Hey folks, had my '03 F350 6.0 (Dec '02 build) into the dealer last week for some warranty service (again!). Service manager had the hot-off-the-presses flash and reflashed it. I just got done with a long weekend trip with the truck heavily loaded. I'm happy to say tow/haul seems to work EXACTLY like it should. Keeps me in a higher powerband, and automatically downshifts and locks up on the downgrades. If the Dec flash disabled tow/haul, the latest seems to bring it back, at least in my case.

 

What is the flash number, if this is correct, not questioning you……just Ford....then this could be good news for many

 

Hi guys!
Well here it is Monday afternoon and no call from FMC rep.
I'm with you Tim if there is a new flash to put back TH we sure need to know.
I did get the papers for DSB would be nice if I did not have to use them.

 

It would be amazing if they finally get the flash right. We know it is possible because of the 440 HP, 19 MPG trucks with programmers.

 

If anyone has solid info on a new flash post it. 66coupenw, would you call your service manager and get a part# for it?

 

OK, the service manager scribbled it on a piece of paper and I'm not sure how it's supposed to read, but it looks like:

PCM# 3U7AFTC
Cal Level AK22AH17

Does that make sense? He says it just came down from mother Ford, and like I said my tow/haul mode works awesome.

 

The flash appears to be the December 12, 2003; RC8, B28.0.9, for the 49 state F250/350 PSD with auto trans. PCM #3U7A-12A650-FTC.

Source http://www.flatratetech.com/6literpo...l_updates.html

Hope this helps

 

Please understand I am not IN ANY WAY questioning you.
Can you explain how your T/H works so well, what type trailer what RPM or MPH and all. The Dec flash............ug.........hoping was a May04...or a ...
This is such a sensitive issue to all us 6.0 owners, we need to understand what you consider good, it will help all of us.
Again Thanks

 

Your too polite Tim! Here's some more data: When I bought this truck the engine was nice and quiet at idle, so I assume it had pre-PI-disable flash at the time. I tested the T/H mode at that time and it seemed to work as it should. I've since had several reflashes, and as near as I can tell T/H was always still in tact. I'm not surprised to hear that this latest reflash is actually from December even though the service manager seems to think it's hot off the press. The service dept. at this particular Ford dealership is unbelievably inept!

So anyway, I don't have specifics on RPMs etc. but I'll explain as best I can. In T/H mode when accelerating or going up a grade, shifting seems to take place approximately 500 RPM higher than standard mode. I'm sure about this, it's quite noticable. When I let off the gas at, say, 50 MPH, the tranny downshifts 1 or 2 gears as I slow down. I can force this downshift by tapping the brake. The engine winds up significantly during this downshift and applies quite a bit of stopping power, so I assume the torque converter is locking up. When going down a grade at freeway speeds, this downshifting and TC lock-up is quite noticable, and does a great job of keeping the speed under control. Again, tapping the brake forces a downshift. In fact, I can even approach redline by tapping in those downshifts! None of this happens when I take it out of T/H mode.

Hope this helps!

 

This helps a bunch...........and "is unbelievably inept" I think this is sad, a system as complex as this and at times seems to be completely misunderstood.

 

66coupenw,

PCM# 3U7AFTC looks like 3U7A-12A650-FTC which is the Dec flash like Blackhat posted.
Cal Level AK22AH17. I don't understand this part, but maybe Fordtech1 can answer it or I'll go post it over on the flatratetech.com and see if they know what it means. They say there is nothing new.

Having a good service department is real key. I have met the diesel tech and he apparently has all the certifications you can get.

What part of the US are you in?

Steve

 

Knowledge is Power! That is the great benefit of the forum. We all can know our trucks better than the techs that work on them.

I'm still waiting to get mine reflashed until there is a consensus that the flash solves all problems.

 

After reading the various posts, I double checked the speed at which I know the tranny locks up the TC in the T/H mode.

I have the Dec 03 flash. It definitely changed the function of the T/H mode. Now the tranny will unlock the TC if I'm rolling along at speed in high gear. The rpms will drop to 1000-1200.

Every day going to work I head down a 6% (probably 8% at its steepest) grade that's about a mile and a half long. The speed limit is 50 mph. As I start to head down the hill at 50 mph I engage T/H mode and tap the brake. The rpms immediately jump up to about 1700. The hold back typically keeps me at 50 to 52 mph. If the light partway down the hill changes and I press the brake, the truck will downshift pretty hard, sometimes to the point of causing the tires to slide a bit.

Keep in mind that this is with the tranny cold at less than 100 deg or so.

I also tried the same thing yesterday at 55 mph and verifed that the TC locks up at that speed too. I'm pretty sure that it does it at any speed in high gear as well, so not just at or below the 45 mph that other posters have seen.

Daryl

 

The problem is that the flashes were to fix problems, but like so often software does, introduces new problems. The Oct flash fixed a minor problem with a very intermittent surging idle. It broke fuel economy and performance. I don't think that was an intended consequence.

 

Steve, I'm in Washington, just north of Seattle. If anybody wants to know which Ford dealership to keep your truck away from, send me a private message (I don't like trashing businesses on a public forum)