Help needed to reconfigure PCM for SST to base shifter

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RetroBird

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Changed my SST to the base shifter (P,R,N,D5,D4,3,2,1) but can't find a dealer who still has the WDS to reconfigure the PCM to allow access to 3,2,1 from the shifter. D5 and D4 operate normaly.
Ford dealers are now using IDS which won't allow the method used previously by members here on WDS.
Any suggestions as to where I can find a working WDS or alternatively a workaround for the IDS ??? I have my PCM tear tag number and serial number.
 
Telco said:
Fleabay saves the day.
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Unfortunately that is the IDS (Integrated Diagnostic System) which in 2005 replaced the WDS (World Diagnostic System) that was used by members of this forum to reconfigure in years past.

The IDS will reconfigure some features not accessible to the owner/operator but Ford appears to have blocked access to features that could affect emissions and when asked for assistance from my dealer the other day replied ...
"Changing the shifter from the optional sport version to the base version is considered a vehicle modification and is not supported or recommended by Ford Motor Company. Additionally changing the shifter can cause incorrect range selection creating operation and potential concerns with the transmission. "
I wouldn't be surprised if there was a 'back door' in the IDS software and my tech did try based on the WDS procedure used on this forum but, of course, doesn't share my motivation.
 
Telco said:
Dang, sorry about that. Either I grabbed the wrong one to look or the internet did its "I can't find the exact thing so I'll look for anything with some of the same letters" thing.

Did another search, this one looks promising. I've never heard of them before though, but it does say they can do deep programming on 96 and newer almost anything.
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No worries mate. I appreciate the suggestion. Working on getting As-Built-Data from a VIN built the same day as mine but without the SST shifter. My dealer thinks that will work with the current IDS tester. I've supplied the VIN so just waiting to see if he can come up with the As-Built-Data and make it work with the IDS to configure my PCM.

The equipment on your links I would love to have but starting at $1500 plus proprietary Ford software subscription is a bit more than the 100 bucks the dealer will charge if he can do it. Also, Ford has already told the dealer that they will not support this 'modification' so we still need to find that 'back door'.
 
Can you post up more specifics in case someone else wants to do this? I won't, but someone else might.
 
The trick with IDS is to have a PCM 'tear tag' or 'calibration' number from a comparable vehicle with the alternative shifter. The IDS will have to download the new calibration via wifi from Ford. Like the WDS you have to press NO this is not the correct vehicle and then proceed with the new numbers above and enter your original VIN at the end after the new calibration had been loaded. It takes about 10 minutes.
 
SenorGar said:
The trick with IDS is to have a PCM 'tear tag' or 'calibration' number from a comparable vehicle with the alternative shifter. The IDS will have to download the new calibration via wifi from Ford. Like the WDS you have to press NO this is not the correct vehicle and then proceed with the new numbers above and enter your original VIN at the end after the new calibration had been loaded. It takes about 10 minutes.
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Sounds like the same way the WDS did it...
 
SenorGar said:
Nobody ever mentioned the need for tear tags or calibration numbers on this forum ??? Or the need to download a new configuration for the new shifter ???
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That was the procedure.... Say 'no' to VIN, select non-sport calibration then re-enter the VIN.
 
Telco said:
Cool thanks.
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There is some good news for members with an 03 LS like yours in that TSB 03-15-8 lists the calibration numbers for cars built between 11/18/2002 AND 5/17/2003. Finding calibration for other years or production dates IDK. My car was also covered by that bulletin. It is my understanding the the tear tag from the PCM of a same year car with the alternative shifter can be entered into the IDS instead of using the calibration number as my tech did. I couldn't see the screen very well since I wanted keep my distance so he could focus on getting it right. He was trying to get to my PCM 'manually' and not finding a place to enter the calibration number so I asked him to try going in 'automatically' and entering 'NO' for the vehicle ID displayed the same as with the WDS. That worked allowing him to reprogram my PCM with the new calibration he had downloaded from Ford. It took about 10 minutes and then he reentered my original VIN at the end. Sorry that I can't be more precise.

Anyone wanting to change shifters should be able to find a comparable car on this forum with the desired shifter and get the owner to read his tear tag. Best to get a photo since some letters and numbers are confusing. My tear tag was taped to the left side of the PCM and could be accessed by reaching up behind the dash and glove box. Not knowing that, I removed my glove box and HVAC intake on the firewall to loosen the PCM to find it. Just to add to the confusion my PCM was a replacement unit with a tear tag not on the TSB but luckily the TSB numbers worked for me.

