our 2001 dodge Dakota 4.7L has been having fits. For a while, it wouldn't start and the gauges wouldn't work. Then we found a loose connection in the back trailer plug. It ran well for 3 days and then just quit in traffic after running, stop and starting all morning. after about 15 mins, my dad came and turned the light switch on and off and the gauges worked again and it started right up. On our way home, it acted like it was losing power, the speedometer would go down but the tach stayed up. After making sure all connections were again tight, it has run like a top. The day it quit in traffic, the PCM was very hot to the touch. Is this normal when the temp outside is 90 degrees? Is the PCM going bad or is something else happening? Hate to buy PCM if it won't solve the problem. It is a little scary to take in that you never know when it might quit.

 

The PCM can get pretty warm. A bad solder joint is a possibility.

Still, the back trailer plug will not cause you to not start nor will it cause a gauge problem. They are different and unrelated circuits.

If it happens again pull any codes. You don't need any tools. With the truck not running turn the key to RUN (don't start it), back to OFF, then to RUN, then OFF again, finally leave it in RUN. Any codes will display in the odometer window. It will say P DONE when finished.

It could be anything on the PCI bus causing the problem. It could also be a bad cam or crank position sensor.

Good luck.

 

X2 The cam and crank position sensors come to mind for me too.

Dodge like VW's aren't particularly famous for their wiring/electrical integrity.

You definitely don't want to play the guessing game and spends a couple bills on a new pcm. It may be time consuming but follow the wiring harnesses and check for any cracked/dry rotted/broken wires in the harness. I say that since it's sounding so intermittent and 00DakDan brings up a good point with a possible solder point in the PCM.

But definitely first start buy pulling any trouble codes.