Problems - ECU, TCM, Battery, O2 Sensor, Delayed Engagement, Limp Mode
#1
Problems - ECU, TCM, Battery, O2 Sensor, Delayed Engagement, Limp Mode
I have a 2001 Stratus SE 2.7L V6
Here are my problems, you tell me what you think:
December 2010 - 30 seconds into driving battery light comes on, but goes off momentarily, and hasn't lit since. Wires too corroded and will have to be cut and replaced with battery.
May 1, 2011 - P0605 - PCM Internal ROM Failure - Car starts in limp mode 65% of the time.
May 4, 2011 - PCM 04896040AI Replaced with identical PCM
May 5, 2011 - P0607 - TCM Failure - Car starts in limp mode 85% of the time.
May 7, 2011 - TCM 04606926AJ replaced with identical TCM
June 2011 - Barely noticeable delayed engagement, maybe tenth of a second. I begin to disconnect the battery during all service to reprogram TCM and PCM.
July 2011 - Spark plugs replaced as routine maintenance.
August 2011 - Bank 2 Exhaust O2 Sensor Failure - Too rusted to remove with torch, penetrating catalyst & breaker bar. Need feet of ground clearance to use cheater bar and vice-grips.
September 2011 - Delayed engagement is now half a second and can be rough, but isn't with more lenient driving.
October 2011 - Transmission Fluid and Filter changed, magnet cleaned, delayed engagement persists, despite extended period with disconnected battery. Fluid was red and didn't smell burnt.
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I highly suspect it is a result of the TCM needing to be reflashed, as it seems to have had a gradual building effect since shortly after replacement. Local dealer (Saline, MI) wants $800 to reflash, Auto-Lab (S. Canton, MI) wants $255. Tactrix Cable 1.3U is $137 and Official Dodge Reflash image is $30, will this work with this car?
In what order should I pursue attempting to fix this problem: Replace O2 sensor, Replace Battery, Reflash PCM/TCM
Obviously, that's ordered according to current out of pocket expenses as I've already bought the O2 sensor.
But tell me what you think of all this?
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Also, does anyone know a place in the Detroit/Ann Arbor area where you can park the tires on concrete, yet access the middle of the car from below? I'm imagining a disused/abandoned industrial loading dock type area. Auto shop wants $70 to remove O2 sensor.
Here are my problems, you tell me what you think:
December 2010 - 30 seconds into driving battery light comes on, but goes off momentarily, and hasn't lit since. Wires too corroded and will have to be cut and replaced with battery.
May 1, 2011 - P0605 - PCM Internal ROM Failure - Car starts in limp mode 65% of the time.
May 4, 2011 - PCM 04896040AI Replaced with identical PCM
May 5, 2011 - P0607 - TCM Failure - Car starts in limp mode 85% of the time.
May 7, 2011 - TCM 04606926AJ replaced with identical TCM
June 2011 - Barely noticeable delayed engagement, maybe tenth of a second. I begin to disconnect the battery during all service to reprogram TCM and PCM.
July 2011 - Spark plugs replaced as routine maintenance.
August 2011 - Bank 2 Exhaust O2 Sensor Failure - Too rusted to remove with torch, penetrating catalyst & breaker bar. Need feet of ground clearance to use cheater bar and vice-grips.
September 2011 - Delayed engagement is now half a second and can be rough, but isn't with more lenient driving.
October 2011 - Transmission Fluid and Filter changed, magnet cleaned, delayed engagement persists, despite extended period with disconnected battery. Fluid was red and didn't smell burnt.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
I highly suspect it is a result of the TCM needing to be reflashed, as it seems to have had a gradual building effect since shortly after replacement. Local dealer (Saline, MI) wants $800 to reflash, Auto-Lab (S. Canton, MI) wants $255. Tactrix Cable 1.3U is $137 and Official Dodge Reflash image is $30, will this work with this car?
In what order should I pursue attempting to fix this problem: Replace O2 sensor, Replace Battery, Reflash PCM/TCM
Obviously, that's ordered according to current out of pocket expenses as I've already bought the O2 sensor.
But tell me what you think of all this?
