at the SAME TIME will. 4x4? If so, you need to monitor the "4x4 low" input to the PCM. If the PCM is being fed info that a shift to low range has occurred while you're doing 10 MPH, the transmission will be commanded to 3rd and probably lock up the torque converter too.
The reason the PCM cares is that if it doesn't know the transfer case is in low range, the transmission won't shift out of first until the engine is at about 2800 RPM. By having a low range input, the shift scheduling speed is divided by 2.7x times.
However, shifting to 3rd at low speeds will not, in itself, kill the engine. These start out in 4th when there's no B+ to the solenoids. Shifting to 3rd and applying the torque converter clutch at the SAME TIME will. 4x4? If so, you need to monitor the "4x4 low" input to the PCM. If the PCM is being fed info that a shift to low range has occurred while you're doing 10 MPH, the transmission will be commanded to 3rd and probably lock up the torque converter too.
The reason the PCM cares is that if it doesn't know the transfer case is in low range, the transmission won't shift out of first until the engine is at about 2800 RPM. By having a low range input, the shift scheduling speed is divided by 2.7x times.
Logistics Pro
Joined: Aug 2014
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You will end up with a broken truck and two broken computers.
You have diagnosed nothing.
i ain't rite
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 65,552
Likes: 5,590
From: Marlboro Mental Hospital.
forscan. download it, than get an OBD adapter to plug your computer into the truck to see what is wrong with it.
is your overdrive light blinking? i bet it is. that is telling you there is a problem with the truck.
as others have already said, replacing the PCM without knowing what the problem is, is a waste of money.
is your overdrive light blinking? i bet it is. that is telling you there is a problem with the truck.
as others have already said, replacing the PCM without knowing what the problem is, is a waste of money.
Thread Starter
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6th Gear
Joined: Oct 2022
Posts: 6
Likes: 1
From: USA
forscan. download it, than get an OBD adapter to plug your computer into the truck to see what is wrong with it.
is your overdrive light blinking? i bet it is. that is telling you there is a problem with the truck.
as others have already said, replacing the PCM without knowing what the problem is, is a waste of money.
is your overdrive light blinking? i bet it is. that is telling you there is a problem with the truck.
as others have already said, replacing the PCM without knowing what the problem is, is a waste of money.
When I stated that I'm new to this, it wasn't new to diagnosing the problems, it was new to the forum.
Last edited by Sally Mander; Oct 9, 2022 at 10:14 AM.
