Engine/Transmission (1998.5 - 2002) ECM - new ,rebuild or other problem

[DMorris]

This is my second shot at posting this. Here is my saga.

240K on motor. Develope the standard dead pedal and white smoke. Put in another new lift pump. Same with all the codes saying VP44. So I get a new VP44 from BlueChip. Runs good - seems a little doggy but thats how it ran since I got the truck less then two months ago. 200 miles later I get check engine - scan says its high voltage,crank pos,and companion. But runs fine, so I clear and figure maybe I get lucky - fluke ? Nope maybe 600mi later tach drops to zero-check engine- then a minute later tach works again. Scan says high boost,companion, and something else. so 100 miles later same thing. Then yesterday (maybe 100miles later) I get white smoke,dead pedal, and poor runing, scan says (lost my notes so I will do my best) high boost, crank pos,companion and something else -cant remember. Doug at bluechip says - map, crank position sensor, or more then likely ECM. I have only 10K on a new crank sensor. So I order a map from Genos. No one arounf my place has a ecm that I can swap so ???? If I need a ECM rebuild- where do I send it ? I can not afford to keep throwing money at this so , any other ideas ?

 

[Mike B.]

There's a company called Auto Module Service that advertises on Ebay. I'll be sending off one of my core ECM's to them for repair in a few days. They claim a two day turn abound once they receive the core so with any luck I'll have something to report back shortly. If you look on Ebay you'll find quite few used ones for sale, some with warranty and some without. I tried going that route once and end up with a brick with the seller promptly took back without issue.

I wouldn't be so quick to rule out another bad CPS though. The first CPS in my 99 lasted almost 400K miles before it started to have issues with heat soaking. During the next 60K miles I had to replace the CPS 3 more times. CPS are cheap and pretty easy to install so I think if I were you I'd pop another one in before I laid out $500 for a used ECM or repair.

Cheers
Mike

 

[DMorris]

There's a company called Auto Module Service that advertises on Ebay. I'll be sending off one of my core ECM's to them for repair in a few days. They claim a two day turn abound once they receive the core so with any luck I'll have something to report back shortly. If you look on Ebay you'll find quite few used ones for sale, some with warranty and some without. I tried going that route once and end up with a brick with the seller promptly took back without issue.



I wouldn't be so quick to rule out another bad CPS though. The first CPS in my 99 lasted almost 400K miles before it started to have issues with heat soaking. During the next 60K miles I had to replace the CPS 3 more times. CPS are cheap and pretty easy to install so I think if I were you I'd pop another one in before I laid out $500 for a used ECM or repair.



Cheers

Mike

Thanks Mike. I am interested to hear your results with Auto Module Service.

 

[DMorris]

This is my second shot at posting this. Here is my saga.

240K on motor. Develope the standard dead pedal and white smoke. Put in another new lift pump. Same with all the codes saying VP44. So I get a new VP44 from BlueChip. Runs good - seems a little doggy but thats how it ran since I got the truck less then two months ago. 200 miles later I get check engine - scan says its high voltage,crank pos,and companion. But runs fine, so I clear and figure maybe I get lucky - fluke ? Nope maybe 600mi later tach drops to zero-check engine- then a minute later tach works again. Scan says high boost,companion, and something else. so 100 miles later same thing. Then yesterday (maybe 100miles later) I get white smoke,dead pedal, and poor runing, scan says (lost my notes so I will do my best) high boost, crank pos,companion and something else -cant remember. Doug at bluechip says - map, crank position sensor, or more then likely ECM. I have only 10K on a new crank sensor. So I order a map from Genos. No one arounf my place has a ecm that I can swap so ???? If I need a ECM rebuild- where do I send it ? I can not afford to keep throwing money at this so , any other ideas ?

This morning I thought I would run to store with truck. Cold start -terrible running and a horrible amount of white smoke - had to shut it off and go to back up vehicle . I am guessing this is not going to be fixed with a Map Sensor ?

 

[JR]

It would be very helpful if you posted the specific code numbers to which you are getting, rather than trying to go by memory.

Are you running any kind of programmer?

 

[DMorris]

P1693 P0336 P0216 , plus codes I have had in the past , (sorry dont remember the code #) boost high - high voltage .

 

[DMorris]

It did have a super chip in the past, but prior to the VP44 change I had reset it to stock

 

[RobertBradford]

I had to replace my ECM about 5 years ago. The wife took the truck and in one mile the truck went into limp mode. When she nursed it back it
would only start if I disconnected the battery then reconnect; then the engine was race up!! Anyway we found the ecm was shot.

I sent mine to a place in Detroit and they stole it!! I then got ahold of www.goecmdiesel and they took care of me. They sent a rebuild and programed it by next day delievery. I took a hit on the core charge but was very happy on their product. You can find them on the web.

 

[BDaugherty]

I've used goecm in the past as well. They were not able to repair the dt466e Ecm that I sent them, but I was able to get it back with no hassle. They ended up being a little slower than advertised, but the honesty was there.

