New PCM Update

[schuvwj]

I had my L/M Dealer install the latest PCM software today Jun. 27. 2003 and wow what a difference. The MM shifts, starts, and runs so much better but the biggest change of all was the braking it improved at lease 50%!

You Guys got to do this! Its Free!

[MERCMAN]

when was this made available??

[TripleTransAm]

Originally posted by schuvwj
The MM shifts, starts, and runs so much better but the biggest change of all was the braking it improved at lease 50%!


Braking? What would the PCM have to do with braking, other than possibly controlling the ABS' personality?

What PCM s/w are you running? (I'm curious if this applies to my version of the code - don't want to send my dealer on another wild goose chase).

BTW: does this s/w update get rid of the seat squeak, too? ;)

[schuvwj]

This 2003 MM PCM softwere package assigned number change and description was on this site this morning but I cannot find it now? I printed it and took it sheet to my L/M dealer and 20 mintes later it was done!

Big differemce!

[TripleTransAm]

The PCM code I'm referring to is what's on a small white label on the inside of the driver's door frame (essentially, the base of the windshield frame, the part hidden when the door is closed). It's a 4-character code, like CRD0 etc.

From what I've been told, if we don't have matching PCM s/w, the updated calibrations won't be applicable to me.

[RCSignals]

When they reflashed your PCM, they should have put a sticker on the car indicating the update

[Mike M]

Braking is better? You mean the new program took away 275 hp so you can't go as fast and thats why the brakes feel better?

[03MERCMARAUDER]

need more info, i heva an 03 and am wondering if i can have the same thing done to mine

[Jeff]

Originally posted by TripleTransAm
BTW: does this s/w update get rid of the seat squeak, too? ;)

How 'bout the winshield wiper squeak?

:lol:

[rumble]

Schuvwj, can you possibly contact your dealer sm and see if
their is a TSB or some kind of reference number we can take
to our dealers so they know what we are talking about? Most
dealers don't even know what a MM is let alone the latest updates.

[cyclone03]

It should be
SSM 16428
Thats the one they used on mine.

[rumble]

Thanks!
Did you have similar results?

[cyclone03]

Oh yea mine runs much better.
It also picked up .1 sec in the 1/4mile.

[looking97233]

Got mine done yesterday. Starts better, idles better, acclerates smother, hesetation/ surge is gone. Haden't noticed any change in braking.... will have to perform a thourgh test.

[Ross]

I would like to have the dealer reflash mine, too, but would that be inviting him to find out about my aftermarket chip?

[BillyGman]

that's what i was wondering about too. Did you guys who had this done already have a chip in there?

[cyclone03]

No I'm Stock.
With the chip you shouldn't have any of these problems.

[BillyGman]

what I thought. Thanks for your reply......

[schuvwj]

Originally posted by rumble
Schuvwj, can you possibly contact your dealer sm and see if
their is a TSB or some kind of reference number we can take
to our dealers so they know what we are talking about? Most
dealers don't even know what a MM is let alone the latest updates.

Yes the code was SSM 16428 and I am bone stock and it made a big difference.

SSM 16428 says:
2003 MM HESITATATION/STUBLE COLD OLNY
SOME 2003 MM MAY EXHIBIT A HESTITATION/STIMBLE DURING THE FIRST TWO MINUTES OF OPERATION FOLLOWING A COLD START. THIS WILL TIPICALLY OCCUR WHEN THE AMBIENT TEMPERATURE IS 70-90 DEG/F DURING OPEN LOOP STAGE. THIS MAY BE DUE TO THE PCM. TO SERVICE, REPROGRAM THE PCM WITH THE LATEST CALIBRATION USING WDS RELEASE B22NM-2 OR LATER THE LASTEST CALIBTATION CONTAINS IMPROVED AIR/FUEL MIXTURE RATIOS.


Print this and take to your dealer so he can not say you already have the lastest program!

[GarageMahal]

Thanks for the info. I will check with my dealer on Monday.

jta

[HotCrackers]

I had this done yesterday, and it also had good results for me. The slight hesitatation was there before; it's now gone. I'm very pleased with the extra power and shift control it seems to have added. No charge, it was done along with an oil change at 4,000.

