ECM Swap Question

lpd324 · #1 07-04-2009, 07:24 PM

We have a 2002 Caravan with 0700 and 0605 codes. The dealer has said that it will cost $900 dollars to fix it because the ECM is bad.

The question I have is.....would it be OK to take the ECM out of my Mother-in-law's van, and put it in mine to see if it will fix it before I spend $250 on a remanufactured ECM, or is this a really bad idea? I know it would have to be flashed to "fit" our van, but just to see if it will work, would it be OK.

My MIL's van is 2001 Chrysler Town & Country, and ours is a 2002 Grand Caravan Sport. Both vans have the 3.3L V-6.

Thanks for any suggestions.

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kev2 · #2 07-04-2009, 07:55 PM

TELL us more what happened - drivability issues , recent work. accident.

p0700 is pretty generic AND the p0605 i will double ck as different models are configured with TCM'S SOME ITS PART OF PCM

lpd324 · #3 07-05-2009, 01:49 AM

Well, about one month ago we had the transmission rebuilt. It was working OK until one day I was backing out of our driveway. The check engine light came on, and has been on ever since.

The van will not shift. It's as if it's stuck in second gear (limp mode I suppose).

So, I took it to the shop that rebuilt the transmission and they told me it has a code p0700, but said that they don't have the equipment to diagnose the problem. I was told it's probably a computer problem, and was advised to take it to the dealer.

I took it to the dealer and they said that it has a code p0700 and code p0605. They tried to reflash it and clear the codes, but nothing would work. Because of this, they said that the PCM is faulty, and will have to be replaced.

After getting it back from the dealer (didn't have $900 after spending $1500 for transmission rebuild), I started reading this forum and decided to check everything that might be obviously wrong. The only thing I found that might have been suspicious is that when I checked inside the connectors for the PCM, one of them had oil in it. It looked like the transmission shop mechanic probably let it drag on the shop floor while they were working on it, and didn't clean it off before plugging it back in. Would this cause it to malfunction?

kev2 · #4 07-05-2009, 12:59 PM

sorry this a holiday weekend - my resourses are at work- I am not.
Yes I would check for corossion, "oil", pin contact etc both ends the harness to the trans...

But your trans "shop" not having a transmission capable scanner is a BIG flag, there not being a p0605? BEFORE they had vehicle* AND sending you to dealer has me thinking...
this is trans shop problem-the p0700 is a generic code for trans problem there should be some manufacturer specific codes ie P1xxx ....

An idea ...limp into autozone HOPEFULLY they can access more codes, if so post them...

PS: this is correct no p0605 before repair?

lpd324 · #5 07-05-2009, 04:55 PM

As far as I know, there was no P0605 before the transmission was rebuilt.

I took it to Autozone after the problem started, and they gave me the print out from the codes that were in the system. They are the same as previously mentioned, and the Autozone guy told me that there might be more codes, but only the dealer could tell what they are.

I have the paperwork from the dealer too. The diagnosis on the invoice says, "Found vehicle needs PCM. Got code P0605 replace PCM".

Also, I got a print out from the dealer that says this, "Trouble code P0605 = INTERNAL TCM present in controller. Applies to trouble code P0605 present in TCM or NGC Controller". "Diagnostic trouble code P0605 indicates internal controller fault. Replace controller".

That's all the information the dealer gave to me. No one has mentioned any other codes than these throughout this whole situation.

kev2 · #6 07-05-2009, 05:24 PM

dealer always seams to play cards close to vest.... Iam not aware of any code that says change part....they refer to a problem and then the tech troubleshoots .... one scenario is a problem with harness between tcm and trans...

no excuse for trans shop to defer you to dealer.... transmissions weather mechinical repairs or TCM problems he sould have the tools... a trans controler capable bi directional scanner loaded with the latest chrysler info... and a simple schametic of the pinouts.

lpd324 · #7 07-06-2009, 01:26 AM

I understand that the transmission shop and/or dealer doesn't seem to know what they are doing, however, I just want to be able to tell them that I swapped out my PCM with a known good one.

If it fixes the problem, then good deal, if it doesn't I can take it back and tell them it didn't, and there's something else wrong with it......fix it right this time.

So, would it damage a known good PCM if I swapped it out to see if it will "fix" the problem?

kev2 · #8 07-06-2009, 01:21 PM

working/researching not forgotten

kev2 · #9 07-06-2009, 05:33 PM

the issue is this a PCM or a TCM needed AND they are NOT bolt ins as they need programing...

short take.... the trans shop needs to finish ... Starting with only p0700 there would be other codes

master tech · #10 07-07-2009, 01:01 AM

The P0605 is a internal tcm fault. If you want PDF file, just send an email. You'll need to replace the tcm and set pinion factor.