Im going to be putting a new pcm in my dakota. It has the 3.9l v6 engine and its a 1995 auto trans. I found a 1995 ram 1500 3.9l auto trans pcm for pretty cheap. As far as I can tell, the computer is the exact same exept for the dakotas not having a transmission temp sensor. I compared the pinouts and specs between the two and I figure I can put a 10 kohm resistor in place of where the trans temp sensor would be so that a CEL won't come up. Has anyone else done this? Ive been told the ram computers give a little more power to the engine.

 

Yes it will work.
Yes your right on the Trans temp sensor.
Yes you can add a resister 1k is all you need.

I have added a 94-95 Ram Mopar High Performance PCM for the 5.9 V8. A simple 1k resister added in from a ground wire to the pcm pin was all that was needed. Here is my write up on it and the chart to show you what resistance the sensor has at different temps.
https://dodgeforum.com/forum/2496630-post15.html

 

Ok thanks very much so I can just connect the resistor to pin 42 and then ground it anywhere? I dont have to put it on the sensor ground pin on the pcm?

 

Yes the ground can be supplied anywhere by bolting it to the fender ect. As far a pin 42 I would double check it is the same number on the V6 pcm. That was on the V8 pcm.

 

ok awesome! Thanks again. And yes im pretty sure the pin is number 42. I have both pinout charts for each computer and will verify once I install the ram pcm.

 

I'm going to hijack this thread for a quick moment I hope you don't mind (sorry to those who do).

In this theory I assume a 1996-2001 5.9L PCM will work on a 96' (OBDII) 318 Dakota wiring harness? Can you confirm this? Maybe it would have to be a 96/97 only PCM because of the 98+ digital dash?

 

My guess it is only 96. I'm not sure about 97 but since it is a completely different truck, I doubt they reused anything electrical from 96. In 98-up the PCM needs the VIN number flashed into the PCM.

 

How is a 96 Ram different than a 97? Ok good thanks for that info I will stay away from 98+

So looks like I will search for a 96' 360ci PCM, does it matter if it's a Durango or Ram Van as long as it's 96?