Okay guys so I have a 2001 Dakota 4X4 Quad Cab with the 4.7. After driving from state to state it won’t crank. I checked all the fuses and they are fine. My gauges aren’t showing anything and it will turn over. When I got to the PCM I noticed it was wet. There is what I’m assuming powering steering fluid in the plugs. Has anyone had this problem and if so how can I fix it without replacing the PCM?

 

Where did the fluid come from???

 

From what I’ve read from other people and talked to a few mechanics the only way for the PCM to have fluid is for something to be leaking on my wiring harness. The only leak I have is my power steering pump.

 

It's a long way from the PS pump to the PCM....... Is there a pressure sensor on the PS pressure line? I have seen various sensors (ps pressure, even oil pressure) fail, in such a manner that fluid gets pushed into the wiring harness, and then wicks it's way to wherever it can find to leak out.....

 

My pump does have the sensor coming out of the high side. Is there any way to fix my issue other than replacing the PCM and PS pump?

 

Actually this is a known problem but I thought it was only with the 5.2 and 5.9 engines.

The power steering fluid gets wicked up the wire harness into the connector.

 

Is the pump leaking? Or just the sensor? If it's just the sensor, replace it.

Should be able to clean the PCM connectors, and the harness-side connectors with brake clean, or carb cleaner.....

 

The pump it self is leaking from the main seal and the sensor leaks around the threads

 

I had never experienced this issue before now. I had read on a few old forums about it, but never found a solution other than replacing everything.

 

I had never experienced the issue before now. I had read on a couple old forums and never found a solution other than replacing everything.