Q: ECU/PCM Replacement and Reprogramming.
Thread Starter
|
New User
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 8
Likes: 0
Q: ECU/PCM Replacement and Reprogramming.
I've a 1998 B4000 2WD manual with its check engine light on. I've replaced all the O2 sensors as well as the PCV valve, air filter, fuel filter; cleaned the MAF sensor and ran through about 4 bottles of fuel injector cleaner. The codes are (mostly) P0171, P0174 and P0133, sometimes with P1131 thrown in.
The shop took a bunch of readings from the PCM, O2 sensor harnesses, etc. and concluded that the PCM unit appears to have a short circuit and needs to be replaced.
Now, the question is what are my options as far as getting the replacement unit reprogrammed with my truck's VIN after it's installed? Will I have to take it to a dealer? Or, can a unit like XCalibrator do the job as well? I've already asked the Sniper Software people and they said that their Special Forces product can't do it.
Any suggestions and recommendations are welcome.
Thank you very much in advance.
The shop took a bunch of readings from the PCM, O2 sensor harnesses, etc. and concluded that the PCM unit appears to have a short circuit and needs to be replaced.
Now, the question is what are my options as far as getting the replacement unit reprogrammed with my truck's VIN after it's installed? Will I have to take it to a dealer? Or, can a unit like XCalibrator do the job as well? I've already asked the Sniper Software people and they said that their Special Forces product can't do it.
Any suggestions and recommendations are welcome.
Thank you very much in advance.
Post Fiend
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 9,748
Likes: 16
From: Connecticut
Welcome to FTE.
I don't buy the proposition that a "short circuit" in the PCM is causing the lean codes. Sounds more like a vacuum leak (which is not all that uncommon on the 4.0, btw). Have you considered bad intake gaskets?
Also, despite your reasonable efforts on the fuel system, a fuel pressure check really needs to be done.
I don't buy the proposition that a "short circuit" in the PCM is causing the lean codes. Sounds more like a vacuum leak (which is not all that uncommon on the 4.0, btw). Have you considered bad intake gaskets?
Also, despite your reasonable efforts on the fuel system, a fuel pressure check really needs to be done.
Thread Starter
|
New User
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 8
Likes: 0
Thanks for responding.
The mechanic said he checked for possible mechanical causes and didn't find any. He also said that the O2 sensors readings from their harnesses are normal. It's the readings off of the PCM harness that're wonky (i.e., zeroes across). I tend to believe the shop on this because they don't (can't) make money from diagnosing a bad PCM as they can't fix it.
I'll see what I can do about this. Can you recommend a good gauge? Preferably something that I can also use to measure other things as well (e.g., oil)?
Still, though, if I do have to get the PCM replaced, what are my options as far as the VIN reprogramming? I'd really, really, trully, really hate to bring it to a dealership.
Thanks again.
Originally Posted by Rockledge
Welcome to FTE.
I don't buy the proposition that a "short circuit" in the PCM is causing the lean codes. Sounds more like a vacuum leak (which is not all that uncommon on the 4.0, btw). Have you considered bad intake gaskets?
I don't buy the proposition that a "short circuit" in the PCM is causing the lean codes. Sounds more like a vacuum leak (which is not all that uncommon on the 4.0, btw). Have you considered bad intake gaskets?
Originally Posted by Rockledge
Also, despite your reasonable efforts on the fuel system, a fuel pressure check really needs to be done.
Still, though, if I do have to get the PCM replaced, what are my options as far as the VIN reprogramming? I'd really, really, trully, really hate to bring it to a dealership.
Thanks again.
Post Fiend
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 7,147
Likes: 0
Your going to need the stock computer for your truck with the ford files. The programers have thier own files that piggy back or work with the originals. They can make changes to or upgrade exsisting files, but they don't work from scratch. I had to buy a computer for my 99 f-150 after I burned it up with a junk jet chip, it cost me 500.00$ including install. But that was about 5 years ago. You could ask Doug about it at www.bama chips.com, he's a ford guru and does files for a lot of our rangers here, he just does ford programs, he's good. He can tell you if he can help or what you need to do.
Thread Starter
|
New User
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 8
Likes: 0
Quick update: Rockledge seems to be right after all about the vacuum leak. I took the truck back to the shop to have them replaced one of the valve cover gaskets. It's leaking oil and, since they worked on it before, it was a warranty job and didn't cost me a thing. They replaced the whole set (i.e., both valve cover gaskets, the upper intake manifold and plenum gaskets) because that's the way the kit comes. When I picked up the truck I noticed that the CEL was off. I plugged a scanner in last night just to make sure that the bulb isn't blown and it isn't. There really is no code. 
So, hopefully, that's was it. No PCM, O2 sensor replacement needed.
Thanks.
I took the truck back to the shop to have them replaced one of the valve cover gaskets. It's leaking oil and, since they worked on it before, it was a warranty job and didn't cost me a thing. They replaced the whole set (i.e., both valve cover gaskets, the upper intake manifold and plenum gaskets) because that's the way the kit comes. When I picked up the truck I noticed that the CEL was off. I plugged a scanner in last night just to make sure that the bulb isn't blown and it isn't. There really is no code. So, hopefully, that's was it. No PCM, O2 sensor replacement needed.
Thanks.
