My truck is an alcoholic.

[01rangerxl]

This weekend my truck decided that it was done with regular gas and only wants ethanol now. About 50 miles after changing plugs and wires as preventive maintenance, I got a CEL with codes for running rich and lean on both banks. After checking everything to be sure I didn't bump anything, I went to Google and found a TSB that describes the issue exactly. Looks like it's time for the PCM to be flashed.

The funny part is, on ethanol it's fine. I filled up with E85 200 miles ago and no CEL. It seems the PCM has somehow become "stuck" on the E85 programming and can't adjust ignition timing for regular gas. Drivability on regular gas is mostly fine with just some pinging. Luckily I do not have the dreaded "flex fuel sensor" found on some older Ford FFVs, which is about $300, mine just uses the PCM and I guess the O2 sensors to figure it out.

I'm just glad I found the TSB and it seems like it will probably be a simple fix. The simultaneous lean and rich codes had me scratching my head at first.

 

[Roadkingnc]

I work in Charlotte and can reflash your pcm.

 

[01rangerxl]

PM sent.

 

[tinmanSC]

My dog broke into my bar down stairs last week and drank, specifically, my 12-year Kentucky Bourbon. Sigh. Your truck, my dog.

 

[01rangerxl]

I guess the economy has everyone hitting the bottle, lol.

I got the BITOG hookup from Roadkingnc today.

He flashed the PCM at his dealer this morning and everything seems good now. There was a long list of updates for it. I haven't had a chance to run a full tank of regular gas through it, but I did top it off after the reflash and there is NO pinging at all anymore. It's running the smoothest I can remember it, so the reflash was definitely needed.