Engine/Transmission (1998.5 - 2002) What is the cost of an ECM for a 2002 ram

[Jake The Snake]

I am being quoted a very high price for an ECM for my truck. What is the part cost of one of these items?

 

[BarryG]

It has been a while so my memory may be wrong but when I checked on one when the dealer could still get them they wanted like 1100 plus a charge to flash it. Fortunately I ended up not needing one at the time. However a few years later when I really did need one the dealer had told me no longer available and had to go the refurbished route. I used some company out of Florida (Auto Computer Exchange was the name I think) and it was 600ish and I had to send back a core I think. This was at least 6 years ago. The one they sent me had problems. They did send me another one within a couple days that is still in the truck today. However I have read many horror stories about some of the companies that sell the refurbished units so I would suggest doing your research.
I just looked up the company online and they are still around but the price has gone up significantly to 995 on their website. Later I found that they were one of the ones that had a spotty customer service record. I also seem to recall that they had an ebay site which was cheaper priced but the warranty was different. However after just checking that their price through ebay is 809 and says lifetime warranty.

 

[Jake The Snake]

It has been a while so my memory may be wrong but when I checked on one when the dealer could still get them they wanted like 1100 plus a charge to flash it. Fortunately I ended up not needing one at the time. However a few years later when I really did need one the dealer had told me no longer available and had to go the refurbished route. I used some company out of Florida (Auto Computer Exchange was the name I think) and it was 600ish and I had to send back a core I think. This was at least 6 years ago. The one they sent me had problems. They did send me another one within a couple days that is still in the truck today. However I have read many horror stories about some of the companies that sell the refurbished units so I would suggest doing your research.
I just looked up the company online and they are still around but the price has gone up significantly to 995 on their website. Later I found that they were one of the ones that had a spotty customer service record. I also seem to recall that they had an ebay site which was cheaper priced but the warranty was different. However after just checking that their price through ebay is 809 and says lifetime warranty.

Barry G. Thanks for the reply. On Friday my shop told me that it was $2500.00 from Cummins and I thought that was really steep so I wanted to hear from my TDR guys. I am ok with him making a markup but not this much.

 

[phantomusa]

Most shop don't like it when a customer brings in his own parts they will not warranty the work
Unless prior arrangements are made with the shop before they start working on truck...it can get kind of sticky with the shop
I know in my shop if the customer buys parts I stop working on it and expect to be paid for what I've done up to that point
Pappy

 

[Jake The Snake]

Most shop don't like it when a customer brings in his own parts they will not warranty the work
Unless prior arrangements are made with the shop before they start working on truck...it can get kind of sticky with the shop
I know in my shop if the customer buys parts I stop working on it and expect to be paid for what I've done up to that point
Pappy

Pappy, I am ok with a markup but a cost of $2500 on a part that can be purchased by the shop for $800.00 seems excessive. What is your markup on a part that costs you $800.00. I am not looking to buy my own parts either just expect to not get ripped off.

 

[leathermaneod]

I have never had issues getting a shop to install parts I purchased...I would look into it before ruling the idea out if the shop is unwilling/unable to get one at a cost you are willing to pay...I would also be a little careful dealing with this particular shop since they are under the impression they can get an 02 ecm from Cummins. I could be wrong but my understanding is that it is no longer possible to get new ecms for the vp44 trucks. What I'm getting at is, I'm not sure the shop knows what they are talking about. Just be careful is all I'm saying. I've been burned pretty bad by a shop I trusted because I didn't know better.

 

[phantomusa]

Is your $800 part from Cummins or some other vendor ?? Your comparing Apples and oranges
Best thing to do is talk to that shop management and ask if they would try to find your part from another vendor at a cost you feel is reasonable
Of course a Cummins part will be top end as far as cost much like dodge parts are pricey most shops operate on a min 30-40% markup on parts or at manufacturer's suggested retail price which should be negotiable
Best to have a sit down with the shop and see if it can be worked out just remember they have overhead and expenses to cover to stay in business...good luck
Pappy

 

[Road Dog]

I though the ECM was a Dodge part. It does a lot more than control the engine. It's been out of production for almost 10 years now. Maybe someone has a stash of new-in-box ECMs.Those would be worth $2,500.

 

[leathermaneod]

Uhm the only thing the ecm does is control the engine....that's why it's called the engine control module...maybe your thinking of the pcm? Located on the passenger side of the firewall....


I do agree that an actual brand new oem ecm for a vp44 truck would be worth quite a bit...idk if I'd be willing to pay $2500, but there are probably plenty of people who would be. I really wish some quality aftermarket vendor would reverse engineer one of these ecms and build a quality replacement for a reasonable price. It can't be that hard if you know what your doing....the ecm going bad was my biggest worry with a vp44 truck

 

[Road Dog]

I was getting confused by the wiring diagrams. On a gas truck the PCM does everything. On a Diesel the ECM, the main functions of the Engine Control Module
(ECM) and Fuel Injection Pump Control Module (FPCM) are to electrically control the fuel system and the PCM’s main function is to control: the vehicle
charging system, speed control system, transmission, air conditioning system and certain bussed messages..

