Engine Calibration

Can the dealer do this? Is it expensive?

Where are the engine calibration and engine code at besides the valve cover? (mine is just a white sticker now... no text on it on valve cover)

When you order a PCM will they ALWAYS ask for the calibration and/or engine codes or is it possible to get one without providing those numbers?

Is the VIN # sufficient enough for ordering a PCM?

I ask cause the shop installed a PCM for me a while back and I am not sure if they had it programmed or gave the codes etc.. or if they just asked for the same part # as the old one.

Is anyone using this part number (ECM) EM10104 ????? I know that is not a Ford part #. What I'm getting at is that my shop might've put in a 3rd party remanned PCM and might not have reflashed it for my engine.

Vin# should be fine.. Being yours is a 96 they most likely got a reman unit.. I have tried.. I do mean try. To replace ECM from a 2005 Dodge. I sent the bad unit off to be rebuilt and reprogrammed and it did not do anything but cause me trouble.. There is this thing called a BCM Body control module.. On as far as I know 2001 and current.. If both dont match.. Sure you be able to run an drive but You get curtain feature like NO radio no AC or heater controls. But Get this all safety features work lights horn etc.. I dont think yours would apply.. But If you have a newer car boy your in trouble when they go out.. Dealer only!! Yea I felt bad after all the work and talking I did with the dealer who were very helpful.. Really... My friends still had to shell out 900. to replace it.. It they had only turned it in 500 miles sooner.. They would have been covered by Fed law. Which is 7yrs 70,000 I think because of emissions.. But any way..They were over the miles limit.. I think up to 96 0r 98 had basic emissions program. They made changes along the way because of theft of PCM's Now if you dont get flashed by a dealer or someone willing to shell out big bucks to buy the software for all vehicles You Have to get flashed at the dealer.. Here in NC its only 75.00 bucks At my dealer.. But you need a clean PCM no rebuilt ones

Mine's a 95. :)... but same point. hehe

Clean PCM - Well can't they just WIPE it when they re-flash it? I mean, having worked on computers for years I know that when you re-flash or re-program you are effectively wiping away ALL programming that was there before.

I think by CLEAN PCM you mean it just should be a FORD OEM PCM right?

Mine's a 95. :)... but same point. hehe

Clean PCM - Well can't they just WIPE it when they re-flash it? I mean, having worked on computers for years I know that when you re-flash or re-program you are effectively wiping away ALL programming that was there before.

I think by CLEAN PCM you mean it just should be a FORD OEM PCM right?

Well since you know computers maybe you can tell me. For theft reasons they burn vehicle ID number into it were you can't use it in another car.. In other words yes you could switch it out into another car. but the bcm. Body control module wont except it.The car will run in limp mode and will not except any thing. Your check engine will stay lit..

Well, this is the first time I've ever heard of a BCM before. I'll have to research that, but as far as computers go the chips should just be flashable to work with any engine code, calibration, and VIN combination.

When you say "burn the vehicle id into it" do you mean PHYSICALLY into the casing so that it cannot wear off the surface or do you mean computer-programming-wise into the hardware chips?

I think that he is refering to the read only part of the memory (ROM).
I am not up on the PCM to this extent....I know that the dealer has some method of replacing a PCM....but they do not need replacement very often.

BCM definition links
http://www.freescale.com/webapp/sps/site/application.jsp?nodeId=02WcbfwDTFKVxh
http://delphi.com/manufacturers/auto/controls/body/body_cntrl_mod_emerging_mkts/

Effectively what it looks like is a BCM is what my Ford Windstar CD-ROM is calling a GEM (general electric module) which is basically an electrical hub for electrical vehicle accessories and also may have timing (for lights etc..) programmed into it.

Those two links and other web pages I've read do not indicate any specific vehicle coding that would make the PCM non-interchangeable.

I still don't have an answer to why I started this thread though. LOL - I can't believe no one knows.

Ok..As for your post. Yes.. You can order a blank Genuine Ford PCM.. You can install it yourself drive to the dealer and they can flash program it for you.. It will have all the specs you need in there program. Now here is were it gets interesting.. Some dealers only go back so many years. So you will need to call the dealer first and ask, cost and if they have the program for your year model..Good thing is they may have better updates.Here it cost me about 75.00. Just for the PCM flash and program.The PCM I have replaced 3.One was a Nissan the other a Dodge.. The first one I replaced was in a Dodge Caravan 2005.. That did not go well.. The other 2 were 99 models. Nissan was higher for there PCM. Cost 600.00 and Flash was 120.00. Hope this helps..