I took my truck in to the dealer for a couple of minor issues. Just in case, I took out my Superchip. When I got the truck back, the paperwork said they "reprogrammed PCM". Does that mean my computer code might of changed?

I just wanted to know before I tried to put the Superchip back in.

Thanks,

Doug.

 

Hi Doug,

Yep, your computer code has been changed, and your Superchip will not work correctly with that new code, the vehicle most likely won't even start. The Superchip will have to be reprogrammed to match the new computer code before you can use it again, but that's pretty easy to do, so this shouldn't be more than a minor inconvenience.

If you're lucky, the dealership did their job correctly and placed a Notice of Modification sticker under the hood in a prominent location. (airbox, top of radiator, etc. in plain sight) This is a white sticker usually, 2"x3", and will say "Ford Authorized Modification" near the top, and then written in by hand should be the new calibration code. That calibration code can be anywhere from 6 to 16 digits long. If you can provide us with that information, we can usually cross-reference it to the new catch code (computer code, as we call it) and reprogram that Superchip to match.

If they have not placed that sticker under the hood, then you need to go back to the dealership and speak to someone, usually the Service Manager if available or their assistant, and let him or her know that your PCM (powertrain control module, ECU, etc. it all means the same thing, your powertrain computer) was reflashed but no sticker with the new calibration code was placed under the hood, and you need that information (take your service paperwork from where they reflashed the PCM with you just in case). Don't worry if they ask you why you need that info, that is really none of their business; their only concern in any of this is to just do their job correctly. The sticker identifying the new calibration code is required by emissions laws, as it is a change that affects emissions status, and so they have to comply with the requirements when an automaker makes a change like that, and you do not have to explain why you want it. It's simply a matter of making sure they did their job right, so that no future dealership will charge you to scan the ECU to identify that calibration code should you have another problem in the future out of warranty and the next dealership needs to know which calibration you're using.

If all else fails and they refuse, you can have any dealership connect a scan tool to your vehicle and identify the current calibration code for a small fee. You can also send in the ECU to us to have us scan it, but then you'll have a coupla days (usually 48 hours during the week) of vehicle downtime while your ECU is overnighted back and forth, as well as that expense.

Good luck!

 

Thanks Mike,

I'll check for the sticker and get back with you.

Doug.

 

Hi DougS,

Sounds fine. In fact, you may have already called, and if so, I need to apologize, as that message with your phone number got misplaced, and I don't have it at the moment!

At least, I *think* that was you, as I do remember this particular message for me was from someone in this same situation, where they had been reflashed but no sticker had been placed under the hood. If that was you, please accept my apologies, and please give us a shout back by phone or email if you wouldn't mind, so I can communicate with you properly about this.

And if that wasn't you that called & left that message, as Rosanne Rosanna-danna (sp?) from the old Saturday Night Live cast would say, "Never mind."

 

Hi Mike,
Actually that was me that left the message. After I left the message I turned on the computer and saw that someone just asked the same question. The three dealers I took it to were all playing dumb and giving me a hard time, I think I will send you my PCM. I only drive my truck on the weekend, if it's nice, so sending it is not a problem. I will give you a call back and make arrangments. One question though, you say the performance varies from 3/10 of a second to over a second 1/4 mile time improvements, depending on the setup. I was wondering if you could give me a better idea about my truck. 2000 extended cab, 5.4, auto, 4x4 ORP. Thanks Mike, I will talk to you maybe next week.

Dan

 

Hi Dan,

Thanks for your response, so it was you that called!

OK sure, give us a shout & we'll be happy to make the arrangements to read your ECU & determine just what the ****ens they have loaded it with, & I'm sorry your dealership wasn't more cooperative. I (as well as you, of course!) find that very irritating, as they are required by Federal emissions laws to do that, and they didn't do their job correctly, even worse, they aren't making it right by scanning the ECU for you & placing the sticker now as they were required. Grrr........

At any rate, we can take care of that for you.

OK, with regard to the improvements in performance from the Superchip for your F-150........... the average is about a half second off the 0-60 & 1/4 mile times, with a range of anywhere from a low of about 3 tenths to as much as just over a full second.

We usually see the heavier trucks, these 4WD's with ORP's picking up anywhere from a minimum of about 5 tenths to as much as a full second. We have a 2001 5.4 Lariat w/ the ORP as one of our F-150's here at Performance, and it knocked off a full second from the 0-60 & 1/4 mile times from just the Superchip. Of course, there's more than just the raw power gain at work there, we have the removal of various delays, retards, and the improvements to automatic transmission function that, together with the actual power gained, combine to give us the total improvements that we see. I think you should see an easy 4-5 tenths off those times, and yours could be one of those 4X4's that sees a full second off, only time will tell for sure.

Talk to you soon!