I posted this same subject in the chip forum. A friend of mine who works in a large ford dealer told me the same thing. He said that all faults and anytime the computer is reflashed it leaves a history on your computer. But he said most guys using there machine don't know how to access the info. But if the tech was good he could view the complete history. Reprograming the computer will leave the ford flash number if it is a ford flash. if it is not it leaves some other code. this is just what I heard. If you think about this it's no differant than erasing a file on your own home computer then looking for it with a program like norton, then reinstalling. just my 2 cents worth

 

Feel free to sign back on

 

Ok, PSD time for you to spill the beans or at least give me another call. Inquiring minds want to know.

 

Some of us don't live here. Help us out.

 

Ben...I don't think you mentioned if you disconnected the batteries after re-installing stock program and prior to taking to dealer.

 

Just left the dealership where I was talking to the field service rep from detriot about this very same topic. He stated that (off the record) there are 2 codes thrown 1 is for a power interruption which gives them a clue what has been going on, the 2nd is a P605 code which he says tells them the computer has been altered. I was told the dealer can't even erase this code but they also have to know where to look for it on the diag machine. He also said that ford is now working on a new computer that should be out soon. This new box will tell them exactly at what milage and date the program was altered, what was altered and for how long. He said that with this new one if they run the computer dump it will tell them that you put it in at so many miles and date and then set it back to stock just before arriving. He said it will not be eraseable.

He also said that he wishes people would just be honest about the tuners as it would save him a lot of time figuring out what is going on. He said that Ford is pretty fair about the warranty issue like if you have a tuner and burn a wheel bearing they will cover it because it was not caused by the tuner but conversly, if you burn a turbo or blow a tranny a couple of times you need to take some responsability for that and warranty will become an issue. I kind of see his point, why should ford fix something on their dime when you chose to "hop up" your truck.

 

And in the Phonetic alphabet, "P" is not Phoenix. It's Papa.

 

For inquiring minds... here is a recent conversation at Flat Rate Tech forum:

OWNER: Can someone tell me exactly what a po603 code is.Also what does it mean? I appreciate your time and patience with this.

1<SUP>st</SUP> TECH: code P0603 is set when pcm keep alive power is disconected his code is often set when there is or was a preformance chip installed

2<SUP>nd</SUP> TECH: Might not be what you want to hear but getting a little giddy with a programmer could kick a rod out the side of the block.

OWNER: never had a chip or programmer , anything else it would be. when ford disassembled my truck they disconnected the batterys would that set this code.

1<SUP>st</SUP> TECH: yes it could

BTW:

P0603 Powertrain Control Module Keep Alive Memory (KAM) Error
P0605 Powertrain Control Module Read Only Memory

 

Well I like the way my truck is running after using one. what you going to do.

 

Here I researched a long time befor getting the Predator did not want to have a chance of voiding the warranty. I keep it in the 40hp mode because I tow a boat and a big motorcyle trailer. I like the extra power but now after reading this, I'm worried. I'm still within the 30 days but if it can be found out anyway, I could be screwed. However, if I put it back in stock mode and its there for a long time befor the truck ever has to go in to the dealer maybe it wont be a big deal. I dont know.

 

OK, since we are discussing programmers and tuners leaving a code on the factory computer...how about the six gun tuner that banks sells? It's an "add on" box and does not add any programming to the PCM. Would this system leave any codes? Dave H

 

Gents,

I hate to burst anyone's bubble, but I'm shocked that anyone is surprised to find out that there are more codes than generally published, and more information that can be tracked or ascertained. The PCM is a computer, it runs software & programs, it has memory. Attaching an aftermarket device to "crack" the codes is all well and dandy, but if anyone is seriously pushing the concept that a complete swap out of the program being utilized is not recorded or marked by other software on the PCM ... well ... you have another thing coming. The aftermarked Chip companies don't even have the first clue as to the complete contents of the memory on the PCM.

Neither is Ford interested in a rising cost of millions ... millions of dollars expended on warranty repairs due to running power-up program swaps. Warranty policies, cost controls, maintenance policies and etc. are all under discussion presently. It's not a matter of knowing when programs have been swapped or memory changes ... it's a matter of what the response needs to be and how Ford will deal with it in a way that is fair to consumers ... but also fair to producers.

Look at the PXXXX listings you have and think about all those missing numbers in-between. Why don't you have all the numbers?

 

Anyone heard from the chip/tuner makers? I wonder (if anything) that they know about this and why haven't we heard anything about this prior? How long have these products been out? I'm sure that I'm not the only one that has these questiions.....and I was ready to get one too....Dang! Hoping this is all a bad dream.

JB

 

They've claimed that they don't leave any traces.

How high is Bellefontaine, OH?

 

It would seem any box that runs "post" PCM would not leave a code. Since the box changes the paramters AFTER they leave the PCM to adjust fuel/timing, the PCM would only read the info from the sensors as it does normally. There may be a reading that causes the PCM to code due to a reading outside the normal parameters. There is talk that the big three have installed engine data collectors and can view info related to your engine condition/operating levels such as temp, RPMs, boost, etc.