Car Fix DIY Videos

For repair and replacement on Ford F-150 Engine Computers: http://www.protechautosystems.com/pcm-ecm-ecu-brainbox-computers/ford/f-150/

This video shows how to remove and reinstall the engine computer in your 2004 to 2008 Ford F-150

You may know this as a PCM, ECM, ECU, or even a Brain. This guide applies to model years of the F150 spanning from 04 through 08, and includes 4.2, 4.6, and 5.4 liter engine sizes. If you have a an 04 F150 heritage, this tutorial will not apply to you.

You’ll find the engine computer under the hood, mounted to the passenger side of the firewall. It will be very easy to identify since it has 3 harnesses attached to it. We’ll need to unplug these harnesses and unbolt the engine computer to remove it from the vehicle.

To remove the harnesses, just apply pressure to the tab in front of the levers, and pull them back one by one. Once the lever is flipped, the plug should pull out with little to no force. Next, use a 10mm socket wrench to remove the 4 bolts securing the engine computer to the firewall. Carefully pull the computer out.

In some cases, you’ll notice that a plastic insert from a plug has remained lodged in the engine computer. If that happens, just carefully remove it and snap it back into the corresponding plug.

Now that you have your engine computer out, take note of the part number on the white tag. This will have the numbers 12a650 in the middle. The part number for this particular engine computer is 5U7A-12A650-DVA.

When you’re ready to reinstall the engine computer, position it with the plug receptacles on top, and match up the mounting tabs to the holes on the firewall. Re-fasten the bolts with your 10mm socket wrench firmly. To re-attach the plugs, just push them in carefully, and then flip each lever to secure them into place. Once all the harnesses are secured, you done.