Reprogram RCM - Restraint Control Module

Despite me technically have a 5.4 now, it's all the same technology for the airbags/restraint systems.

I am getting a constant traction light on my dash since starting the car up for the first time. It is a continuous error - U2011 which has to do with the Restraint Control Module (RCM)

I know that the RCM needs to have a VIN programmed in it to match the PCM, which is probably throwing it off since I have the 09 Bullitt VIN in there when I'm running a 07 GT500 PCM at the moment.

Does anyone know how to trip the system into a reprogram? I thought you couldn't do that but I've been told there is a way to reprogram the VIN into the system. I've been researching this morning through Ford and I've come across nothing so far.

Any help would be great. Thanks.

GallopingFord said:

Despite me technically have a 5.4 now, it's all the same technology for the airbags/restraint systems.

I am getting a constant traction light on my dash since starting the car up for the first time. It is a continuous error - U2011 which has to do with the Restraint Control Module (RCM)

I know that the RCM needs to have a VIN programmed in it to match the PCM, which is probably throwing it off since I have the 09 Bullitt VIN in there when I'm running a 07 GT500 PCM at the moment.

Does anyone know how to trip the system into a reprogram? I thought you couldn't do that but I've been told there is a way to reprogram the VIN into the system. I've been researching this morning through Ford and I've come across nothing so far.

Any help would be great. Thanks.

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A tech with an IDS tool should be able to load the "as build" data to keep the ABS / SRS /PCM happy together. The VIN (as far as I know) is not flashed into the airbag PCM. The engine PCM has particular data that it looks for on the CAN bus and if it sees a module serial number different than expected it sends out an "I don't want to conversate with you!" error.

You may also need a 07 GT500 restraint module as some part numbers are not compatible with each other so even modifying the as build data won't correct all the errors.

My guess is that the RCM wants some PCM data that it won't be able to access due to the new calibration running in it and can't be found. I have PCM swapped cars that had unmatched VINs but had the similar strategies running that gave no RCM codes before replacing PCM's VID block, so may guess is that it would be something you'll have to live by, hope not.

There are only two RCM's - one with side airbags and one without. They are the same modules throughout the years 05-09 my parts system says. I keep getting conflicting reports about what data the RCM has and an individual told me I could reprogram the RCM through a reprogramming button located under the passenger seat which has me so confused.

Our techs have loaded up IDS to the car and have reflashed the RCM with an update but that didn't solve it.

This is not something that can be lived by since it is turning off the traction control and leaving the button unresponsive... also I am unable to tell if it has disabled the supercharger by-pass valve. The car drives normally except that the blower is literally not building boost at all. No engine lights or anything.

There are maybe two hardware wise but different calibrations, GT500 should have a different RCM cal. You still have the bullitt IC or swapped for GT500 one?

TCS won't ever work either, same issue but different source, it has nothing to do with RCM.

That's what I was thinking. Either way I've been completely stupid about the ABS thing. GT500 has a different ABS module - I just ordered that one and a new RCM to reprogram it. That has to do with the traction control. Either way I'm surprised that ABS light didn't come on..... I'm just still baffled about the supercharger sitting idle.

Instrument cluster? IC? I am still running the Bullitt one with a GT dash harness. I've thought that could be the problem as well. If I replace the RCM/ABS and this still comes up I will swap the dash harness and that may be it as well. I have plenty of things to keep looking at to trouble shoot... eventually I'll get it.

Anyone reading this... let this be a lesson... if you do a swap, don't piece it together... get an entire wrecked car. Lol

The problem lays on incompatibility between devices calibration, for example ABS and PCM, they work together with some stuff and if either one has a different calibration where needed data resides in a different area of the accessible memory areas they won't get along.

This happens with single swaps like manual<->auto, PCM works good but SJB never gets the data it needs for the reverse lights it needs so they end not working, if you check on the PCM, it actually reads reverse position correctly, is just the SJB that does not get it. Reflashing the SJB with a different calibration may solve this but I never had the chance to test this.

My guess is that by swapping the ABS some stuff will start working correctly, even with that IC.

HAve your people tried to flash the RCM as it was a GT500 one?

Let us know.

I've been talking to Sam (19COBRA93) since he has first hand experience with this swap and were still confused with the RCM problem... I'm to believe it has to do with some random compatibility with the wiring in the car.

The RCM cannot be reset it seems. We've tried to go in through IDS and reconfigure it and even upload a firmware update that was suggested through Ford, but it's gotten no where and if anything it seems to just not respond with the PCM. This could be 1 of 2 or a combination of both...

1. The RCM module desperately needs a matching VIN tag of the PCM to work properly
2. The RCM module cannot communicate through the GT500 body/engine harness with the use of a GT dash harness

I'll be in the shop tomorrow afternoon to swap out the module and see if that makes any difference... along with the ABS module possibly. However Sam was telling me he is still using the stock 05 ABS module with his GT500 swap and it has not caused any errors what-so-ever.

So what I'm thinking is the following -

1. I'll swap out the RCM and reprogram it to match the VIN of the GT500 PCM I'm currently using
2. If this fails to rid the problem, I'll replace the entire dash harness with a GT500 one... PITA but I know what I signed up for.

Hopefully that problem with the RCM may be the culprit of the supercharger being inactive... at least I hope. Sam has instructed me on how rigging the vacuum lines to bypass the computer system though, therefore I'll give that a go as well.

Another note, we have re-flashed the SJB with the as-built info for that VIN of the GT500 and it has not yielded any different results either.

Just wanted to update this.

I replaced the RCM and another code showed up pertaining to the ABS specifically along with the unspecified "U2011" code. I was upset and still decided to replace the stock ABS module with the GT500-specific one. Car fired up and all codes have been canceled!

I've realized that the supercharger issue is now completely separate now and I'm going to pursue that when I get a chance.

GallopingFord said:

Just wanted to update this.

I replaced the RCM and another code showed up pertaining to the ABS specifically along with the unspecified "U2011" code. I was upset and still decided to replace the stock ABS module with the GT500-specific one. Car fired up and all codes have been canceled!

I've realized that the supercharger issue is now completely separate now and I'm going to pursue that when I get a chance.

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Glad you got that part solved, good luck with the SC