i am having some wierd electrical problems on my 2001 dakaota, V-6, auto, all electric except no power seats, 27,000 miles.

it used to be that sometimes my turn signals and radio would just quit working, usually in the afternoon, but the radio would keep the correct time, i checked and they are on seperate fuses and the fuses are good.

then this morning i go to drive to work and my AC compressor is not kicking in so i have no cold air, plus now i have no speedometer reading but the tach works, the ABS and air bag dash lights are on all the time also.

someone said awhile ago that it may be the BCM going bad, but they are about $250 from the dealer, so i want to make sure that is the problem before buying one as they are non-returnable.

my question is, i looked through my haynes service manual and can't really figure out where exactly the BCM is located, also is there any way for me to test the BCM myself with a digital voltmeter ?

or should i just pay the dealer $45 to trouble shoot this, i tend to try and fix things myself, i like to learn how and used to do all the work on my '78 bronco, but man these new trucks are chock full of electric relays and whatnot.

 

you are actually looking for the PCM (powertrain control module) look that up in your haynes. Or better yet get a Chiltons.

 

the dealer even said there is a seperate part called BCM, body control module that controls in cab functions, i am wondering if there really is one, anyways where would i find the PCM ?

 

I know of 2 computers...One is under the hood on the passengers side, has 3 connectors going to it. The other is behind the drivers side kick panel this also has 3 plugs.

 

the one on the drivers side, does it have a white plastic cover with a single bolt in the middle of it ?

 

i pulled the codes from it today and got a P0500 which says "vehicle speed sensor malfunction", that might explain the speedo not working, ABS, airbag warning lights, i wonder if that would make the AC compressor not work as well ?

 

Ok, I apologize for that bit of ignorance on my part.

 

no problem, i am looking for any help i can get

 

problem resolved, turns out there was a bad connection and a few bad pins on the firewall connector, they removed the dash and cleaned all the connectors and grounds there as well.

i kinda thought that it may have been a loose conection as hitting bumps would sometimes cause the radio to quit, but there was no way i could have figured it out myself, plus there is no way i would atempt to remove the dash panel myself.

and about the BCM deal, it seems as though that year dakota has something called a central control timer, or unit, they call them body control moduals on later years and it is located behind the drivers side kick panel, glad i didn't buy one to see if it fixed my issues.

just thought i would post this info for anyone else doing a search for the same issues i had.

thanks for the help everyone

 

So you are saying my 02 Durango either has a BCM or CTM, not both? I have been having similar issues (no lights, no door locks) I do not think it is a loose connection though, If I take the fuse ( actually a small box with clear top w/fuse inside, not sure what it is called) out for a few minutes and plug it back in some things work some do not. I hear a lot of clicks from drivers side of dash. I just called and my wife said evcerything is working but I suspect this is going to go bad again. I think the problem is this module. Any way to test the module or re-set it?