Thanks 5.4Triton. I know that now, but, I had never needed to remove the chip before. I had it quite securely taped on the computer with two double straps of electrical tape. I doubt I could have done it in 10 seconds or less without tools, however, I could have and should have found something to cut the tape and remove the chip. I just did not envision this scenario playing out the way it has.

 

How old are you? At first from all you previous comments about going down to the dealership, and your general limited knowledge I would have thought you were about 12, but from your profile your in your 40's. No wonder the u.s is in an economic slump.

On a brighter note ford (the dealership) gennerally doesn't have bins of pcm's laying around so LRM should get back the original, but if you know what your old code was (needed it for your chip) there should be a label on the pcm so make sure its the same, otherwise they could be tring to rip you off. Especially if its been awhile your pcm could have already been sent back.

Also if you have the time it would be a good idea to install the old pcm (disconecting the battery and grounding your self to make sure you have no static electricity) and see if your truck will run.

When you do this take a good look at the pcm harness pins and the taping (to make sure that it wasn't a bad pin that was replaced or for sings of possible damage. Just incase a breakout box was not used durring testing) Take a look at the old pcm pins aswell

If the truck runs then go back to them and show them, you should then get the money back from the dealership as they goofed, but beaware they may still try to argue that the chip caused there misdiagnoisis (assuming the truck runs with the old pcm)

Another bonus if the truck runs with the old pcm then you don't have to wait until you have it sent out for testing, but if it doesn't then you will atleast know that the pcm must be fried. Wether the chip caused it or not would have to be determined

 

LMAO.....it kind of stings when we point out something of yours is ugly a$$, doesn't it...ey.


Rocks

 

I received the "bad" PCM today. It does appear to be my original unit as it is a UAT2 and the remants of the electrical tape that held the chip in place are still on it.

Black 150 offroad: I had intended to try this unit on my truck as you suggested. Does anyone with more experience in these matters than me (that would appear to be just about all of you ) know of any reason why I should not do this?

Mike T.: Assuming this PCM does indead appear to non-functional, to what address should I ship the unit and Superchip for testing?

Finally, I may be able to get to the bottom of this one way or another. Certainly, my stupidity in not removing the chip before the truck was towed in is the major cause of this problem, nevertheless, I would still like to know what caused the computer to fail, if, in fact, it did.

 

LRM,

That is actually a good idea. If it doesn't work, you can unplug it and send it to Mike as planned.
Remember to follow the procedure below to the letter.

Disconnect the negative cable from battery and make sure it will not touch anything metal.
Turn on the headlight switch to drain residual power from computer. At least 6 minutes.
Turn the headlight switch back off.
Put the suspect computer in and reconnect the negative cable.
Be sure all accesories are turned off.
Turn on the ignition key and pray.
If it does not start, make sure that there is not something else causing it...such as fuel cut off or bad connections. If it is the fuel cut off, the fuel reset will light up in dash.
If it still won't start...put your other computer back in...following the above directions again and send the suspect computer and chip to Mike, Check that, call him for further details.

Rocks

 

I have a 5.4L SuperCrew with the SuperChip. It stalled twice yesterday for no damn good reason. I too didn't remove the chip before taking it in partly because they immediately blamed the fuel pump but once I got there they went for the PCM.

I've had the chip installed "professionally" by Down's Ford MotorSport since Mar without an ounce of problem. It was one of the first things I checked when I stalled the first time. It was seated and secure as if it were put on yesterday. My code is UAT2 too. My buddy has a SuperCrew, same year, engine and code that in the past has stalled right after start up inconsistently........problem resolved on its own (so he thinks) and never took it in.

I've been reading some other threads with an individual stating that the problem turned out to be the key. It was malfunctioning and vehicle had to be re-programmed.

 

Hi LRM,

You need to contact us off the boards for that info, please. We cannnot post addresses, RMA#'s, order status, pricing, etc. here publicly, as that is against the policies of F-150 Online which require matters that are between vendor & customer in nature be communicated privately, off these message boards.

I would indeed test the original ECU in the vehicle *first*, making sure to disconnect the battery before anything else, and also to touch grounded metal to discharge any static electricity you may have in your body before handling either of the ECU's or touching the electric system (disconnecting the battery). These are just standard precautionary measures of course, and make sure you don't walk across any carpets while handling any of those materials as well, etc.

If the vehicle fails to start with what appears to be the original ECU, then please contact us for the RMA# & instructions for sending both the ECU & the Superchip off for testing, ok? Thanks!

 

When my new computer was installed, the dealer reprogrammed my key and a gave me a new spare. I assume that these keys will not start my truck with the "old" PCM installed even if the "old" PCM is good, correct? If that's the case, somehwere I still have the spare key that the orginally came with the truck. That's the one I need to use to try and start the truck with the "old" PCM, correct?

 

?? I thought the keys were programmed and verified by the PATS unit, this is not part of the ECM. Is there a connection to the ECM or did the dealer just want to sell more keys?

 

Same question here.
I thought I saw Jeffllaws tell a guy switching the instrument cluster tell him he would have this problem. I recall that, not that I have it correct.

Look for the post on a new instrument cluster, where his brother acidently shot a hole in the cluster ( still cannot figure out how he did that...<g> ).

 

Ford just stated that If you put in a superchip this will void anything that may connect to the computer. They stated since i am changing the computer then I am responsible for anything that goes wrong from my modification. They did say that they would cover anything that was not computer related. If I do buy a chip I will remove it before I take it to the dealer for sure.

 

It looks like Ford is starting to "play tough" with aftermarket performance chips. They have told me twice now that Magnusson-Moss does not apply and that they can legally deny warranty claims involving performance chips since they "alter factory performance settings."

Whether or not their claims will hold up legally, I do not know. If all else fails, I may be inclined to test that supposition. Clearly, they are playing tough with the consumer hoping to avoid any warranty claims involving performance chips and, potentially, uninformed consumers (assuming they are on thin ice, legally).

 

Did you get this in writting. If you did can I get a copy ?
If so, I'd like to take a look into this, and see how close this is to M-M act. I think SEMA would also be rather interested in this new change with Ford.

If you didn't get this in writting, let me know where you called o ask the question ( don't know if this is the regular CS number ).

Thanks for any info, I don't have a problem, and I don't have a chip installed, I just don't like it when compainies decide to pull this on thier customers.

Steve

 

No warranty is what 3 told m last week when I called. Let me elaborate(big word for sscully), I asked each one point blank if adding a superchip would void my warranty, without even taking a breath, all 3 said Yes. Then I asked them a few questions on the MM act and how they could void the warranty if the chip did not cause the problem. All 3 got a bit more hesitant and then all 3 said, oh well that would be different, if the chip did not cause the pcm to fail, they would warranty it.
All 3 acted like they had not seen any letter or document from ford addressing this issue but did agree that the warranty is not void if the chip did not cause the problem.
I'm with tomatoe truck, if I take my truck to Ford for service, warranty or not, I'm taking my chip out first.

Rocks

 

You know us EE's were are not known for being very smart at all <g>