I am curious, can I take my laptop computer and plug it into the diagnostic port on my F350? (there is a port (recepticle) under the dash below the cigarette lighter and I'd have to make a connector of some type, but that shouldn't be too difficult)

I imagine it is possible with software. Any thoughts?

I am interested because of the discussions about codes (stickers of some kind) on the ECU's and I have no idea what my code is. I deal with network hardware at work and we sometimes have to upgrade the operating code on our Cisco routers, so why can't I ask Ford to flash my ECU with a better code than I have presently?

So, for my model year, if Ford has a better code and if I request it, will they flash the ECU? The shifting on my truck seems a bit sluggish and I would like to tighten it up a bit. I believe diesels are for hard work and are not racing engines, so I am not looking to burn rubber, just to have it shift a little sooner than it does presently.

Any replies (nice ones and flames) are accepted because I am a newbie and want to learn more about my Ford truck and what makes it tick.

Steve

 

Yes, it can be done but the software and hardware interface is more expensive than the average person wants to pay. Mostly racers use. FYI, that port can't be used to program the computer on the fly. It can, however, be used to reflash the stock computer. To program it on the fly you need to put into the port on the actual computer box.

Your code will be located on the driver's side door frame next to the hinges. Or, on the wiring harness, drivers side. The box sticks out of the firewall low down. The harness coming out of it will have the code on it, next to the inner fender.

You usually can't go into a Ford dealer and simply ask for a "better" code. They reflash computer's based on problems or TSB's.

>So, for my model year, if Ford has a better code and if I
>request it, will they flash the ECU?

The dealer is unlikely to know what a "better" code is. They do, however, have codes to address different issues.

>The shifting on my truck seems a bit sluggish and I would like to tighten it up a bit.

Ford code doesn't tighten up shifts. Pretty much every Ford ECU code has sloppy shifts.

>I believe diesels are for hard work and are not
>racing engines, so I am not looking to burn rubber, just to
>have it shift a little sooner than it does presently.

No Ford code will do that either. The shift points are nearly the same for all Ford codes. Shifting sooner is going to give you less power, not more. Put a chip on that truck and it'll give you a firmer shift and more power, plus with the 54HP Diablo or 60HP Superchips code, you'll most likely get a mileage increase.