Where should I buy a pcm?

[98mazdaman]

I need a new pcm. Can I buy a pre-programmed one or will I need to take the computer to a dealer? Anyone installed one of these units before?

 

[LBPete]

You probably don't need a PCM. See my post in your P0443 thread.

- Pete

 

[adsm08]

You probably have a wiring issue.

I have seen dozens of diags, done by the book, where the test condems the computer.


I can count on one hand the number of those that were actually fixed by a new computer.

 

[Tominator]

You probably have a wiring issue.

I have seen dozens of diags, done by the book, where the test condems the computer.


I can count on one hand the number of those that were actually fixed by a new computer.

Very true! The Ford stuff is VERY reliable and rarely does a component fail. It's usually the wiring giving a problem.

 

[adsm08]

Very true! The Ford stuff is VERY reliable and rarely does a component fail. It's usually the wiring giving a problem.

Actually, in my experience, the most likely order of failure is component, wiring, component again, the other wires, the battery, the fuse, and then the module.



Our parts manager HATES ordering PCMs for us because 9 times out of 10 we come back a half hour later saying it was something else, but once the order is in the computer is ours.

 

[98mazdaman]

Huh. I guess I'll try to do some of those tests Pete suggested. I told the mechanic the parts I had replaced, and he looked up my check engine code on some program he said he pays for, and concluded with reasonable confidence I needed a new PCM. However, I don't really want to buy one. If I can find a wire fix, that would be a lot easier.

 

[McCormack]

Although I doubt that your PCM is bad, I bought my PCM for my '00 as a refurb from the Ford dealer. My new PCM had to be programmed, and they had to use my old PCM to get the programming data from.