computer problem
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From: Ocala, FL.
computer problem
Greetings folks,
I'm having a problem with an electrical charge system. I had a dead battery. Had the alt checked on the truck and it tested bad. Replaced the alt and it still is not charging. I installed a external regulater and it's charging great. Now I have no air conditioning? I have been told that the computer is gone! $900.00 to $1000.00 :'( I Have also been informed that Dodge changes these computers each year so that if you try to by pass anything the computer will disconnect some other electrical circuit. Has anyone attempted removing the computer and just rewiring the truck for those circuits needed? I am afraid that if I try to bypass the air conditioning problem something els will disconnect? ??? ??? thank you
Have Fun'
Allen
Ocala, FL
I'm having a problem with an electrical charge system. I had a dead battery. Had the alt checked on the truck and it tested bad. Replaced the alt and it still is not charging. I installed a external regulater and it's charging great. Now I have no air conditioning? I have been told that the computer is gone! $900.00 to $1000.00 :'( I Have also been informed that Dodge changes these computers each year so that if you try to by pass anything the computer will disconnect some other electrical circuit. Has anyone attempted removing the computer and just rewiring the truck for those circuits needed? I am afraid that if I try to bypass the air conditioning problem something els will disconnect? ??? ??? thank you
Have Fun'
Allen
Ocala, FL
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Joined: Feb 2002
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From: Red Deer, Alberta Canada
Re:computer problem
Your computer is most likely not bad!!!! 
Those signs of your AC not working, no charge are symptoms of a bad Crank Sensor. Have the sensor checked or replaced and you probably will have all functions again.
The Crank sensor tells the computer that the engine is running. If it doesn't get a signal to the PCM, then it won't engage the charge circuit or AC. If you have an auto, it will also not engage the lockup TC. The computers on these trucks are very simple and do not fail often if at all.
Good luck and Don't replace the computer yet!
J-eh
Those signs of your AC not working, no charge are symptoms of a bad Crank Sensor. Have the sensor checked or replaced and you probably will have all functions again.
The Crank sensor tells the computer that the engine is running. If it doesn't get a signal to the PCM, then it won't engage the charge circuit or AC. If you have an auto, it will also not engage the lockup TC. The computers on these trucks are very simple and do not fail often if at all.
Good luck and Don't replace the computer yet!
J-eh
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Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 95
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From: Corydon, IN
Re:computer problem
[quote author=Lil Dog link=board=9;threadid=18812;start=0#msg176578 date=1061849515]
Your computer is most likely not bad!!!!
Those signs of your AC not working, no charge are symptoms of a bad Crank Sensor. Have the sensor checked or replaced and you probably will have all functions again.
The Crank sensor tells the computer that the engine is running. If it doesn't get a signal to the PCM, then it won't engage the charge circuit or AC. If you have an auto, it will also not engage the lockup TC. The computers on these trucks are very simple and do not fail often if at all.
Good luck and Don't replace the computer yet!
J-eh
[/quote]
Our trucks do not have a lockup TQ. And not arguing with you, but I have seen many of these computers go bad. The crank sensor is good advice. There are several things that can quit working when the PCM goes. Charging, A/C Speedometer, Cruise, Intake Heater, to name a few.
Bill
Your computer is most likely not bad!!!!
Those signs of your AC not working, no charge are symptoms of a bad Crank Sensor. Have the sensor checked or replaced and you probably will have all functions again.
The Crank sensor tells the computer that the engine is running. If it doesn't get a signal to the PCM, then it won't engage the charge circuit or AC. If you have an auto, it will also not engage the lockup TC. The computers on these trucks are very simple and do not fail often if at all.
Good luck and Don't replace the computer yet!
J-eh
[/quote]
Our trucks do not have a lockup TQ. And not arguing with you, but I have seen many of these computers go bad. The crank sensor is good advice. There are several things that can quit working when the PCM goes. Charging, A/C Speedometer, Cruise, Intake Heater, to name a few.
Bill
Chapter President
Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 6,102
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From: Red Deer, Alberta Canada
Re:computer problem
:-[ heheheheh...
Ooops.. Well as I have ever only had a stick, I wouldn't know that. The manual I have from Chiltons specified some transmission control problems with the crank sensor failure..I assumed it ment TC. Well you know what Assume means..
J-eh
Ooops.. Well as I have ever only had a stick, I wouldn't know that. The manual I have from Chiltons specified some transmission control problems with the crank sensor failure..I assumed it ment TC. Well you know what Assume means..
J-eh
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From: Wichta,Ks
Re:computer problem
I think the dealer you went to is quoting the wrong price I bought a new one for $330 genuine dodge. As for Autozone's
electrical pts, from the experience I had and others I've talked to. I'd go with the Dodge brand. Life time warantee's are great but it's my labor changing their faulty pts every year or so.
I'd look at the speed sensor 1st also. FWIW
ramguy
electrical pts, from the experience I had and others I've talked to. I'd go with the Dodge brand. Life time warantee's are great but it's my labor changing their faulty pts every year or so.
