VSM mod and why I am scared!!!

[red423]

Hi my name is red423 and I am a Ford truck addict. Thank You. Hey it's been a while since I have posted up here, and you guys always had the answers I needed before and now I am going to throw this one out.
I live in Miami. I know, thank you, for your sympathy. I love my 03 expy and so does our 9yr old girl. Since we got it used, it has had a Aftermarket alarm system which is ok, but I got a few dollars and I want it back to factory specs.
Problem I have is where to take it. I am going to be blunt. These Ford dealers down here where I live, well lets says most of em lack a few things, mostly trust. So what is one to do?? I know the new VSM has to be programmed by Ford as they have the only puter to do it. Why do you ask, I want it correct?? Namely I have an EB, and found that the interior lights don't come on when you hit the entry, no auto locks at 10 mph, there is info missing from the driver info center that the VSM routes to the system. I just want to get my baby right.
Do any of you have any ideas where I can go that is trustworthy, and close to me and get her fixed, I can order the VSM from Tasca no big deal, but I still need diagnostics, and programming. Help. thanks red423

 

[bubbadabulldawg]

Aftermarket alarm will not interfere with the message center. Do you have an instrument cluster that says MESSAGE CENTER above the window where the mileage is displayed? Do you have 3 buttons on the right side of the steering wheel that say INFO SETUP RESET? If you have all that but nothing happens when you hit the buttons the plug might be unplugged from the buttons. Did you have a stereo installed or one was installed before you bought the truck? It is easy to check just remove the 2 screws ave the cluster and then pull the bezel away gently but firmly and look behind and see if it's plugged in.

I'm not sure by what you mean it's missing information because the info that the MESSAGE CENTER displays are:

odometer
trip odometer
compass
distance to empty
average fuel economy

SETUP displays are:

language
English/metric units
system check
charge system status
oil pressure status
engine temp status
washer fluid status
brake fluid status
fuel level status
distance to empty
tire warning

Have you tried to reset the compass? The button is located on the base of the mirror on the top left side, the compass is set from the factory for zone 8 (you are zone 9).

Start the engine

Press the message center switch INFO button until the compass information is displayed.

Press and hold the the reset button on the compass sensor until RESET FOR ZONE appears in the message center display.

Press the message center RESET button until SETUP ZONE XX is displayed in the message center.

Press the SETUP button repeatedly until the correct zone (yours being 09) is displayed.

Press RESET button to exit the zone setting mode and lock in your individual zone.