i have seen the pcm back out at the 8mm conection and not read anything on a scanner as well just something to check its under the fuse box there are two differnt harness bulk head connectors down thier if that helps at all

 

A good scanner that will read the pids would be a must to properly diagnose. Even with no communication there is further verification required to call it a failed pcm

 

is there a better scanner than one from ford that a ford technician uses?

 

Yes, There's actually a few scan tools in a dealership, Not up on ford stuff so much, I know there was WDS and some others. Again not real sure.
My choice on the older Strokes was always a brick or solus. they seem to communicate better. My brick (mt2500) will still read powerstrokes that my expensive scan tools claim no communication.
There's about 5 pages of verification test that a shop will go through before calling it a failed computer. but if your doing it yourself, you can throw the parts at it and see if it works.

 

well I am doing it myself, but I did have a ford diesel mechanic stop and work on it. I hope I can trust his word. the new pcm is installed and he is stopping today to program it.

 

Should not need to program the PCM at all... If you bought the correct one, install and go...

 

I did not buy one from ford. unfortunetly I cant afford that kind of coin right now. it is a aftermarket reman and needs to be programed.

 

Most suppliers, (even advance) will sell computers that have been loaded with your vins most current calibration and data files. And actually there are a few tricks with tuners that can load stock files into the ecm. The latter option is for those with experience in advanced reflashes.