2000 4.7 ECM question.
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From: Clayton MI
Not sure if that matters..... but, if the truck would start/run/drive with a black key..... that throws a lot of shade on the whole idea. 
In any event, it seems that the PCM does indeed appear to be the issue... so, getting one programmed to your truck *should* solve the issue, I would think. I would be tempted to get one local though. Then, if it doesn't work, you can return it, and talk to a real human, in person..... Tends to work a lot better than dealing with the online sellers. Most of 'em have a horrid reputation.
In any event, it seems that the PCM does indeed appear to be the issue... so, getting one programmed to your truck *should* solve the issue, I would think. I would be tempted to get one local though. Then, if it doesn't work, you can return it, and talk to a real human, in person..... Tends to work a lot better than dealing with the online sellers. Most of 'em have a horrid reputation.
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Joined: Aug 2016
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From: Sun Valley, NV
This key looks like the same key type for my 2000 Durango. They are not security keys....now on my 2001 Durango, those definitely are security keys. Also, on my 2001 Durango, the keys are grey in color with the Ram head logo on them. Hope this helps.
Steve
Steve
Last edited by sporta; Jan 10, 2023 at 07:24 PM. Reason: Clarification
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Well from what I understand. If you have a non security truck then it can only use ECMs that don't have the security programed. However if the truck is a security truck then it doesn't matter if the donor ECM has security programed or not it should still start and stay running.
I just had my PCM replaced on my 2000 with 5.9. Required to have the VIN for replacment PCM to be programmed correctly. My Original PCM started randomly throwing bad memory codes so had to replace it ASAP.
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Did you don't through the dealer? Or one of the online sellers?
I went thru one of the online resellers. They told me regardless where you get the PCM, it is required to be programmed to the VIN in order for the PCM to properly communicate with the onboard devices for vehicle.
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From: Aztec NM
I had a dead miss that I narrowed down to the ECM. It's a 2000 with the 4.7l. I got an ECM from eBay that matched mine. Part numbers the same. Came from the right year and engine according to the listing. I swapped it in and it would start right up. But after a second or two it would just shut off. It did this a few times before it got to where it just wouldn't fire up at all.
Swapped it back and it fired right up and ran on the old ECM. Just has the miss.
Ive been reading and I've seen people say they are just plug and play. Some people say it needs programed to the vin? Some say it matters if the vehicle is security or not?
I don't know if my model is security equiped? Doesn't have a chip key. I do have keyless entry. Is that ECM I got from ebay just bad? Kinda need steered in the right direction.
Swapped it back and it fired right up and ran on the old ECM. Just has the miss.
Ive been reading and I've seen people say they are just plug and play. Some people say it needs programed to the vin? Some say it matters if the vehicle is security or not?
I don't know if my model is security equiped? Doesn't have a chip key. I do have keyless entry. Is that ECM I got from ebay just bad? Kinda need steered in the right direction.
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So I gave up on the Durango for awhile. Though recently decided I wanted to get it running again. Bought a vin programed ecm on eBay. And the first one was a dud. No start, No Bus error on dash.
Guy/company was super cool and sent me another one quickly and the second one did the trick. No more miss. Never did figure out if my key was actually a security key, but it doesn't matter now.
I was beginning to doubt my diagnosis of a fault in the ecm, but it's rewarding to know I was right. Though I'm curious what killed just a single coil driver in the ecm. Coil shorted? Bad plug? Not sure.
Guy/company was super cool and sent me another one quickly and the second one did the trick. No more miss. Never did figure out if my key was actually a security key, but it doesn't matter now.
I was beginning to doubt my diagnosis of a fault in the ecm, but it's rewarding to know I was right. Though I'm curious what killed just a single coil driver in the ecm. Coil shorted? Bad plug? Not sure.
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From: Clayton MI
Its essentially just a transistor. They do fail over time. If you ran it for a while longer, you would probably have seen more of them fail... But, I would think after the second one failed, the truck would be almost undriveable. 