[Diesel_brad]

Well I dropped my truck of at the window tint shop the other day. Tinter called today and says tint is done BUT truck stalled in garage and will not start.

Quick ran over with scanner to check RPM. Fuel pressure etc. BUT the scanner is saying no communication. It is a snap-on 2500 and it DID work on this truck.

Went back over this am. All fuses are good and I have power to the OBD port. Still no scanner communication.

What else should I try?

 

[Patrick Feeley]

Does it have a chip? CEL on? If not, is there voltage at the PCM power pins (PCM connector)? If you have a spare PCM (hopefully it's not the Cali 97!) you might try it. Cheers!

 

[Diesel_brad]

It is a 97 Cali

It does have a chip(going to try unplugging it today)

No CEL that I can remember

 

[85_305]

Man that SUCKS.. I was excited to see pics of the before/after tint job. Thats some sucky news to get.

Also, repost this in the General Discussion area... nobody looks at this part of the forum so you wont get any help.

 

[Patrick Feeley]

I would think that no communication and no CEL (provided removing the chip doesn't help) would be a bad thing, pointing to a bad PCM (which sucks with a Cali since they are hard to find). Again, verify that there is power getting to the PCM. Cheers!

 

[Diesel_brad]

Hopefully today there will be no rain and I can work on it

 

[BigFuel]

Sorry Brad but this is absolutely pointing at a popped PCM. Do you have a local Diesel shop that you are in good with? My mechanic keeps a couple on hand so that I can swap one when needed.

[EDIT] Saw that you are in PA. That is going to be a tough find. PM Cary and he can talk you through the pin swap to use a 48 State PCM but you will have to reburn the chip after the swap.

 

[85_305]

Ouch... I didn't anticipate that one...

 

[BigFuel]

I have a Cali truck and I curse it every day. There is just so much bullsh1t that Ford put into these particular trucks that isn't known or documented. I am on my 4th PCM and have had it with looking for new ones. As soon as I have the money for a 48 State I'm pin swapping and moving on. I have found 48 State PCMs for $200 sometimes and a remanded '97 Cali PCM goes in the neighborhood of $800 and rising (probably because my truck eats them for breakfast).

 

[85_305]

lol @ eating for breakfast.

Your truck doesnt need emissions right?

 

[Diesel_brad]

OK, WTF. I went out to the truck 2 min ago and Figured I would try and start it.

Wait for GP, crank it over ROOOOM. Ut starts and runs What gives?
Plug the scanner in, I have FULL communication.

I dont like this, its gonna leave me stranded. O and I id NOTHING. chip is still plugged in

Sign of an ECM going bad?

 

[Diesel_brad]

As for repinning the ECM for a 48 state one, Can I still use my split shot injectors?

 

[BigFuel]

Nope, in Los Angeles Diesel testing stops at '98 model year.

 

[marine5811]

I have a Cali truck and I curse it every day. There is just so much bullsh1t that Ford put into these particular trucks that isn't known or documented. I am on my 4th PCM and have had it with looking for new ones. As soon as I have the money for a 48 State I'm pin swapping and moving on. I have found 48 State PCMs for $200 sometimes and a remanded '97 Cali PCM goes in the neighborhood of $800 and rising (probably because my truck eats them for breakfast).

Yep. Mine cost me about $500. Took the shop 6 months to find a REMAN. What a pain.

OK, WTF. I went out to the truck 2 min ago and Figured I would try and start it.

Wait for GP, crank it over ROOOOM. Ut starts and runs What gives?
Plug the scanner in, I have FULL communication.

I dont like this, its gonna leave me stranded. O and I id NOTHING. chip is still plugged in

Sign of an ECM going bad?

Hmmmmmmm. That's no bueno. Definitely a sketchy feeling.

 

[BigFuel]

OK, WTF. I went out to the truck 2 min ago and Figured I would try and start it.

