The PCM of hate

[Jdonoghue]

When it's cold outside, my PCM does not want to work - the 'wait to start' light does not come on, and it does not charge. After the truck warms up (10 minutes down the road) the light will flicker for a while, then it will start charging. It is definately temperature-related. Are these PCMs available from somewhere other than the dealer? There's no way for me to repair it, it's potted with some kind of epoxy. So much for taking the soldering iron to it...

 

[paccool]

When the PCM in my son's 92 went out, I was able to get one from the dealer cheaper than my boy was quoted from one of the cheapo chain stores. They are all rebuilt from what I was told but it sure looked new. It took about 3 weeks to get and was around $250. The other place was $280. Make sure you ask for a discount at the dealer. Tell them you are looking for a dealer that will give a good deal in return for repeat business.



Hope this helps.

 

[CDegner]

Make sure you ask for a discount at the dealer. Tell them you are looking for a dealer that will give a good deal in return for repeat business.

:-laf :-laf :-laf :-laf :-laf



That might work if there is another dodge dealer within 50-70 miles!! My local dealer had 10% online coupons on their web site (which I had never bothered to look at). They didn't even tell me (or anybody else) that they had them. When I came in with one, they said it was the first one that had ever come in. Oh, did I mention that was the last time I bought anything from them?



Carl

 

[Marty1]

I have a new PCM in Mopar packaging I'll sell you for $150 or a good used one for $100 but mine are both from 1993 auto transmission trucks... you'd need to check if they are the same as 1992 manual.

 

[dpuckett]

Dont hold me to this.........

But I dont think it would make any difference from a 93 auto to a 92 manual. I've swapped from 93 manual to 92 manual for troubleshooting purposes (volt/ charging issues). From my reading on the subject, they all come equipped ready for the auto, just depends on what wiring goes where from the truck. The only thing on the auto the PCM controls is the OD in/out. There is no TC lockup (contrary to popular belief), and they are hydraulic in shifting.



Daniel

 

[1stgen4evr]

Pcm

There are several options as to the PCM. One solution is to wire your truck like the 89s. They don't have a PCM and to my knowlege, no one has ever had a problem with that. I bought an 89 just to get the wiring setup for my 92 with automatic. I have not completed the conversion for a couple of reasons but will definitely do so before driving the 92 again.



Whenever I drove it, if I ever went more than one hundred miles west (yes West) from Georgia, it would start acting up as to overdrive. By the time I would get to Miss, it simply wouldn't go in OD. Texas and beyond, no alternator or AC. As I returned home, it would begin to work and by the time I got back to Montgomery, it would work correctly. To heck (you may add your favorite expletive here) with a Piece of Crap Mother that functions like that. This happened enough that I wasn't dreaming on this. Other directions were ok but the OD would always shift in and out at 52 mph. I spent hundreds on TPS and speed and axle sensors and still no proper function. Suncoast tells me that they can make the transmission work like it is supposed to but I am simply going to put a switch on the shifter and control the OD myself.



I have talked with an electronics guy who says he can furnish a switch setup that will cancel with the brakes and zero out when the truck is switched off. I have already changed the wiring so that the AC isn't optional to the PCM and also the alternator charging. In short, the Piece of Crap Mother is still on the truck but no longer in charge of anything.



THe only other thing that I know of under the command of the PCM is the switch on the oil temp that disallows OD when overheated or till warmed up. I have sense enough to handle those things for myself. A PCM on a diesel truck is an absurdity. If it is really needed, then Dodge should have provided a system that was reliable under the conditions of the real world. I believe it may have been added in 92 with the automatic OD because of some stupid buracratic notion in congress.



Boy I feel better venting about that Piece of Crap Mother.



James

 

[Jdonoghue]

Drove to work today, its cold outside, 60 miles with no alternator. Went to lunch at 11:00, it started charging on the way back to work. I'm thinking about unhooking the field wires off the back of the alternator and wiring an external regulator to it. If that will work, maybe I can get by without replacing the PCM until it gets cold enough that I need the grid heater. I just can't afford to replace the PCM right now, and I have to drive the truck every day, no other choice. The regulator for an '89 is 11. 99 at the local auto parts, should make for an interesting Saturday morning. At least I have wiring diagrams.

 

[Marty1]

Come In Jdonoghue..... I can send you the used PCM & you can pay me when you can if you'd like... it's only $100..... over

Marty