need new pcm

[Stampede007]

I have a 2004 explorer XLT 4.0L V6. I lent my car to my cusin and i guess the battery died because it wouldnt start so he had someone try and jump it. It still didnt strat and it wouldnt even try and trun over. When i got there i turned the key and got nothing. No lights noises or anything. I towed it to a shop and they said some fuses were blown and the pcm needs replaced. They think it was caused by the person jumping the car accidently reversing the jumper cables but i dont know cuz i wasnt here when they did. Anyway they want a rediculous amount to fix it(like in the $1500+ range). Can i just buy a new one or get one from a junkyard and throw it in. Does it need to be programmed at the dealer or do i need other parts to go with it ie: ignition box, keys or anything?

 

[stsmoker]

Did you try to just replace the fuses? Thats usually what theyre there for in the first place. To prevent your computer from blowing out.

 

[Stampede007]

No i just got the car back from the shop to my house probably thirty minuets ago. I will check them when i get a chance. They said like 4 fuses were blown and the pcm was dead. Im not at all familiar with anything electronic in cars so i will have to try my best to figure it out by myself. I guess i will finailly have to figure out how to use a voltmeter and test fuses lol.

 

[stsmoker]

Hahaha yeah theyre pretty easy to use. Just learned last night myself when my buddies z71 wouldnt start after hooking up some subs. Id def check the fuses first though. just check in your book and see what fuses go to your PCM. Also while you're checking fuses, make sure no other fuses are blown (starter fuse/relay?)

 

[zerodevil]

If they said the PCM is toast, its toast man. The Removal and Installation of hte PCM is actualy quite easy, but it does need to be programed, and the part alone runs about 1100 bucks. ... Id make your cousin pay for this one.. sorry about your luck.

 

[snickstx]

...and the part alone runs about 1100 bucks..

This is definitely something I would try to find on evilbay or car-parts.com as long as you have a DOA guarantee. Probably get the part for less than $150...the dealership probably charges that much just to reprogram.

 

[Gus Gorilla]

You could do the junkyard route. With the Cash4Clunkers (cash4Explorers) from last year the junkyards are overflowing with them in most places. But Ford will still need to program your keys to work with it.

 

[BobWiersema]

I find that extremely hard to believe. Your car works on DC. voltage, so reversing the jumpers to the battery would just make a big spark and melt the cables. The PCM would not care because it is polarity protection in the computer. I have only seen this happen with welding. Take the truck to a reliable shop and have it double checked. Check all your fuses first. You can tell by looking at them if they are blown, not that hard to do. Don't waste money on things you don't need.


Bob

 

[stsmoker]

I agree with Bob. Some places will try to make money off of the people who may not know much about cars. My mom, who is actually pretty up to speed with everything when it comes to cars/trucks, took her 4x4 f150 5.4L to the stealership for a simple rotor turn. Came to pick it up the next morning. They had replaced 3,000 worth of stuff and reprogrammed the computer so the wheel speed was right (she runs 33's). She didnt authorize any of this so we ended up paying like $120for $3k worth of work . Simple point is that some places are just not honest.