Limp mode with codes

[puglyfe]

The truck is pitching a fit now. Was driving in stop and go traffic on the freeway last weekend. The temp started to rise a lot, then suddenly pegged. The CEL was on and then the check gauges light came on. Had noticed a bit of bucking and surging and the revs started to go high one time. Finally cleared traffic and then could not go over 1,500 rpm in any gear.

 

Read the code after getting home, this is what was listed:

P0606 PCM processor fault

P0238 Turbo boost sensor a ckt high input

P0123 Throttle position sensor signal voltage too high

P0118 Engine coolant temp sensor high

P0113 IAT sensor 1 Ckt temp high

P0216 Injector pump timing malfunction

P0121 Throttle position sensor signal voltage too low

 

Cleared the codes and the truck drove fine again. For about 25 miles. Then all of the codes came back. Cleared again and same thing.

 

So where to start to resolve the problem(s)? The truck is all stock except for exhaust. Has 155,000 miles on the clock now.

[Tractorman]

I would go to the Blue Chip Diesel site for VP44 and other components diagnostic chart.  There is very good information at this site.  Also, you will want to confirm that batteries, battery connections, grounds, etc. are all in good operating condition.

 

Others will chime in soon to help.

 

- John

[Mopar1973Man]

1 hour ago, puglyfe said:

P0606 PCM processor fault

 

ECM is fried first off. I would test for AC noise from the alternator. Then clear this code and see if it comes back. If it does the other codes are most likely from the AC noise of the alternator killed the ECM.

[dripley]

Very much what happened to mine when the ECM committed suicide. I did not have the 606 code but it acted the same. From the 216 code you might have lost the vp too. Hard to say with the ECM flailing around. You cant trust the codes to much.

[puglyfe]

3 hours ago, Mopar1973Man said:

 

ECM is fried first off. I would test for AC noise from the alternator. Then clear this code and see if it comes back. If it does the other codes are most likely from the AC noise of the alternator killed the ECM.

Great!

So if the ECM is fried, who is a reliable source for a new one? Go ahead and replace the alternator at the same time to be safe?

 

Is the ECM the same as the PCM?

 

Thanks.

[dripley]

The ECM and the PCM are two totally different family members. They are NOT the same thing.

[puglyfe]

Just now, dripley said:

The ECM and the PCM are two totally different family members. They are NOT the same thing.

The code pulled referenced the PCM, P0606

[dripley]

1 minute ago, puglyfe said:

The code pulled referenced the PCM, P0606

The PCM is telling you the ECM has a problem. My opinion anyway. The 606 is an ECM failure code. Go to the articles section, 2nd gen, engine, obdII error codes and look at the 606.

[Dieselfuture]

9 hours ago, puglyfe said:

Great!

So if the ECM is fried, who is a reliable source for a new one? Go ahead and replace the alternator at the same time to be safe?

Don't just replace alternator with part store alternator they are junk for most part, either have yours rebuild by a shop that does it for the living, assuming yours is still original, or buy one online original or good quality aftermarket. Not sure if yours is Bosh or Denso, I had Bosch on mine and Denso will fit, not sure vice versa, don't see why not. 

ECM Rebuilders place out of Florida seem to been doing good. 

Start reading these articles that pertain to your problem if you scroll down you'll see reputable ECM rebuilders

https://mopar1973man.com/cummins/articles.html/24-valve-2nd-generation_50/51_engine/electrical/

Edited March 23, 2018 by Dieselfuture
Smart phone issues

[jlbayes]

9 hours ago, puglyfe said:

The code pulled referenced the PCM, P0606

 

Your scan tool/code reader/obd reader is defined wrong. That fault is for the ecm. Actually all the faults are related to the ecm failure.

 

 

Edited March 23, 2018 by jlbayes

[Mopar1973Man]

1 hour ago, jlbayes said:

 

Your scan tool/code reader/obd reader is defined wrong. That fault is for the ecm. Actually all the faults are related to the ecm failure.

 

 

 

This is one of the reasons I tell people to just write down the number and come back the OBDII database here and look up the codes. OBDII 100-999 should be generic but some of the Cummins stuff doesn't fit exactly right. OBDII 1000 and up is supposed to make and model specific and most of the hand held OBDII readers report weird stuff on these 1000 and higher numbers. 

[puglyfe]

Wonderful news about the ECM. I did start looking through the site more last night and early this morning and found the articles mentioned above. I am fairly new to the site so still becoming familiar with what all is here. A lot of good info for sure. I will be going through the process this weekend to pull the ECM and check grounds and connections.

 

As for the alternator, it will be a good one or rebuilt myself. What determines a Bosch or Denso going on the truck?

 

Anything else need to be replaced besides the ECM and alternator?

 

Thank you all for the info and help so far!

[puglyfe]

I now have a Nations 180 amp alternator on order. I have a Bosch OEM alternator, not so easy to rebuild myself. I have also sent my original ECM to Auto Computer Specialist for their repair services. ACS is one of the recommended ECM vendors here so giving them a try. Going with their service to repair my ECM and return. Takes a couple of extra days to ship my ECM first but a bit less expensive and I am supposed to get my original unit back.

 

Still in process of checking the grounding points. So far it seems the battery cable connections were the worst. Not very tight on the posts. Everything else so far looks good.

 

I'll update as I get the ol girl running again. 

[puglyfe]

Alternator is here. Working on the battery cables to get them to fit tight on the negative posts. Had to cut through the bolt to get the old one out and allow more clamping force on the post.

 

ACS acknowledged receipt of the ECM late last week. Hopefully they can repair and ship back this week.

 

I did order some +75 horse injectors from DAP this last weekend too. Going for the Quadzilla too. CFO has not said no so that is as good as permission to me.

[Mopar1973Man]

On 4/2/2018 at 8:26 PM, puglyfe said:

Working on the battery cables to get them to fit tight on the negative posts. Had to cut through the bolt to get the old one out and allow more clamping force on the post.

 

Just replace the terminals. Go buy some military-style terminals and the cut off the old terminals. Solder on new copper eyelet terminals on the cables and just bolt them to the military terminals. 

 

 

While have the old terminal cut off take notice if the cable has corrosion in the strands or not. If so the cable got to be either replaced or trimmed back to get rid of it.  

[puglyfe]

Update:

I received the ECM back from ACS and installed. Everything works normally. The only bad thing I can say is they use UPS to ship. I am not a fan of UPS.

I also installed the new +75 horse injectors while waiting for UPS to find my package. And did a valve adjustment.

Truck started up ok but poor idle. Tracked it down to a still loose injector line. Tightened that one and verified all the others and then it was very smooth.

Runs so much better. Ran it for a week like this to ensure the ECM was happy before any other changes. The injector change made such a difference in the drivability.

Then added the iQuad V2. Did not tap the pump yet. That was a whole new experience with the truck. With the stock iQuad levels a much more responsive mid range through top end. There was more smoke but cleared up as soon as boost came up. At some point when I have time I will start messing around with the tuning of the iQuad. I know there is a lot of good info in this forum for that next step.

Thanks for the info and input you all have provided!

 

 

[Mopar1973Man]

10 hours ago, puglyfe said:

I will start messing around with the tuning of the iQuad. I know there is a lot of good info in this forum for that next step.

Head over to the Quadzilla forum and hang around and ask question tunning information will come.