Hi there,

So I got the P0601 code 3 weeks ago and just kept driving the D like normal cuz I did a little reading on it and figured it wasn't crucial to fix.

Over this timeframe I have taken ten 200km trips on the highway with the D and noticed no difference. When I drive it around on errands I notice that after 3-5 short in-city trips (involving parking and turning the D off), the check engine light goes away and doesn't come back for the rest of the day the D is in use. But, the next morning during the first start-up the engine light comes on and it's always a P0601 code.

I read all i could find online at different forums and did the PCM reset (disconnect negative, hold key in start position for 20sec, reconnect battery, etc). This always clears the check engine light and I can swear that the D feels better on throttle response (could just be placebo effect), but after intentionally turning the D off a few times the P0601 light will come back on.

Went to the Dealer today who asked for $910 for a refurbished PCM part that will take 5days to ship. Told him about the code and he said P0601 isn't a definite PCM hardware failure problem. He said it is, "more of a general code that gives us a starting point to look from," and that he recommends I let them do a $100 diagnostic first to pinpoint the exact problem before I order a part.

Although I have many questions, the main ones are:
1) Is the PCM definitely shot?
2) If I do have to get a new part can I just go for a flashed upgrade that will increase performance on my D or should I just go stock?

My D:
2001 Dodge Durango SLT+ 4.7L 8cyl AWD [247,000km]

Thanks in advance,
John


UPDATE: Drove it around town all day today turning it off and on about 7 times and no check engine light or code. Thoughts?

 

You can get pre-programed PCM's on ebay like http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/1998-...Q5fAccessories


Now you might be able to get a preflashed performance PCM from:
http://www.bgperformancepcm.com/


Now whats better........? Performance PCM's hands down. But do what you will and also remember that you can run a tuner like Superchips or Hypertech after the install of a OEM PCM but the best performance is to get it flashed.

 

So, the P0601 error came back and I think I'm going to go for the performance flashed PCM. I mean, even if it ends up being something else causing the P0601 at least I'll have a newly flashed PCM.

Thanks for pointing me in the right direction Hydrashocker!

Now, in the case or performance PCMs

1) what's the difference if I go with B&G or SCT? (I prefer flash over a chip) and
2) I'm looking into adding a CAI in the next month or so, would that change my options on how to flash the PCM?

 

Yes and it should be completed before the flash. Here is some info on a cheap ram air CIA:

CAI
Custom made Front RAM air intake:
https://dodgeforum.com/forum/1st-gen-...ml#post1736713
https://dodgeforum.com/forum/1st-gen-...ir-intake.html
https://dodgeforum.com/forum/1st-gen-...e-ram-air.html
https://dodgeforum.com/forum/1st-gen-...-for-5-2s.html
https://dodgeforum.com/forum/1st-gen-...8-aem-cai.html

Now whats the difference in PCM flash's? A flashed PCM has a better tune because it completely retrains the pcm in dino confirmed alterations that match the build that you do. Thus having the alterations done to the motor before the custom tune. The Hypertech/Superchip/SCTtuner does the same thing but with the option of reverting back to OEM and a towing alteration. This is set to regular tune as to an average, thus not as good. If you want to do it right then I would go OEM PCM with a custom tune with B&G inside a SCTtuner so you get the best of both worlds.

 

I know i am a little late on telling you this, Try doing a flash update on your PCM before doing any replacement. I have flash three PCM for this code. The worst that could happen is a reman PCM.