Dealer wants to replace whole computer? - Diesel Forum

NCfarmboy · 08-17-2006, 12:14 PM

Ok, so I replied to my original post, but it's pretty old by now. It is located Here - Original Post - After sitting at the dealership for nearly a week and a half now, the tech at my dealer wants to install a new computer. They can't get the old one to throw any codes, and the truck wont not start again. However, something has been up with my truck for the last month or so. I've always been under the impression that it has been fuel related, but maybe I've been wrong. Any ideas or suggestions? Should I be scared? I trust this tech, but replacing the whole computer scares me. Dealer says that it will be covered under warranty, minus the $100 deductable.

The truck -
2004 F-350 SRW
47k miles
Edge Juice Platinum (unhooked, but in the truck still. No secrets.)

Roger_007 · 08-17-2006, 01:51 PM

I am a trouble-shooter and have been for 30 years. Sounds like the tech is doing what we call (and you have heard of) Shot Gunning. That's where you starts replacing stuff and throwing hardware at the problem because you don't know what else to do. Get a 2nd opinion if you can. Don't give them toooo much info, just enough. Let them diagnose the problem and see if they can figure it out. This could be a very simple problem or it could be more complex. The most confusing problems are often the result of muliple problem sources or intermittent and that makes the diag 5x more complex.

4x4Mark · 08-17-2006, 02:45 PM

As long as that $100 deductable applies to additional stuff they may may have to change it cannot hurt. Have they inspected/replaced the wiring harness? That was subject to a recall last year.

Mark

OT · 08-17-2006, 05:45 PM

Scared, why? Its there, go for it. Talk to svc. mgr. Tell him your concerns, like Warr. & $100 ded. will fix it "this visit, right?" Just a thought, but you gotta figure what to say.

If not comfortable after that talk, what are your options. Towed to another dealer & start all over? [img]/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/shrug.gif[/img] Good luck!

btw...seems I recall a no start would throw a DTC. If no DTC, then yeah, even the best gonna scratch their head, but not for long. Wondering what test confirms bad pcm?

03six0 · 08-17-2006, 09:09 PM

I think I would find a different dealership. It sounds like they dont know what they are doing. Just because the computer isnt tripping any codes, doesnt mean it needs a new computer. Why dont they troubleshoot the issue and find out why it isnt getting fuel? It very well could be the computer, but they should be able to tell if it is getting icp, fuel pressure, and if the injectors are firing or not.

PerryB · 08-17-2006, 09:33 PM

Two things that come to my mind are the accel. pedal and the high pressure oil pump (HPOP) which will cause loss of injector function if it looses pressure. From what I've read there is an issue with a fitting that cracks on this pump and causes a loss of pressure, primarily when hot.

Hawthorne · 08-18-2006, 12:38 AM

I would do it. I had a bad running truck that turned out to be mostly shorted wiring harness(es). But in the meantime, the short had taken out the induction sensor side of the computer.

I have the truck back with a new PCM, harnesses, and remounted/tightened turbo hoses; the difference is night and day -- turbo spools different, more power (boost), lower EGTs. I had the latest flash prior to the failure.

I did not get many responces to my original posts either; I wasn't even wimpering, just new I think. My truck would run, but not well or for long at a stint. Good luck.

GrampyJim · 08-18-2006, 01:58 AM

I haven't had to replace the PCM one of these yet.... For a no start, I do scan codes but they don't play a big part in my diag..... other than to suggest a way to look. If the truck wont start, we have what I call "no start PIDs" to look at first. These are addresed in a step by step "no start" form in the PC/ED manual. If the tech can get to the end of the form and the motor still doesn't start - something doesn't smell right.

These are complex systems and can require more than a diesel certification to actually fix.

ford_doctor · 08-18-2006, 05:26 AM

[ QUOTE ]
These are complex systems and can require more than a diesel certification to actually fix.

[/ QUOTE ]

Jim, Doesn't your diagnostic computer have that nifty blue button that magically fixes the truck? [img]/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/tongue.gif[/img] It's right next to the "re-flash it first" button.

wrk24wheel · 08-18-2006, 08:08 AM

[ QUOTE ]

Jim, Doesn't your diagnostic computer have that nifty blue button that magically fixes the truck? [img]/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/tongue.gif[/img] It's right next to the "re-flash it first" button.

[/ QUOTE ]

Funny thing is, sometimes this actually works [img]/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif[/img] I took mine to the dealership with 1500 miles on it because it was stalling out going up a big grade. The only code that was thrown was for a speed sensor error. He would not replace the sensor because Ford told him to reflash instead. So far 1500 miles later and it seems to be working fine. So either the "re-flash" is just masking the problem which will come out again later, or it actually does work.

NCfarmboy · 08-18-2006, 08:29 AM

Thanks guys. I'm going to let them go ahead and replace the whole PCM, and I will talk to the service manager about making sure the $100 deductable will fix it "this visit", and not roll into several more. I've been concerned that it's been the HPOP the whole time, or an injector or two. I can only trust that they have checked these things, becasue I suggested that "the HPOP or injectors could be the problem, but I'm no diesel tech", trying to be as tactful as possible. I don't claim to know much about these trucks, but I am a country boy who has been around diesel tractors my whole life, so I'm no moron. Thanks for all of the suggestions

NCfarmboy · 08-18-2006, 08:32 AM

By the way, I just talked to the tech, and I'm going to let him drive it over the weekend. They are replacing the PCM this afternoon. I just want to make sure that there are going to be no more problems... Yes - I trust him. I'm missing my truck like crazy, though. What do ya'll think?

Black05 · 08-18-2006, 08:47 AM

Good call letting them keep it to drive it. If the PCM replacement doesn't fix the problem, it will hopefully resurface while they have it. You may want to get the odometer reading just to see how many miles they put on it - it will give you some indicator of whether they really drove it much before telling you the problem appears fixed.

Good luck.

Roger_007 · 08-18-2006, 11:30 AM

Let us know what you find out. Thanks [img]/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif[/img]

OT · 08-18-2006, 02:39 PM

NBoy..update when you can.

GJIM...If u see this....

Curious...is there a "specific test" which would indicate a bad pcm? Reason I ask...

If mem. serves me, dosent the pcm come blank, meaning tech. has to install program. Does the ficm/tcm also get updated at same time? Hence my Q. on "specific test" VS old saying "throwin parts at it". PCM dosent appear to be a plug/play, like other parts out of box.?

FWIW.. "throwin parts at 6L" seems alive & well based on reports here. [img]/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/shrug.gif[/img] Do agree, its a complex e. but more to it like you said. Tks.