Please Help, Dangerous PCM and Electrical Problems, Shut off no start

[cerberusiam]

If the SKIM code is gone it may be ok now, a security system FUBAR can do weird things to both operation and running. It should run even without the trim codes, just not quite right and no telling the effect of the DTC's. I would get the batteries fully charged, chacke all connections to make sure they are clean and tight, make sure ambient temps are up at least in the 70's, put a charger on it and go thru the recovery and tune process again without starting the truck. Worth a shot to see if it will recover the trim codes on a reload.

 

[sag2]

You do not have to pull the injectors to read the codes. The rear ones can be a PITA to see. The bigger problem is that Bosch used 1's and L's and I's, as well as 0's and O's and probably a couple others I forgot about. The ECM will not accept a bad code, so sometimes it can take a while to get them entered correctly. If the injectors are reman or aftermarket the codes may have been ground off the body. They do that because once altered from stock, the injector does not flow the same, so they grind off the OEM code.

 

[Philr]

Sag2, thanks for the info on the injector codes. I'm hoping mine have legible numbers and not reman's since the truck is relatively low miles. Sounds like I'll be pulling my valve cover in the future.

Cerberusiam, I like that idea and you're convincing me that it's possible I botched the recovery flash with low battery voltage. At first I didn't consider that thinking it was black or white in terms of working or not but it seems there may be more to it as you've explained. I wish I could try this but I've already sent the ECM out to be inspected/remanufactured. I'll discuss with the shop and see if it makes sense to just flash and test it or some combination of that.

 

[cerberusiam]

ECM will accept anything you want to write into it for trim codes, good, bad or WTH is that??? It will then inform you have fat fingers by setting a DTC. It will run just not as good as it can. If they are stock injectors and no remans possibly it could be tracked down thru channels but no idea where to start on that. Good luck trying to read them in the truck in all the black in there, just sucks the light out of everything. Might get lucky and the stickers are still there and readable, just have to check.

If the ECM checks out you know it will be good and if a problem is found that will be fixed. If there was any question not a bad thing to send it off, I would have tried the reflash first but that is just me.

 

[TCDiesel]

Philr, You have the big fat Key with lock/unlock buttons, In the end it will take someone to re-write the VIN- #s... with all the modules. without the vehicle its all guess work.

I've seen those codes many times and I had to spent hours in some cases fixing all the mismatched Info, Skim's tricky programing at times, I don't even know what I did to make work to except the Keys..

Injector codes are not that important and after selling 1000s of 6.7 Injectors I cannot remember it being a issue.

Tuning just makes it more difficult when problems like these pop up.

 

[cerberusiam]

Injector codes are not that important and after selling 1000s of 6.7 Injectors I cannot remember it being a issue./QUOTE]

Don't you think that is a rather naive and misleading statement to make? The fact that the wrong trim codes WILL set a DTC does by its nature constitute and issues, Add to that the lack of the correct trim code impacts injector efficacy on a critical component. Granted the actual impact may in some cases be negligible, BUT, that is not known fact until post install tests and actual driving comparisons are done. The lack of the correct trim codes can and does impact injector performance as noted by contribution percentages and physically as well with rough running and vibrations possible.

 

[DonFitzwater]

I would also like to add the importance of proper fuel injector data being loaded to ensure exhaust component life in non-deleted trucks. I can imagine a shortened DPF life with improper fuel control.

 

[TCDiesel]

Every Member reader is welcome to believe Keystrokes or actual results....10 of 1000s of injectors have installed without issues, its a non- needed Money grab for X Company.

The engine does not care what trim codes are used, and if the Injector is calibrated to OEM Spec the code don't need changing , if sold as Additional HP/% the codes has no Value, Again 10s of 1000s 6.7s using different volumes than OEM.

Until you actually purchase or lease the equipment to check tail pipe Data ,its just more Forum fear and Keystrokes.

I have no problem with anyone who wants to spent the $$$ paying some to program the codes..
Certain Power plants benefit by changing codes in the HP area, the 6.7 Ram is not one of them.

 

[Philr]

Appreciate the replies and thought I'd give an update.

The trim codes ended up being the easiest part of this disaster, had some time last weekend so I pulled the valve cover and used my phone with a small work light to take pictures of each injector and got the codes which was relatively easy. Sure enough, all the ones stored in my ecm after the last crash were bogus and didn't match the ones on the injectors.

My ecm is still out for "refurbishing" with no word back yet. I'm starting to get worried I chose poorly in where I sent it and also for not trying another recovery flash with freshly charged batteries. I guess time will tell.

