Programming Powertrain Control Module (All Models): Description

WARNING: This page does not describe the selected car, but rather 98 other vehicles, including the 2001 Saturn SW2, 2001 Saturn SL2, 2001 Saturn SL1, 2001 Saturn SL, and 2001 Saturn SC2. However, it is still accessible from the selected car via links, so may be relevant.

Flash Electronically Erasable Programmable Read Only Memory (EEPROM) is contained in an Integrated Circuit (IC) inside of Powertrain Control Module (PCM). The EEPROM contains the vehicle strategy and any calibration information specific to vehicle. The IC is reprogrammable, and at times it may become necessary to reprogram or reflash the entire contents. This is usually due to an after-production strategy change or the Vehicle Identification (VID) area has been previously reprogrammed and has reached its limit. The VID block can be tailored to accommodate various hardware changes made since vehicle production. This procedure can only be performed using Ford's Service Bay Technical System (SBTS) or equivalent.

A replacement PCM will have a label stating PROGRAMMING REQUIRED. This indicates that it is necessary to retrieve VID data from the original PCM before removing PCM from vehicle. This procedure can be performed using New Generation Star (007-00500) tester or equivalent. See FLASH VEHICLE IDENTIFICATION (VID) BLOCK PROCEDURE . If original PCM is nonfunctional, it will be necessary to manually reprogram VID block. This procedure can only be performed using Ford's Service Bay Technical System (SBTS) or equivalent.