[updated:LAST EDITED ON 22-Feb-02 AT 05:00 PM (EST)]Hello everyone. Thought I'd pass this on.

Just got my truck back from the dealer today. I took it in for an oil change and asked the service writer to see if there was anthing she could do about the power. The V10 seemed to be lacking pulling my 9000# 5er. Anyhow, the tech performed a "performance octane modification" to the truck's computer. Even was nice enough to put a sticker in the engine compartment stating that it was a factory authorized modification.
Man what a difference! Truck's a runnin now. I was told I could sitll use the same octane gas.

The dealer did have to go off and ruin my fun with a $140 tranny service charge. Next time I think I'll change my own tranny fluid and filter.

The word sticker autolinked somehow. Not sure why it did that.
JW

 

You didn't happen to get the TSB number for this did you ??

-V10gunner

'00 SD F250 Super Cab XLT, 4X2, 142"WB, 6.8L V10, 4R100, 4.30LS, Camper Package, Dark Toreador Red over Silver, Line-X, Husky mud flaps, Snugtop Xtra Vision Cab-high shell, Banks Stinger and Transcommand on order

 

Yeah, what are you talkin' about? Is there somethin' on your paper work that references what they did?

BTW, the online store sells stickers so that's why it auto-linked.

 

Yeah, let us know some more info on this. I'd like to go get this on mine.

 

Do tell! Do tell!

 

We're all still waiting impatiently to hear about this new-found power mod/flash from the dealer. Please don't leave us hanging!

 

I e-mailed him and private messaged him. We gotta find this guy!! If we don't hear anything soon, I'll see if Ken can call his FBI contacts again.

 

Sorry guys. I left friday for a weekend in Dallas at the big RV show up there. I don't recall there being a TSB on the paperwork but I'll check this evening. On the sticker under the hood the tech wrote this: Reprogram 4U7A 2A650 BFA. Hope this helps. The dealer had to order some parts so I'll have to take it back up there this week or next. I'll see if I can get more info out of them.

JW

 

I read these posts and thought, "cool, it's about time Ford helps out". So I call the service dept. and AS USUAL, they reacted like I was talking in a foreign language. You know it's gonna be a problem when you ask about a performance reprogram and the guy on the other end of the phone is dead silent for 15-20 seconds. Service writer asked the guy who works on V10's all the time and he knows nothing of the factory reprogram. I even told him of the sticker and gave him the reprogram number and they new nothing. They said only a chip would do the things I decribed and they did not recommend them. I knew better than ask these guys.
I am going to call one other Ford dealer and ask them about reprogramming the computer and will post my findings. I think it would be great if all dealers would be on the same page when it came to these things, but unfortunately they all take a differerent stance, especially on performance modifications. I will stay tuned, same bat time, same bat channel. JPS

 

The reprogram was on a 2000 model. It could be that your 2001 already has the new code?

I got the same treatment when I asked about turning the line pressures up to stiffen the shifts. I told them I didn't want the clutch slip to burn up the tranny pulling my 5er. They asked if the tranny was gettin hot. Dumb question the truck didn't come with a tranny temp gage. So I gave up on that subject and am installing a trany temp gage. Who knows maybe Ford can make soft shifts while towing and not heat up the tranny.

JW

 

JW - I talked to another dealer, and explained the deal about reprogramming and this service guy was way more helpful. He said that it can be done and said that when I come in to give him the code you have on your truck and he could look it up. He said there is a bunch a different codes for a lot of different parameters and could tune it up if I wanted. I asked how much and he said he would write it as a warranty fix for a poor running truck and cover it that way. Gonna try and get in this week and give it a try. Thanks for the tip!

I have a Banks transcommand on my truck that firms up the shifts, especially when pulling or laying the wood to it. Definately better than stock. JPS

 

[updated:LAST EDITED ON 25-Feb-02 AT 02:44 PM (EST)] I went to the house at lunch and picked up the invoice for those who want to know more. The following is whats on the invoice maybe one of you can figure it out.

PCM Reprograming - Test -
79WNT40
Reprogram Performance Octane
79WNT40
NGS DCL Display - Test -
79WNT40
Reprogram perform octane adjust EEC test no cades data logger display reprogram PCM perform octane adjust 42 79.

Thats it. I think that the 79WNT40 is the version of PCM in the truck. I'd have to pull my PCM. I think that the version is stamped on the outside cover of the case. The real mystery is the 42 79. Not sure unless the 79 is 79 octane?? Could it be that the reprogram was only for that version of PCM? I've heard that the PSD's are funny like that.
***There's a space between the 42 and 79. I just noticed it's hard to see that.

The power increase was definatly noticable. The truck was having difficulties pulling my 5er. With the 5er on the truck had a lot of pre-ingition. I haven't pulled the 5er yet, but I pulled a trailer with a truck on it, about 4500#, and it didn't ping once. I was able to climb hills in OD that I'd been climbing in 3rd.

The thing was that the lack of power really showed up when you put a trailer on it. Until then i just thought that was all the truck had. Now I know how the truck should be performing....I think.

Sorry about the long post but I got finger happy. Want to make sure you have enough info.

JW

 

I just talked with a technician at FORD and he said that type of reprogramming that you are talking about is for trucks that were not set properly to run in high altitudes. He said that if your truck was one of the trucks that was wrong that you should be recieving a letter in the mail from FORD telling you to take it the dealer and have it reprogrammed. I told him my situation, that when I pulled a fifth wheel for the first time, that it just didn't have any power, I was passed by many on the hills. The technician said that since I live in Albuquerque, NM that I probably needed my truck checked to see if it has the right program for high altitude. So my appointment is tomorrow at 0830. I'll let you guys know what happens. Hopefully they can tune it up a little.

 

;-) I'm calling my dealer tommorrow!

 

Thanks for the information guys!

I wonder what effect running a "high altitude" program would have on a truck at "low" altitude. Doubt I have an re-programming done; I'm just curious.