Does a used ecm need to be reprogrammed on a 2002 Mercury Sable?

vinohendrix7

I have been having problems with the heater going on high by itself and radio sometimes works and does not. had a few responses the other day and checked it out. found no problems or shorts. I was told all the signs point to the ecm. one day the radio would not shut off when the car was turned off and I pulled the # 17 fuse in the under the hood to shut the radio off. And the heater blows high and I cannot control it. Then sometimes everything works. right now I pulled the relay for the blower so the heat does not come up and the radio and clock light are not on.
Question; If I pick up a used ecm from a junked sable do I need to reprogram it.

Mr_Shiftright

I think you'll have to have your keys reprogrammed to the "new" ecm, because of the PATS anti-theft system, which will prevent the car from starting. In other words, the used pcm won't recognize your key. You might want to think about having the dealer install a new ecm; of course, without full diagnosis it sounds like you're guessing that the ecm is the problem.