[Ken]

What is your PCM code from inside front door?

Ken

[HotCrackers]

BMD0

[Black Terror]

Has anyone done the PCM update with original code FDH2?

I am interested in the results if you have the same PCM Code as mine.

[bossman]

Does the new PCM code help da 3-overdive shift ?? Mine has a Perfect 1-2 shift, but 3-to overdrive it almost 1-2-overdrive ..
Does it help the 2000 rpm start ups ??? Hate it when it revs that high cold ...


87 Ramcharger
88 Monte Carlo SS
95 Blazer
03 MM
04 F150

[Mike M]

Do I need this update since I already have a Rienhardt chip?

[RF Overlord]

No, Mike...the dealer updates are only for those who choose to keep their ECM programming stock...the chip overrides any stock programming, no matter what level...and although the dealer updates are getting better, the programming you have from Dennis is still superior...

[RCSignals]

Originally posted by Black Terror
Has anyone done the PCM update with original code FDH2?

I am interested in the results if you have the same PCM Code as mine.

Wes Chain had a flip chip for your code for sale. Look in the "Innovative Interceptors" forum

[chapel1]

My code is FDH2 and have had my chip flashed and now my car drives the way it should have from the start.Most notably the transmission shifts quicker and smoother.The added torque and power are the icing on the cake.:D

[vegasmarauder]

I had my PCM reflashed too. Did it with the oil change. My code is CRD0. I brought in the SSM printed out from this site and had to tell the service writer this was "required" by Ford before she would write it up. She put the pritnout on the dash for the PCM guy. She went back and talked to her PCM guy and he said he could do it. Was done in 2 hours. It does make the low end cold driveability much better. No surge or hesitation anymore. Better shift points. It is definately recommeded if you don't want a chip, or until you can make up your mind for sure. Just need to make clear to the shop that you are not asking for a "diagnostic" (it only looks for trouble codes, which there are none), you are looking for the new software program.

[bostonmarauder]

Hey, just wanted to chime in on the pcm reprogram. I too have the CRD0 and after 4 attempts and a couple of dealers got it flashed. It does seem to make a big difference. At least I am happy.

[bugsys03]

bill-did you get a new MM? yours was far from stock the last time i saw it.

[GordonB]

To all,
So if I understand this right, since I have an MM built in May 03 and software code CRD1 on the car door frame, then I probably have the latest and greatest update. I don't detect ANY stumbling, surge, etc. Can anyone confirm for me that I have the latest software update? Did those that got reflashed chips also get NEW door frame stickers to indicate what software level their car now has after the reflash?
BTW: Now I know why I liked the cars I drove in July '03, including mine, better than the 300A car I drove last September 2002. The difference is in the PCM programming!!! Last Sept. I did not like the car (early 300A) because of the way it shifted!

Thanks,
GordonB.

[vegasmarauder]

I would think that if it was built after the SSM was issued (I don't know what date that was), then it should already be upgraded. The easiest way to tell is that for the first 1-2 minutes on the first cold start of the day, it is an absolute dog. Mine actually would bog to the point it wouldn't move if I tried to give it any throttle at all. Reprogrammed it was a different car.

[TripleTransAm]

Originally posted by GordonB
So if I understand this right, since I have an MM built in May 03 and software code CRD1 on the car door frame, then I probably have the latest and greatest update. I don't detect ANY stumbling, surge, etc



If I understood the explanation put forth to me by my favorite tech, you're at least starting out with one of the latest baselines (CRD1) and I don't think there has been any updates based on that baseline revision. I think the only way to check is to have a dealer tech plug in to the PCM, but I'm not 100% sure.

In any case, as of about a month or two ago, if you had CRD1 you were stuck with what came from the factory... no updates to that baseline.

About the surging... I did notice a little hesitation or two when the car is still cold, more noticeable when the ambient temperature was around freezing or just above. However, judging by the descriptions of those owning earlier baselines still at their factory revision levels, what I was experiencing was NOTHING like what they had, so I'll live with it, no problem!

