Pics below of a few PCMs I came across at the u-pull-it as I was surfing for other parts. Of note, the 2002 was three plugs vs the 2003's 4 plug. Didn't think those years had much of a difference. From the remaining engine parts I saw (they removed engine and trannys), they were both 4.7s. Also, I think it was the 2002 that had that other component pictured...not sure what it was. I was really concentrating on getting what I went for at the time.

I wanted to grab the 2003 as a spare, but I wasn't sure it would work for my Dak and these things are about 40 bucks with the core charge. I left them and walked back out to my truck in the parking lot to verify a few things with mine but I couldn't see the sticker because it was being blocked by the plugs/wires. Well, I could have pulled my battery cable and unplugged my PCM but I decided to leave well enough alone and not mess with them unnecessarily. Guess I'm part of the 'if it ain't broke, don't try to fix' club. Anyway I can tell without unplugging mine? VIN comparisons maybe? Haven't bothered to look up the VINs yet. Mine is a Quad Cab SLT 4x2.

Edit: Okay the 03 is "2003 DODGE DAKOTA P/U QUAD CAB-SPORT 4X2"


2002 Dakota Quad cab PCM




Not sure what this was... I believe it was in the 2002 also.
Edit: It's the transmission ECM





2003 Dakota Quad cab PCM. Truck was built in 10/02. Mine was built in Feb 2003.

 

2002 VIN





2003 VIN

 

i would pull your ECM to find its p/n and match it up. if you can verify the gears match your truck even better.

 

You can't use the '03 PCM.

It's JTEC vs NGC. The PCM's changed over the years. It applies to the engine as well. The tone rings for the cam and crank sensors are different.

 

Why not? My truck is '03 with four plugs. I def can't use the '02.

 

I meant the '02 PCM.

There are other differences electrically as well. The '02 uses what is called a CCD bus, 2 wire. Your '03 is a PCI bus, 1 wire.

Don't forget, some settings like SKIM and security are stored in the PCM. If you don't have it, it could be enabled.

 

The secondary box should be the 545RFE transmission controller, which was used as a bandaid on the JTEC 4.7's. The NGC 4.7's have the 545RFE controller internal.

 

You can use the NGC PCM, vin doesn't matter as far as i know, Steve is running another PCM although it's JTEC.
Might be there are some skim and security problems which 00DakDan said..

But having a spare would give you the options to send it to a company or maybe the dealer and reprogram it to you're truck.

I would leave it on the shelf and whenever your's breaks you can have it changed, most likely you ain't gonna need it anyway....at least i don't hope so

 

I generated a build sheet for the junkyard truck. I then ran a software that compares documents and compared it against my build sheet. It's a sport and doesn't have SKIM or security. Mine doesn't either. My SLT is a bit more equipped, but nothing PCM related. I think the only thing I would have to deal with is getting the keyless entry to work if I had to use it, but that's just a convenience. As I understand it, odometer mileage is stored somewhere in the dash and not the PCM. If the PCM is still there by the weekend, I'll grab it. I was planning on getting the passenger bottom seat cushion and installing it on the driver's seat.

 

interested to hear how the seat swap goes, considered the same thing in mine. when i i swapped the cushion & cover on the ram i added support to the side bolster to prevent tearing, been 2-3 yrs now and still holding very well. prob 60-70k on it since the install.