How hard is it to get a new WORKing ECM?

[CharlesHoward]

My 2005 Dodge Ram (168K miles and clean) ECM could no longer control the Transmission correctly as described in my "Flashing Tow Haul & Trans Temp Light" thread. Neither Trans shop or regular shop could fix and local Dealer confirmed the ECM was bad with their legacy equipment. But it still runs, just won't tow....(P0643, P0866, and DRB Codes: 2618 DG, 2514 DG)

I ordered a REMAN ECM from AutoComputerSpecialist in December 19 which has a good rep for REBUILDS. The ECM they sent in Jan would NOT start the Truck. The second ECM they sent this month (Apr 20) WOULD START the truck but threw 8 codes my shop identified, which follow:

P2607, P0713, P0521, P0463, P0628, P0462, P1750, P0643 - Still 2 Trans issues plus other "nonsensical" problems?

So I plan to send the second ECM back to ACS. If their THIRD ECM doesn't work.... My shop advises me a Nissan they had took 6 ECMs to finally fix it....

What should I do? On the "Cumminsforum" a recent thread endorsed "GoECM.com" that provided a working ECM. They do have a "slick/modern" website and BBB membership with resolved complaints....

It would hurt to spend another $1200 on another ECM from some other vendor, but then I would have 2 companies trying to build a working one (hopefully these guys are not trying to aid our nation in the Hospital Ventilator surge )

Or should I risk "killing" my Truck and sending my mostly functional ECM off for potential repair somewhere (or if its NOT repairable...then trying my luck some more on REMAN ECMs....?)
Suggestions?

 

[MGreer]

Some on here have used sia electronics with success.

 

[CharlesHoward]

SIA looks pretty good, but now I'm confused as I apparently don't have the PART Number, but the HARDWARE CODE for my ECM is R5135591AC. So they show several different Part Number ECMs with this HARDWARE CODE - so what is the difference and what is more important to know: the Part Number or HARDWARE CODE? Or must both be known and the same?

 

[BigPapa]

I know when I ordered one from ACS for my son's Mustang ALL numbers had to be the same. The one they sent me worked perfect the first time.

There's a thread on this here:

https://www.turbodieselregister.com/threads/ecm-repair-or-replacement.266771/

 

[CharlesHoward]

Thanks,
Cerebesium sent me a slightly dated copy of the "preferred list" and that's why I went with ACS as the top ranked REBUILDER.
Maybe ACS dropped the ball as the most recent messed up ECM they sent me had their Part Number 53040529AD / 3975243 and my stock computer Hardware Code is R5135591AC. Shop did not provide any other numbers and ACS didn't ask for anything else besides VIN and Valve Cover Reference numbers.
What a goat rope...

 

[MGreer]

Does acs send you an off the shelf rebuild? I believe Sia rebuilds your ecm.

 

[CharlesHoward]

ACS sent "off the shelf" tested units. SIA will do the same for just a little less than I paid ACS.

 

[MGreer]

I've never been a big fan of send me an off the shelf unit and hope the numbers are the same. In this case I would send my ecm to them to rebuild. Your situation is tough being involved with another company already.

 

[Crunch]

Or should I risk "killing" my Truck and sending my mostly functional ECM off for potential repair somewhere (or if its NOT repairable...then trying my luck some more on REMAN ECMs....?)
Suggestions?

I used SIA Electronics when I was getting the code for voltage to an injector group. $250 for the repair and guaranteed for life. They replaced the high side diode and sent it back. Everything was fine for about a week and then the same code came back. I sent it back and they honored their warranty. The code kept returning, and they honored their warranty. The last time my truck ran perfectly for two months and 3,000 miles, which included two 1,000 trips. A couple days after the last trip the code returned. This was the first week of January of this year. Sent it back and they honored the warranty. This time they replaced the signal amplifier for the injector group that was giving me trouble, and also re-soldered all the connections. Got the ECM back and the truck has run perfectly ever since. I was told that when dealing with ECM's the problem is often intermittent and they just have to keep at it until they can track it down. It's certainly no fun when the problem keeps recurring, especially when it's a two week turn around from the day you send it out. But they honored their warranty without any hassles and I'm sure they didn't like to keep working on it any more than I liked sending it, considering they weren't making any more money off it. But overall I am happy with their work and would use them again. I also asked about buying a spare ECM from them and they told me they only repaired them and didn't sell them.

