I took my truck to dealer for CE light on with code P0443 and they have it for 2 days to call and tell me the I need a new PCM. They say it can only me done at dealer, how much truth is there to that?

 

Changing a pcm can be done however, I'm new to mopar and I believe they need to program the pcm to your vehicle specs, example engine size, tranny, wheels gearing etc. The component can be done but as for programming if required I dunno

 

You must have the PCM flashed by a dealer with their Starscan tool once it is installed.
Isn't P0443 an evap code? A bad solenoid valve by the canister?

 

Yep, that's an evap leak. Ain't never seen the cause of that be a bad PCM before, it's usually a broken hose clamp or a cracked hose end...

 

I don't know either I changed Purge Solenoid and the White box on side of charcoal canister and still have code. So I took it to them to run smoke test on system and the they call me 2 days later to tell me its a bad PCM

 

I guess it is possible that maybe a bad solenoid fried that circuit in the PCM. Not common, but with electronics, anything is possible

 

IT CAN ONLY BE DONE AT A DEALER! I just went through this PCM crap. I first tried a junkyard PCM with identical software numbers, but that didn't work due the the vin not matching the code in my transponder key. I tried using Cardone and installed the PCM myself, in attempt to save a few hundred dollars, but in the end, Cardone sent me 2 bad PCMs. What would have originally cost $500 at the dealership, ended up costing $200 with Cardone, $125 at the junkyard, and $800 at the dealership to have them install the 2 from Cardone and test them to find that starter solenoid circuit was grounded and was for a 5.7 (my truck was a 4.7), then eventually I gave in and had them buy one from Chrysler and install. Cardone say's they are plug and play, programmed to the VIN and ready to go, but a dealership still needs to update the software. So even if you get a working one from Cardone, you still have to take it to the dealer before your truck will run. Just buy one from the dealer and let them do it. Save yourself the headache.

 

check on ebay. there is a company the remanufacturers PCM's. you give them the VIN# and they program it for your vehicle. plug and play, they offer a lifetime warranty also.

 

based on your user name...you have a 2007?

Dealers solution to all the 2006+ problems are to throw a new PCM or TIPM at the problem and hope it solves the issue. They are terrible mechanics and if their Scanner tool can't tell them exactly how to fix a problem, they are completely lost!

 

We have a guy that will come to our independent shop and program the computer for 75 dollars. Just did an 05 Stratus, Had a shorted injector driver in the original computer. I would get another opinion and check all the vacuum hoses on the evap system yourself.