Code P1639 Vehicle ID Block Not Programmed Or Corrupt (Ford)

I have a 2000 F150 5.4 and had the computer replaced about 6 years ago. The check engine light has been on and I never gave it any thought because the truck performs great. Now the check engine light is a problem in California where I just moved to.

I need some help with this P1639 code because my check engine light is on I will fail the California Smog Test with the light on. I can make it disappear by clearing it with my code reader; however when I turn the engine off and start, the check engine light is back on.

How can I solve this problem without going to the dealer? Anyone out there run into this problem before?

Thanks.

 

I have no idea on this particular code, but does unhooking the battery clear it?

 

I tried the battery trick and it didn't work.

 

There is no trick or shortcut to fixing this.

Take it to a dealer and have it reflashed with the "as built" data, a step that was omitted when the PCM was replaced.

 

clearing the codes probably won't do you any good either, as the computer needs to go through all it's tests before it will be 'ready'

 

A reflash is in order in that kind of code.
Question is why did that happen?
I begin to smell something like a programmer was used at some point and the return to stock did not go well.
Reason is there is no normal reason this ID block would ever change unless some one was playing with a programmer.
Dealer time and take 2 key if you have PATS.
You must understand that mutilated data set the code, so how would clearing a code fix anything? The issue does not just go away.
The whole system as designed is a closed loop you cannot break from the outside unless the program is altered.
Good luck.

 

How common is it for a programmer to corrupt the ECM? This kind of makes me nervous because I need a tune for my 5.4 swap.
Mike

 

After doing some research this is beyond my scope of a simple tune up....haha! Thank you for everyones input and help. It's off to the dealer for a hosing!

 

To 61, seek a reputable tuner and ask if installing or returning to stock has history of failure such as this.
If yes what do they do about the cost of recovery.
I have seen this happen before with a certain device and the way they did the system.
Once a mutilation happens in a place like the ID block, the vendor can't fix it for you because he does not have the info to populate the block words and the bits they contain.
I suspect part of the problem is the method they use so you cannot program one vehichle then go to another and do the same thing again until the programmer is reset by returning the stock data and clearing the ID block in the programmer..
The tuner reads the ID block and stores it in the programmer. When you try to use the programmer on another vehichle it compairs the ID blocks.
If they don't match, it won't allow you to program a second PCM.
Seems upon returning to stock the programmer does the mutilation for some reason. That would be a program bug of some sort in the device.
When it happens it gets expensive and makes you reluctant to do it again.
So the investment is lost from not using it.
Also, in the past some people buy a truck that has had a program change then gets into trouble later unknowingly and needs to have a reflash.
Don't happen all the time but is possible to get in these jams..
Good luck.

 

I have an appointment with the Ford Dealer on Thursday. I'll let you guys know how much this cost me.

 

Why on earth did you move to Cali??? LOL

There's no way you can leave it registered in the current state and avoid all that?

 

Well here I go, dropped it off today and just the diagnostic will be $180. Was told the dealer has to get the software program from Ford and that will take most of the day. The actual programing takes about 2 hours. I'm sure this is going to be a $500-$600 bill.

 

They have to access a Ford site that has all the VIN numbers that Ford has put on the vehichles.
The info is the 'as built' program.
This program is what has to be down loaded and then uploaded back into your PCM.
Good luck.

 

..and it will probably take less than 30 minutes start to finish...

It's ridiculous to take "most of the day" to log on to the Ford system and download the file.

 

Yeah they hit me with just the diagnostic fee of $180 and called it a day. Took about 2 hours. Drove around for about an hour after that to reset the codes and took it in for my California smog test and to my surprise it passed! Over all it wasn't that bad. Thanks for everyone’s input.