Considering how integral the ECM is to vehicles these days I wouldn't mind having a spare to throw on in an emergency. It's a 20 minute switch out and if you do a lot of long distance driving you might even say it's essential to have one. It may be the difference between driving your truck home or having it towed long distances. Or worse, left in a strange place until you can get the ECM back and reinstalled. But for $250 I would recommend you at least give them a shot at repairing it. They will want all the numbers off the ECM, your VIN and I think your ESN (engine serial number). Be very specific about your problem in your cover letter. They don't charge you until it is repaired, and payment is required before they send it back. Since your truck works to some degree with your second ECM you at least won't be without a vehicle. So as far as recommendations go, I'd definitely recommend them. Good luck.

 

[CharlesHoward]

I spoke to ACS today. They continue to promise to help me. They explained that of the many codes their Second REMAN threw, not all were purely ECM failures itself and tried to explain how they test the ECM, but once installed on the Truck the Shop doesn't test the ECM, just see's the codes - BUT its the ECM that transmits the codes... maybe some wiring or sensor or dashboard issues are present, but that doesn't seem to necessarily explain how the original FLASHING Trans Temp & Tow Haul presented themselves and ultimately made the Truck unsuitable for Towing...

As a side note on how difficult this process seems to be....The Transmission Shop (where I ORIGINALLY took my Truck due to the Flashing Dashboard Lights) next door to my Repair Shop, subsequently to my saga, sourced a new ECM for a 2004 RAM Dually from ECM4Cars.com and THAT REMAN ECM (per the Trans Shop Owner) worked for a couple of weeks and then threw the same codes as before and put the Truck in Limp mode. Have not yet inquired about what they did about that.

In my Frustration I searched online again for another REMAN ECM vendor (there are many). Hmm... is it significant that there is a CM848E ECM Part Number ECM3975243 OR a CM848G ECM Part Number 3975241 available for my 2005 SLT Crew Cab per AUTOMODULE SOURCE? Does that make a difference as suggested earlier in this thread? But my Shop only gave me a Hardware Code of 5135391AC (and VIN and Valve Cover Serial Number) - which was enough for ACS??

And I found a Fort Worth TX (TX being Pickup Kingdom with more expertise?) vendor called GOECM with a slick website and BBB certification that answered my inquiry with a prompt reply suggesting my symptoms likely reflect a bad Processor which can't be repaired so a REMAN would be preferable... But my subsequent inquiry has gone unanswered and I discovered a very similar (different "Front Page" and mostly the same content) vendor named DieselECM - and that GOECM is Suite 7 and DieselECM is Suite 8 at the SAME street address - so what kind of Business Model is that? Legitimate or sketchy in some way?

And darn it that apparently the ECM failure rate is so low that MANY 05 and older Dodge Ram Diesels are still running fine with their original ECMs and unlike the "Chip/Tuner" market, there is no market to make "new"/modern/updated/upgraded (likely half the size!) replacement "plug and play" ECMs for old trucks. I know we don't have any other electronic devices that old in our home (Computers, TVs, Tablets, Router, Printer, Fridge, Washer, Thermostats, Phones), but why would I want to spend twice as much on a NEW 2020 RAM with probably 5 times as much Electronics on board (plus DEF, can't easily change the Oil) - but a lot more powerful and quieter (not necessary for me) and who knows if they are more reliable???

Thanks to COVID 19 a fix is not urgent and we have a lot of time to ramble on and write...

And thanks or your patience if you care to read all this!

 

[Crunch]

And I found a Fort Worth TX (TX being Pickup Kingdom with more expertise?) vendor called GOECM with a slick website and BBB certification that answered my inquiry with a prompt reply suggesting my symptoms likely reflect a bad Processor which can't be repaired so a REMAN would be preferable... But my subsequent inquiry has gone unanswered and I discovered a very similar (different "Front Page" and mostly the same content) vendor named DieselECM - and that GOECM is Suite 7 and DieselECM is Suite 8 at the SAME street address - so what kind of Business Model is that? Legitimate or sketchy in some way?

