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Mopar techs- PCM reprograming?? #159254 11/30/08 05:32 PM 11/30/08 05:32 PM
Joined: Jan 2003 Posts: 9,982 Ansonia, CT C CJK440 OP master
CJK440 OP master C Joined: Jan 2003 Posts: 9,982 Ansonia, CT	I have a car that I suspect has a bad PCM. Its an 01 Intrepid. I want to buy a junkyard PCM. I know the VIN and odo "are supposed to" match the info on the other on board computers but have conflicting reports after that. Some people say it will run fine forever but will illuminate the CEL if info doesn't jive. Others say it will start but eventually lock out if they don't match. Also a dealer service dept I called said used PCM's cant be reprogrammed with that info and I have to buy a new one for $650..... But a tech I talked to thinks a used PCM can be reprogrammed with a DRB3 scan tool..... 2017 Contusion Blue Challenger T/A 392 M6 "BLKNBLU"

Re: Mopar techs- PCM reprograming?? [Re: CJK440] #159255 11/30/08 06:05 PM 11/30/08 06:05 PM
Joined: Mar 2007 Posts: 862 Southeast Pa. SALEM1912 super stock
SALEM1912 super stock Joined: Mar 2007 Posts: 862 Southeast Pa.	I would ask your dealer for a reman PCM. The problem with used PCM's is what kind of thief system is used. Why do you think it needs a PCM?

Re: Mopar techs- PCM reprograming?? [Re: SALEM1912] #159256 11/30/08 06:42 PM 11/30/08 06:42 PM
Joined: Jan 2003 Posts: 9,982 Ansonia, CT C CJK440 OP master
CJK440 OP master C Joined: Jan 2003 Posts: 9,982 Ansonia, CT	Dealer wants $650 for a programmed PCM. I have only 1300 in the car itself. The car does not have a SKIM key. The car is eating cam sensors, 5 in all, 2 mopar, 2 borg warner and 1 wells. All wiring involved from the PCM connector out (to sensor connector and ground) checks out fine, even with a load on it. PCM is outputting the right supply voltage and the signal looks OK. 2017 Contusion Blue Challenger T/A 392 M6 "BLKNBLU"

Re: Mopar techs- PCM reprograming?? [Re: CJK440] #159257 11/30/08 07:04 PM 11/30/08 07:04 PM
Joined: Jan 2003 Posts: 1,755 Washington Twp., Southern NJ F Fastfrankie top fuel
Fastfrankie top fuel F Joined: Jan 2003 Posts: 1,755 Washington Twp., Southern NJ	I'll save you big bucks. There is a guy on Ebay who sells reprogrammed PCM's for most cars and trucks - even tranny computers etc. If I remember right, he is out of Florida. I bought one via buy it now for $199 including shipping. They will need your VIN and mileage on the odometer...and some other info like color of car, engine size, etc. You'll get it a few days later. Disconnect battery, remove old and in with new. Reconnect battery and on your way. I bought one for my PT Cruiser about 10 months ago and it performs 100% Let me know if you have a problem finding the guy/number - I have the number at my shop. Tops in my book and you'll save $$$. PLus once you mail you old one back in a prepaid envelope they send you, you get a limited lifetime warranty!

Re: Mopar techs- PCM reprograming?? [Re: Fastfrankie] #159258 12/02/08 05:08 PM 12/02/08 05:08 PM
Joined: Jan 2003 Posts: 9,982 Ansonia, CT C CJK440 OP master
CJK440 OP master C Joined: Jan 2003 Posts: 9,982 Ansonia, CT	FAST- I got my eye on some of the ebay companies but this is still a hunch. If mismatching VIN's will allow the car to run fine but just illuminate the CEL, I'd much rather spend $55 for a used PCM just to test my theory rather than spend $200 and find it wasn't the PCM. Salem- My car doesn't have SKIM or anti theft. Its a real base model. The Junkyard has a matching P/N PCM. 2017 Contusion Blue Challenger T/A 392 M6 "BLKNBLU"

Re: Mopar techs- PCM reprograming?? [Re: Fastfrankie] #159259 12/02/08 05:16 PM 12/02/08 05:16 PM
Joined: Oct 2004 Posts: 214 M moparmandc enthusiast
moparmandc enthusiast M Joined: Oct 2004 Posts: 214	i am a tech at a dealer and have found that they will sometimes start and run. just had a dakota a week ago that went through 4 pcm's through ebay pre progamed and still did not work customer finally bit the bullet and bought one of ma mopars and has worked fine. food for thought

Re: Mopar techs- PCM reprograming?? [Re: moparmandc] #159260 12/02/08 07:41 PM 12/02/08 07:41 PM
Joined: Jan 2003 Posts: 9,982 Ansonia, CT C CJK440 OP master
CJK440 OP master C Joined: Jan 2003 Posts: 9,982 Ansonia, CT	Somehow I am thinking those ebay shops just buy up used computers, reflash the vins and kick them out the door and let the customer find out if its good or not. Warantee is only good once they get the core back. I can't really see them going in and changing electronic componants for $200. 2017 Contusion Blue Challenger T/A 392 M6 "BLKNBLU"

