FICM compatability

[Power Hungry]

Unfortunately, we do not have any FICMs available at this time. Your best bet is to go on line and check Craig's List or some of the online salvage yards.

FICM turnaround is usually same day or at worst 24 hours.

Take care.

[crewray]

Hi, was looking at a few FICM's on ebay just out intrest to see how much $$ they are, most vendors say you have to send your PCM to them to '' marry up " to the FICM (or vice versa) which makes me think you cannot simply go to the bone yard and grab a FICM and put it in your truck.

I was going to do what the first person in this thread did, buy a spare FICM and send it off to be reprogrammed so I dont lay up my truck but now Im unsure. I was going to try and get a early (03-04) unit thinking it might not have been reflashed by Ford and try it first but Im afraid I'll mess some costly electronics up.

My buddy owns a wrecking yard and aways gives me first pick on new arrivals and says I can have a FICM for a $100 any year which I thought I would install first to try for fun but like I said earlier Im unsure if that can be done without problems.

Gord.

[John Anderson]

They can be mixed and matched. There will be a code thrown saying the ficm doesn't match the pcm, but it doesn't set the check engine light nor cause any problems at all.

[sonic blue l]

anyone know what a amz2al09 ficm would be? I know its for a 04 engine and probably is pre inductive heating, pre post buzz.

I might send that one in for a program as testing shows it appears to be a good ficm.

My problem is the shiping back and forth from Canada to the U.S

Whats typical turn around time on ficms?

[Power Hungry]

Usually 24 hours on FICMs (not including shipping) but with all the medical stuff going on we got a bit backed up and had a few FICMs here for a couple days.

I am finishing up the new hybrid FICM files to eliminate the nasty, aggressive IH strategy and use the newer, gentler strategy. I've got a couple local guys that are going to be testing and if all goes well we'll be releasing it to the mass public.

My advice, hang out a couple weeks until the testing is done. You might be glad you did.

[sonic blue l]

sounds good to me, besides gives me a bit of time to check out the shiping.

So far what i have found does not seem to bad to ship it to you guys. Shipping to would be about 7-10 days and probably the same back. Probably just drive there quicker, lol.

I would not care if mine sat for awhile as it would be an extra anyway.

Can you test ficms to make sure they are good before you program them? For the guys who are buying at a wreckers this may be a good option.

I know when they are bad they smoke the dc/dc convertor but i have never actually opened one up to take a look. I might have to crack one open and take a look see.

[Power Hungry]

I don't have the ability to test the FICMs, but as I understand it there is a common problem with them cracking the solder joints. I have some pictures somewhere of the components that are having the problem... just can't seem to find them right now. As soon as I locate them, I'll post them.

In the mean time, if you open the FICM up they are very easy to spot. Next to the high current connecting posts, there are 4 wirewound, current limiting resistors laying right next to each other. They are brown and are bigger than any of the other resistors. These develop solder fractures and result in decreased voltage output. In many cases, resoldering these will bring the FICM back to life.

Again, I'll post pics as soon as I find where I put them.

Take care.