FLASHING "Trans Temp" and Tow Haul Indicators/Lights??

[CharlesHoward]

Dodge Dealer Technician called me tonight (Monday night - thanks for prompt service!). Wow, wants to do ALL the work the Transmission Shop did last week (Pigtail, Gov Pressure, Solenoid, Pan, Filter, Fluid) and says the ECM is bad and wants $2800 for a Chrysler Reman warranted for 2 years ECM - but upon learning all the Transmission Shop did wants to hold off on ordering the ECM.
Hmmm... what is wrong with my Truck???
Should I forego the Chrysler Remanufactured ECM and go for the "autocomputerspecialist.com" $1299 one (others available online are even less expensive...)
Maybe bring my truck home, install a "new" remanufactured ECM from a Vendor other than Chrysler - myself and if that doesn't work, take back to Dealer or some other Shop with DRB III capability????

 

[CharlesHoward]

Well the Dodge Dealer Tech says it must be the ECM. They can't get these ECMs anymore so they told me I'm on my own/ they can't fix it, but they will gladly run any reman ECM on their DRBIII if needed... Yes, they said ECMs commonly fail (2005 Ram, replaced ECM in 2014 and now in 2019/2020 - so am I unlucky???)
The DRBIII Codes the Dealer found on my ECM are 2618DG (Tow Haul) and 2514DG (Trans Temp Gov Pressure?)
The Truck runs fine just running around with NO Check Engine Light...
So I took it back to my Shop and they said they'll install a reman ECM but no guarantees as they've had MANY problems/returns with reman ECMs on many vehicles.
Guess I'll order a reman ECM and see if I get lucky.

 

[p-Bar]

Some places will fix yours. I think that's a better way to go. I don't want someone else's junk

 

[Ozymandias]

Did you do what SAG2 said to do?

 

[CharlesHoward]

The Trans shop messed with the Fan...Did not understand the cable issue
I assume the DRB III codes mean the ECM IS busted.

 

[Ozymandias]

First disconnect the Fan, then delete all codes, then do a test ride for a couple miles and check after which codes come then.
The fan is known to throw all kinds of codes, far of from reality. Disconnected it should throw only the one for the Fan itself.

Check that - it's Free.

 

[CharlesHoward]

Well, for now its at the Shop and a Reman ECM is on order from Autocomputerspecialist.com so I will keep these suggestions in mind when the ECM arrives.
Is it possible the Fan could flummox the ECM into having DRBIII codes without any Check Engine Light?

 

[CharlesHoward]

Well, after a flurry of emails from "autocomputerspecialist.com' last month i haven't heard anything.... My credit card was charged... Hope something happens and its not a scam...
Happy New Year!

 

[CharlesHoward]

The Saga continues! Dealer got DRB Codes 2618DG and 2514DG. Ordered Reman Computer from AutoComputerSpecialists and I suppose due to the Holidays that took almost 3 weeks. Shop installed the ACS Computer Monday and it would not start/turnover the Engine and got 3 Codes (ECM voltage and Fuel Injector..).
The shop is sending the ACS ECM back to them and had to reinstall my "broken" ECM to move the Truck out of the Shop Bay. ACS will retest but claims the issues are "not likely" ECM issues... But their ECM won't start the Truck so....whats to blame???
Will my Truck ever be fixed?? Only 168K miles on it!

 

[CharlesHoward]

Shop called me Feb 11 as they had not received a replacement ECM from ACS yet. I called ACS the same day and they indicated a technician was working on it and it would be ready in a few days - very coincidental? And only a MONTH since their non-functional ECM was sent back.
Truck still dead....

 

[Prairie Dog]

I hope someone

Some places will fix yours. I think that's a better way to go. I don't want someone else's junk

I think this is good advice.
I used to work in an avionics shop fixing aircraft electronics. The tech next to me, Tom, was a flake. He would constantly put assemblies back in our exchange stock that had issues. His excuse? He couldn't verify the problem (because he was incompetent). Here's the best part; by "verify" he meant that he couldn't get it to fail twice. He'd see it fail once and when he couldn't make it fail again, he figured it was golden. Still makes my blood boil.
I verified issues just about 100% of the time and only built exhange units I could trust. After all, it was my good name that followed it. In the rare instance I coulnd't confirm a defect, I scrapped it.
As we all know, there are people in every trade that suck at what they do. At least when you get your own puter back, you know what problem it had and that it wasn't worked on by Tom.

 

[CharlesHoward]

i appreciate the good advice!
When it began to appear a new ECM was needed i researched online and found no NEW ones available, but MANY companies either selling REMANS or also (sometimes only) fixing your own as several have suggested. But all had a mix of good and mostly bad reviews, especially for "bait & switch" repair charges, but "Oh no, we can't fix it so you need to buy a Reman one...."
However once the need for a new ECM was confirmed, Cerbesium provided a list of potential "good guys" and since buying a REMAN would be quicker (Ha!) than removing my somewhat working ECM and sending it, waiting for a fix, and then a return - that's why I went that route...as we were anxious to get back on the road.
As it happened, that did not happen and I have $1299 given to ACS and hopefully they will make it right someday!
And if not, refute the Credit Card Charge and see if I can get mine "repaired" from another "suggested vendor"...

 

[GrantP]

I hope someone
As we all know, there are people in every trade that suck at what they do. At least when you get your own puter back, you know what problem it had and that it wasn't worked on by Tom.

So true. I also worked in the aviation industry for 12 years, if you personally signed off on the FAA docs then it has to be right. But we had an occasional "Tom" too. Ultimately I was the only one rebuilding the parts in the shop after a short conversation with the boss, the rest cleaned parts and handled shipping duties, right where "Tom" should be.

 

[p-Bar]

Put your dispute in with the credit card company now. They usually only give you 30 days after the purchase.

 

[Prairie Dog]

So true. I also worked in the aviation industry for 12 years, if you personally signed off on the FAA docs then it has to be right. But we had an occasional "Tom" too. Ultimately I was the only one rebuilding the parts in the shop after a short conversation with the boss, the rest cleaned parts and handled shipping duties, right where "Tom" should be.

I was an Airman later. Thankfully I never had to do an 8130 on Toms work!

 

[CharlesHoward]

What a saga! Apparently, Autocomputerspecialist (ACS) sent another Reman ECM to my "Home" in mid-Feb.... However they had my home address wrong and the ECM was returned to them. My shop called me Mar 23 wondering where the replacement / "second try" ECM was. I called ACS and they told me what I just shared and corrected my home address. However we're still in the Rio Grande Valley so I instructed them send this replacement ECM directly to my Shop at home where the truck is (which they should have done before!. They assured me this ECM would work...hopefully it will show up next week and we'll see....

 

[CumminsPuller]

Charles, assuming the ECM worked for you and all your troubles have gone away?

-Jace

 

[CharlesHoward]

Haven't driven it since last Dec as we spent the Winter in the RGV. Desperately needs a washing and will start driving it again later this month as we need it to pull our RV once again (after almost 2 years) 900 miles north from Montgomery AL to Cedar Rapids IA for our Church building service at least one more and probably last time. I'll see what happens then!

 

[CharlesHoward]

Picked up the Fifth Wheel Trailer from Storage, drove 8 Miles Home, activated "Tow Haul" Mode, backed the Fiver up our slightly elevated driveway with NO problems.
New Turbo is a little louder "whining", but no evidence of smoking while idling or backing (which was another issue when last serviced).
- Regarding the "smoking" I wonder if the wastegate actuator had failed on my old Turbo... New Turbo has no wastegate.
Should I encounter more difficulties I'll post it otherwise I hope this thread is over...
Safe Travels!