ECM Wire Latch

[AFarnham]

I installed a PACBrake a couple of days ago. It all went well, with one exception. Wire pin #20 on the ECM 50 pin connector will not latch onto the solenoid wire, for some reason. The wire end has what looks to be the appropriate ECM pin on it. System reliability, as a result, is spotty.



Has anyone experienced this, and is there any solution? PACBrake tech service was helpful, but did not have any suggestions.

 

[Amianthus]

Just Checking

You do realize that you have to remove the ECM plug to install the ECM pin. Right? It threads through the hole that is plugged in the connector.



If you have done this and it still doesn't work, you'll need to get a new pin from Pac. Which shouldn't be a problem. They were a great help with my first brake. Good luck.

 

[AFarnham]

Thanks for asking! Not a bad question.



Yes, I pulled out the tiny plastic dust protector before attempting to plug in the ECM pin in. While troubleshooting my "lack of latch" problem, I also removed the wiring harness male 50 pin ECM connector from the port on the engine ECM. An easy thing to do, and everything looked proper as far as alignment went in there. It went back together perfectly, but the PAC-supplied pin will not latch in position #20. A small problem, but a large one from a safety/reliability standpoint.



Guess I will get in touch with PAC and see if I can get a new pin. It is almost as if the current one is not long enough, or does not have a grip ridge built into it.



Thanks for your help.

 

[Thomas]

Try Cummins for the pin.



CUMMINS NORTHWEST, INC.

811 S. W. GRADY WAY

RENTON WA, 98055



425. 235. 3400

 

[Amianthus]

The reason I asked is because I was contacted by someone, who shall remain nameless (tisdale, you know who you are), that was trying to feed the pin in from the outside of the ECM plug. You must feed it from the inside out. Then there will be a point at which it will "snap" into place.



Hopefully this will fix your problem. Or maybe Pac will send you a new pin (they were pretty good about that with mine). You will really enjoy the thing for sure and wonder how you ever got along without it. Keep us posted.

 

[AFarnham]

Maybe I got it wrong - I thought I needed to pull out the dust cover pin, and re-insert the ECM pin. I'll check it again tonight. PAC has been very good to me, and sent me a replacement pin. The indentations in the pin look different from the one with the kit, and maybe this one will latch.



I have not replaced the pin yet, because the truck is in the shop. Apparently (there are many threads on this topic), there is an obligatory front-end rebuild at about 40k miles. When I did the most recent oil change, I noticed the steering gear was leaking hydraulic fluid. Checked it a bit further, and found that the trackbar was also loose. I'm having the gear replaced, and may have a stabilizer bar added. Also having a Luke's Link put on the trackbar. I'm a tad "non-plused" about the value engineering in this area of the vehicle, but it is what it is. Fortunately, there is a good supply system of aftermarket components available, which are of higher quality than OEM. Funny, though, because it doesn't steer any different than when new. Which is to say that it didn't steer that well to begin with.



I'll take a look at the ECM pin connector again tonight. For the last couple of days, the pin stayed put, and I have been able to cut my use of the service brakes by about 2/3. I'm not sure how I ever got along without this equipment!