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 Post subject: Ford PCM Change
PostPosted: Wed Sep 17, 2008 11:06 am 
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Captain Caution !
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So Ford say that Kieran's girlfriend's car's PCM is bad; needs a new one; $600+ please.

Kieran has acquired a replacement junkyard PCM for $50 but we believe it must be reflashed for it to work with her car. Is Ford the only place that can do this ($100 please) or are there alternatives?

'01 Focus ZX3

Thanks.

Simon

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 Post subject:
PostPosted: Wed Sep 17, 2008 11:32 am 
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If it is from the same year/model, would it not just work? It'll have the wrong VIN stored in the computer, but that shouldn't matter, right?

Does the ODB-II scan during inspection check info like that?

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 Post subject:
PostPosted: Wed Sep 17, 2008 1:39 pm 
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The issues isn't about the VIN (or the new, lower miles the Odometer may read!) the issue is with the key. The Focus key has an RFID chip in it (with the reader in the steering column.) When the key is detected, the info on it is compared with that which is in the computer.

So I either need to find someone who can download the info off the old computer and put it on a new one (I will gladly do all the labor for it, just need someone to do the software stuff) or to find a way to rewrite the RFID code in the key so that the old key will work for the new computer.

Thanks! (and thanks dad, for posting this... I really need to use this forum more often.)
-Kieran


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 Post subject:
PostPosted: Wed Sep 17, 2008 1:45 pm 
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JACKASS!!!
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Can't you just reassociate the PATS between the new ECU and the key?

This link does have a scantily clad woman in it: http://www.fordf150.net/howto/patskey.php

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 Post subject:
PostPosted: Wed Sep 17, 2008 5:05 pm 
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iirc, mileage is stored in the dash electronics?
at least that's what I remember reading on all the dash upgrade/swap threads.

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 Post subject:
PostPosted: Wed Sep 17, 2008 5:19 pm 
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Nay
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Wes Eargle wrote:
Can't you just reassociate the PATS between the new ECU and the key?


Wes to add new keys to the ECU without the dealer's computer you need the two original keys for the car the ECU came from.

This is from my 2000 factory shop manual.

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 Post subject:
PostPosted: Thu Sep 18, 2008 4:53 pm 
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And I only have 1 of the original keys.

Thoughts?


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 Post subject:
PostPosted: Thu Sep 18, 2008 9:10 pm 
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I don't know if a Focus is any different than a Mustang, but any time I have seen a PCM swapped in a Mustang it had to go to the dealer to get flashed. The PATS module in the dash has to be married to the ECU (from what I understand, but I am far from an expert).

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 Post subject:
PostPosted: Fri Sep 19, 2008 8:26 pm 
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Nay
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KieranWright wrote:
And I only have 1 of the original keys.

Thoughts?


The 2000 shop manual says with only one original key it is dealer computer time. :(

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