Hey guys, need some quick advice. In my other thread (Help me save $1100) I mentioned I was getting the P1689 code - no communication between the injection pump and the ECM. I was almost certain it was the VP44, as was everyone else I talked to... after all, what else really ever goes wrong with these trucks?

Anyway, I towed it to the dealer (as a last resort... I didn't want to buy a pump and burn it up because something else was wrong). They just called me and told me the VP44 was fine, but it was the ECM that was bad. $1350 total.

I was so sure it was the VP44 that I already ordered a VP44 from Scheid and its due to arrive today.

Anyhow, should I just go with what the dealer says and give them the go ahead to replace the ECM? Is there a way to test the ECM myself? Or more importantly, can I replace an ECM myself (seems unlikely). What happens if they put the ECM on and it doesn't run? Am I still obligated to pay for this ECM?

Am I really the 1 time out of 100 that its my ECM and not the VP44?

Thanks!

 

Wow, tough situation.

I would have an understanding with them that if the ECM does not fix the problem, you want it taken off and not pay for it.

 

Myself. I would look for a good used ECM to replace myself.

If you have them put the ECM on and it is not the problem, you just bought a new ECM and have a spare.

There is a 2001 5 speed ECM in the classifieds. Check there and see if that will work. It could save you quite a bit of coin.

 

I'm with him. My ECM went bad and I got a used one for $200. there are some mad ecm's out there for just alittle more than that, you will have to have one off a 01 HO motor ONLY all others are differnt

 

Well, I told the dealer to go ahead and replace the ECM yesterday after the service manager assured me that it would have the full parts warranty on it and that they were positive the ECM was the problem.. It arrived earlier today and I called them several times to see how things were going. They had no news every time I called.

So I took a road trip down there (about 40 miles away) and when I got there the service manager told me that the ECM was in, but the truck still had the no start problem. This was at 4:30 and they closed at 5:30pm. I was getting kind of upset because I was this was actually supposed to be all finished yesterday.

I figured I was right and that it really was the VP44 and they had no idea what they were doing.

He told me he would call me before they closed. I was watching the clock like a hawk. I arrived back at the dealership at 5:36. Just as I was opening the door I got a call that said my truck was ready to go!

I guess I really was the 1 in 100 that the ECM failed and not the VP44. The bill came to $1341. Pricey for an ECM, but at least I have a 12 month/12k mile warranty on it. A little peace of mind considering they still didn't know why it failed.

 

Mine was fine when I went to school, and when I came out at 3:30 it would start and idle but no throttle, I had the APPS code and assumed that was bad. I changed that out with dads just to make sure, same problem. I hooked her up to a snap on machine and ran it down to the ECM. It wasnt reading what the APPS was telling it.

 

So did you get your pump from Scheid's yet?

What was actually wrong with the truck, if the new ECM didn't correct the no-start issue?

Is this the truck that died during the brake job?

 

I got the pump from Scheid's on Thursday morning. I called Scheid's and they ok'ed the return so the UPS guy took it back with him. Great people there at Scheid's... when my pump really does go bad I'll definitely be getting it from them.

Yes, this was the truck that died right after the brake job. Mileage checked out ok. Monroe only put roughly 5 miles on it.

I guess that they finally got the ECM to work. I wasn't charged for anything but the ECM and labor. The service manager didn't want to elaborate on anything I would ask him. My guess is that they weren't even working on it or that they forgot something simple... because whatever happened it happened in the hour after I showed up.

 

I wonder if something else was wrong & they didn't tell you about it. Did they have anything else listed on the paperwork?

 

I would crawl into the engine compartment and make sure that there is a new ECM in it... and see if there is a new VP44 or any other new sensors.... make sure that it was not a couple hundered $$ sensor they changed for free and still charged you for the ECM...

Did you get the old ECM back or was there a core charge on it??

Gerry

 

At least they didn't give you any grief over your Edge Comp!

 

There was a core charge on the ECM so I didn't get it back. I crawled into the engine compartment yesterday and there is definitely a new ECM in there. So its obvious that they really did replace it.

Also, my lugging or cutting out from 1900-2100 RPMs seems to be gone. I thought that was a classic symptom of the VP44 going out. Makes me wonder how many other VP44s get misdianosed.

I didn't expect them to give me grief over the Comp as I made it clear from the start what mods I had and that I had no intention of trying to get it done under warranty. The ECM is a Dodge part, right? If its a Cummins part then maybe I screwed up... I'm still within the 100,000 mile Cummins warranty (at 82,500) and I have no mods that would have caused the ECM to fail.