Diagnosing P163E

Joel Owner Kansas Posted   Latest  
Tech Tip
Drivetrain
2013 Ford Escape SE 1.6L (X) 6-spd (6F35) — 1FMCU0HX0DUD38351
P163E
Transmission Control Module Programming Error

To anyone who is struggling with this code after a transmission install. OE diagnostic flow chart say if there is this code, reinstall the shift strategy codes into the PCM and in the as built data. If code returns, replace the PCM. 

I found out that wouldn’t fix my problem. 

Installed a transmission straight from Ford. Did all the relearn stuff. Reflashed the the PCM. The code appeared. Pulled every trick out of my hat I knew. Put in a new PCM from Ford and same code.

I found out that there is a shift strategy code stamped onto the side of the connector plug at the valve body, and a tag on top of the transmission. They were mismatched for me. If I would have known this before I installed the transmission, it would have been easier to see the numbers. I had to use my boroscope to read them.

Once I used the code off of the valve body in the PCM and as-built data, all worked well, and no code returned. 

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Phillip Educator
Ontario
Phillip
 

Thanks for taking the time to post this!

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Dustin Technician
Utah
Dustin
 

Thanks for sharing this! I had this Exact same problem but my transmission was an aftermarket rebuild.

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Enrique Diagnostician
California
Enrique
 

Joel you got lucky, most of the valve bodies do not have an external strategy/body ID code. You would have to open the pan and take the readings of the numbers on it. I been having a hell of a time educating my transmission shop customers to either: 1.- if putting a whole transmission make sure you take a picture of the tag and DO NOT try to wipe clean with solvents. This tags get erased very…

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Chris Technical Support Specialist
New York
Chris
 

If you ever experience this fault, rewrite the original SSID's into the module and retest, if the fault stays gone its the SSID# being entered. Haven't had the mismatch you experienced between the connector and tag, but wrong values are wrong values.

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Maxwel Diagnostician
Idaho
Maxwel
 

How do you rewrite the ssid?

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Chris Technical Support Specialist
New York
Chris
 

In the OEM FJDS software, it's under programmable parameters there should be an option for Transmission. There are also aftermarket tools with this capability.

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Tanner Instructor
South Carolina
Tanner
 

We realized the other day that a lot of ford reman transmissions have the same SSID sticker on every transmission. One of the other mobile guys realized this when he went to enter an SSID and it already had the correct number in it. The prior transmission was also a reman. That sparked a bunch of others to go look at the ones they had in their dealers and ones that had been installed and they…

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