Hello Everyone, Been visiting the site more and more trying to diagnose what's wrong with my 99 6 speed 4x4. Been having an issue with a cel (p1694) that I think is being caused by a bad ecm.From what I've seen it seems like the site had a lot of good info so hopefully I get it figured out, been quite the headache! Damn Ca smog!

Welcome to the farm. Try starting you a thread about your problem. You will get more looks in the forum and some advise.

Thanks, will do.

Welcome to the family.

As far as the error code P1694...

http://articles.mopar1973man.com/2nd-generation-24v-dodge-cummins/59-obdii-error-codes/232-p1694-no-bus-message-received-from-companion-module

Before jumping out there you might want to double check the diagnostic first for clues and check over wiring issues.

Thanks for the info, I'll take a look at the diagram. What kind of scan tool did you use in that article?

Thanks for the info, I'll take a look at the diagram. What kind of scan tool did you use in that article?

DRBIII tool which only the Dodge Dealer would typically have.

Definitely don't have access to one of those scanners. Looking at that wiring diagram it seems that the radio is in the ecm loop? Not sure if I'm reading it right. The PO definitely did some questionable wiring in that area...

Correct. The Radio is on the CCD Network because of the remote steering wheel controls in the upper models. So the remote steering wheel controls sent there data over the CCD Network to the radio to turn volume up and down or tune to your favorite station.

Awesome, thanks for clearing that up! That makes sense. I know that the radio was messed with so I think that's a good place to start. Is there a specific part of the radio wiring that's included in the CCD Network or just the whole radio harness? I'm assuming the wiring to the steering wheel as well? Also noticed the overhead console is included on the same network. Is that the display that has temperature, etc?Again, thanks for your help! It's really appreciated!

Radio mostly. But the steering wheel controls went back over to the Central timer to be sent out on the CCD network. So its the central timer and the radio as a communication pair. Still a easy way is to measure the CCD voltage and see if there is 2.49 and 2.51 volts in reference to ground. If not start unplugging all the accessories one at a time looking for the voltage to return. The one that allows it to return is the failed unit. You only need PCM, ECM and instrument cluster to work.

Procrastinated on this for awhile. Finally bit the bullet and took it in to the dealer. Confirmed the ecm is bad. Now on the hunt for a new one.

 

Any suggestions on where I should look?

Welcome to the forum and hope you get a good ECM. I have read about a few cos. sending bad ones out so get a good exchange garantee.

 

Hope your in a good part of Cali. There are some very nice parts.

 

I'm in Oregon wondering when our California weather will end. It's been nice for working on the truck but we have lots and lots of forests here.

 

Worried about fires

 

Mike

 

Keep us posted what happens with your truck as it helps us all when we hear how it got fixed.

Dodge or Cummins. I dont trust rebuilders of ECM's. Mine went out and I went that route with very poor results and a lot of down time, about 6 weeks. I just recently found out my ECM is from Cummins. I got it from a local mechanic in TN. The ECM and programming cost me about $1400. He did it in his shop, but I am not sure how the programming was done since there was no Dodge dealer in that town. 

 

Thats my  worth on the subject.

Edited January 22, 201411 yr by dripley

Wow, Driply that's a lot of money. I understand fully about getting good parts and money well spent. I've done things like that too knowing it's the best.

 

Do you have any idea why yours went out? Excessive heat? internal short? Be nice to open that puppy and get some pics for us all someday.

Never found out what went wrong with. Had to send it in for a core. If you think what I paid was expensive go to the dealer and price. Near $2,000. I thought I got a pretty fair price. Anyway check this outhttp://forum.mopar1973man.com/index.php?/topic/6007-have-you-ever-wondered-what-is-inside-the-ecm-case/ I hope this is what you were wanting to see.

 

Not sure of the total cost of the rebuild I tried to go with, but the cost of the ECM and all the down time with a car rental was well over the $2,000

Edited January 23, 201411 yr by dripley

Thanks for the link Dripley. Did some reading about ECMs. It said the biggest enemy is heat for most of them.

Heat is any computers enemy from the home or the truck. Stray ac voltage is rough on the tucks computers. Not sure which got mine or if was something else.

Didn't get any notifications on the topic, whoops! Thanks for posting up the info guys, appreciate it!

 

I honestly don't have the money for that so I've been looking at used ones from classifieds. Just not sure what I can and can't use. Does it matter if it's from an auto or a manual? Can it come from a newer truck? I'm assuming I'll have to get it reflashed either way, just need to know what I can use.