Seems like it could be a red flag, but it also might be that one is for diesel pickups and the other is for semi diesels and heavy equipment. The GoECM page looks like they specialize in Cummins ECM's, while the Diesel ECM page features Cat, Detroit, International and heavy equipment ECM's in addition to pickups. They are actually in Grand Prairie, which is about 15 miles east of Fort Worth. I live in Fort Worth, but don't get out that way very often or I would drive by and give you an eyeball report on what the place looks like. If they aren't responding to e-mails I'd give them a call on the phone and see if they sound trustworthy. You can pickup a lot from the sound of someone's voice, and it's also easier to get answers to a series of questions than with an e-mail exchange.

 

[cerberusiam]

ECM's are such a pain to source and get right. Everybody has different experiences so hard to tell. Buddy has done a couple form one of those on that list, SIA I think. One took I think 3 times to get it right, at least 2 others 1 and done. Just no telling what will happen.

I think either for those ECM revisions will work on an 05, a G work where an E was but the other maybe\maybe not DEPENDING on what was changed. MY05 had a couple ranges of ECM and changes thru the year so it can be difficult.

I had an 05 ECM rot a pin off the B connector, swapped in an 04 and ran a recovery file on it, started it up and no codes. Thought I had ti covered, until I went to drive it. No throttle reaction. Hmmm, yeah an 04 had an engine mounted APPS where 05 was firewall mounted and the memory locations were different. Ordered an ECM off of Ebay that had a different last digit but same CM848 prefix, loaded the recovery file and all good. If you could buy an 05 with the correct version and have someone rewrite the VIN you should be good. Finding a way to rewrite the VIN is the problem but there are places that will do it for a fee.

Places like HP Tuners and Diablo Sport will unlock ECM's, they can probably flash an ECM and rewrite the VIN.

 

[Regcabguy]

What does the dealer get for one? The KO1 reflash procedure fried mine and Mopar installed a new or reman'd one and it's worked for years now with Smarty and now EFI. Knock on wood.

 

[CharlesHoward]

I dropped off ACS Computer #3 at my Shop yesterday. I left them with a note to check my batteries since they are 4.5 year old AGMs (that I only conditioned for days 2-3 times/year with an AGM charger) and probably need to be charged or maybe even replaced since the Truck has been sitting since mid-Dec - and also the Fuel.

I found a U-tube video on installing an ECM into a 06 Megacab with 368K miles by a shadetree mechanic "Chris Rocha" who got an ECM from All computer Resource (?) and installed it himself. He stressed that with the Key in the ON position (but not starting) to slowly push the Accelerator Pedal down all the way and then release slowly to set the APPS.... I asked ACS about that technique and they told me they specialize in Cummins and that was Internet ********... It worked for him, but a few days later MANY codes appeared and he realized he had left the rear dome light one, so he was able to clear the codes after charging up the batteries.

Also that multiple computers mean the "vehicle has been misdiagnosed" - ummm, the dealer confirmed my Stock Reman Computer from 2014 was BAD. They only test the module and it tests good (not any vehicle or wiring issues). But each computer presents mostly DIFFERENT Codes!

One Consistent Code is P2607 which refers to the Air Intake heater. I did replace the Air Intake Horn this summer but reconnected the (did not remove) Heater... and that shouldn't affect the main issue of the Transmission not being properly controlled.

The latest ECM they sent suggests a 500 Mile test drive. Hmm, that's much more than I would normally tow my Fifth Wheel in a day.
Time will tell.

 

[Ozymandias]

Finding a way to rewrite the VIN is the problem but there are places that will do it for a fee.

Places like HP Tuners and Diablo Sport will unlock ECM's, they can probably flash an ECM and rewrite the VIN.

The latest software from Autoenginuity can write the VIN to the ECM.
Just saw that Option last week, playing around with it. Wasn't there before.

 

[Crunch]

And I found a Fort Worth TX (TX being Pickup Kingdom with more expertise?) vendor called GOECM with a slick website and BBB certification that answered my inquiry with a prompt reply suggesting my symptoms likely reflect a bad Processor which can't be repaired so a REMAN would be preferable... But my subsequent inquiry has gone unanswered and I discovered a very similar (different "Front Page" and mostly the same content) vendor named DieselECM - and that GOECM is Suite 7 and DieselECM is Suite 8 at the SAME street address - so what kind of Business Model is that? Legitimate or sketchy in some way?

If you are still looking for ECM info I can now provide you with some firsthand knowledge on GoECM/DieselECM. My original ECM threw the dreaded code last Friday, so it's going back to SIA Electronics for another lifetime warranty repair. Since I am tired of spending money on renting vehicles while the ECM is out of town, I decided to look into buying a backup ECM so I at least have a spare.

