VIN and PCM

[mikkelstuff]

Argument with another Ford guy. He claims that when Colorado emissions plug into the Ranger, the system, I assume the PCM, gives the VIN number. Is this correct?

 

[85_Ranger4x4]

Yeah, some places care more than others though.

 

[sgtsandman]

The VIN in the PCM is a thing. I'm not sure what year that started but it can be a problem if they don't match.

 

[Snoranger]

The VIN in the PCM is a thing. I'm not sure what year that started but it can be a problem if they don't match.

1996 was the first year it had to be there for passenger vehicles.

 

[JoshT]

What they said.

It's an issue for emissions checks in some states/areas. If they connect the tester and vin does not match, it's an automatic fail. Load of crap. If I get a PCM failure and find an exact replacement in a salvage yard to replace it myself, they'll fail it because I fixed the vehicle.

Only way that I know for sure to fix it is have a dealer reprogram the module. That costs money and not everyone is going to have the money or know that it needs to be done. Essentially attaching a fine on repairing your own vehicle for people that live in those areas.

Now I don't exactly fall into that category. I did a V8 swap so my PCM vin doesn't match. This swap should (at this time) be 50 state legal, but would fail emissions due to that vin number. I don't live in an area where it matters, but I am interested in getting it corrected in case I decide to move somewhere that it does. My understanding of the dealer's VIN change process results in the entire strategy being rewritten and updated to match the VIN. That isn't going to work. I wouldn't want to pay the dealer if I could avoid it anyway.

I'm trying to figure out if there is a way to DIY the change, maybe with ForScan. If that fails I'll speak to some dealer techs and see if they can change it without an entire PCM rewrite.

 

[sgtsandman]

What they said.

It's an issue for emissions checks in some states/areas. If they connect the tester and vin does not match, it's an automatic fail. Load of crap. If I get a PCM failure and find an exact replacement in a salvage yard to replace it myself, they'll fail it because I fixed the vehicle.

Only way that I know for sure to fix it is have a dealer reprogram the module. That costs money and not everyone is going to have the money or know that it needs to be done. Essentially attaching a fine on repairing your own vehicle for people that live in those areas.

Now I don't exactly fall into that category. I did a V8 swap so my PCM vin doesn't match. This swap should (at this time) be 50 state legal, but would fail emissions due to that vin number. I don't live in an area where it matters, but I am interested in getting it corrected in case I decide to move somewhere that it does. My understanding of the dealer's VIN change process results in the entire strategy being rewritten and updated to match the VIN. That isn't going to work. I wouldn't want to pay the dealer if I could avoid it anyway.

I'm trying to figure out if there is a way to DIY the change, maybe with ForScan. If that fails I'll speak to some dealer techs and see if they can change it without an entire PCM rewrite.

I know there is a software way to do it but don't know if Forscan is one. A few videos back, South Main Auto Channel had to do that for a customer that needed a new PCM. There was another even further back where he had to send it to a company that could do the rewrite since he wasn't able to. So, there is an aftermarket solution that can reprogram the things.

 

[JoshT]

I know there is a software way to do it but don't know if Forscan is one. A few videos back, South Main Auto Channel had to do that for a customer that needed a new PCM. There was another even further back where he had to send it to a company that could do the rewrite since he wasn't able to. So, there is an aftermarket solution that can reprogram the things.

Anyone with the Ford IDS software can do it. Don't think I've seen the videos you referenced, but have seen one where it was tackled. That video used the IDS program and its probably what the company in your video used. Maybe SMAC too if he got a licensed copy of it.

That IDS software is the one that appears to require a full ECU reprogram to change the VIN, and matches program.to VIN.

Even an aftermarket solution that it has to be shipped off to may not a very good solution for many people that would tackle a PCM replacement due to financials. It's still going to cost, potentially more since there would be shipping fees and time attached.

 

[sgtsandman]

Anyone with the Ford IDS software can do it. Don't think I've seen the videos you referenced, but have seen one where it was tackled. That video used the IDS program and its probably what the company in your video used. Maybe SMAC too if he got a licensed copy of it.

That IDS software is the one that appears to require a full ECU reprogram to change the VIN, and matches program.to VIN.

Even an aftermarket solution that it has to be shipped off to may not a very good solution for many people that would tackle a PCM replacement due to financials. It's still going to cost, potentially more since there would be shipping fees and time attached.

It's possible with SMA. He might have even said what software he used but I didn't pay attention. As far as the aftermarket company he used, a price was never quoted but I got the impression it was cheaper than going through a dealer. Being in NY, the rules could be different too. The VIN issue is an issue in PRNY.

 

[19Walt93]

The Gordon Darby system NH adopted when the feds forced us to start emissions testing reads the VIN. A local independent ended up at a hearing in Concord because he was plugging into different vehicles to get a false pass on his customers' cars. When he denied doing it they offered to give him the list of 16 VINs he had done it on. He had his inspection station suspended for 30 or 60 days and very nearly lost it permanently.
When a dealer reprograms a PCM they don't have the option to do a partial reflash- it's all or nothing.