Just curious if someone were to have a new PCM reprogramed including PATS, would the truck start/run with the origional PCM reinstalled ? Thanks. Mike

 

I am not an expert by any means but my logic says:

If they are both programmed for your truck then yes it should start with either one in.

--Joe

 

The PCM stores nothing to do with PATS. The instrument cluster stores the PATS info. BUT, the HEC (cluster) has to have a parameter reset performed in order to accept the module ID of the PCM.

 

Jeff

A related question.

I understand that PCMs dont come programmed anymore. If you want a CUX2 you get the right core but have to add the CUX2 code.

Lets say for example an owner wanted a spare computer, and had access to a NGS scanner. Is it safe to assume that if you ordered a PCM from the dealer or FordPartsOnline that they would program the correct code in the PCM for you ?

As i understand it the stuff required to burn the CUX2 program for example to the PCM is again as expensive as the NGS itself...

It may make more sense depending on the capacity of the sofware cards to just buy 3 software cards and have one progrmmed to burn CUX2, one for CXN1 and what ever 2002 and 2003 are...

Just trying to work this out in my head...
Thanks in advance
Doug

 

thanks Jefflaws, but I don"t fully follow you.
Is there any way to get the vehicle to work with two interchangable computers. I think you are saying that it can"t be done with one set of keys, but could it be done with two sets.
Thanks ! Mike

 

ttt

 

No, im saying that it has nothing to do with keys at all. What will have to be done each time the PCM is swapped is that the same security access has to be done with WDS or NGS, and then you do a "parameter reset" , which tells the HEC (cluster) that the PCM is allowed. So while you dont have to program keys each time you swap pcms, you do have to have a WDS or NGS. I replace PCMs quite often and have to do this, but rarely ever try the old PCM after i have the new one working, so im getting all this from my understanding, not experience. But anyway, im 99% sure you cant swap them back and forth becuase the HEC will only have the module ID of one PCM in it at a time.

 

Doug, I wasnt aware that they wouldnt come programmed anymore. Last one i put in was in a 2000 lincoln LS about 2 weeks ago, and it was ready to go out of the box.

But if they did come with incomplete VID blocks, then yes, if you had a NGS, Flash cable, and flash cards pre-programmed with each calibration, you could do it that way. A flash card will not store more than one cal. at a time.

 

Thanks for the reply

I havent bought one myself. BUT I have heard a number of times that many of the PCMs are blank... If you think about it of the boxes are common they end up with one part number...

I have an NGS coming and am trying to narrow down what I will need to do common stuff. The flash cable I am familar with is used to flash the PCM outside the Car. To save the $250 I figured I could install the PCM and use the cars wiring to flash it. That should work .. Shouldnt it ?

Doug

 

Doug and Jeff, as a former dealer tech and the guy at the dealer who did ALL the PATS stuff (lucky me), my original knowledge of this subject was exactly like Jeff said. You had to configure the HEC everytime you swap in a new PCM. Ford even says so. However, I have several customers who have gotten second PCMs, programmed them to their trucks, and they have told me that they can swap the two programmed PCMs out all day long and the truck is fine (no need for NGS or WDS to configure). Now I haven't tried this myself, but if it's true, that's a good thing because then people could get a spare PCM and just have it programmed once.

Doug, I have never seen a PCM come "blank". While most Ford PCMs use the same box, not all of them do, so there isn't one piece of hardware for all PCM calibrations. Anytime I've ever had to install a new PCM, it's always ordered for the specific vehicle, and never has to be "calibrated". It DOES have to be configured to the vehicles network, which might be were the confusion is.

Also, the "flash" cable for the NGS is not the one you are thinking of. You are thinking of the out of car reprogram cable. The flash cable Jeff is talking about, that is required to program PCMs, looks just like the regular EEC5 cable that the NGS uses, with a slightly larger head on it. The difference is the reprogram cable has a 17 volt program circuit built into it. You cannot program a PCM with the regular NGS EEC5 cable. But you also need to access to a WDS to get the calibration, which needs to be loaded on the thin card (a seperate NGS card just for PCM programming), so I wouldn't worry about doing any PCM calibrations. You can't load any chip calibrations onto a Ford PCM, as they are not in the correct format, nor do they program all the memory banks.

Also, you need the green "function" or "service" card to be able to do module swapping. This card does not come with the standard NGS kit.

Hope this helps.

 

HEC??
WDS??
NGS??

--Joe

 

Heh, Ford lingo.

HEC is Hybird Electronic Cluster

WDS is World Diagnostic System

NGS is New Generation Star (tester)

There are dozens of modules in the new Fords, we have to know them all!!

 

Thanks Guys,

If the PCMs come with the correct box code in them then I have no issue..

Here is one link where blank PCM came up... I know I have seen it elsewhere as well https://www.f150online.com/forums/sh...threadid=88228

Sal, Thanks for the info
I dont at this point have access to any chip programs,

I am not trying to use the NGS to to that type of work. Just like I wouldnt use a screwdriver on a nail.

As you stated in the other thread most dealers cant even change the setting for the 3.73 gears let alone anything complicated.

I got a good deal on the NGS and figured it would be handy to have one in North Texas. It will take some time to learn but I pick up on technical related stuff pretty quick.

And if a Local guy wanted to buy a PCM and have it programed to his truck and if as you said they would then be interchangeable that would be an asset for some folks. For a thousand I can get the Hickok Flash kit and card to go with the NGS that will enable flashing PCMs if needed.

Doug

 

Sal, thats what i was saying about swapping processors, you would think by reading the books that you couldnt swap, but like i said, once ive ever put the new one in, there was no reason to try the old one. Good thing i said i was only 99% sure you couldnt do it.

As far as the cable that lets you program a pcm out of the vehicle, we dont even have one of those here at the dealership.

 

Jeff, I have never seen one either .