I'd look at the speed sensor 1st also. FWIW
ramguy
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Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 95
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From: Corydon, IN
Re:computer problem
[quote author=ramguy link=board=9;threadid=18812;start=0#msg177777 date=1062090953]
I think the dealer you went to is quoting the wrong price I bought a new one for $330 genuine dodge. As for Autozone's
electrical pts, from the experience I had and others I've talked to. I'd go with the Dodge brand. Life time warantee's are great but it's my labor changing their faulty pts every year or so.
I'd look at the speed sensor 1st also. FWIW
ramguy
[/quote]
Do you have some sort of buyers discount at your dealer? With my 15% discount I was quoted $780, $815, & $830 from 3 dealers 50 miles apart. That's why I went with Autozone. And by the way, Auotzone only guarantee's it for 6 months. The reason is because it is considered a electrical part, which in fact most have no warranty. As for changing it out, that only takes about 10 minutes, so it's not that labor intensive for me personally.
And I am 100% certain, that if the computer is bad the speedometer will not work either. I replaced the speed sensor 2 times and traced all the wiring, checked to make sure the stub in the tranny was spinning, etc. My dealer told me the computer had nothing to do with speedo. Well once in a great while after I had my left turn signal on the speedo would work for between 5 and 10 secs. then die again. Guess what, put the computer and to my surprise the speedo has worked perfectly ever since.
Bill
I think the dealer you went to is quoting the wrong price I bought a new one for $330 genuine dodge. As for Autozone's
electrical pts, from the experience I had and others I've talked to. I'd go with the Dodge brand. Life time warantee's are great but it's my labor changing their faulty pts every year or so.
I'd look at the speed sensor 1st also. FWIW
ramguy
[/quote]
Do you have some sort of buyers discount at your dealer? With my 15% discount I was quoted $780, $815, & $830 from 3 dealers 50 miles apart. That's why I went with Autozone. And by the way, Auotzone only guarantee's it for 6 months. The reason is because it is considered a electrical part, which in fact most have no warranty. As for changing it out, that only takes about 10 minutes, so it's not that labor intensive for me personally.
And I am 100% certain, that if the computer is bad the speedometer will not work either. I replaced the speed sensor 2 times and traced all the wiring, checked to make sure the stub in the tranny was spinning, etc. My dealer told me the computer had nothing to do with speedo. Well once in a great while after I had my left turn signal on the speedo would work for between 5 and 10 secs. then die again. Guess what, put the computer and to my surprise the speedo has worked perfectly ever since.
Bill
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From: Wichta,Ks
Re:computer problem
Farmall;
The price I got was through a freind of a freind and I dought I was getting that big of a discount but who knows.
The cranshaft speed sensor that "lil dog" is refering to is located on the front of the engine about the 11:00 pos. of the harmonic ballencer.
The computer I replaced turned out not to be defective, :'( so if some is looking for one I'll sell mine for $100.
The Autozone electrical I was specifically refering to was their
alternators. They sell some w/ lifetime warrantee and as you probably know some are not to easy to change, especially when the short so bad they leave you stranded on the road. :'(
ramguy
The price I got was through a freind of a freind and I dought I was getting that big of a discount but who knows.
The cranshaft speed sensor that "lil dog" is refering to is located on the front of the engine about the 11:00 pos. of the harmonic ballencer.
The computer I replaced turned out not to be defective, :'( so if some is looking for one I'll sell mine for $100.
The Autozone electrical I was specifically refering to was their
alternators. They sell some w/ lifetime warrantee and as you probably know some are not to easy to change, especially when the short so bad they leave you stranded on the road. :'(
ramguy
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Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 95
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From: Corydon, IN
Re:computer problem
[quote author=ramguy link=board=9;threadid=18812;start=0#msg177811 date=1062095041]
I just called the Dodge dealer and retail price is $255.00.
ramguy
[/quote]
Either the computer for the 93' is a lot cheaper than my 92'. The price has come down a extreme amount since January 2001. Or they are looking up the ABS computer located behind the glovebox, which my dealer and one other did the first time. Said that was the only one they knew of. I hope for everyone else's sake they have come down that much. ;D
Bill
I just called the Dodge dealer and retail price is $255.00.
ramguy
[/quote]
Either the computer for the 93' is a lot cheaper than my 92'. The price has come down a extreme amount since January 2001. Or they are looking up the ABS computer located behind the glovebox, which my dealer and one other did the first time. Said that was the only one they knew of. I hope for everyone else's sake they have come down that much. ;D
Bill
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Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 788
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From: Nevada Co., CA
Re:computer problem
Try the crank sensor first. I did the computer then the sensor, in my case the sensor fixed all my electrical problems - erratic discharging and O/D shifting problems.
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Joined: Jun 2003
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From: Wichita, KS
Re:computer problem
I hope the crank sensor is the problem, because I have the same thing going on with mine. I have changed the computer twice and have had several experts check everything and they both said the computer is still the problem. I purchased mine from Oriellys cause Autozone couldn't get one, but now Oreillys cant get another one for replacement. I put on an external regulator and a jumper on the compressor relay. I guess there is still hope. ?