computer code
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From: Rosharon, TX
computer code
Have a friend with a '98 F150 supercab P/U. Auto with 4.6. We're trying to get the computer code to order a chip. The problem is he bought the truck used and there are no stickers on doors or anywhere on the computer itself. How can we get a hold of the computer code? Clueless. Needed info and Thanks.
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Joined: Apr 2001
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From: Northern Kentucky
If there is not at sticker passenger side door frame (between the door hinge and the door stop rod). You have to look all over the computer for it. Seems I read on here somewhere that it may be on the bottom side. Wait! I just thought of something. If the truck has ever had it's computer reflashed the dealer might have taken the code stickers off and put a notice of modifications sticker under the hood (note: that's if the tech did his job right). Your last hopes is to take it to a dealer where they can hook it up and give you the calibration code. That's about all I know to do. Maybe someone else (Mike) can help you better.
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From: Virginia
Hi Quick,
OK, if your doorframe code sticker is missing, you can go to the computer itself, as every Ford computer made gets a code sticker, and most of them have 2 code stickers.
In our 10+ years, we have seen a grand total of 1 Ford computer that didn't have a code sticker on it, and that one was removed, as we could see the remains of it.
So it is indeed possible to have a computer missing a code sticker, but it's way beyond rare, I'd have to say.
I wonder if perhaps there is a sticker on the computer, and maybe you're not seeing it, if you didn't remove the computer completely from the vehicle? Just in case this might be the situation, every Ford computer has a large sticker on top of it with several lines of writing on it, and the code will always be printed in bold capitals, so it will stand out. The code will be 3 letters followed by 1 number, and is usually a few lines down on that big sticker. To be able to see that sticker, you will have to remove the computer from the vehicle entirely, otherwise you cannot see this sticker. If you have not actually removed the computer completely out of the vehicle, then that needs to be done first, to see if it has the big sticker on it, as that is only visible when the computer is removed from the vehicle altogether.
To remove the computer, it's 3 easy steps:
1.) Disconnect the negative lead from the battery, and cover it with something so it cannot ground out on anything should it touch something.
2.) Go under the hood, and right behind the battery, on the firewall, will be the computer's wiring harness connector with a single 10mm bolt head dead-center. Loosen this bolt until you can disconnect the wiring harness, keeping in mind that this 10mm bolt will not separate from the wiring harness, it remains an integral part so you just loosen it until you can detach the wiring harness.
3.) Go into the cabin on the passenger's side, and the computer will be just above the passenger's kick panel. It will be held to it's mounting bracket/plate by a black plastic pressure clip; simply pull that clip off. Once you remove that clip, simply pull the computer out of the vehicle and then look on the top of the computer for it's big sticker.
Sorry if some of this info is redundant, just trying to get you all the info you might need in one shot here.
OK, assuming that there are no code stickers on either the door frame or the computer, then as KYFordFreak mentioned, you can check to see if you might have a "Notice of Modification" sticker under the hood notating a computer reflash, as if they do that they are supposed to (thought they don't always) place a Notice of Modification sticker under the hood in a prominent location so that any future technician will see it right away.
And if all else fails, you can always go to a dealership and get them to do a scan of the computer and get it's complete calibration code (which is 11-14 digits long), and we can then do a cross-reference to see what it's comptuer code actually is from that.
Let us know if you need further assistance, & good luck!
OK, if your doorframe code sticker is missing, you can go to the computer itself, as every Ford computer made gets a code sticker, and most of them have 2 code stickers.
In our 10+ years, we have seen a grand total of 1 Ford computer that didn't have a code sticker on it, and that one was removed, as we could see the remains of it.
So it is indeed possible to have a computer missing a code sticker, but it's way beyond rare, I'd have to say. I wonder if perhaps there is a sticker on the computer, and maybe you're not seeing it, if you didn't remove the computer completely from the vehicle? Just in case this might be the situation, every Ford computer has a large sticker on top of it with several lines of writing on it, and the code will always be printed in bold capitals, so it will stand out. The code will be 3 letters followed by 1 number, and is usually a few lines down on that big sticker. To be able to see that sticker, you will have to remove the computer from the vehicle entirely, otherwise you cannot see this sticker. If you have not actually removed the computer completely out of the vehicle, then that needs to be done first, to see if it has the big sticker on it, as that is only visible when the computer is removed from the vehicle altogether.
To remove the computer, it's 3 easy steps:
1.) Disconnect the negative lead from the battery, and cover it with something so it cannot ground out on anything should it touch something.
2.) Go under the hood, and right behind the battery, on the firewall, will be the computer's wiring harness connector with a single 10mm bolt head dead-center. Loosen this bolt until you can disconnect the wiring harness, keeping in mind that this 10mm bolt will not separate from the wiring harness, it remains an integral part so you just loosen it until you can detach the wiring harness.
3.) Go into the cabin on the passenger's side, and the computer will be just above the passenger's kick panel. It will be held to it's mounting bracket/plate by a black plastic pressure clip; simply pull that clip off. Once you remove that clip, simply pull the computer out of the vehicle and then look on the top of the computer for it's big sticker.
Sorry if some of this info is redundant, just trying to get you all the info you might need in one shot here.
OK, assuming that there are no code stickers on either the door frame or the computer, then as KYFordFreak mentioned, you can check to see if you might have a "Notice of Modification" sticker under the hood notating a computer reflash, as if they do that they are supposed to (thought they don't always) place a Notice of Modification sticker under the hood in a prominent location so that any future technician will see it right away.
And if all else fails, you can always go to a dealership and get them to do a scan of the computer and get it's complete calibration code (which is 11-14 digits long), and we can then do a cross-reference to see what it's comptuer code actually is from that.
Let us know if you need further assistance, & good luck!
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Joined: Aug 2001
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From: Rosharon, TX
I printed out your post Superchip Dist. and gave it to the friend. No, we did not take the computer out completly. So, with that said, I'm willing to bet that he finds the code just fine. Thanks for your help in this matter and Thanks again for taking the time to post. Paul.