Sorry for the long post, but really would appreciate some answers and/or help. I know it is an older car. Bought this 2005 Tribute new for my wife. Had little problems, except this year. It started with needing a new battery. 2 month later a new alternator. Now she drives and the theft light comes on and the car quites running. Then all the dummy lights come on. She waits 10 minutes car starts up fine and runs. The she tells me it runs really rough. I noticed the engine light is on. Took it to our repair shop, he told me if there is an issue with the theft system it would prevent the car from starting, but not kill the engine while driving. He thought the theft light is a key issue (yes she has several of those little discount tags on her key chain. While he had it in the shop, he replaced 2 coils for the rough running and he told me it also needs a new computer module. The coils did not fix the rough running and it runs really rough, having trouble getting up to speed. If he replaces that module the car would then have to go to the dealer to be programmed. Here are my questions:
Does a new module have to be programmed by the dealer
Where is the module located
Any idea on the rough running
Should I trade it in
Thanks
Heinz