And I agree with you... I drove a new blue car in March before I bought my own car and was amazed at what a low mileage car would do. I didn't find the transmission shift schedule anywhere near as annoying as the early black car I tested 2 months earlier. That was one of the reasons I looked for a late car (Feb 2003 in my case).

[MapleLeafMerc]

My 03 MM was built Oct/02, and has a PCM code of BMD0, like HotCrackers. This makes me feel pretty sure that a reprogram would help.

I don't know how long this takes or if it has to actually be in a service bay to do it, but I think I'll ask to watch, to see for sure that they have actually changed it.

[GordonB]

MapleLeaf, TripleTransAm,
Thank you for the info you have supplied me. Sounds like I have the latest revion with CRD1.
In consideration for everyone else, I have not yet experienced any COLD weather here in Maryland yet. The MM is normally stored in the garage and has not yet become my wife's daily driver. We'll see how it behaves with CRD1 as its PCM software revision as the weather gets colder. For now it behaves as it should IMHO. That's why I was agreeable to buying it, I guess.

Thanks again,
GordonB.

[RF Overlord]

Originally posted by MapleLeafMerc
I think I'll ask to watch, to see for sure that they have actually changed it.

While you're at it, make SURE they put the label with your NEW catch code somewhere under the hood. If you decide later to get a chip, the programmer will NEED that info, and dealers are not always forthcoming if you go back later and ask them to read it out for you...some will claim it can't be done... :rolleyes:

[TripleTransAm]

Regarding chip programmers needing to know the PCM's loaded code...

Does this mean that the chip provides a 'delta' sort of adjustment to the software tables? I always thought the chip was a complete replacement to the PCM-loaded s/w, which should make whatever's PCM-loaded completely irrelevant. Just curious....

[Mongoose]

Had mine reprogramed 9/27/03. Original code was BMD0. I asked the tech whether the new code was CRD1. He didin't have a clue. I asked him about the original code, again he didn't have a clue, didn't even know what the BMD0 sticker was on the A pillar. After reprogramming, an "Authorized Modification" sticker was put on the air filter housing with the following info: "3U7A-12A650-AMA PCM UPDATE.":confused:
On the bright side, the cold start problems seem to have been eliminated. :up:

[TripleTransAm]

That's what I've always had a hard time understanding. I posted my understanding on the subject as a result with a discussion with a Ford technician, at least the best I could. The jist was:

the tag code (4 characters) is only what the car was born with. There may be updates, and these updates have Ford part numbers, but they won't go as far as updating any tags. The part number you received *may* bring you to equivalent calibrations as found on CRD1 from factory, or it may not. There's nothing guaranteeing that the latest calibrations on earlier 'tags' are equivalent to those found on later tags, but it may happen. Possibly due to legal issues with emissions, hardware changes, etc.

But it is true, a tech will not be able to tell you if the calibrations are equivalent.

[MapleLeafMerc]

Originally posted by RF Overlord
While you're at it, make SURE they put the label with your NEW catch code somewhere under the hood. If you decide later to get a chip, the programmer will NEED that info, and dealers are not always forthcoming if you go back later and ask them to read it out for you...some will claim it can't be done... :rolleyes:

RF- Thanks for the tip! :up:

Larry

[RF Overlord]

TTA: (and MapleLeafMerc)

Upon further reflection, I think you're right...the "update" is simply that...a new set of parameters within the same base code (BMD0, etc) and doesn't actually change the base code. Chip programmers DO need the base code to determine WHERE to place their new values, but perhaps dealer updates to that code are not critical. The only time it WOULD be critical would be if an entirely different ECM were installed, with a different base code...

Thanks for clarifying that... :D :up:

I think the confusion is that many of us were under the impression that a dealer update actually changed the code from FDH1 to BMD0, or from CRD0 to CRD1, etc. Now I think we've all learned that the base code remains the same, but certain parameters in it are changed to correct whatever issue the update is for...the only time a base code would actually change is if the entire ECM were swapped out...