Ecu

[hardrocker31]

I changed my 3.0 to a 4.0 and now I need an ECU. Does the product code really matter? Should it be 1L5A 12A650BFB

 

[RonD]

Welcome to TRS

Assume 2001 3.0l Ranger
What year is the 4.0l engine and transmission from?

1990-2000 Ranger used 4.0l OHV engine
2001-2011 Ranger used 4.0l SOHC engine
So different wiring harnesses and Computers

1L5A 12A650 BFB

1 = 2001
L5 = Ranger/Mazda B-series
A = department that made it

12A650 = Ford engine computer, same number from 1986 thru 2023, in ANY Ford model, just mean engine computer(PCM)

The BFB at the end is for what engine and transmission it will work with, but Ford NEVER publish a cross reference for these

1L5A-BFB is a valid part number for a 2001 4.0l Automatic Ford Ranger

You can see what works at https://www.car-part.com/

Use YEAR of engine
Ford Ranger
Computer Box Engine
Skip areas
YOUR Zipcode
SEARCH

A new window will open and list all the Valid Computer numbers by engine model and transmission(AT or MT, manual)
Select what you want then Search
It will show local wrecking yards with that part

Since 12A650 was used on ALL Ford computers it's usually left out on reference numbers
i.e. Electronic Control Module, (RH rear firewall), 6-245 (4.0L), AT, ID 1L5A-BFB <<< 12A650 left out

All the others listed that match year, 4.0l, with AT would also work

You also need the engine wiring harness with it, 3.0l harness won't work

 

[hardrocker31]

Its an OHV. So 2000. I got the wiring harness from the 4.0 and wired it to my 3.0 transmission harness. Had to bypass starter control with a push button. Fired right up. But not thinking, i grabed a 95 computer, so it was stuck in limp mode im guessing cause the computer couldn't control the newer transmission

 

[hardrocker31]

So i kept my transmission from the 3.0. Did research. Tore both 3.0 trans harness and 4.0 engine harness down. Soldered wires together. Do you think if i get the correct ECU that my transmission will work correctly?

 

[hardrocker31]

It works but only 2 gears....45mph!!!! Lol

 

[hardrocker31]

Im hoping the newer ecu will operate the newer digital trans

 

[Josh B]

Good luck with it dude

 

[hardrocker31]

Good luck with it dude

Do you think it will work? Or do you think i need the trans harness from the 4.0?

 

[Josh B]

Man I can't say, I know very little about the wires and such, especially not about swapping them.

I saw RonD has written a piece about it, I think if you follow his advice there you'll do well.

There are a lot of very knowledgeable folks here really, in fact, I must have got lost and stumbled in by accident

 

[hardrocker31]

Gotcha

 

[hardrocker31]

Welcome to TRS

Assume 2001 3.0l Ranger
What year is the 4.0l engine and transmission from?

1990-2000 Ranger used 4.0l OHV engine
2001-2011 Ranger used 4.0l SOHC engine
So different wiring harnesses and Computers

1L5A 12A650 BFB

1 = 2001
L5 = Ranger/Mazda B-series
A = department that made it

12A650 = Ford engine computer, same number from 1986 thru 2023, in ANY Ford model, just mean engine computer(PCM)

The BFB at the end is for what engine and transmission it will work with, but Ford NEVER publish a cross reference for these

1L5A-BFB is a valid part number for a 2001 4.0l Automatic Ford Ranger

You can see what works at https://www.car-part.com/

Use YEAR of engine
Ford Ranger
Computer Box Engine
Skip areas
YOUR Zipcode
SEARCH

A new window will open and list all the Valid Computer numbers by engine model and transmission(AT or MT, manual)
Select what you want then Search
It will show local wrecking yards with that part

Since 12A650 was used on ALL Ford computers it's usually left out on reference numbers
i.e. Electronic Control Module, (RH rear firewall), 6-245 (4.0L), AT, ID 1L5A-BFB <<< 12A650 left out

All the others listed that match year, 4.0l, with AT would also work

You also need the engine wiring harness with it, 3.0l harness won't work

So since i kept the 3.0 trans and wired it to the 4.0 engine harness and it worked but not correctly. Do you think i have to get the 4.0 trans? I didnt get it cause mine was 4x4 and the 4.0 wasnt. Would've had to open up and change output shaft and such

 

[2011Supercab]

How did you bolt a 4.0 engine up to a 3.0 transmission?

 

[Josh B]

Chattanooga Last time through there I'd left Nashville about 2 or 3 AM and got to Atlanta about 9AM rush hour, went right through the middle of it and hardly even had to slow down.

I can't remember for sure the name of the town I went to but it was several hours more. It was at the place called Andersonville I think it was, a Civil War POW camp, now a national monument.
I had a really rough day there and going back I hit Atlanta at 5 PM, rush hour again, went straight through without a hitch, near un believable.

I'm not sure how long it was until I got back to Chattanooga but it was dark as hell and there was nothing on the roads but 18 wheel tractor trailer semi trucks and me, on an interchange that included 2 or 3 merging interstate highways and a bunch of mountain tops.

I'm also not sure how I got through there alive but it seems I did somehow It was sure good to get back home to Nashville after that drive. That was just one long day, I went to Chattanooga several other times under not so much stress

 

[Josh B]

How did you bolt a 4.0 engine up to a 3.0 transmission?

What I read says 4.0 engine "harness"

 

[2011Supercab]

I changed my 3.0 to a 4.0 and now I need an ECU. Does the product code really matter? Should it be 1L5A 12A650BFB

What I read says 4.0 engine "harness"

So since i kept the 3.0 trans and wired it to the 4.0 engine harness and it worked but not correctly. Do you think i have to get the 4.0 trans? I didnt get it cause mine was 4x4 and the 4.0 wasnt. Would've had to open up and change output shaft and such

I read it as putting a 4.0 engine in the truck leaving the 3.0 transmission.

i grabed a 95 computer, so it was stuck in limp mode im guessing cause the computer couldn't control the newer transmission

But then he put a 95 ECU into a 2001 Ranger on top of that, So I really don't know what he's working with.