1998 DODGE RAM 3500 5.9 DIESEL TURBOCHARGED PCM

[JJSNOW]

After everything I have read on the internet I understood that the PCM off my truck had to match not only the make, model, transmission etc but also numbers mine being P56046355.  

 

I was sold a PCM by a gentleman who swore up and down that a 2002 would work on my truck.  It doesn't work and now I need some help purchasing a  PCM.

 

Can this PCM be programmed to fit my truck?

 

Is this gentleman correct when he says he asked his friend who knows all there is to know about Dodge, cummings etc?

 

I need my truck back ASAP and I have let different people tell me different things and at this point I need to know what has to be done to make that happen.  

 

Thank you for your help in advance!

[Max Tune]

Contact Auto Computer Specialist. They may be able to help. They are in the vendor section. 

[JJSNOW]

Thank you so much!

 

[Mopar1973Man]

@JJSNOW make sure to tell them Mopar Man sent you.

[pepsi71ocean]

let me know how it goes with ACS so i can update the article.

[JJSNOW]

I sure will. Sorry for the delay.  I been out of town.  JJ

 

[JJSNOW]

I talked to Jay and was very impressed and he told me to send my PCM as well as my ECM and I sent the wiring harnesses as well.   I wasn't sure why I was sending my ECM but I did as he asked.

 

I told him that I had already had my PCM tested and it was irrepairable.  He told me that in most cases even though the other company said so they don't open them up.  I had questions about my wiring harness so I tried ONE ******* TIME to call them and left a voice mail to which I get an email that stated something to the effect of  "excessive phone calls" which I only called because evidently he was not understanding my question via email.  If someone wants my money then they can get their asses on the phone!

 

Next I get the report of their findings:  Of course my PCM was irrepairable which is exactly what I had already been told BUT WAIT FOR IT!  They "REPAIRED" MY ECM WHICH I ALREADY KNOW THERE WAS NOTHING WRONG WITH AT ALL!  I am so pissed and beyond words.   

 

I looked to y'all for guidance and this is what I gotl.  My ECM has not shown any issues etc.  and now they want $400???  I think I am going to contact the BBB and report everybody involved!

 

Proof positive no one can be trusted and now I am screwed again.  Thanks to you and your company recommendations I give up on this truck.  I guess they can keep my truck computers because I am not giving them my money to first something that was never broken.  I will spend every waking moment doing reviews online.  I will have plenty time to do so because I don't have a ride and obviously wont!  

 

One thing I have learned people that do people like this get whats coming to them always.  I don't know what I ever did to anyone to be going through this but I have never taken anything from anyone, I have had so much taken from me because I always treat people as if they  are on the up and up.  The thousands and thousands of dollars that has been taken from me somehow I will get back.  But the people who have robbed me will get whats coming!  Thanks for all your help!   I guess you and this company must split the dollars they steal!

[01_Cummins_4x4]

Nobody here on this forum, receives any compensation whatsoever for steering people towards a vendor. The vendor is supposed to give us forum members a discount on the purchase of their products or services because we support them. 

 

 

[Great work!]

So sorry you had a bad experience. 

These computers are 20 years old now and just like a 20 year old auto tranny it will let you down shortly unless rebuilt which is probably the word they should use instead of repaired. The newer trucks get a bad rap because of the mystery black boxes. That's why the die hard swear by the 12 valves. I have many old vehicles with carbs and points and love them but it sure is nice too jump in a new fuel injected car and turn the key for instant starts and smooth idle and shifting with all the other comforts and performance. 

[Mopar1973Man]

23 hours ago, 01_Cummins_4x4 said:

Nobody here on this forum, receives any compensation whatsoever for steering people towards a vendor. The vendor is supposed to give us forum members a discount on the purchase of their products or services because we support them. 

 

 

Correct. Forum members get a small discount being referred from my site. I do not receive any monies from this. 

