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  • SN95 4.6L Mustang Tech

Adding Vin To Ecu

  • Thread starter Thread starter old_blue
  • Start date Start date Feb 8, 2017

old_blue

15 Year Member
Nov 3, 2003
1,783
282
124
Feb 8, 2017
#1
  • Feb 8, 2017
  • #1
2003 Mach 1 5 spd-

I bought this car serval years ago. I went to get emissions testing this week and it failed due to the Vin missing the first three digits in the ecu.

I've been to a Ford dealership three times now and they reflash the computer and it's still missing the first 3 numbers not showing up at emissions testing. The emissions place uses a snap on tool scan tool to read it and it's missing the first three of the vin. They are telling me that the ford dealership is not put the vin in the right spot. Ford showed me on their end that it is on there. The dealership has a call into ford to see what else needs to be done. Does anyone have any ideas? Similar issues?
 

wmburns

SN Certified Technician
Aug 14, 2009
5,892
514
204
Houston Texas
Feb 11, 2017
#2
  • Feb 11, 2017
  • #2
What about finding a different inspection shop? One that isn't staffed by such hard a$$'s.

Think about it. The law has to allow for failed parts to be replaced. It's not reasonable that only a dealer can replace a PCM. In fact the way this inspection shop is operating, even the dealer isn't good enough.

EDIT. The snap-on tool maybe using an ODB2 feature called AutoID. This is an OPTIONAL feature added to the ODB2 spec starting in the 2000 Model year. The AutoID feature is required starting in 2005. The AutoID calls for the PCM to send the VIN over the ODB2 port so that the scan tool can tell the type of car being scanned. As a 2003 model year Mustang, your PCM is not REQUIRED to send the VIN number in order to be compliant.

Therefore you should go back and let the shop know that there isn't a REQUIREMENT for the VIN to be inside a 2004 (or older) PCM. <drops mic>
 
Last edited: Feb 15, 2017

Noobz347

Stangnet Facilities Maint Tech... Er... Janitor
Admin Dude
Jan 4, 1985
42,886
21,064
234
Box behind Walmart
Feb 11, 2017
#3
  • Feb 11, 2017
  • #3
Snap pictures of every relevant screen at the Ford dealership. Print them out even. If you get stone-walled get a supervisor. If they stone-wall you, get his superiors name and information.

Put on your armor and become the biggest day-ruining a-hole they've ever seen or heard about but be professional.

They will pass you just to make you go away.

Make sure those digital images make it to every .dmv email account in your state.

They are going to be doing a lot more with a lot less in the near future as EPA programs are de-funded.
 
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