PCM code
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Senior Member
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 249
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From: PA
PCM code
I got my o5 new with 8 miles on it and it has not been into a dealer for any work since I got it.Is there any way to tell if it has been flashed prior to me takein it home?I looked every where for the sticker they used to put in when they flashed it but I cant find any thing.I have an xcal1 and I had it redone for my new 05 but the truck wont start with any of the altered programs installed.I did put my old truck back to stock,I did pay and send the xcal back to be redone.I am guessing that the pcm was flashed by the dealer but to what I have no idea.Is there any way to find out?I dont have a local stealer that I think would scan it and tell me.Would a non ford scan tool like the snapon ones private shops use be able to tell?
Senior Member
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 5,409
Likes: 1
From: Sunny FL
Who redid the XCal for your 05? You should call them and see what they suggest. I’m almost positive a Snapon won’t be able to read the code. If a different code than the one on the PCM sticker is actually the underlying problem, you’re going to have to take it to Ford and have the code read with a WDS. Make sure they give you an “Authorized Modification” sticker too.
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Senior Member
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 249
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From: PA
I know if you want to spend $500 on a pass thru device and pay $50 a month to ford for a subscription you can program your own pcm.The gov mandated a standard to help the private shops stay in biz.You sign up with http://www.motorcraftservice.com
They give you the software and new and/or updated pcm flashes.So with a laptop and the pass thru device you can read,datalog,reflash ford PCMs.This pass thru is approved by ford http://www.eepod.com/ To my understanding once connected to a pcm that is still in the car it will go online and search for a new pcm flash if it finds one in fords system you can download and flash it to the pcm.So yes snapon tools can read ford pcm info if the shop buys the new software and hardware.I answered my own question.
They give you the software and new and/or updated pcm flashes.So with a laptop and the pass thru device you can read,datalog,reflash ford PCMs.This pass thru is approved by ford http://www.eepod.com/ To my understanding once connected to a pcm that is still in the car it will go online and search for a new pcm flash if it finds one in fords system you can download and flash it to the pcm.So yes snapon tools can read ford pcm info if the shop buys the new software and hardware.I answered my own question.
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Joined: Mar 1998
Posts: 13,385
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From: Virginia
Hey bronkx1,
If the sticker isn't' present, then you won't know without scanning the PCM AND having the knowledge to interpret what comes out of that scan, too. Many of these vehicles get reflashed at either the factory where they are built before they are even delivered to the dealer (as ours was), or are reflashed at the dealership without any type of identifying sticker being applied as it is supposed to be.
And by the way - never think that for $500 you are going to be able to have control over that PCM, that simply isn't going to happen - those of us in the business know better, and use much more expensive tools than any $500 tool like you listed, and much higher-end software, too.
The bottom line is, it's very easy for you to have a PCM flashed to a completely different and incompatible code than whatever it's original code stocker says on the PCM - and rather than spend all that money on hardware that - at best - if it were capable and set up properly, *might* allow you to load the PCM with another STOCK FACTORY FORD program but would still tell you nothing about what's currently in there prior to flashing it, I suggest just doing the smart thing - which is taking it into your dealership and have them connect the WDS system and tell you what's actually loaded into that PCM - that will work much quicker and far cheaper, without you having to go thru a very steep learning curve and spending a lot more money trying to figure it out on your own - trust me.
Good luck!
If the sticker isn't' present, then you won't know without scanning the PCM AND having the knowledge to interpret what comes out of that scan, too. Many of these vehicles get reflashed at either the factory where they are built before they are even delivered to the dealer (as ours was), or are reflashed at the dealership without any type of identifying sticker being applied as it is supposed to be.
And by the way - never think that for $500 you are going to be able to have control over that PCM, that simply isn't going to happen - those of us in the business know better, and use much more expensive tools than any $500 tool like you listed, and much higher-end software, too.
The bottom line is, it's very easy for you to have a PCM flashed to a completely different and incompatible code than whatever it's original code stocker says on the PCM - and rather than spend all that money on hardware that - at best - if it were capable and set up properly, *might* allow you to load the PCM with another STOCK FACTORY FORD program but would still tell you nothing about what's currently in there prior to flashing it, I suggest just doing the smart thing - which is taking it into your dealership and have them connect the WDS system and tell you what's actually loaded into that PCM - that will work much quicker and far cheaper, without you having to go thru a very steep learning curve and spending a lot more money trying to figure it out on your own - trust me.
Good luck!