Wait for GP, crank it over ROOOOM. Ut starts and runs What gives?
Plug the scanner in, I have FULL communication.

I dont like this, its gonna leave me stranded. O and I id NOTHING. chip is still plugged in

Sign of an ECM going bad?

Neg, the PCM either works or it doesn't. Pull the PCM and bend the harness toward you and look for burned pins. Also look to see if any of the pins are backing out of the harness connector. While your at it pull the Number 1 relay and pop the top off. The contactor tips should be clean and smooth. If they are not replace.

As for repinning the ECM for a 48 state one, Can I still use my split shot injectors?

Yes but you just need a retuned chip to work them. Cary also has the info to mount a SD PCM into our OBSs. Better processing power, quicker responses, and cheaper to replace. Down side is the tuning and wiring isn't simple but he can do it.

 

[Diesel_brad]

Neg, the PCM either works or it doesn't. Pull the PCM and bend the harness toward you and look for burned pins. Also look to see if any of the pins are backing out of the harness connector. While your at it pull the Number 1 relay and pop the top off. The contactor tips should be clean and smooth. If they are not replace.



Yes but you just need a retuned chip to work them. Cary also has the info to mount a SD PCM into our OBSs. Better processing power, quicker responses, and cheaper to replace. Down side is the tuning and wiring isn't simple but he can do it.

Ok, thanks. I'll looks at the harness tomorrow

 

[RB Jones]

I have a Cali truck and I curse it every day. There is just so much bullsh1t that Ford put into these particular trucks that isn't known or documented. I am on my 4th PCM and have had it with looking for new ones. As soon as I have the money for a 48 State I'm pin swapping and moving on. I have found 48 State PCMs for $200 sometimes and a remanded '97 Cali PCM goes in the neighborhood of $800 and rising (probably because my truck eats them for breakfast).

Big Fuel, I know what you mean. My 1997 250 Calif. has a fried PCM -- had it to two companies and they say it can't be fixed. Ran like a top for 14 years and then didn't start. And I can't find another one anywhere. Truck has been down for three months. If you've found a reliable source please let me know. Right now I'm scouring the junk yards for a wrecked truck.

I'm also interested in doing a conversion to 48-state PCM. Has anyone done this conversion successfully, are there mechs in Calif. that specialize in these conversions and what does it cost?

 

[Diesel_brad]

You would think that in CA the ECMs would be prevalent since that is all you have out there. You should try and even HEAR of one on the east coast

 

[BigFuel]

Big Fuel, I know what you mean. My 1997 250 Calif. has a fried PCM -- had it to two companies and they say it can't be fixed. Ran like a top for 14 years and then didn't start. And I can't find another one anywhere. Truck has been down for three months. If you've found a reliable source please let me know. Right now I'm scouring the junk yards for a wrecked truck.

I'm also interested in doing a conversion to 48-state PCM. Has anyone done this conversion successfully, are there mechs in Calif. that specialize in these conversions and what does it cost?

Yes, and i hear that it's very easy if you are already running aftermarket injectors like I am (single shots). Do search out Cary (CT_Performace on the .ORG) and hit him for info. It's just a pin swap on like 6 pins (this is all that keeps you from swapping just the PCM). But you need singles or a reburn on a chip.

You would think that in CA the ECMs would be prevalent since that is all you have out there. You should try and even HEAR of one on the east coast

Cali trucks were test trucks to get the 7.3l emissions legal by '98. Didn't work and Ford dropped the entire '98 F-series line. These PCMs are rare birds.

Both of you feel free to call Bill at All Time Diesel (626) 335-8360. He's got a guy that fixed my last two. Tell him Matt with the white truck sent you.

 

[Diesel_brad]

Ok, thanks. I am leaning towards a bad connection or something. It has started Every time since. I pulled the ecm and idm plugs and blew them out with compressed air. Checked the chip plug. And had it running and shook every plug and harness from the fire to the engine and back Not even a studded