Re: Mopar techs- PCM reprograming?? [Re: CJK440] #159261 12/02/08 08:28 PM 12/02/08 08:28 PM
Joined: Jan 2003 Posts: 1,755 Washington Twp., Southern NJ F Fastfrankie top fuel
Fastfrankie top fuel F Joined: Jan 2003 Posts: 1,755 Washington Twp., Southern NJ	Quote: Somehow I am thinking those ebay shops just buy up used computers, reflash the vins and kick them out the door and let the customer find out if its good or not. Warantee is only good once they get the core back. I can't really see them going in and changing electronic componants for $200. Well then bite the bullet and spend $600 for a Mopar one if you think the guy is selling junk. The guy had 100% positive feedback on Ebay and has sold a ton on there. I spoke with their tech people when I gave them my info and they were professional and helpful. My time is money. For $200 shipped to me, the car was back on the road within three days. Farting around with used ones, throwing parts at a vehicle, finding someone to program it all cost time and money too with no guarantees. I dont care what he does to them or where he buys them from - it worked for me and still is fine 10 months later and I didn't have to spend $600 plus tax at the stealer. I avoid the stealer like the plague...especially the one closest to me! Or buy one for $55 at the yard and possibly deal with more headaches and finding someone to flash/program it. My buddy owns a junkyard and wouldn't even GIVE me one for free. I'd still have to take it somewhere and pay someone to program it/flash it etc and that's gonna cost me money...and hope it works when I install it. Its a gamble... He won't even sell used PCMs...not worth the headache/hassle of people calling him back bitching about it not running right, not starting etc. He'd rather sell 2007 Caddy clips for $7,000 than sell a used PCM for chump change...

Re: Mopar techs- PCM reprograming?? [Re: Fastfrankie] #159262 12/02/08 09:09 PM 12/02/08 09:09 PM
Joined: Mar 2007 Posts: 862 Southeast Pa. SALEM1912 super stock
SALEM1912 super stock Joined: Mar 2007 Posts: 862 Southeast Pa.	CJK440 can you give me the #pn,did you ask your dealer if a reman is available? Whats the problem no start/check engine light on/cranks long then fires up? what engine2.7 3.5 ? Last edited by SALEM1912; 12/02/08 09:12 PM.

Re: Mopar techs- PCM reprograming?? [Re: Fastfrankie] #159263 12/02/08 09:11 PM 12/02/08 09:11 PM
Joined: Jan 2003 Posts: 9,982 Ansonia, CT C CJK440 OP master
CJK440 OP master C Joined: Jan 2003 Posts: 9,982 Ansonia, CT	Whoa, keep your pants on buddy. I'm not saying they are junk, but those ebay houses advertize "reman" computers and I doubt there is much remanufacturing going on for that price. I think they are just reprogrammed used computers and if one is bad there is another on the shelf right behind it thats probably good. The reprogramming thing with a JY computer is a PITA but so is $200 to find it wasn't my problem in the first place. 2017 Contusion Blue Challenger T/A 392 M6 "BLKNBLU"

Re: Mopar techs- PCM reprograming?? [Re: SALEM1912] #159264 12/02/08 09:20 PM 12/02/08 09:20 PM
Joined: Jan 2003 Posts: 9,982 Ansonia, CT C CJK440 OP master
CJK440 OP master C Joined: Jan 2003 Posts: 9,982 Ansonia, CT	Quote: CJK440 can you give me the #pn,did you ask your dealer if a reman is available? Whats the problem no start/check engine light on/cranks long then fires up? what engine2.7 3.5 ? P04896146AD is the PCM number. Didn't ask for a reman. I guess the $650 price was for a new box?? The car shuts down/refuses to start and throws a cam sensor code when the car warms up, when it cools for an hour its fine but if I immediately yank the hot bad sensor for a cold one on the side of the road it fires right up but will fail later in the drive. Point is, it doesn't seem to be a wiring issue etc. that goes bad when hot but something causing the sensors to wig out. I been thru 5 from 3 different brands including mopar. The PCM is feeding the right 8.9V and the signal wire is about 5v unplugged which I am told is right also. On a cold sensor I can manually turn the engine over and watch the sensor voltage go up and down when the tone ring goes by. I tested for continuity from the PCM connector to the cam sensor connector and its all good. I even went as far as putting a 2.5 amp load thru all three and they all seem solid. Can't think of anything else but the PCM. 2017 Contusion Blue Challenger T/A 392 M6 "BLKNBLU"

Re: Mopar techs- PCM reprograming?? [Re: CJK440] #159265 12/03/08 12:16 AM 12/03/08 12:16 AM
Joined: Mar 2007 Posts: 862 Southeast Pa. SALEM1912 super stock
SALEM1912 super stock Joined: Mar 2007 Posts: 862 Southeast Pa.	CJK are you by chance near Claremont N.H. a dealer has that #pn and would most likely sell it to you for cost 372. If you are near call him and ask if he'll sell it to you. Old stock he should want to move it.603-543-0188 Lambert Auto Sales. Reman is around 580. What size engine??? Have you replaced the crank sensor? As odd as it seems sometimes the faulty sensor is reported wrong. I would have replaced both. As for switching when it cuts off it may have cooled down enough while you where switching sensors. A hair line crack in the magnet of these sensors is all it takes to shut you down,when it cools the crack goes away it restarts. Last edited by SALEM1912; 12/03/08 12:17 AM.

