Junk yard pcm?

Tiny
DUSTY R
  • MEMBER
  • 2007 FORD EDGE
  • 3.5L
  • 6 CYL
  • 4WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 222,600 MILES
I have a junk yard pcm, for mine burnt up and fried my coil in my #3 cylinder. But after putting the junk yard pcm in my car my anti theft will not allow me to crank it even though both pcm have identical part#. Mu question is if I were to by an aftermarket remote start to bypass the immobilizer woukd it then work with the junk yard pcm or should I just send my old one of to be repaired
Sunday, January 4th, 2026 AT 6:19 PM

1 Reply

Tiny
STEVE W.
  • MECHANIC
  • 15,387 POSTS
You can likely get the used unit reprogrammed and set to your vehicles VIN and then put the keys you have into it for less than repairing your damaged PCM. The exact part number just means it's the same hardware, however the software in it is encoded to your vehicles BCM and VIN. That is why it doesn't work. Sort of like having two combination locks that are identical, except for the combination. A remote start bypass uses the same system and doesn't bypass anything, It will remotely start the engine but when you get in you have to put a correct key into it and if you use one the PCM doesn't recognize it will shut off and lock you out just as it does now. Either a dealer or a better shop that can do basic programming can do the work.
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Monday, January 5th, 2026 AT 8:22 AM

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