New PCM?
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New User
Joined: Aug 2004
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New PCM?
Took my 97 F150 to the dealer this morning as the engine was missing and backfiring. Got a call a few hours later and they said the PCM needed to be replacd as a short in the coil had toasted the PCM. Cost est. 750.00!!!!!!
I have sourced a rebuildt unit for about 160.00. Has anyone seen this problem before? If I replace the PCM should the coil be replaced as well?
This vehicle has the 4.6 V8, 152k miles and this is the first time I have had any problem with it.
Any thoughts??
I have sourced a rebuildt unit for about 160.00. Has anyone seen this problem before? If I replace the PCM should the coil be replaced as well?
This vehicle has the 4.6 V8, 152k miles and this is the first time I have had any problem with it.
Any thoughts??
Hotshot
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 12,679
Likes: 15
From: BC, Canada
Hi and welcome to the forum 
If the coil is shorted and killed the PCM you'll definately want to replace it as well.
Both are quite easy to replace if you decide to tackle it yourself.
I've seen this problem on a couple of cars before but I don't remember seeing it on an F150. Anything is possible though.
If the coil is shorted and killed the PCM you'll definately want to replace it as well.
Both are quite easy to replace if you decide to tackle it yourself.
I've seen this problem on a couple of cars before but I don't remember seeing it on an F150. Anything is possible though.
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Heres an interesting update...........
Disconnected the battery for an hour to clear the PCM. Drove the truck about 10 miles. Still acting up, but not as bad. The check engine light has not come back on.
HMMMM...................
Maybe just the coil???
Disconnected the battery for an hour to clear the PCM. Drove the truck about 10 miles. Still acting up, but not as bad. The check engine light has not come back on.
HMMMM...................
Maybe just the coil???
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Well, after picking up the rebuildt PCM, I picked up new coil packs as well. I replaced the right side and the engine purrs like a kitten. Went ahead and replaced the left side, reset the PCM and no problems. I will hang on the the rebuildt PCM for a few days just to make sure but sure looks like they were WAY off base here.
Now I realize these are complicated pieces of machinery but a little common sense goes a long way. It seems that mechanics have come to rely just a little to much on the "black boxes" to tell them what is wrong. The lesson here is always get a second opinion when big bucks are involved!!
So all said and done it cost about 200 dollars instead of 700+ !!!!!!!
Now I realize these are complicated pieces of machinery but a little common sense goes a long way. It seems that mechanics have come to rely just a little to much on the "black boxes" to tell them what is wrong. The lesson here is always get a second opinion when big bucks are involved!!
So all said and done it cost about 200 dollars instead of 700+ !!!!!!!