Re: Mopar techs- PCM reprograming?? [Re: CJK440] #159266 12/03/08 02:39 AM 12/03/08 02:39 AM
Joined: Jul 2008 Posts: 610 Boise M Moparteacher mopar
Moparteacher mopar M Joined: Jul 2008 Posts: 610 Boise	Have you checked for AC voltage from the alternator? Measure AC voltage at the alternator (post to case) with the vehicle running at high idle and under a load (lights on), preferably hot. A faulty rectifier diode will show greater than .5V AC. Excessice AC voltage throws cam and crank sensor codes all the time. It confuses the computer. A good alternator should show less than .4V AC. This will not test for a defective diode trio.

Re: Mopar techs- PCM reprograming?? [Re: Moparteacher] #159267 12/03/08 08:55 AM 12/03/08 08:55 AM
Joined: Jan 2003 Posts: 9,982 Ansonia, CT C CJK440 OP master
CJK440 OP master C Joined: Jan 2003 Posts: 9,982 Ansonia, CT	Quote: Have you checked for AC voltage from the alternator? Measure AC voltage at the alternator (post to case) with the vehicle running at high idle and under a load (lights on), preferably hot. A faulty rectifier diode will show greater than .5V AC. Excessice AC voltage throws cam and crank sensor codes all the time. It confuses the computer. A good alternator should show less than .4V AC. This will not test for a defective diode trio. That sounds pretty plausable since I did put a junkyard alternator in the car due to a bearing noise problem somewhere before all this started. The noise turned out to be the crank damper rubbing on the timing cover so I still have the old one. But I quickly checked the AC voltage, car was driven for 10 mins with the lights on and it was only about .1V AC. I brought he rpms up and no change. But that doesn't mean it doesn't do it later on. However, I still have the old alternator, its just 1/2 hour to swap it. Might be worth a shot. Cheaper than a PCM. 2017 Contusion Blue Challenger T/A 392 M6 "BLKNBLU"

Re: Mopar techs- PCM reprograming?? [Re: CJK440] #159268 12/03/08 09:12 AM 12/03/08 09:12 AM
Joined: Jan 2003 Posts: 9,982 Ansonia, CT C CJK440 OP master
CJK440 OP master C Joined: Jan 2003 Posts: 9,982 Ansonia, CT	Salem, Since one of the failures threw a crank sensor code even tho it was the cam sensor, I put a parts store crank sensor in and eventually updated it with a Mopar part because everybody says the other brands are junk. 2017 Contusion Blue Challenger T/A 392 M6 "BLKNBLU"

Re: Mopar techs- PCM reprograming?? [Re: CJK440] #159269 12/10/08 09:41 AM 12/10/08 09:41 AM
Joined: Jan 2003 Posts: 9,982 Ansonia, CT C CJK440 OP master
CJK440 OP master C Joined: Jan 2003 Posts: 9,982 Ansonia, CT	Quote: However, I still have the old alternator, its just 1/2 hour to swap it. Might be worth a shot. Cheaper than a PCM. Put the old alternator in and a new cam sensor. That was 1 week ago and its been driven everyday without issue since........ Even though the Alt tested OK it must have had another issue or would go bad when it got hot. 2017 Contusion Blue Challenger T/A 392 M6 "BLKNBLU"

Re: Mopar techs- PCM reprograming?? [Re: CJK440] #159270 12/10/08 11:38 AM 12/10/08 11:38 AM
Joined: Jan 2003 Posts: 6,816 Alton, IL D Dakota_Don master
Dakota_Don master D Joined: Jan 2003 Posts: 6,816 Alton, IL	was it the alt?? or the pcm??

Re: Mopar techs- PCM reprograming?? [Re: Dakota_Don] #159271 12/10/08 11:53 AM 12/10/08 11:53 AM
Joined: Jan 2003 Posts: 9,982 Ansonia, CT C CJK440 OP master
CJK440 OP master C Joined: Jan 2003 Posts: 9,982 Ansonia, CT	Alternator. I was close to buying a PCM but tried this first. Glad I waited. 2017 Contusion Blue Challenger T/A 392 M6 "BLKNBLU"

Re: Mopar techs- PCM reprograming?? [Re: CJK440] #159272 12/10/08 03:34 PM 12/10/08 03:34 PM
Joined: Jan 2003 Posts: 6,816 Alton, IL D Dakota_Don master
Dakota_Don master D Joined: Jan 2003 Posts: 6,816 Alton, IL	cool

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