PCM/ECU doesn't recognize my VIN.

[Cobrablues]

WTF? First I get a message that the AWD isn't functioning properly. Powertrain malfunction/ reduced power. So I couldn't read or clear the DTC. I researched the fault and some said to disconnect the negative terminal for an hour. I did. Nothing. So I left it off all night. I get up this morning and I have a new message that the PCM can't recognize the VIN number. Geez... there's only one vin number in there. So I called Ford and they gave me an appointment next week. However, I can't really notice anything different about the vehicle . No power loss. No difference in the mpg. Maybe the PCM has crapped out at 2800 miles?
Anyways, it is very irritating.

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[seoden88]

could be a blown fuse.

 

[Cobrablues]

Thanks, I will check that out.

 

[Cobrablues]

Well all the fuses were good. So we'll see what Ford says.

 

[Cobrablues]

Ok. Ford said there was a fault in the BCM and they reprogrammed it. That restored all my rewrites. So on the way home I got 29 mpg. On the highway my speed was 75 mph on my digital speedometer on my phone and 72 on the Bronco. At 50, my speed was 51. Of course the annoying double honk was back. I am a bit leery about reprograming the tires. I am not that interested in the Bambi lights since I don't drive much at night. I might just turn off the double honk and leave it at that.

 

[Dude]

Any idea of what might have caused the fault in the BCM? The implication in your post is that FORScan was used to make changes for: double honk, tire size, Bambi lights.

Do you think the BCM was impacted by the use of FORScan?

 

[Cobrablues]

Actually, I can't say for sure but I think so. Everything was fine for the double honk and the Bambi lights. When I changed the tire size, the codes come up soon after. First the AWD fault which was the culprit for the PCM to get confused. The service tech validated this by saying the BCD had the fault. They reprogramed it by using the as built specs for the VIn. So now I am not sure that I want to use Forscan. I could be wrong and maybe I did something to confuse the BCM. I am not sure of that. When I had my 2020 Ranger, there was a module from 4 D Tech that eliminated the double honk. I also got a scan tool from Hypertech to adjust the tire size. All that was easy and I had no problems. However none of those companies have anything for the Bronco Sport. I emailed both and they have nothing yet.

 

[Sleddog]

Mind sharing your Bambi settings?

 

[Cobrablues]

All I did for the Bambi setting was change the fog lights off setting to on when the bright lights are are on. Not really any big change.

 

[Cobrablues]

Any idea of what might have caused the fault in the BCM? The implication in your post is that FORScan was used to make changes for: double honk, tire size, Bambi lights.

Do you think the BCM was impacted by the use of FORScan?

I am definitely convinced that Forscan interfered with he function of the AWD module in the BCM. At least on my 2023 Bronco Sport. It doesn't like having the tire size changed. The Ford service tech confirmed this. I do not know if it just a malfunction on my BCM or all are like this, I had saved the as built(original settings) but could not return it to those specs with Forscan. I will never attempt it again. The only way I could get it restored is to take it to the dealership for service.

 

[Dude]

I am definitely convinced that Forscan interfered with he function of the AWD module in the BCM. At least on my 2023 Bronco Sport. It doesn't like having the tire size changed. The Ford service tech confirmed this. I do not know if it just a malfunction on my BCM or all are like this, I had saved the as built(original settings) but could not return it to those specs with Forscan. I will never attempt it again. The only way I could get it restored is to take it to the dealership for service.

That’s interesting, especially so since you could not restore the as built settings. Very frustrating I’m sure.

I captured a number of FORScan changes, including this for a couple of tire sizes. What tire size do you have and what FORScan setting did you use?

3. Change default parameters for tire size (i.e. when tires are changed out to a different size)

Example ECU settings for:
22565R17: 2202
24565R17: 2232
Bandlands, Falken Wildtrak AT3W (245/65/17) tire circumference: 2354mm (original value 2202)

 

[Cobrablues]

You are correct that the original metric specs are 2202. All the charts I used for the 245/65/17 came out to 2357. Mostly all came up with the 2357 value. However many were all over the place for the 225/65/17. Some were 2273, 2275, etc. So you may be correct in your results. I wonder how so many can be different. This may be the problem with the AWD not liking the values I used. I think I will wait until some companies come out with tools other than FORScan. FORScan worked well with toggling the disable switches for double honk and fog lights. However none of the values for those items required being altered. They just got disabled or abled in some cases.

 

[Sleddog]

You won’t find much else in the way of software other than the Ford IDS.

I had asked you about your setting for Bambi because with my 2017 F250 you had to alter specific hex codes in the BCM and another module. I would have to pull up my spreadsheet to give you the exact ones.

Many ford forums have the numbers for the tires sizes. I think you may have input numbers the module did not like and that’s what caused your issue. Then reading the threads on the super duty forums, some times folks would initially get a code then it clears.

Other got multiple codes because of bad input of data. But I have not heard of your issue. I have heard of folks bricking a module by inputting bad data.

to relate another story. My F250 lost the ability to tell what trans was in it. Check engine light. Service engine soon, and trans failure warnings. Had it towed to the dealer and they did a firmware update and corrected the issue. The tech told me that had seen this issue on multiple trucks.

so what you saw may be combination of a bad input by you for the tire size and a firmware glitch in the module.

The techs will tell you just about anything about Forscan. Mainly because it gives the folks the ability to diagnose issues and make changes. That takes money out of their pocket.

 

[Cobrablues]

I took it back to Ford today and they replaced the AWD module. On the way home my mph was 2.5 mph faster on the highway. 72.5 mph was actually 75 mph and below 50 it was only 1 mph faster than actual. So at those numbers I am not going to worry about it. That's not enough to get a ticket. Also the mpg is 30.

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