2nd Gen Non-Engine/Transmission PCM bad or what?

[DPike]

Last night, all the gauges except the tach stopped working in the cluster. The seatbelt light and brake light came on eventually, and stayed on. The mileage in the odometer flashed. I have searched the forums, and the general consensus seems to be either the pcm, the gauge cluster, or a bad ground. I checked a bunch of grounds this morning. All seem fine. I pulled the gauge cluster out-all the pins are clean. I tried the self check on the gauge cluster, and the gauges do not sweep. I get "chec" in the odometer, then it says 921... 999 and stays there. The batteries are not charging (but the batteries are good). I tapped into the green wire with the black tracer for ignition hot to run fog lights and pyrometer (both off relays) and neither of those things work. None of the fuses are blown. Is the pcm dead? Sounds like it to me, but how common is it to go bad all of a sudden, and where is the best place to get one? How much $ ? Thanks

This is on the 98. 5

 

[Sticks]

You checked the fuses and relays in the cab and PDC under the hood? Verify the fuseable links as well. IIRC 3 of them in the wiring between the PDC and the drivers fender. Verify power with a volt meter on both ends of the fuses (be careful around that air bag fuse).

Might even be worth pulling all the fuses and checking for corrosion and discoloration.

My FSM is for a 2002, so I am not sure what the wiring is supposed to be for power in and out of the PCM/ECM.

 

[Bovee]

I had to replace the pcm last summer. First the lights in the dash went out. then the guages went out except the tach. then the windows stopped working. . then the radio went out... Then the truck started having issues starting. acted like one of the batteries were draining everything. also acted like one of the brand new batteries i had was shorting out or something... then the truck died. . Took it to dodge and it was the pcm... They said theres no pattern to when they go out. . THey have seen it go out in 1,000 miles to never going out. hope this helps you out. but that was my experience. i believe it was 800 bucks or so for a new one.