PCM - Reprogramming Out of Vehicle
Article No.99-4-3
03/08/99
REPROGRAMMING POWERTRAIN CONTROL
MODULES (PCMS) - OUT-OF-VEHICLE - EEC V
VEHICLES ONLY
FORD:
1994-97 THUNDERBIRD
1994-99 MUSTANG
1995-99 CROWN VICTORIA
1996-97 PROBE
1996-99 CONTOUR, ESCORT, TAURUS
LINCOLN-MERCURY:
1994-97 COUGAR
1995-99 CONTINENTAL, GRAND MARQUIS, TOWN CAR
1996-98 MARK VIII
1996-99 MYSTIQUE, SABLE, TRACER
1999 COUGAR
LIGHT TRUCK:
1994-97 F SUPER DUTY, F-250 HD, F-350
1995-99 ECONOLINE, RANGER, WINDSTAR
1996 BRONCO
1996-97 AEROSTAR
1996-99 EXPLORER, F-150, F-250 LD
1997-99 EXPEDITION, MOUNTAINEER
1998-99 NAVIGATOR
1999 SUPER DUTY F SERIES
This TSB article is being republished in its entirety to update the affected vehicles and to include an Application Chart for the affected vehicles.
ISSUE
The Federal Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has mandated that all aftermarket service centers shall be able to either reprogram Powertrain Control Modules (PCMs) or obtain reasonably priced, timely PCM programming services at dealerships. Ford has released an out-of-vehicle EEC V reprogramming cable to support this requirement. Also, PCMs are reprogrammable to update calibration levels or to reprogram a common hardware type to a new calibration in order to fill a service need without ordering a new PCM.
ACTION
Refer to the Application Chart in this article to use the new 15- to 104-Pin Flash Cable to handle all necessary out-of-vehicle programming of EEC V modules in the vehicles listed. This may allow added flexibility in servicing aftermarket and fleet accounts as well as provide the ability to have modules updated to new calibrations through the Parts Department instead of ordering new parts.
Currently, EEC V modules must be installed in a vehicle to reprogram a new calibration in the module. An aftermarket service center may bring a module to a dealership for a calibration update or may request an updated calibration be installed to a new service part. The EPA regulations require "reasonably priced, timely service" be provided by the dealer. The new 15- to 104-Pin Flash Cable works with the New Generation Star (NGS) Tester to provide the capability to reprogram a calibration on a PCM out of the vehicle.
The 15- to 104-Pin Flash Cable connects between the NGS Tester and PCM 104-pin connector. The proper calibration must be downloaded to the Data Transfer Card through Service Bay Technical System (SBTS). Once the card is inserted into the NGS Tester and the cable is connected, follow the calibration download instructions displayed on the NGS screen.
The 15- to 104-Pin Flash Cable (007-00587) can be ordered from Rotunda by calling 1-800-ROTUNDA.
OTHER APPLICABLE ARTICLES: NONE
SUPERSEDES: 98-26-3
WARRANTY STATUS: INFORMATION ONLY
OASIS CODES: 203000, 206000, 290000, 690000, 698298