Ford F150 Pickup. Instruction - part 1297

The Powertrain Control Module (PCM) is located under the instrument panel above the right kick panel. 
Disconnect the battery ground cable. Remove the right front door scuff plate. Remove the right kick panel trim. 
Remove the harness connector bolt from engine side of cowl. Unplug harness connector from PCM. Remove 
retainer clip and PCM from passenger side of cowl. See Fig. 55 . To install, reverse removal procedure. 

Fig. 55: Removing PCM Retaining Clip (Blackwood & F150) 
Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO. 

Removal & Installation (Expedition & Navigator) 

The Powertrain Control Module (PCM) is located in the right rear of engine compartment on firewall. 
Disconnect the battery ground cable. Disconnect the PCM electrical connector. Remove PCM retaining bolts 
and remove PCM. See 

Fig. 56

 . To install, reverse removal procedure.

 

2003 Ford Pickup F150 

2003 ENGINE PERFORMANCE Removal & Installation - Blackwood, Expedition, F150 Pickup & Navigator - Gasoline

  

Fig. 56: Locating PCM Retaining Nuts (Expedition & Navigator) 
Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO. 

PROGRAMMING 

POWERTRAIN CONTROL MODULE RESET 

Description 

All OBD-II scan tools support Powertrain Control Module (PCM) reset. The PCM Reset allows the scan tool to 
command the PCM to clear all emission-related diagnostic information. When resetting the PCM, a DTC P1000 
will be stored in the PCM until all the OBD-II system monitors or components have been tested to satisfy a 
drive cycle, without any other faults occurring. See DRIVE CYCLES in SELF-DIAGNOSTICS - CNG, 
FLEX-FUEL & GASOLINE article. 

The following events occur when a PCM reset is performed:  

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Clears the number of Diagnostic Trouble Codes (DTCs).  

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Clears the DTCs.  

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Clears the freeze frame data.  

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Clears diagnostic monitoring test results.  

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Resets status of the OBD-II system monitors. 

 

2003 Ford Pickup F150 

2003 ENGINE PERFORMANCE Removal & Installation - Blackwood, Expedition, F150 Pickup & Navigator - Gasoline

  

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Sets DTC P1000.  

Resetting Keep Alive Memory (KAM) 

Resetting Keep Alive Memory will return PCM memory to its default setting. Adaptive learning contents such 
as idle speed, refueling event, and fuel trim are included. A PCM Reset (described above) is also part of a KAM 
Reset. Both can be useful in post repair retest. 

After Keep Alive Memory has been reset, the vehicle may exhibit certain driveability concerns. It will be 
necessary to drive the vehicle to allow the PCM to relearn values for optimum driveability and performance. 

If an error message is received or the scan tool does not support this function, disconnecting the battery ground 
cable for a minimum of 5 minutes may be used as an alternative procedure. 

FLASH ELECTRICALLY ERASEABLE PROGRAMMABLE READ ONLY MEMORY (FLASH 
EEPROM) 

Description 

Flash Electrically Eraseable Programmable Read Only Memory (EEPROM) is contained in an Integrated 
Circuit (IC) internal to the PCM. The EEPROM contains the vehicle strategy including calibration information 
specific to the vehicle and is capable of being reprogrammed or reflashed repeatedly. 

As part of the calibration there is an area referred to as the Vehicle Identification (VID) block. The VID block 
must be programmed when replacing the PCM as described under Programming the VID Block for a 
Replacement PCM. Failure to perform this procedure may generate fault codes: P1635, P1639, VID Block not 
programmed or is corrupt. The VID block in an existing PCM can also be tailored to accommodate various 
hardware/parameter changes made to the vehicle since production. Failure to perform this procedure properly 
may generate fault code: P1635, Tire/Axle Ratio out of Acceptable Range is one of the main causes for code: 
P1639. This is described under Making Changes to the VID Block and also under Making Changes to the PCM 
Calibration. The VID block contains many items used by the strategy for a variety of functions. Some of these 
items include the VIN number, octane adjust, fuel octane, fuel type, vehicle speed limit, tire size, axle ratio, the 
presence of speed control and four wheel drive electronic shift on the fly versus instruction shift on the fly. Only 
items applicable to vehicle hardware and supported by the VID block will be displayed on the scan tool. 