I checked into the websites for both GoECM and DieselECM, and checked out BBB reviews. Everything checked out OK, with the complaints centering around people not getting their core charge refunded. DieselECM states that if the core is not usable, they won't return the deposit. I then decided to see what kind of price I was looking at. This is where it got interesting, though it tended toward my favor. The GoECM website listed the 3963944 ECM model for $895 and a $400 core charge. The DieselECM website listed the same ECM model for $795 and a $100 core deposit. That was right up my alley, so I printed up the web page and yesterday I drove out there (22 miles) to get eyes on the place. GoECM/DieselECM are the same business, with the doors for both companies opening up into the same lobby. They rang me up for the web page price, and got the number data they needed to program into the new ECM. The one number I didn't have that they needed was the E/C number on the ECM, with is the calibration number. Today I picked up the new ECM, which has a lifetime warranty, and installed it this afternoon.

The truck fired right up, threw no codes and runs great. But there is one quirk that I might have to get back to them about. The accelerator is a lot more sensitive, and as a lot more zip to it. It's like the truck is chipped. If I step into the pedal, it starts rolling coal, as the cool kids say. So tomorrow I am going to do two things. First, I'm going to disconnect the batteries for about 30 minutes and try to recalibrate the APPS. I may have made a mistake by not disconnecting the batteries this time before I switched out the ECM's. Second, I will contact DieselECM and see if it is a programming issue they need to deal with. Other than this glitch I am happy with their service, their price and their product. We'll see how it all shakes out tomorrow. I haven't sent the original ECM in for repair, so I can switch them back out if they need it off the truck.

 

[CharlesHoward]

Thanks for the update on GOECM/DeiselECM! Have not heard from my shop since I took the Third ACS Reman computer to them. Maybe I should not have stressed I don't like being in the middle between a Computer Vendor that swears their ECMs are good and the Shop that can't get the Truck to work with them...even though DITYs often can...

 

[CharlesHoward]

Shop called last Friday (June 19), they think they found the problem and have fixed my truck.... They Still got a bunch of Transmission Codes with the latest REMAN (Third) Computer. But this time a Tech decided to try to track down electrical problems and tore apart harnesses and found broken wires to re-solder and Heatshrink. Still waiting to hear exactly what Harness was at fault/where the problem was as the Service Writer had no clue, just the list of Transmission codes. I gave them a MOPAR Heavy Duty Fuel Filtration upgrade kit to install and to drive it some more.
That should be the fix.... as the first symptom way back in Dec 19 was Trans Temp and Tow Haul lights illuminated but not the CEL. But the Transmission Shop said my Trans was good and so was the wiring (by appearance). But Shop said ECM and Dodge Dealer confirmed the ECM was bad, and the first Reman ECM wouldn't even start the Truck....
What a goat rope! My Core ECM is a Cummins Reman from from 2014. Can I get 5 more years out of this truck?

 

[HPSimpson]

Thanks for update, glad to hear found the broken wires sure hope you can drive for ten more years.

 

[CharlesHoward]

Finally brought the Truck HOME today - almost 6 months in the shop and 3 Reman Computers. On this last go-around Codes related to High Voltage were finally traced to broken wires in the first bend in the Transmission Harness "aft" of the Connector to the Transmission. Too bad the Transmission shop missed that... Why would those wires break? Too many Pressure Transducer and Governor Replacements in the Trans?
I've had to fix wires inside the wrapping between the frame and doors, but they get "bent" all the time opening and closing doors...
There was one other Engine Code traced to a connector that wasn't all the way "closed" (How did that happen?) and closing it fixed it....
I wonder how bad my original ECM was as the first indicator of problems was Flashing "TRANS TEMP" and "TOW HAUL" dashboard lights (when not even in Tow Haul mode). But the ECM tested bad and the first replacement ECM wouldn't even start the truck...2 ECMs later...
So once home I hooked up the Fifth Wheel and we took the trailer back to the storage lot without any problems. Prayers answered!
I hope this is my last update for this saga!
PS, my shop only charged me $1143 for 3 Remove/Re-install ECM, diagnostics, harness repair, and installing the Chrysler Supplemental Heavy Duty Fuel Filter system... I think that was pretty fair as I was expecting 3 times as much expense!