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Also, does anyone know a place in the Detroit/Ann Arbor area where you can park the tires on concrete, yet access the middle of the car from below? I'm imagining a disused/abandoned industrial loading dock type area. Auto shop wants $70 to remove O2 sensor.
#2
Join Date: Apr 2007
Location: Near Sacramento,ca
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The delay engagement could be almost any part of the transmission, solenoid pack, low reverse circuit or the front pump. In most case's 2 second delay is okay. If the battery light is still coming on, I would inspect the wire harness and clean the corrosive off the wires and use dielectric grease on all your connections. That may help. On the o2 sensor can you get a deep socket on it if you cut off the wires?
#3
CORRECTION:
All battery cables are good and corrosion free, the issue is that the bolts, holding the metal panel that holds the battery into place, are too corroded to remove, I will resolve this by shearing the bolt heads off and drilling new holes for new bolts. Sears said the cables were too corroded.
UPDATE:
October 2011 - Replaced the O2 sensor with no change to performance or fuel economy. (I bought a more powerful torch to do this.)
November 2011 - Delayed engagement persists despite changing transmission fluid again. (Repaired leaky gasket from last time. Removed 4 qts, despite leak.)
December 2011 - P0601 & P0700 - I start buying and replacing with junkyard PCMs, only to have them lockout due to unknown reasons.
January 2011 - PRND3L are all selected when the car turns on. It randomly selects Reverse, and will not shift into gear when Reverse is selected. It drops out of gear when you come to a complete stop and will not engage until the RPMs are enough for Second gear, slams, but then shifts fine. Keeping the car in constant motion, inching along at stop lights. After driving for 20 minutes the issue is largely resolved and you can now come to a complete stop.
January 2011 - The third PCM works. The secret of the 2001 Stratus / Sebring PCM lockout is: The PCM you replace the original one with must have been produced prior to your car. Check the VIN number at the junkyard and you'll save yourself from buying more PCMs than you need. Don't waste your money buying a Re-manufactured unit.
January 2011 - TCM replaced with another (VIN does not matter). Car shifts quietly, like it should. PRND3L are all still selected when in Park and it randomly selects Reverse. Still drops out of gear at full stops. Holding the trip button during start up does not trigger Instrument Panel self calibration, this would help determine if the problem is in the instrument panel or a transmission component.
Does anyone know what causes the PRND3L problem?
Anyone know how to start the Instrument Panel Self Diagnosis?
All battery cables are good and corrosion free, the issue is that the bolts, holding the metal panel that holds the battery into place, are too corroded to remove, I will resolve this by shearing the bolt heads off and drilling new holes for new bolts. Sears said the cables were too corroded.
UPDATE:
October 2011 - Replaced the O2 sensor with no change to performance or fuel economy. (I bought a more powerful torch to do this.)
November 2011 - Delayed engagement persists despite changing transmission fluid again. (Repaired leaky gasket from last time. Removed 4 qts, despite leak.)
December 2011 - P0601 & P0700 - I start buying and replacing with junkyard PCMs, only to have them lockout due to unknown reasons.
January 2011 - PRND3L are all selected when the car turns on. It randomly selects Reverse, and will not shift into gear when Reverse is selected. It drops out of gear when you come to a complete stop and will not engage until the RPMs are enough for Second gear, slams, but then shifts fine. Keeping the car in constant motion, inching along at stop lights. After driving for 20 minutes the issue is largely resolved and you can now come to a complete stop.
January 2011 - The third PCM works. The secret of the 2001 Stratus / Sebring PCM lockout is: The PCM you replace the original one with must have been produced prior to your car. Check the VIN number at the junkyard and you'll save yourself from buying more PCMs than you need. Don't waste your money buying a Re-manufactured unit.
January 2011 - TCM replaced with another (VIN does not matter). Car shifts quietly, like it should. PRND3L are all still selected when in Park and it randomly selects Reverse. Still drops out of gear at full stops. Holding the trip button during start up does not trigger Instrument Panel self calibration, this would help determine if the problem is in the instrument panel or a transmission component.
Does anyone know what causes the PRND3L problem?
Anyone know how to start the Instrument Panel Self Diagnosis?