PCM Shows up as Ford Tarus
 

I have a 2003 F-250 with 7.3L that I purchased used in 2011 with 97,000 miles - one owner. It is mainly stock except for an AFE filiter system, a less restrictive muffler and an oversize Ford transmission cooler all of which I installed. I recently felt that I had transmissions problems due to slipping - RPM's increased much greater than speed. The overdrive light also flashed a couple of times. I took the truck to my local Ford dealer to check it out. He came back and told me that the truck had a custom chip and that it showes up as a Ford Tarus. He said that they could not diagnose the codes. I asked him if they could set it back to factory and he said yes but it could possible disable the PCM. He also stated that I would lose the preformance. The dealer did some test driving and said everything seemed to be preforming as it should. I did disconnect the batteries for about 30 minutes the past weekend and the truck did seem to perform as it did prior to a couple of weeks ago. So today, I took the PCM out to look for the chip. There is no chip attached. So, has the PCM been flashed? I plan to purchase a 12,000 lb. travel trailer later this year and would like to have a custom chip with a heavy tow. What should I do with the PCM in order to use the Phonix chip? Or, should I consider other options. The PCM code is PMT1. Hardware Designation is DCP-422. Part # is 1CF-12A650-ZB. Thanks for any help or advise.

The first thing you need to make sure of is that the PCM in your 2003 truck IS NOT a DPC-422. For everything to function correctly, you'll need a DPC-452 PCM.

After that, the diagnosis can begin.

Take the chip out to diagnose any driveability concerns.

I don't know if a Ford dealer can tell if the pcm has a tune on it. A chip plugs into the opening and has a long wire with a knob at the end. If it does have a program flashed to the pcm, a chip will overide the flashed tune. But you would never be stock again which could cause problems with diagnostics or if you have to pass an emissions test.

Ok, I stated the wrong model year - it is a 2001 F-250 7.3L, 2 wheel drive, Crew cab with auto transmission. Based on the label of the PCM, it is a DCP-422. There is a Ford sticker in the engine compartment labeled Authorized Modifications. It indicates that the PCM was reprogrammed by the dealership in 2003 and has (hand written) 1U7A FUA along with the dealer number and the date of 10/23/2003. I'm guessing this was simply an update to the factory program.

Does your statement about it having a DCP-422 change knowing that it is a 2001? I am planning to take back to the dealer to have them reprogram the PCM back to factory stock. It does not have a chip attached. I have ordered a 6 position chip from PHP and they suggest I get it reset to factory as well.

Thanks for the info!

With the model year being a 2001 would be a 422 box.


See how we get orders wrong sometimes? It happens quite often when people aren't sure about what they have and order anyway........

Thanks for sharing your knowledge. Yes, missing the "little" details can cause big problems.