I had the computer replaced in my '97 F150 after I took it in for service and the computer stopped working, but the new computer has the same code as my old one...

I was always under the impression that different computers had different codes, but I wanted to make sure. Will a replacement PCM have the same code? Furthermore, can I reuse the Diablo chip that I had for the old PCM?

Or is something not right here? Did they charge me to put my "dead" computer back in?

 

Different computers can have the same code for the same year/make/model. Its just that you can't always count on that, which is why chip programmers need to know your code. Generally, Ford will replace your computer box with the same PCM code, unless the old computer was using an obsoleted code.

For instance, with a diesel if you switch computers and the old computer was a VDH2 the new computer would probably be a VDH5. But if you already had a VDH5 then they would keep that code.

Yes, you can reuse the chip.