TCDiesel, when the truck was disabled I tried looking at module information with a scan tool and the ecm would not communicate so no ability to write the vin to it. The only way I could find to revive it is to flash it with a recovery file provided by the tuner company which takes it back to stock and I believe is somewhat similar to what a dealer would do in flashing the ecm but not sure. The scary mystery is why the ecm becomes corrupted.

 

[Ozymandias]

Somewhere in the Forum we had a Good and Bad List of them ECM Repair Companys.
Hopefully you didn't fetch one from the Bad List.

 

[TCDiesel]

Appreciate the replies and thought I'd give an update.

The trim codes ended up being the easiest part of this disaster, had some time last weekend so I pulled the valve cover and used my phone with a small work light to take pictures of each injector and got the codes which was relatively easy. Sure enough, all the ones stored in my ecm after the last crash were bogus and didn't match the ones on the injectors.

My ecm is still out for "refurbishing" with no word back yet. I'm starting to get worried I chose poorly in where I sent it and also for not trying another recovery flash with freshly charged batteries. I guess time will tell.


TCDiesel, when the truck was disabled I tried looking at module information with a scan tool and the ecm would not communicate so no ability to write the vin to it. The only way I could find to revive it is to flash it with a recovery file provided by the tuner company which takes it back to stock and I believe is somewhat similar to what a dealer would do in flashing the ecm but not sure. The scary mystery is why the ecm becomes corrupted.

I here Ya... You are welcome to call me for any help.. It disturbs Me when I read this stuff.... I'm much better one to one..keystrokes I generally &*(^%.

 

[Philr]

Ozymandias, I think I found that good and bad list for ecm repair a few weeks back and I did use one from the good section... We'll see.

TCDiesel, appreciate your offer to talk through this! I'll get the reman ecm back in and if the gremlins persist send you a message.

 

[DonFitzwater]

Ozymandias, I think I found that good and bad list for ecm repair a few weeks back and I did use one from the good section... We'll see..

Who'd you use?

 

[Philr]

Update: Received the ECM back and installed it. Truck is back running and I've put about 15 miles on it so far without the previous issue occurring. Still hesitant to drive it far so I'm easing into trusting it again.

There is one annoying issue that has me stumped. It's got the CEL lit and incompatible injector code errors for 4 of the 6 injectors (P268D, P268E, P268F, P2691). The thing is I took pictures of each injector and have checked and rechecked all trim numbers and the ones in the ECM match what's engraved on the injectors but 4 of them are not accepted by the ECM. Has anyone ever heard of this? Before the ECM issues I had never seen these codes and the injectors have remained untouched.

Don, I messaged you regarding the company I used and hope it was helpful.

Thanks,

 

[sag2]

Do any of the 4 with fault codes have ones or lower case L's, zero's or O's or Q's etc? Unfortunately Bosch uses numbers and letters that can be mixed up. If they do, try using a number or letter that is similar.

 

[Philr]

Sag, thanks for the tip. I did question my codes at first however I had taken pictures of each injector so it was easy to go back and recheck everything and I couldn't find errors. After discussing with the rebuilder I sent the ECM back where this time it failed their testing. They sent me a different ECM and so far so good but haven't driven the truck yet. Just started it and checked codes to make sure the injector weirdness had cleared up.

 

[Ozymandias]

Sag, thanks for the tip. I did question my codes at first however I had taken pictures of each injector so it was easy to go back and recheck everything and I couldn't find errors. After discussing with the rebuilder I sent the ECM back where this time it failed their testing. They sent me a different ECM and so far so good but haven't driven the truck yet. Just started it and checked codes to make sure the injector weirdness had cleared up.

Means you have now a nice clean ECM with true stock Software running on it?

 

[Philr]

Means you have now a nice clean ECM with true stock Software running on it?

Yes, it's still a re manufactured unit but not the one that came out of my truck and it's on stock software. I will need to flash it at some point since my truck is deleted but for now I'm driving it to test. I do have an active P0633 SKIM key not programmed which I was warned not to clear or it lock up the ECM. Supposedly after a number of start cycles it will go away but so far no luck.

 

[CUMMINZ]

I just had about the same failure. Truck sputtered and died. Hauled to dealer and they say I need PCM/ECM.

 

[Philr]

I just had about the same failure. Truck sputtered and died. Hauled to dealer and they say I need PCM/ECM.

Bummer, out of curiosity what year truck? Since going through this I've heard the 07.5-08's are more prone to PCM issues. Anyway, you may want to rethink the dealer if you don't mind doing a little work yourself and have access to a good scan tool. Removing the PCM is very easy and I've been happy with my reman unit over the last year. If you want to try this route I can message you the company I went with.