Magnum Computer Control Problems - Anyone Have Ideas Here?
Magnum Computer Control Problems - Anyone Have Ideas Here?
This past week my Magnum (a 2006 R/T) just shut down while at a traffic light. I turned the key off and then restarted the car. It started up fine, but ALL of my idiot lights came on! The electric light, the ESP/BAS and the check engine light.
I immediately took the car home, and thought this indicated that the battery or alternator went bad.
The next day, the car started up no problem, and NO lights came on. ???!? huh?
So I took the car to my mechanic and he says.. "oh man... you got problems, your car's computer is 'going bad' and its going to get worse"
He went on to explain that he sees alot of Magnums of Chargers that the computers fail on them, that this is a KNOWN issue, that the OEM computers are junk.
So I'm like WHAT? Since then, the car has shut down several times, and its happening more daily. My mechanic says he can replace the unit (he does about 1 per week now)... for around $500 (parts and labor).
Does any of this make sense? Sound familiar to anyone?
Is there an after-market replacement, better than the OEM. Any pitfalls by going that route?
Send me any ideas or thoughts on this please.. I am going to have to do something QUICK.
I immediately took the car home, and thought this indicated that the battery or alternator went bad.
The next day, the car started up no problem, and NO lights came on. ???!? huh?
So I took the car to my mechanic and he says.. "oh man... you got problems, your car's computer is 'going bad' and its going to get worse"
He went on to explain that he sees alot of Magnums of Chargers that the computers fail on them, that this is a KNOWN issue, that the OEM computers are junk.
So I'm like WHAT? Since then, the car has shut down several times, and its happening more daily. My mechanic says he can replace the unit (he does about 1 per week now)... for around $500 (parts and labor).
Does any of this make sense? Sound familiar to anyone?
Is there an after-market replacement, better than the OEM. Any pitfalls by going that route?
Send me any ideas or thoughts on this please.. I am going to have to do something QUICK.
Record Breaker
Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 1,873
Likes: 8
Which Computer? the PCM?
your car has 8yr 80k free waranty on th PCM, take it to the dealer if u r under that.
your story doesn't make too much sense.
No one makes computer module except the manufacturer or going High Performance. Is your mechanic in a Dodge Dealership or independent garage?
Mind to ask him exactly which computer is he replacing and tell me? might save you few hundred dollar.
Doing this once perweek? I don't remember that many Charger/Magnum doing that in my dealership.
If you can go to Autozone and see if they can pull out any stored codes from the Car, that might help.
your car has 8yr 80k free waranty on th PCM, take it to the dealer if u r under that.
your story doesn't make too much sense.
No one makes computer module except the manufacturer or going High Performance. Is your mechanic in a Dodge Dealership or independent garage?
Mind to ask him exactly which computer is he replacing and tell me? might save you few hundred dollar.
Doing this once perweek? I don't remember that many Charger/Magnum doing that in my dealership.
If you can go to Autozone and see if they can pull out any stored codes from the Car, that might help.
Thanks for your input. Since I posted this... the problem is now recurring on a daily basis.
To answer your Q's, my mechanic runs an independent garage and services all makes and models.
the problem is with the engine control or the PCM, and doesn't look like an ignition issue.
I am outside of my warranty, so the cost of this is a BIG concern. I wouldn't expect for a car computer to fail..should last the lifetime of any car.
To answer your Q's, my mechanic runs an independent garage and services all makes and models.
the problem is with the engine control or the PCM, and doesn't look like an ignition issue.
I am outside of my warranty, so the cost of this is a BIG concern. I wouldn't expect for a car computer to fail..should last the lifetime of any car.
