Ficm

[97f3powerstroke]

Does a ficm need programming after buying a new one or can you just install it and be good? My uncle replaced his now his truck don't start

[Arctic Fox]

If it's a brand new complete FICM then it will need to be programed, if it's a "half shell" which is just the power supply side then it doesn't need to be programed
To have it programed at the dealer you will have to take the truck in... when the dealer programs the FICM they will also reprogram the ECM to the newest version (not always the best option).
You have a few other options besides taking it to a dealer.
1 - ship the new FICM to PHP, IDP, Swamps or ficmrepair.com to have it programed (there may also be a few more I didn't mention)
2 - if the logic board is still good in the old FICM you could swap it into the new FICM
3 - contact PHP and get on the waiting list for one of their remote programmers (but that may take a few weeks)

The benefit of doing option 1 or 3 is you can have a performance program loaded onto the FICM

[97f3powerstroke]

I mentioned the tuned ficm befor he had bought a new one and he didn't go for it. Looks like its going to ford again

[PGreenSVT]

The quickest is just to swap the logic board from the old FICM if you have it. They very rarely go bad, it is the power board that goes bad. That is also the cheapest out if buying new replacements from Ford as they sell just the power half shell.

[forddieseldoctor]

I program the ficm after I install a half, cause that's what the directions in the tsb say to do. I guess I'm gonna try to start one before I program it and see if it does actually start.

[Arctic Fox]

Originally Posted by forddieseldoctor

I program the ficm after I install a half, cause that's what the directions in the tsb say to do. I guess I'm gonna try to start one before I program it and see if it does actually start.

It should start without programing if you are just changing out the power supply half.
I would guess that Ford instructs you to program it because they always want you to update to the newest strategy whenever you service a vehicle

[97f3powerstroke]

Do I need to replace the smaller circuit board with the two black things on it or the one large board?

[Arctic Fox]

You want to use the top 1/2 of the new FICM and the bottom 1/2 of the old one.
Don't try to remove the boards from the cases.
The bottom 1/2 has the electrical connectors that plug into the wire harness and is the 1/2 with the larger board in it.

[forddieseldoctor]

Originally Posted by Arctic Fox

It should start without programing if you are just changing out the power supply half.
I would guess that Ford instructs you to program it because they always want you to update to the newest strategy whenever you service a vehicle

That's my suspicion, but I'm gonna try the next one without and see what happens.