How many different chips do the 3gen's have?

[EMD-Run8]

I don't have a service manual but I was wondering how many different computer chips are in these trucks? I realize the ECM & TCM (auto trans) but are there separate ones for the instruments, airbags, etc. ? Kind of a scary notion when those suckers start to fail. What kinda money does it take to replace some of them? Almost makes you wish you had a nice 12v quad cab huh?

 

[DPKetchum]

Don't know how many but most new autos now have 4 plus. Bet trucks have less.

 

[Casey Balvert]

I started counting them when I first got my truck. I think it was close to 18 microprocessors of one sort or another. Almost every function in the truck is controlled by a chip.



Casey

 

[DPKetchum]

If you mean seperate BOXES I know lots of autos have 3,4,or more. I don't think our trucks have that amount. It may go through one or two. Maybe a seperate one for heat/ac. Not sure.

 

[RFergy]

My truck has thousands... ... all over the rocker panels :-laf

 

[EMD-Run8]

HAh hah. Some good splash guards took care of that on mine but a 4x4 is surely a different animal. I'm guessing on a six-speed it's gotta be at least the ECM, ABS module, Airbag module and an instruments module. Any others?

 

[Dieselnerd]

I spent most of my career in electronic engineering. If a solid state circuit works for about 90 days it will usually last the life of the product. This period is called "burn in". Just think about how often your modern TV fails or your computer. Biggest enemy of these circuits is excess heat and voltage spikes. Avoiding voltage spikes is the main reason you should disconnect your batteries when doing any electrical work on your truck. Other than that, solid state circuits don't really wear out like a mechanical part.

 

[Pawpaw]

I don't have a service manual but I was wondering how many different computer chips are in these trucks? I realize the ECM & TCM (auto trans) but are there separate ones for the instruments, airbags, etc. ? Kind of a scary notion when those suckers start to fail. What kinda money does it take to replace some of them? Almost makes you wish you had a nice 12v quad cab huh?

If you go here: http://www.dodge.com/bodybuilder/ you can download the wiring diagrams.



It appears the 04's don't have a TCM. That function seems to be in the ECM. As far as I know, the ECM is the only computer on the truck.



The 03's also had a PCM, but those functions were put in the ECM beginning in '04.



Bob

 

[EMD-Run8]

Thanks Dieselnerd and Paw Paw!

 

[aggieLR]

I spent most of my career in electronic engineering. If a solid state circuit works for about 90 days it will usually last the life of the product. This period is called "burn in". Just think about how often your modern TV fails or your computer. Biggest enemy of these circuits is excess heat and voltage spikes. Avoiding voltage spikes is the main reason you should disconnect your batteries when doing any electrical work on your truck. Other than that, solid state circuits don't really wear out like a mechanical part.

I'm not doubting you here, but does just disconnecting the batteries work? If you are welding to anything on the truck even with the batteries un hooked, doesn't the whole truck still see some of that voltage?

 

[Dieselnerd]

Good question Landon. I wouldn't want to guarantee that you couldn't damage an electronic component by welding on a truck but it's unlikely. I guess it would also depend on where you were welding. If you were welding under the hood right next to where those 2 plugs connect to the electronic control modules, I would be a little concerned that you could induce a spike just from being so close. If you were welding on the frame or body somewhere, you hook a ground clamp for your welder to the metal and the current flows right to that clamp. I doubt that this would damage any circuit although I'd never say never.

 

[aggieLR]

I don't expect you to be able to perfectly predict every instance that could possibly occur. I understand anything "could" happen. But when I put my 5" exhaust on, it was easier to weld the hangers on under the truck because I could line them up and not have to take 50 measurements. So natuarlly I disconnect the batteries. But after I got done, I thought about it, most muffler shops weld on the exhaust under the vehicle and I don't recall them disconnecting the battery. I'll probably still always do it, just because it makes me feel better and it doesn't hurt anything, but I was just wondering.

 

[Dieselnerd]

Actually, I don't think you need to disconnect the batteries to weld on the truck. I think you only need to disconnect them if you are going to work on the electrical system or where you might accidently short something that may cause some damage.

 

[BHanks]

Actually, I don't think you need to disconnect the batteries to weld on the truck. I think you only need to disconnect them if you are going to work on the electrical system or where you might accidently short something that may cause some damage.

Also put the ground clamp as close to the weld as possible. .