Archived 2003 Common Rail Down!! Help

[TrevorC]

2003 Ram 3500 215HP

Vin Code: 6



At the end of September, while backing out of the driveway, the truck began running rough and MIL appeared. Engine Code P2146. Checked the fuel for water, changed the filter and cleared the engine code.



Truck ran perfect for about 15 minutes and problem returned.



Took truck to dealer who told me I needed a new wiring harness and charged my $180.



Took to a Diesel mechanic who had it for over a month swapping injectors, etc. and never could track down the problem. Finally picked up the truck and took to another diesel mechanic who specializes in Dodge Cummins trucks.



His diagnosis is that the ECM is bad. He has ohmed out the wiring harness and replaced the ECM with a "Test" ECM (i. e. not for the truck, VINs don't match, etc. ) the truck idles and all injectors getting fuel. However, cannot do anything other than idle as the ECM is not programmed for the truck.



I have checked with various companies on the internet who say they can repair my ECM.



The Dodge Dealer wants $1,200 for a Rebuilt ECM which has to be programmed in the truck.



Please offer any advice or alternatives to a the $1,200 ECM.



The ECM Part No. is 3963994



Thanks for any help!



Trevor

 

[p-Bar]

Check this guy out see what these cost



http://www.wagnerandassociates.biz/

 

[Msilbernagel]

2003 Ram 3500 215HP

Vin Code: 6

Please offer any advice or alternatives to a the $1,200 ECM.

The ECM Part No. is 3963994

Thanks for any help!

Trevor

Autoworld has a fellow they partner with who can program the ECMs, and between them they also have some aftermarket sources for the boxes themselves. Give them a call. (autoworld ):



ken & dawna kraus

www.autoworldmt.com

406-727-8915

200 conversions and counting

73 chev dually, 97 12V, GV Overdrive, NV4500

 

[Bob4x4]

I had that code in a truck 3-4 weeks ago it ended up being a shorted injector. Another shop had diagnosed it as an ecm also. When any injector shorts it will kill all three in that bank. You must isolate just like any other short ckt testing. !-3 are bank 1 . Good luck. If your problem is intermittant like mine was it will be fun proving.



Bob

 

[RankRam]

2003 Ram 3500 215HP

Vin Code: 6



At the end of September, while backing out of the driveway, the truck began running rough and MIL appeared. Engine Code P2146. Checked the fuel for water, changed the filter and cleared the engine code.



Truck ran perfect for about 15 minutes and problem returned.



Trevor

From what I gathered from this part your post, the only time your truck has ran right is when you changed the fuel filter.



Are you sure it's not a fuel problem?



You know dirty fuel or fuel with algae will plug a filter very fast?



Maybe it's just me hoping for the best, but I would look at the filter again.



Hope this helps and welcome to the TDR!