I'm trying to track down my no-start, and I'm leaning toward the ECM being the culprit. Anyone have a spare they would be willing to lend out/sell/something just so I could verify before dropping $2k?

IN the meantime--I've heard comments that the ECM is coded to the chassis or PCM or VIN or something, how does that work with a conversion? My engine is in a 2003 Ford F350, and it's been running great, but I've only got 5000 kms on the conversion . . . .

 

I have an ecm for an 05 truck available plus engine/wiring harness available.

 

y'know Mike, with what I've read on here, I'd take you up on that just so I can come scope out your garage

I picked up an ECM that's the same engine/tranny/ and both build dates are September 2003. Now everything works again except the engine won't stay running

Anyone have equipment to reprogram my ECM and is willing to drive to my place? I'll happily pay dealer price plus some, I don't want the headache of towing it to a Dodge dealer and convincing them it's ok to work under a Ford hood

 

When I swapped the motor in my truck(2003) I left the ECM on the side of the block that came with the new motor.

When I finished installing the motor and went to fire it up the engine ran for maybe 5-10 seconds and then died, that red light on the dash flashed indicating a security problem. Turns out that if the truck had the "grey" security key then you have a factory security system on your truck and the engine ECM is programed into the BCM. If they don't match then the truck won't run, just as if you tried to start the truck with a regular key vs a grey chipped key(or an un-programmed key).

I swapped out the ECM for the trucks original one(off the motor that came out) and it fired right up with no issues since.

So I have a spare 2004 ECM but it won't do you any good if you can not get it programmed.

Describe your swap, what wiring and modules did you keep? Do you still have the donor truck?

 

What I'm not sure of is does the BCM get coded with the ECM's serial number and if they don't jive then the BCM shuts the truck down or is the other way around? Does the ECM look for the BCM's serial number and shut down the motor?

You'll need to figure this out before proceeding, try asking in the general 3rd gen forum for better response.

I'd like to know as I have a 3rd gen computer and harness that I've been saving for a motor home swap.