THSCC Forums

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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2011 & 2010 Atlantic Rally Cup 2WD Champion
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2007 Rally Spec Focus Champion

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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One of those LeMonHeads...
91/95 Miata, 02 Focus SVT, 01 Ford F250, 09 Suzuki SV650SF
rusty 84 C4 Vette, tiny piece of the General Lei
Irish Sport Horse - 1hp NA!

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

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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Has no responsibility whatsoever.

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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One of those LeMonHeads...
91/95 Miata, 02 Focus SVT, 01 Ford F250, 09 Suzuki SV650SF
rusty 84 C4 Vette, tiny piece of the General Lei
Irish Sport Horse - 1hp NA!

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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George Bright Member # 141
One of the youngest of the old farts.
Yes I voted against you joining the club.

And I only have 1 of the original keys.

Thoughts?

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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2003 Torch Red Corvette Z06 ST3/TT3 #01

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Drag Strips: Red River - Byron - Cordova - Route 66 - Raceway Park - zMAX

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

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George Bright Member # 141
One of the youngest of the old farts.
Yes I voted against you joining the club.