ECM Going Bad?

[jumpjg]

Haven't been on the forum for a while, but I think I have a problem & could use some help. I've owned my '99 3500 dually for about 5 years now. When I first got it the lift pump/ wait to start light would energize as soon as the ignition was turned on, but after a few months sometimes (about 50-70% of the time) it would take about 5 or 6 seconds to get the pulse/light. The engine would always crank but it wouldn't light off until the lift pump pulsed. No big deal, just wait for the fuel pressure gauge to pulse then hit the key. Over the years I've read this was an indication of a problem inside the ECM (the computer on the engine block) that requires replacement to correct. Being in no hurry to spend the cubic dollars to replace the ECM, I've just lived with it and there has been no change with the delayed pulse - until recently. Over the past week or two I've noticed the wait time for the pulse has increased from 5-6 seconds to 10-12 seconds, and it seems to be 100% of the time now. It still starts & runs fine after the pulse - just drove it to Dayton, OH & back, 6 hrs each way. All other systems work fine, no engine warning light, no trouble codes showing up on the Ultra Gauge.

So I'm looking for guidance so I know what to do on that one day when it fails to pulse. I'm a little too old school to understand all the intricacies of matching up a used ECM or flash codes and the like. Is there a proven reliable rework center for these ECMs? Will it still have to be flashed by a dealer to work. Any advice appreciated - thanks!

[Me78569]

Mike has found a place that says they can rebuilt the ecm for our trucks. He was happy with their service with his ABS module.  

 

I think they are Module masters out of boise.

http://forum.mopar1973man.com/topic/10753-random-abs-light-and-weird-braking-performance/

 

 

Ill wait for mike to chime in more

Edited December 21, 2015 by Me78569

[Mopar1973Man]

Module Masters can do ECM's but call them first and be clear that its a 99 Dodge Cummins Diesel. I'm just in the process of waiting for it to return right now. I had sent it back to verify there was nothing wrong and get the codes pulled.

As for the ECM its showing signs of problems. Lag in lift pump or wait to start light is a booting issues or memory errors.

[dripley]

Just putting this out there for thought. I went thru the rebuild thing almost 6 years ago. Bad experience for me, but at the time it seemed worth the gamble compared to a dealer priced replacement. As I remember it was going to be just north of $2k and I did not have it. I ended up spending a whole lot more when it was all said and done but sure did not see that coming.

Any way what I am thinking is, how re build able is an ECM that is 18 years old? Is the wait to start light just the start of the rest of it going out? How much life do they have in them even if they are not exposed to a lot stray ac voltage? I personally dont know and maybe just playing devils advocate here.

The thing that gets me is when my second rebuild went out about a year later, I ended up at a local  mechanic in a small town in TN. He hooked me up with a Cummins ECM, programming, and install for $1400, 4 to 5 years ago. Unless he towed the truck to a dealer, he had a way to program on his own. I wish I had questioned him on how he was doing it. I was just happy to have it back.

I dont mean to knock Module Masters at all. They might be what every one is looking for. Mainly just curious how long you could expect to get out of an OE  ECM.

 

[balsip]

Many reports of bad experience on rebuilt ECMs  so I would look at wrecker ECM.  Very hard to test all components without "bed of nails" tester costing $100Kplus like Cummins would have. I used to program one.  Look at my Dec 8, 2015 post for details on changing VIN etc on a wrecker one. So far so good. .  I can give more info - just PM me.

[Vais01]

I hate to say it but a NEW Cummins ECM would be the way to go as well as inspecting the main ECM harness for excessive corrosion on any of the contacts or high resistance values.