can a pcm go from manual to automatic , after a key is made and programmed for the vehicle

1998 FORD MUSTANG
134,000 MILES
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TMPENDELL
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took car to have a programmed key made. got it back and car ran very badly and wouldnt go into gear. took car back to dealership-service center. they now tell me that some how the pcm turned to automatic and i have to buy a new one to replace it
Sep 26, 2011 at 3:53 PM
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JACOBANDNICKOLAS
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That is the first time I heard of that. Ask if they can reflash it.
Sep 26, 2011 at 4:12 PM
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TMPENDELL
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they said they had to put it to automatic in order to get pats disabled. now they claim they have tried to reflash it and it will only recognize
car as automatic
Sep 26, 2011 at 4:30 PM
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TMPENDELL
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do you think it is more likely the pcm or the pats
Sep 26, 2011 at 4:31 PM
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DAN_K
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Ford's passive anti-theft system (PATS) actually programs the car to the key. Since the problem occurred when they were performing the service, my advice to you is to strongly - but reasonably - suggest that they correct the problem that they caused. A reputable Ford dealership will have no problem correcting a mistake that they have made. I would ask to speak to the service director or manager. Voice your concerns and if you're not satisfied, I would then contact the manufacturer and explain your situation to them.
Sep 26, 2011 at 5:45 PM
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JACOBANDNICKOLAS
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Dan_k, have you ever heard of this happening?
Sep 27, 2011 at 1:29 AM
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DAN_K
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I have not. And I'm actually stumped as to how it could happen with VIN data being encoded into the PCM. The only possibility that I could imagine is that the PCM is not original to the vehicle. Aftermarket? Reman? This is a strange one.
Sep 27, 2011 at 10:30 AM