Of course only 5R55S transmissions will work with both shifters leaving the 5R55N on earlier cars with the base shifter only but apparently this only applies to Thunderbirds.
 
RetroBird said:
...Of course only 5R55S transmissions will work with both shifters leaving the 5R55N on earlier cars with the base shifter only.
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????
The 1st gen LS with the 5R55N came with both the base shifter and the sport shifter...
 
joegr said:
????
The 1st gen LS with the 5R55N came with both the base shifter and the sport shifter...
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Gen 1 LS Sport here. Could you get non-sport (or whatever "base") Thunderbird before the 03 update?

I still don't understand how going from a manumatic slappy shifter on an automatic transmission to a shifter with separate gear-locking positions is any closer to shifting "how automatics were meant to". I'm pretty sure the 5r55_ would be "meant" to stay in D5, available on both shifters. Both shifters let you select and hold gears. SST has more options by letting you hold 4th and 5th without affecting D5 or D4. I don't see the difference when it comes to the intended operation of an Automatic.

As for Gen 1 LSes not being able to hold 1st when stopped, I'm sure getting a tune for Gen 1s to allow 1st at a stop is certainly easier and possibly cheaper than this route.
 
Sorry for the error regarding shifter availability. I have corrected my post #15.

Frank, I expect I drive differently than you and have different objectives. I don't go fast anymore and I am driving what Ford calls a "personal luxury car", not a sports car. I slowed down 15 years ago, I think retirement helped. You read my explanation in my other thread LS Gear Shift Assembly For Sale? so if you can get inside my head you should understand why the virtues of the SST are not for me.

As far as shifting goes I use D5 only unless I want engine braking on longer downgrades. For that the base shifter is preferable for reasons I explained on the other thread.
 
I remember reading that now. So it's an issue with tapping. Sports car or luxury barge, fast or slow, SST still offers more gear holding capability than a D5/D4/3/2/1. I can't see a situation requiring fast manual gear selection over just leaving in Drive and letting the car do the selection. But whatever floats your boat I guess. You did it, you're happy. And you may have helped a future reader trying to swap shifters in either direction
 
I can understand why he'd prefer the new shifter, I'd prefer it myself. I find that tap shift on mine to be pretty annoying, but I've resigned myself to just getting used to it. With transmissions going to 8 gears and more, there just isn't going to be room for each gear to have its own slot anymore.
 
Telco said:
I can understand why he'd prefer the new shifter, I'd prefer it myself. I find that tap shift on mine to be pretty annoying, but I've resigned myself to just getting used to it.
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Thanks Telco, glad you get it. For anyone from NJ :confused: I'll try one last time to clear this up ...
The only time I 'manually' downshift is to keep off the brake pedal on long downhills. Those times when D4 was not enough it was a PITA to push forward, across to the right and pull back once, pause for the shift back to 4 and pull back again just to select the next lower gear! Now I just pull one detent back for 3 which does the job for the steepest hills around here. At the bottom of the hill I shift back to D5 and remain there for all remaining forward motion. One more thing, I can't accidentally select D4 anymore although I hear this never happens in NJ :rolleyes:.
4e0e71a276f185c950304a2dafec0f31.jpg
BTW Telco on the off chance you find a base shifter here is the calibration # for your '03 V8 PCM: # 3LQ18B0513 (that is Bzero513) Tear Tag # TJY9
If you still have your original PCM your current tear tag using the SST is likely PHP9 with calibration 3LQ18S0513.

4e0e71a276f185c950304a2dafec0f31.jpg
 
Heh heh, I'm working on getting mine ready to sell/trade right now and once it's gone I'm done with the LS. This car is a regret for me for reasons that can be found in other threads. Thanks though.
 
Say Bird, those heated seat switches, that placement is not stock is it?
Got anymore pics of that general area. Seems to me you have placed them where the ashtray used to be. Rather interesting!
 
BigRigLS said:
Say Bird, those heated seat switches, that placement is not stock is it?
Got anymore pics of that general area. Seems to me you have placed them where the ashtray used to be. Rather interesting!
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AFAIK, that's the normal (factory) location for the seat heat switches on a Thunderbird. Just above those would be the lighter, power port, convertible top up/down switch, and passenger airbag disable switch.
 
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