Dean,

I remember seeing on a post that you are also one of the ones that has the strange computer mount, as in "in the firewall". I've never really paid it much attention, and I assumed it was behind the kick panel like my Haynes book says.....WRONG...

Anyway, my truck is similar so I had a couple quick questions. I'm assuming the computer has to come out from the engine compartment side. Just disconnect the plug, bracket, and pull it out? Any tricks with this setup? I have already determined that the inner fender well will have to be pushed out of the way and that isn't a problem. A couple of screws and a piece of scrap wood should hold it out of the way.

Another question. Which side/direction place is the port, and where does the body of the chip end up once installed? On my truck you can't even see the computer from inside, so I'm assuming the chip points out into the engine side. If so, did you have to modify the bracket that holds the computer?

What is it with these '95 trucks? Half the stuff is different than anything else.

TIA for any scoop you can provide.


Bob

 

This just occured to me: I'll bet the MAF equipped '95's have the ECM "in the firewall", while the SD's have it behind the kick panel. Make sense?

Take care,
-Chris

 

I guess that's possible. Hell I still can't figure out which trucks got the mass air and which got SD. Maybe it just depends on the computer mounting position!

Unless mine is buried behind the emergency brake bracket (which is a BIG bracket) you don't get to it from the inside. It may be behind that bracket though. The service port is usually on the inside correct?

Either way, looks like I'll have to turn some wrenches just to get the code.

 

My '95 F-150's ECM is behind the BIG e-brake bracket. MAJOR pain in the *** to access for installing a chip.

Service port? If you are referring to the plate on the ECM where you install a superchip, than yes, you have to get to the ECM. If you simply want to pull codes, the self test diagnostic connector is loscated in the engine compartment, right next to the drivers side hood hinge. It's snapped into a plastic housing that is loosely attached the inner fenderwell (near the drivers side hood hinge).

Did that help, or make things worse? I can add pics if you like.

Take care,
-Chris

 

Chris,

Sounds like maybe they are the same. I'll have to check it out when I get a chance, maybe Sunday. Can you actually remove yours from the inside, or does it still have to come out on the engine side?

Either way, maybe I'll pull the E-brake bracket. What I need for now is the calibration code. I'm considering a custom chip **OR** an EEC tuner if I have the right code. Either one will require access to the service port.

I'm REALLY wanting the EEC tuner, as it more or less gives you control over anything and everything that a custom chip would. Problem is they only support certain processor families, and only a couple for the trucks. Maybe I'll get lucky....

 

Signmaster, the ECM is behind the emergency brake on my truck. To get the code, I took the kick panel over the e-brake off and looked up from the bottom to get the code. You have to lay on your back and look up behind the e-brake pedal. You should see it all back there. The ECM mounts on the firewall from the outside but the computer itself is actually inside the truck, just the connector (for wiring harness) sticking out the engine side of the firewall. The way the computer was sitting the rubber boot that had the computer code on it, covered the connector where the chip slides on. It is really hard to reach from the inside. The instructions that Mike sent along with the chip told us (Neal and I) that the easiest way to do this is to take the ECM out via the engine compartment. Yes, the inner fender well has to be moved, 5.5 mm socket does the trick. We had to do no modifications to the ECM box at all. Just make sure that the chip is well taped in. We put a couple of wide pieces of electrical tape on it, to hold it in. Just one thing, make sure you pay attention to where you connector for the chip is, should it be on the top (out of sight for code). We ended up putting it back upside down and had to take it back out. It is a very snug fit for the ECM and chip together to fit through the hole in the firewall but with a little wiggling it went in. Anymore questions, let me know.

Have Fun & Keep on Truckin'
Dean

 

Dean,

Thanks for the scoop. I knew that sucker was in there somewhere!

Makes me wish I had a digital camera though, because from your description my truck is different from yours, and it's also a '95. My kick panel really doesn't cover any of the e-brake bracket, just the bottom edge slightly. The panel stops just forward of the hood release.

The e-brake bracket on my truck is a monster contraption that appears to be aluminum. Might be easier to just pull the bracket out, I saw this mentioned on one of the NLOC threads.

It would be even better still if it was where my Haynes manual states. Looks like they took the picture from the passenger seat!