I was reading through the summary of Ford's most recent Technician Review Panel meeting, and one topic that was discussed was the discontinuation of using authorized modification labels for PCM reprogramming in North America. Just one more cost cutting measure that Uncle Henry thought up. So, if y'all griped before 'cause you didn't get modification labels after a recal, now Ford has discontinued the use of them period.

 

Sooo, how do we find out what version our PCM calibrations are once they have been changed from the original? Make a trip to the dealership and ask them to read it out? Any other alternatives to the dealership method?

 

I honestly don't know. I'll at least note the new calibration number in my story on the repair order...I can't speak for other dealers.

 

I went my my local dealer and asked them for my PCM code and the front advisor had no idea what I was asking for. I told them I needed to know if my PCM had been reflashed to know if there was a more current program running as I was needing this for XCal2. They were clueless. I went to another dealer. Still had no idea how to find out, even though they knew what I was talking about when I said "Has my PCM been reflashed" So...now what??? Luckily for me, I got my XCal2 today with no PCM problems!

 

I do the same. I write both old calibration and the new one on the work order. I won't miss filling out those stickers though.

 

The paper work for my latest refglash had both the part # and the File # that that my PCM was flashed to. I had requested that they put it on there and they said they had to if they wanted to get payed from Ford for the warranty work.

 

I thought not putting this on in the first place was illegal as far as emissions and consumer rights goes...so how can they completely discontinue it? I can understand them not wanting people to mod their vehicles, but this is ridiculous. As a consumer of their $35k vehicle, it's my right to know my programming code for numerous reasons, and it should be visible to any mechanic who might ever have to work on it, with or without me and with or without Ford.

Don't get me wrong Quentin, I'm not shooting the messenger, more of posing a philosophical question/delima.

 

Shouldn't it be recorded by the dealer so any dealer could pull it up?

 

I had my reflash done in november and I haven't found any decal. I looked on my service invoice today, nothing. I called the service manager, waiting for call back so I can ask him why no information. I may just have to go to another dealership.

 

My point is that it shouldn't need to be "pulled up" by a Ford dealer. You are there reliant on a/the Ford dealer, when you shouldn't need to be. For the past what, 10-15-20 years, you've had access to your calibration code. Now that the vehicles are much more electronic and depend on that code much more, now you can't have it. Seems ridiculous to me, although I see it from a "tiny" profit point as well for the company, but I see it as more of a butt-itch for them as well.

 

Just talked to my service manager who said they stopped putting the stickers on the pcm a decade ago, which I know is bogus. Also said it'd be irrelevent for a comsumer to have it because the pcm code would come up when the obd2 scanner was hooked up. Sounds fishy to me, Good thing I have a bud who can hook me up at another dealership.

 

I had the reflash TSB 04-21-14 done several months ago and could find no label. It states on the invoice that they did that TSB. I asked the service manager about why no label, he said it was not a reprogramming but an update. After his gobble-dee-goop double talk, I have no idea what I have. It runs very god tho.

Hey Stealth, who is your dealer. I have had mostly good luck with County Line Ford.

 

County Line is where I'm having no luck so far. First vehicle I've bought from them. Hopefully I'll figure something out. My invoice has no documentation of code but says pcm was set to latest calibration.

 

I hate to hear you are having problems, they have been great to me so far.

 

Everything will work out. I have to take the truck in for nit pick stuff, like the driveline moan, cut in a seat, tranny noise and the tsb problem, still seems to hesitate. I think Hillard auto park is where my friend works. He knows his stuff. Hey bluejay, is that a rat terrier in your sig pic? I have a rat terrier, chihuahua, and a mini dachshund. Added up they equal a regular sized dog so it's ok.