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Last updated on October 9th, 2023 at 05:31 pm

The dodge ram PCM controls several electrical systems in a car. If your vehicle has been running rough, idling, stalling, and/or experiencing transmission slipping, it may be time to have the PCM rebuilt. The engine computer is also the PCM, ECM, or ECU. A guaranteed replacement for all 2001 Dodge Ram Truck PCM models is available, requiring no additional programming. Considering how expensive the PCM is, it is not necessary to replace it unless the problem is determined to be with the engine’s computer.

1. The PCM may not recognize the new equipment

Whereas newer cars are pre-installed with acceptable applications and ready for use by the new user, older vehicles with PCM modules installed call for the owner to get the code. Suppose your Dodge vehicle was constructed from the year 1993 to 2003, and you want to add new or further products and services such as sensor units. In that case, it is possible that your engine’s computer may be unable to apprehend additional equipment you have installed. The latest equipment sensors are transmitting information encoded in a manner the module may not decode or decipher.

Because most PCMs set up at that period feature a unique PROM chip, they can be either changed or reflashed to take information from practically any Dodge car model, which is a welcome relief.

2. The reprogramming of the PCM may get stalled or even terminate

The owner may reprogram the Dodge PCM in cars developed and bought before 2004. These individuals require particular equipment and computer software. PCM reprogramming does not usually go without hiccups and difficulties. Professionals have described it as follows: the PCM may reprogram successfully, but another control unit may not, resulting in the whole operation being delayed or aborted. It is common for the procedure to need many tries before you can properly complete it. A technical helpline provided by the tool manufacturer might be an invaluable resource if programming seems to be stalling.

3. The voltage of the vehicle’s battery falls

Going to an experienced shop may help you figure out whether your computer is in trouble. Reading the code that your computer generates allows the pros to determine whether or not you have a faulty computer. PCMs, ECMs, and ECUs are all different for various model years, such as the 2000 and 2001 model years, and they are all different for the same model year, 2000. It is thus necessary to identify the issue before purchasing a new computer. At times, the first gear may not shift out of the way, and the remaining gears may also not function properly.

When driving, the engine light may come on and may cause the vehicle to jolt and lose power. Leaving the engine running while not driving may cause it to shut off. The length of time you’ve owned your car, the number of miles you’ve gone, the time since the previous fluid change, and the condition of the spark plugs and wires, may all play a role in this determination. You’d need to check the grounds, disconnect and clean the PCM connectors, and inspect the batteries to resolve the computer’s difficulties.

4. Overloads in the voltage range

A failure to locate and fix the faulty solenoid or actuator may result in a voltage overload, which may cause damage to the newly installed PCM. When you replace your 2001 Dodge Ram 1500 PCM, it is possible that your alternator will not be able to charge your battery properly. Make sure that you connect the grounding pin on your multimeter to the stud coming out of the alternator on the power side. We can (should be nut holding your wires that go to your battery) by doing so. If you are receiving a voltage reading between 13.5 and 14.5V, the connection between the vehicle’s alternator and battery is defective, as described above.

5. The effects of the environment

When changing the PCM, vibration, corrosion or thermal stress may occur thus causing the engine to burn excess fuel leading to an increase in emissions. This will in turn prevent toxic gases from being filtered and the emissions from your vehicles will mostly be black smoke.

The performance of your car will also be affected if the PCM has issues. Poor performance may be brought about by misfiring of the engine which is a result of incorrectly timing the ignition.

6. Other components of the vehicle may be affected

The PCM is a computer that is very complex. Generally, PCMs are expensive and cost will vary with the model of your car. During the process of changing a PCM, the vehicle encounters the following issues including a loose connection between the cable ends develops, the scan tool loses power and thus its ability to operate, disconnection from the internet, and crashing of the PC.

7. The ignition may turn off before completing the procedure

The PCM does not only control issues related to the engine but also every automatic transmission that does not use a different Transmission Control Module (TCM). If there are communication issues between the key, the ignition switch and the engines computer, there may be ignition problems. A faulty PCM may also cause the engine to stall or completely fail to start.

The PCM, also the engines computer uses actuators to make changes where necessary in a vehicle. Since the PCM oversees everything related to a car’s powertrain, everything needs to be fixed as soon as they stop working or lag. The PCM may also need to be replaced when it has problems to avoid further damage to the vehicle.

Conclusion

A few problems may occur when replacing a PCM including failure to recognize the new equipment, stalling or termination during reprogramming of the PCM, falling of the voltage of the vehicle’s battery, overloads in the voltage range, other environmental effects, the ignition may turn off before completing the procedure, a loose connection between the cable ends develop, the scan tool loses power and thus its ability to operate, disconnection from the internet, and crashing of the PC.

In case you are experiencing an electric problem related to this Dodge ram, do not hesitate to reach out to us for assistance.

FAQs

How do you reset a PCM on a Dodge Ram 1500?

First, locate the negative cable of your battery, disconnect the battery’s negative cable from the terminals, allow for a 20-minute waiting period to ensure that all systems have been shut down, and pick the negative cable and reconnect it to the battery.

How do you reset the PCM on a 2001 Dodge Ram?

For 30 to 40 seconds, turn the ignition to the start position. Then, returning to Your battery, reconnect the negative terminal to its original connection. Hopefully, the PCM has reset at this point!

How do I reset my Dodge PCM?

To disconnect the battery from the negative terminal cable, use a combined winch and a cable cutter. To clean up the computer’s memory and remove any stored energy, remove the cord for a few minutes. Once you complete this, you should then reconnect the battery and line.

How do I test my PCM RAM?

Use the voltage drop test to determine whether or not your system is functioning correctly. Locate the PCM on your car, find the connector and the right pin for the power, and then back probe into the circuit using pins. Connect the positive lead of the DVOM to the PCM POWER CIRCUIT to complete the procedure.