Dodge PCM
Asked by Vanon66 Feb 24, 2019 at 09:57 PM about the 2002 Dodge RAM Van 1500 Extended Cargo RWD
Question type: Maintenance & Repair
I have replaced three pcm's in my 2002 Dodge 1500 Ram Van in the last 18 months. Part of my concerns is that heat and rain have been part of this. Is there something I can do to help make my pcm more weatherproof and more resistant to engine heat?
3 Answers
Wow 3 that's 2 to many. Check the charging system, over voltage will kill a computer in a nanosecond also check the ground wires. The only way moisture might affect this ECM Is if you put it underwater. There are millions of these on th road that don't have problems so no extra heat sinking or care need be given the ECM.
That is my reaction too. I am not a mechanic so I am basically at the mercy of what a mechanic tells me. Fortunately, the first time this occurred the mechanic that I know and trust took a look at the pcm itself and said that it had a great deal of rust on the mother board and many of the soldered points were broke loose. All this resulted in the van not wanting to start. The second time I had a problem with this was 12 months after that with the same thing happening. Since I was traveling I had it taken to a local mechanic that was referred to me by a friend. In the process of diagnosing things he noticed that he could wiggle the harness and it would turn the van on and off. With that diagnosis, I sent the pcm back to the man who had it rebuilt the first time and he had it rebuilt by the vendor that he uses. When I got that one back in the van everything was normal. Now, 6 months later I had the van strand me while traveling so I had it towed to the local Dodge dealership. They told me that they spent the time to go all through the harness wiring to check for problems and also check relays. They told me that it was the pcm. This time I ordered a rebuilt pcm from another supplier directly which should be installed in the next day or two. Since I am not a mechanic I am at the mercy of what mechanics tell me. Still, I can't believe that I have gone through so many of these and the cost for all this has been insane. What do you suggest that I do at this point?