When changing items in the VID block, the strategy will place range limits on certain items such as tire and 
axle ratio. The VID block is also limited to the number of times to be reconfigured. When this limit is reached, 
the scan tool will display a message indicating the need to flash the PCM again to reset the VID block. 

The following procedures use the Worldwide Diagnostic System (WDS) for reprogramming:  

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PROGRAMMING VID BLOCK FOR REPLACEMENT PCM  

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MAKING CHANGES TO THE VID BLOCK

NOTE:

This function may not be supported by all scan tools. Refer to scan tool 
manufacturer's instruction instruction.

 

2003 Ford Pickup F150 

2003 ENGINE PERFORMANCE Removal & Installation - Blackwood, Expedition, F150 Pickup & Navigator - Gasoline

  

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MAKING CHANGES TO THE PCM CALIBRATION  

Reprogramming can be performed by a local Ford dealer for any non Ford facility. There are other Enhanced 
Scan Tools that may have reprogramming capabilities available. Refer to the manufacturers users instruction for 
details. 

Programming VID Block For Replacement PCM 

A new PCM will contain the latest strategy and calibration level for a particular vehicle. However, the VID 
block will be blank and will need programming. There are 2 procedures available. The first is an automatic data 
transfer from the old PCM to the new PCM and the second is instruction data entry into the new PCM. 

Automatic data transfer will be performed if the old PCM is capable of communicating. This is done by the use 
of a scan tool to retrieve data from the old PCM before removing it from the vehicle. The stored data can now 
be downloaded to the new PCM after it has been replaced. 

Instruction data entry must be performed if the old module is damaged and/or incapable of communicating. 
Remove and replace the old PCM. Using a compatible Scan Tool select and execute MODULE/PARAMETER 
REPROGRAMMING referring to the manufacturers users instruction. Important, make certain that all parameters 
are included. Failure to properly program Tire Size in revolutions per mile, (rev/mile equals 63,360 divided by 
the tire circumference in inches) Axle Ratio, 4x4/4x2, and/or Manual/Electronic shift on the fly (MSOF/ESOF) 
may result in codes: P1635, P1639. You may be instructed to contact the AS BUILT data center for the 
information needed to manually update the VID block with the scan tool. Contact the center only if the old 
PCM cannot be used or the data is corrupt. For Ford Lincoln Mercury technician's, contact your National 
Hotline or the Professional Technician Society (PTS) web sight for AS BUILT data. Non Ford technicians, use 
the Fed World web site at fedworld.gov. Select AUTO SERVICE INFORMATION and search for 
CALIBRATIONS or VEHICLE CALIBRATIONS then specify vehicle manufacturer, model name and model 
year as required. 

Making Changes To The VID Block 

A PCM which is programmed may require changes to be made to certain VID information to accommodate 
vehicle hardware. Refer to PCM/MODULE REPROGRAMMING on the Scan Tool. 

Making Changes To The PCM Calibration 

At certain times, the entire EEPROM will need to be completely reprogrammed. This is due to changes made to 
the strategy or calibration after production or the need to reset the VID block because it has reached its limit. 
Refer to PCM/MODULE REPROGRAMMING on the Scan Tool. 

SENSORS & SWITCHES 

For component locations, see Fig. 54 . 

BAROMETRIC PRESSURE SENSOR 

Removal & Installation (5.4L Supercharged) 

 

2003 Ford Pickup F150 

2003 ENGINE PERFORMANCE Removal & Installation - Blackwood, Expedition, F150 Pickup & Navigator - Gasoline