There seem to be conflicting stories about whether it's a Cummins part or a Dodge part. In either case it's out of production.

 

[Jake The Snake]

I have never had issues getting a shop to install parts I purchased...I would look into it before ruling the idea out if the shop is unwilling/unable to get one at a cost you are willing to pay...I would also be a little careful dealing with this particular shop since they are under the impression they can get an 02 ecm from Cummins. I could be wrong but my understanding is that it is no longer possible to get new ecms for the vp44 trucks. What I'm getting at is, I'm not sure the shop knows what they are talking about. Just be careful is all I'm saying. I've been burned pretty bad by a shop I trusted because I didn't know better.

Leathermaneod,

I have used this shop before and in the past he seemed very ethical, in fact he told me I did not need to do things that I felt needed to be done and
he was right as it turned out. This pricing just suprised me and I thought I needed some input from the experts at TD. Thanks for your response.

 

[Jake The Snake]

Road Dog,

I am not an expert in this area, obviously, but he claimed he was going to get this part from Cummins. I am very anxious to get this truck back as it is my winter vehicle and I feel lost without it. I appreciate your response to my thread.

Jake The Snake

 

[Jake The Snake]

Phantomusa,

My investigation on the web for alternate pricing did not include Cummins or Dodge but rather ECM distributors and their pricing was between $795. and $995. and the $995. price had a lifetime warranty. As I said before I know that the shop needs to make a markup on the product but 100% seemed to be excessive, What is your thought on this subject as it appears you are in the truck repair business. It was suggested that I try and get the shop owner to consider buying the ECM from
another place but I am not in the business and my experience is limited to changing fluids and the more mundane maintenance repairs. I have owned this truck
since it was new and it a part of me. I have 175,000 miles on it, is this the type of repair I should expect to have. Other than carrying my slide-in Lance Camper
It is a daily driver in upper Minnesota. Let me hear from you again and thanks for your advice and counsel.

Jake The Snake

 

[leathermaneod]

It's good that you have a shop that you have confidence in. However, I would still be cautious as they are telling you they can get you a part that is no longer made. Something just doesn't sound right to me with that. Possibly they have confused a vp44 ecm with an early common rail ecm? I don't know, and I'm not saying the shop is out to get you, just that everyone is capable of making mistakes and this doesn't sound correct. As far as price, the $1000 range is what I have heard in the past for replacement ecms, but those are not oem parts. If you could get a new oem ecm it would be worth more than that as it is the best option. Reman ecms seem to have shaky performance at best though there are people who are running them successfully. Were i in your shoes, I would first look for a used ecm out of a running truck....I think the part number needs to match the one in your truck, do a search on this site to find out exactly what you need before buying if you decide to go this route.

If you decide to get an aftermarket ecm, make sure you research the company and find out their track record and warranty process. Ask on the forum is anyone else is running one and how it's worked out for them.

As far as wether or not you should need to replace the ecm, it is very possible. It is a man made item subject to wear just like anything else. The electronics in these trucks are particularly susceptible to ac noise from a bad alternator. Something that a lot of people don't even know they have until it is too late. Why does the shop believe you need a new ecm?

 

[mwilson]

Is your repair person working in a Cummins certified facility??? If so he is protected and can file warranty if there is an issue with the Cummins provided ECM. He can also file for warranty if it craps out 2 months down the road.

If he uses one from another source or the one that you provide he has zero protection if there is an issue. You are not going to want to pay for a do-over and neither is he. Those situations usually do not end well...

So in return for fulfilling the gazillion requirements (Including financial) for tech training, equipment investment and parts stocking levels we are an AUTHORIZED AGENT for all of the brands we represent. We are not going to install an off brand part for anybody, it makes no sense. In return you get warranty coverage that means something in most cases.

I'm simply trying to explain one of the major reasons that shops do not want to install customer supplied items.

 

[mwilson]

Please provide your truck VIN or engine serial number. I am pretty certain that Cummins will still offer one.

 

[DavidC]

Please provide your truck VIN or engine serial number. I am pretty certain that Cummins will still offer one.

That will be interesting. Does it require any Dodge programming or is it all Cummins ?

Dave

 

[mwilson]

I can't remember if the Cummins software will suck the knowledge out of the old one and install it in the new one, or if it has to go to Dodge.......been too long...

 

[cerberusiam]

Barry G. Thanks for the reply. On Friday my shop told me that it was $2500.00 from Cummins

That is the going rate fora NEW from Cummins ECM. The other prices 800-1100 are recon units from other places. They are Cummins ECU's that have been fixed, mostly.

With a VIN and a part number the ECU will come from Cummins loaded with the correct software. If the shop has Cummins contacts they can maybe get it loaded with the 300 HP EMS tune in the process.