Does replacing the FICM alter your tune?

[Fivehat]

Hey Guys,

Just had to replace my original FICM the other day..

My truck had a Superchips tune on it, but the tech working on my truck discovered that my FICM was bad (cold snap in weather and it wouldn't start for them).

Now that it's back it seems to be running w/ a bit less throttle response and overall bit more sluggish than when it went in.

Is it possible that the Tune was overwritten when they replaced the FICM?

May be a dumb question but again, just trying to do some research so I know what I'm talking about before calling the shop back.

I don't have the original tuner that programmed the truck, but looking at purchasing the SCT this weekend regardless, but was more curious as to whether or not this could happen when they replaced my old FICM.

Thanks!

[Fivehat]

Okay, got my own answer. Apparently, YES, for all you new to the diesel tuning world like myself.

[Evel486]

Replacing the FICM will overwrite a tune ONLY if the FICM was programmed after the install. Once installed, you must progam the FICM, PCM, and TCM altogether- Motorcraft does not give you a choice to do it individually.
This is one reason pre-programmed FICMs are popular. You just install them and go.

[lubbockguy1979]

to best awnser your question. when replacing the ficm, ford will typically update the ficm tunung to the latest flash which is good and bad. not going to get into that. iirc the dont have a choice as to reflashing the pcm and tcm. if you had aftermarket tuning loaded to the pcm it was over written. the loss of power could be attributed to 3 things. the loss of aftermarket tuning. a different ficm tune which is probably detuned from what your probably had. and lastly again a different pcm tune which is likely also detuned from the original. i would do a little reasearch on ficm tuning and pcm roll backs. this will give you more insight on the issue, as far as aftermarket tuning your on the right track with the sct and custom tuning.

[Fivehat]

Originally Posted by lubbockguy1979

to best awnser your question. when replacing the ficm, ford will typically update the ficm tunung to the latest flash which is good and bad. not going to get into that. iirc the dont have a choice as to reflashing the pcm and tcm. if you had aftermarket tuning loaded to the pcm it was over written. the loss of power could be attributed to 3 things. the loss of aftermarket tuning. a different ficm tune which is probably detuned from what your probably had. and lastly again a different pcm tune which is likely also detuned from the original. i would do a little reasearch on ficm tuning and pcm roll backs. this will give you more insight on the issue, as far as aftermarket tuning your on the right track with the sct and custom tuning.

Thanks Lubbock,

Seems that the tech reset everything on me, FICM and PCM, with the latest flash for the 6.0L, so I'm running totally stock now.

I've been doing a lot of research on the threads on this forum and must admit my head is spinning a bit trying to make sense of the difference between CHIPS, PROGRAMMERS and TUNERS, etc...

Thanks for chiming in and clarifying on the original question.