The mother f'ers at the dealer are trying to blame me for my ecu blowing up.

-Took my L in for warranty work cause it expires today and for a rattle and power steering noise. Anyway I've taken it to this mechanic before and I told him I had a chip because he had a modded L too.

-Well he hooks the computer up and calls me and says that my car won't start. Wtf does hooking up a computer have to do with my rattle????????

-The service writer calls me and says I need a new proccessor for 800 bucks!!!!!!!!!!! That it's my fault that I had a chip in there...which the previous owner put in....I'm in a tight spot guys. I shouldn't have to pay for this seeing as how I was supposed to trade my 00 L in for an 03 at this dealership.

Help.

 

Very often, mechanics/dealers/whomever that work on Ford products are not aware that the chip sets a P0605 code in the computer. This code is set because the chip overrides the PCMs memory, so when it does a memory check, it fails. If you try to diag that code, it tells you the PCM is bad, and to replace it. It sounds like they are having an unrelated problem, and assuming it's a bad PCM from the P0605 code. You should explain to them that that code is because of the chip, and it normal. Either that, or just take the chip out and clear the code, and let them do thier diag. BTW, a new PCM costs about $250 ($350 with no core), and not anywhere near $800. Hope this helps.

 

Get im Sal....

 

Is that a permanent code? Can it be reset by disconnecting the battery?
The PCM may cost $250, but the dealer has to program that box for the pats system so the price is probably higher. Plus most dealers rip people off anyway.

 

No it's not a permanent code, it's resettable. And I'd think the labor for a PCM install should be about an hour; it takes way less, but most shops have a minumum 1 hour labor charge. Either way, it should't come anywhere NEAR $800.

 

thanks sal...but I don't quite understand...they're saying that the ECU blew beause he did a test on it...I'm on the phone with ford...the service manager pretty much said go to hell and it's your fault...I told the mechanic I had a chip 2 times and if it was a prob. thhey should've not accepted my truck in the 1st place.

-Sal are you saying that they should just unplugg the chip and it will start right up and then they can do a diagnostic?

 

Well, I guess it depends on what the definition of "blew" is. If the PCM physically smoked, then yeah, it's junk. I would pull the chip off, and have them do a parameter reset, then recode the keys and see if that works. I really don't recommend doing computer diag on a PCM with a chip in it, but you can pull codes and perform tests on a chipped PCM no problem. It sounds to me like they tried to reflash your PCM for some reason and THAT an smoke it if you try to do that with a chip in it.

 

Well I think it's "blown." I'm very frustrated right now....Ford is calling the dealer right now to see what they can do...it's pretty much my word against his that i told him I had a chip on there.

-What is your guys best advise for me to do at the moment.

 

C'mon people

 

Looks like you're out of luck. The PCM is blown, and you had a chip in it. I don't see how you can prove it wasn't the chip that may have had a short or something from a jolt...its not as easy as mechanical parts, and look at the hell some people go through there.

Dan

 

Assumeing your truck is a 99, and did not previously have the pcm reflashed to the 00 spec. If this is the case, and the PCM it self is not physicaly dead, the truck wont start anyway because it's now a CUX2 computer with a CUX1 chip piggy backing. Pull the chip, clear the pcm, try again.

 

I have a 00 w/ a CUX2...should I call they and tell them to take the chip out and clear the pcm and try again?

 

 

I'd do that, tell them to use the same program...

Dan

 

Well........

-SVT was absolutley no f'in help

-Still waiting on Ford.

-SVT gave me a # that arbitrates cases like mine.

-Get this...the service manager and writer both said that if I'm serious about trading my 00 L for a new 03 that they would eat the cost of repairing my PCM(which BTW is fried according to the service writer).What is this blackmail????? Ya you think I'll buy another Ford after this??

-The service writer also said that if I had just told him that there was a chip on the L that he would've told the mechanic to take it of before running tests. Isn't this going against Ford Motor company rules. He's telling me that if I have mods that I just need to tell him about the beforehand and then they'll start the work...WTF aren't you supposed to NOT work on my truck if this happens??

I'm not giving up on this one...goin to talk to the GM tommorow and see what he has to say.

Yeah they quoted me 850 for a new PCM which includes labor, parts, and recoding stuff.

F*ck Ford.