1st Gen. Ram - All Topics Discussion for all Dodge Rams prior to 1994. This includes engine, drivetrain and non-drivetrain discussions. Anything prior to 1994 should go in here.

Engine Control Modulator

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old May 13, 2013 | 05:46 PM
  #1  
hotwrench4hire's Avatar
Thread Starter
Registered User
 
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 22
Likes: 0
From: Oklahoma City
Engine Control Modulator

any way to test a engine control modulator? voltage regulator went out and fried radio, delay wipers, lost several other items as well, such as od, cruise, grid heater, all controlled by the ecm
this is a 91.5 12v with an auto trans, thanks++++
Reply
Old May 13, 2013 | 06:49 PM
  #2  
j_martin's Avatar
Registered User
 
Joined: Nov 2011
Posts: 4,479
Likes: 211
From: Isanti, MN
Hot Wrench, eh. Would help if you knew the nomenclature of the trade.

These things don't have an engine control module. It's called a <P>owertrain <C>ontrol <M>odule.

Anyway, you may have lost the ground to the PCM. With luck, and that ground repaired, it might work. I'm pretty sure it overcharged for awhile before that much damage was done.

Or, you might have lost a fusible link and nothing is damaged but the link.

It would take hands on, an elementary knowledge of electricity, and a factory service manual to get to the bottom of it.

You might need to take it to a repair shop.
Reply
Old May 13, 2013 | 10:06 PM
  #3  
jbawden's Avatar
Registered User
 
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 131
Likes: 0
From: Napa, CA
Geezus, the condescension is as thick as mosquitos in July...Hotwrench, meet Hothead.
Reply
Old May 14, 2013 | 12:15 PM
  #4  
hotwrench4hire's Avatar
Thread Starter
Registered User
 
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 22
Likes: 0
From: Oklahoma City
Originally Posted by jbawden
Geezus, the condescension is as thick as mosquitos in July...Hotwrench, meet Hothead.
Reply
Old May 14, 2013 | 12:26 PM
  #5  
hotwrench4hire's Avatar
Thread Starter
Registered User
 
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 22
Likes: 0
From: Oklahoma City
its not a fusible link, Sticky gives a test for a computer on later model first gens, thought someone might have a test for the early model unit
Reply
Old May 14, 2013 | 03:02 PM
  #6  
j_martin's Avatar
Registered User
 
Joined: Nov 2011
Posts: 4,479
Likes: 211
From: Isanti, MN
Originally Posted by hotwrench4hire
its not a fusible link, Sticky gives a test for a computer on later model first gens, thought someone might have a test for the early model unit
Hope you don't mind a little help from HotHead.
It's interesting when a little good natured jab offends someone uninvolved.

I have a Chrysler publication 81-699-0310 5.9L 1993 Cummins Diesel Truck Powertrain Diagnostic Procedures that covers the formal analysis of the PCM, sensors and controls.

Electronically, it's pretty elementary. The information you need is in the wiring diagrams. I believe there's a link to a set (1993 would work) in the FAQ's.

To start with, power (at 2 places) and ground at the PCM, and then power from PCM to the CPS, and signal back to the PCM should light it up. If it then doesn't field the alternator, it's dead. Pinouts, color codes, and voltages are all in the electrical diagrams.

Most of the problems with this system are grounds and dirty connectors.

hope it helps.
Reply
Old May 14, 2013 | 03:40 PM
  #7  
hotwrench4hire's Avatar
Thread Starter
Registered User
 
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 22
Likes: 0
From: Oklahoma City
thanks for the info, pretty sure its burnt, one of the guys pulled the pos cable off while it was running and putting out over 18volts, thats when it poped my radio, after that I had no cruise, no od, no grid heater or wait light, I read all these were controlled by the pcm, I tested out the ignition switch, fuse box and fuse links, all good, will try to do a little testing on the pcm before I buy a replacement
Reply
Old May 14, 2013 | 06:48 PM
  #8  
j_martin's Avatar
Registered User
 
Joined: Nov 2011
Posts: 4,479
Likes: 211
From: Isanti, MN
Originally Posted by hotwrench4hire
thanks for the info, pretty sure its burnt, one of the guys pulled the pos cable off while it was running and putting out over 18volts, thats when it poped my radio, after that I had no cruise, no od, no grid heater or wait light, I read all these were controlled by the pcm, I tested out the ignition switch, fuse box and fuse links, all good, will try to do a little testing on the pcm before I buy a replacement
He's lucky he didn't blow his head off making sparks near an overcharging battery. He's dangerous. Keep him away.

Fully fielded and not loaded into a battery, that alternator can put out 50 - 100 volts. I suspect you're right on the fried PCM.

When you put in another one, check the field wire between the PCM and the alternator to be sure it isn't grounded. That would have been the original, (and only) fault before the battery was disconnected.
Reply
Related Topics
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
bannerd
1st Gen. Ram - All Topics
9
Sep 6, 2012 10:03 AM
leper
1st Gen. Ram - All Topics
6
Apr 11, 2011 07:38 PM
grizzly660fan
3rd Generation Ram - Non Drivetrain - All Years
2
Jan 2, 2004 10:02 AM
TexasDiesel
2nd Gen. Dodge Ram - No Drivetrain
9
Dec 27, 2002 10:47 AM




All times are GMT -5. The time now is 11:11 AM.