Can a pcm go from manual to automatic, after a key is made and programmed for the vehicle

Tiny
TMPENDELL
  • MEMBER
  • 1998 FORD MUSTANG
  • 134,000 MILES
Took car to have a programmed key made. Got it back and car ran very badly and wouldnt go into gear. Took car back to dealership-service center. They now tell me that some how the pcm turned to automatic and I have to buy a new one to replace it
Monday, September 26th, 2011 AT 3:53 PM

6 Replies

Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
  • 109,777 POSTS
That is the first time I heard of that. Ask if they can reflash it.
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Monday, September 26th, 2011 AT 4:12 PM
Tiny
TMPENDELL
  • MEMBER
  • 3 POSTS
They said they had to put it to automatic in order to get pats disabled. Now they claim they have tried to reflash it and it will only recognize
car as automatic
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Monday, September 26th, 2011 AT 4:30 PM
Tiny
TMPENDELL
  • MEMBER
  • 3 POSTS
Do you think it is more likely the pcm or the pats
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Monday, September 26th, 2011 AT 4:31 PM
Tiny
DAN_K
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Ford's passive anti-theft system (PATS) actually programs the car to the key. Since the problem occurred when they were performing the service, my advice to you is to strongly - but reasonably - suggest that they correct the problem that they caused. A reputable Ford dealership will have no problem correcting a mistake that they have made. I would ask to speak to the service director or manager. Voice your concerns and if you're not satisfied, I would then contact the manufacturer and explain your situation to them.
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Monday, September 26th, 2011 AT 5:45 PM
Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
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Dan_k, have you ever heard of this happening?
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Tuesday, September 27th, 2011 AT 1:29 AM
Tiny
DAN_K
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I have not. And I'm actually stumped as to how it could happen with VIN data being encoded into the PCM. The only possibility that I could imagine is that the PCM is not original to the vehicle. Aftermarket? Reman? This is a strange one.
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Tuesday, September 27th, 2011 AT 10:30 AM

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