ECM bad? 01 CTD

[Jeffrey Kamke]

I posted a while back in the 911 section and have replaced lots of parts--AirDog fuel filter and pump, MAP sensor, many ground issues with wiring including multi function switch and headlights.

I have a 2001 2500 CTD auto with 310,000 miles that I bought with 306,000 miles. I don't know much of the past history other than the truck had been well maintained and hasn't had many problems.

My local diesel shop, which they are very good, says bad ECM. The codes I've had are high low voltage ECM codes. My problem with the truck is power loss. I don't have full power 98% of the time. Truck starts and runs fine. I've not found this same problem in any forum searches on here or others.

I have 2 scenarios that I have full power. 1) When shop had me replace MAP sensor I had full power for a few days. 2) On very cold mornings, below freezing, or after engine has sat overnight I will have full power for 2-5 miles. When engine sat overnight it doesn't always have full power, mainly when it's colder, yet yesterday I had full power for over 5 miles and it only got down to the 40’s overnight.

So do I truly have a bad ECM?

I have a local source that can reman it for $300, but will I need a dealer flash?

Thanks for any help you confirm the problem.

 

[JR]

Which codes exactly are you getting? Judging by your symptoms the fpcm on the VP44 can go tango uniform and cause similar driveability issues.

 

[rkressg]

Check the codes and see what comes out. I would be cautious of local shops on repairing the ECMs, check them out thoroughly.

I had good luck getting my ECM repaired with Auto Module Source in Davie, FL back in 2014. It came back with the software on it, I just had to fill out the form when I returned it to them. No trouble with it since they rebuilt the unit, and I have put another 100k on the truck since then.

Thinking back, I think I had about 20 different codes that came up, and the engine was running like crap when it got hot. I am sure the capacitors on the circuit board were just shot after 14 years and 200k miles back then.

 

[gtwitch]

I would start by cleaning and tightening all of the ground points, start looking at them and there multiple ones!!! Start under the drivers side battery and go from there.
gtwitch in wyoming