 

[DMorris]

Well, Truck is still down !
Sent ECM to GoECM and they said yep its bad, fixed it, put it in- still same thing - called and they blew me off for a few days with the "call you back" BS. Then the manager I got hold of said- we just figured out you have the wrong ECM - what ? Truck ran before. Well its not the right ecm- its for a 2000 and 98/99 are different. So I say now what ? We will build you a good one from a core. Promise it will be right ! I say ok- how much ? Another $300. Well what ever- do it. Just put it in- its worse, truck wont run, and get this, do the "key bump" it doesnt run my lift pump, huh no wonder the truck dont run. The "wrong ecm" ran my lift pump. WTF ! So $900 + into this and its worse .
So now what ? Keep the battle with goecm I guess. Any suggestions ? This truck has been down more then its run in the last two months. I am moving a business and my house on DEC 15th. I dont think I will even have a truck to do it with at this rate .

 

[JR]

Hmm, I think they're full of ****. The only differences in ecm are HO vs SO VP, I've personally seen an ecm from an 01 go into a 99 and run perfectly. I hate to say it but its time to get firm with them.Sounds like your getting the run around.

 

[Joseph Donnelly]

Genos carries the crank position sensor. Since you have Po336, definitely replace it. It can cause a lot of weird problems.

 

[RobertBradford]

Wow sorry about goecm. They did a great job for me now I feel bad telling you about them. I would have them check it out again and make sure they program it. For that amount of money I wouldn't let them off the hook.

 

[GCurrie]

You might want to try Bob Wagner of Wagner and Associates. He helped me out in the past with a 99 ECM. He is very good. You can find him on the internet. He set me up with what I needed.

 

[DMorris]

Genos carries the crank position sensor. Since you have Po336, definitely replace it. It can cause a lot of weird problems.

I did replace the CP sensor prior to the ECM.
Checked today - only getting 5V to the liuft pump. Put the old rebuilt one in and lift pump ran, but clearly same problem as before. Still waiting for GOECM to call me back.going to stop payments next.

 

[DMorris]

I would have them check it out again and make sure they program it. For that amount of money I wouldn't let them off the hook.

Here is how it goes with GOECM - too bad Dan - you want that computer fixed send it back in- too bad you are on the third try and no we wont cover the cost not even shipping. We dont care who says the old computer would work, you bought a new core from us and if you want us to fix one of the two that we didnt fix correctly the first time, then send one in. End of story. Gee what a great deal - over $900 and a month- two computers - no running truck- thats the way they treat a guy. How is it I have to kiss my customers ***'s to get $50 an hour of work out of them, and they get $200 hr and stomp the crap out of a guy ? Guess I need one of those nitch markets. I personally would never go back to GOECM again after this- rather gamble with the jack wagons in Florida.

 

[SAndreasen]

There are companies like that look up diesel care. on eBay about every two hundred feed backs you can read where they screw somebody out of a core but yet they stay on there

 

[DMorris]

Now I need Advice.
Here is my latest- I have my original computer which they said is from a 2000 and is not correct. They say they rebuilt it- interesting that when I scaned it: it still had all the old codes in it ? Humm ? Gee, would you not think they clear that when they do their good as new rebuild / I think its clear they SCREWED me (X2).
So anyhow, I was still stuck on the fact that maybe my new pump was the problem, after all dead pedal and all the same problems as it had prior to installing the new pump a short while back. I got to thinking that if they didnt fix my computer maybe it tested fine ? So I talked to Doug at Blue ship told him the whole scoop where I am at and he reluctant but willingly gave me a replacement - hell of a guy ! who else would do that ? So last night I had a couple hours of sleep I could sacrifice so I thought, Im going to swap this pump out because I dont know how long GoECM will screw around with the "correct" computer they sent me which clearly had issues and was junk - thank you again GOECM.
Swap pump- truck starts and seem to run fine. Err - humm now what ? Do I run the truck with the old computer or could that ruin the new pump ? If the ECM is bad can it communicate poorly with the pump computer and mess up the pump ? I dont think Blue chip is gonna say " sure we will send you another one free", if I do fry it. Why am I concerned if it runs ok ? Well after it started I did a very short hot lap (snowing like mad and retarded drivers) just to clear all the rebuild juice out of the pump. I did get a check engine right away, which is common after a pump swap. But instead of just a 216 code I had companion and something else I cant remember off hand, sorry it was late and I cleared them by accident. I believe the other was a low or high pump pressure - which I assume may be normal depending on how much air has to purge through system ? This is why I worry ? My other option would be to use the super chips programmer I got with the truck and load in one of their programs ? Which I hate to do but maybe thats better then what ever the program is that was put in by GOECM ? After all they said the program they load is not correct for the 1998 ? What would you guys think I should do ? I dont even want to run it it if there is any chance the ECM could harm the new pump. Last option is to hold off until I get the rebuilt "correct" computer back from my buddies at goecm ?
Please advise.

 

[DMorris]

any advice ? I have run the truck a few blocks and all seems good, little black smoke which is good-plenty of fuel. I had no check engine but I did scan it and it still shows a companion code ? I cleared it and will check it after I know if I should drive it or wait for other ECM.

 

[DMorris]

I can only ask - Any one have any advice on what I should do here ? please let me know.
As a side note, goecm got the new bad ecm I sent, tracking says last thursday, promised to call and get it fixed right away, not even a call and that was sent to a "manager".