A year ago+ my R/T was fine. Then the CTM went with dash lights going nuts a bit, binging sounds, etc. I swapped it out for a eBay one, same P/N. Back then, after dealer DRB3'd it to be USA not Canada, and added my key fobs, I thought all was well.

I just noticed (I know, took a year?) to see the VTSS is not on, another DRB3 on/off thing. Today the dealer said they couldn't turn on VTSS because the DRB3 complained there was no connection to the BCM. They want $120 (1hr labor) to dig into it to find out why.

I'm not sure what to do next, your thoughts please?

[EDIT: Terrific, according to the FSM, there is no box on an '01 Durango called a BCM (????)]
[EDIT#2: Now I see that eBay CTMs are referred to as CTM/BCM. I think the OBD3 was just complaining about some aspect of my yr old used CTM replacement.]

 

I always was under the impression that the CTM was a BCM.

 

Just a wild guess, VTSS is Vehicle Theft Security System? Mines always had aftermarket since I've owned it. But yes I've always believed CTM is Chryslers BCM. Just read a little tidbit about how it may have to communicate with the PCM though. But I won't be much help other than that.

 

Tomorrow I go to the dealer part dept to talk. I want to get the definitive answer on how the suffix letters of a CTM P/N effect my vehicle. I've researched that sometimes part replacement needs the same suffix letter, and other times any letter equal or higher will do. Specifically, I have CTM with a G, but I and K units exist for sale on eBay.

Just noticed while surfing eBay ... the photos of the CTMs with suffix G or I or K all show the same Motorola PN and the same Mfg's code. Does this mean they are interchangeable?

 

Just visited the dealer part dept about CTM part numbers/versions. Apparently anything equal or greater to the 56045453AG I have now will work, including the new P/N they show as 05114191AA as the last one made for that vehicle. The dealer can no longer get any of them at all.

The question then is... is there any advantage in getting the latest one, the 05114191AA? In my experience with newer firmware in other non-vehicle applications, newer is usually better. All the boxes are about the same price range on eBay. I'd appreciate any advice from my DF buddies.

 

I would tend to agree. Newer is *generally* better. Bug fixes and all that.

 

Thanks. Of the 9 versions supposedly for my year/model D. The first 8 are the 56055453Ax ones (C thru K, skipping a couple letters) and the last is a the 0511* PN. I made the executive decision to buy the last of the 56045453 units, the K, not the new 0511 PN. The eBay store of the one I picked is closed today, so I'll buy tomorrow.

 

If the only difference is the letters at the end, it might be the same. The letters usually just denote the manufacturer.

 

New CTM from eBay showed up today, got it installed. It works in that it starts the truck and seems to make all the right beeps and lights. I have an appointment on Wed morn to have the dealers DRB3 check it out. Hopefully things will get further than they did when I posted this a couple weeks ago.

The service rep I prefer at the dealer used to work with a GM dealer, said, yup, no BCM on a Chrys prod.

 

That would explain why the CTM couldn't talk to it.