First time in 17 years of ownership that the check engine light came on for my 5.9 with 193k miles.

P0601 Control Module Read Only Memory(ROM)

P1281 Injection Control Pressure Out Of Range High

Was hoping for something simple like O2 sensor going out or something.

These two codes worries me. first one, I wonder if my PCM is about to die, and the 2nd code, I wonder if my injectors are getting clogged. For the injectors, I always run premium fuel and always use some injector cleaning fluid every few tanks of gas to keep the injectors as clean as possible.

 

Just realized that the P1281 may not be an injector error. these error codes were pulled off from the ram forum side and I do believe this code does not involve injectors but more or less involve the 5.9 taking too long to warm up. I recall seeing this error before and cleared it. During winter months, this truck has issues with reaching operating temp. It has a 180 stat but won't reach 160 at times when it is driving down the road. But summer, the temps hits 180 quick and at times even goes 190 with A/C running.

Right now, I am more worried about the P601 that may be in indication my PCM is going to fail soon. I cleared and reset the PCM and will monitor with hopes it is just a false alarm. If P601 comes back after the first couple hundred miles of driving after the reset, I will have to replace the PCM.

 

why not use the index in this section for engine codes?
i concurr about the p0601, and if the PCM is going out, any other codes showing could be false, if the PCM is not functioning properly it can throw random codes.

if you replace the PCM and still get the p1281 you may have a t-stat stuck open.

EDIT: 17 years without a check engine light coming on? that must be some kind of record, usually you at least get an evap leak or something else stupid worked in there once in a while (granted maybe that happens less in areas where you can pump your own gas)

 

The 180 degree stat will generate the P1281 code. PCM expects engine operating temp to be 195 or so. It gets annoyed when it never gets there.

The P0601 code is fatal though. ROM checksum error....... Time for new PCM.

 

I think my 180 stat may be stuck open. today for example, 51 degrees outside, temp never get past 160 so it will throw a 1281 code for sure. I reset the pcm and no longer showing check engine light for the time being. Hoping it was a false alarm. I also decided to return the PCM to stock settings in case it does have problems. I will know in the next couple hundred miles if the p601 pops back up and then I will replace the pcm.

 

I think my 180 stat may be stuck open. today for example, 51 degrees outside, temp never get past 160 so it will throw a 1281 code for sure. I reset the pcm and no longer showing check engine light for the time being. Hoping it was a false alarm. I also decided to return the PCM to stock settings in case it does have problems. I will know in the next couple hundred miles if the p601 pops back up and then I will replace the pcm.

Found a site that I can get a factory PCM preprogrammed via my VIN and I can replace it myself. Price is not bad. $238

https://carcomputerexchange.com/dodg.../prod_400.html