 

This is why @pepsi71ocean keeps track of reviews to show how many people had good reviews and bad reviews. 

Edited April 13, 2023 by Mopar1973Man

[Auto Computer Specialist]

We normally don't reply to these kinds of things but, we needed to clear some things up with your post. First, we just want to say in no way have we been dishonest or at any point tried to screw any customer.  We have been trying to help you from the start, but for some reason you have fought us the entire time. Also, no one on here is affiliated with us and to even insinuate that is crazy!  We are highly recommended due to our Service and its hard to keep our Great Reputation, when customers blast us with false information!  Nothing you said in your statement is true, please see actual details of your Service History (with pics). 

 

I talked to Jay and was very impressed and he told me to send my PCM as well as my ECM and I sent the wiring harnesses as well.   I wasn't sure why I was sending my ECM but I did as he asked.

• Jay advised you to send in your ECM because you advised him you had No Throttle (your Throttle is controlled by your ECM, that is why Jay told you to send in your ECM) and  No Communication (OBDM port not responding to a scanner). Attached is your Problem Description from your Repair Form.

 

I told him that I had already had my PCM tested and it was irrepairable.  He told me that in most cases even though the other company said so they don't open them up.  I had questions about my wiring harness so I tried ONE ******* TIME to call them and left a voice mail to which I get an email that stated something to the effect of  "excessive phone calls" which I only called because evidently he was not understanding my question via email.  If someone wants my money then they can get their asses on the phone!

• When Your Units were moved to a Tech Station, the Tech who would be Testing and Rebuilding your Unit sent you an email advising that he received your Unit and he is beginning Testing and Repairs.  He also said as much as you want to call for UPDATES, please don’t.  He does not provide UPDATES during Testing and Repairs.  He went on to further say that at the end of Testing and Repairs he would provide complete notes.  He also reply to your email advising that he is just the Tech and was only speaking about calling in asking for an update prior to the allotted 5 Business Day Turnaround.  Excessive Phone calls slow down our turnaround time. Attached is the email chain.
• We put everything in writing for situations like this (we need to protect ourselves)!

 

Next I get the report of their findings:  Of course my PCM was irrepairable which is exactly what I had already been told BUT WAIT FOR IT!  They "REPAIRED" MY ECM WHICH I ALREADY KNOW THERE WAS NOTHING WRONG WITH AT ALL!  I am so pissed and beyond words.   

• Both of your Units came in completely Dead!  More than likely Shorted out by the Wiring Harness or during the time you listed in your Problem Description as “There was communication at some point and who knows wtf has been done and not been done!”.   
• We do not take another company’s Test Results! Not all Companies Test the same, we specialize in Cummins (and to be more specific, 2nd Gen Cummins) so we always perform our own Test. 
• We did not charge you for confirming your PCM was Unserviceable.

 

I looked to y'all for guidance and this is what I gotl.  My ECM has not shown any issues etc.  and now they want $400???  I think I am going to contact the BBB and report everybody involved!

• Again, your Throttle is controlled by your ECM.
• We are not afraid of the BBB as we did not do any wrong and we will always have a chance to respond.  You looked to us for guidance but did not take our advice.  You have had bad experiences with everyone else and it seems as we are getting the heat for it.

 

Proof positive no one can be trusted and now I am screwed again.  Thanks to you and your company recommendations I give up on this truck.  I guess they can keep my truck computers because I am not giving them my money to first something that was never broken.  I will spend every waking moment doing reviews online.  I will have plenty time to do so because I don't have a ride and obviously wont!  

• You have plenty of time to spread lies about the ONLY company that was actually honest and tried to help.
• Each Review will have a detailed response with Documentation (backing everything we said and disputing everything you said)!

 

One thing I have learned people that do people like this get whats coming to them always.  I don't know what I ever did to anyone to be going through this but I have never taken anything from anyone, I have had so much taken from me because I always treat people as if they  are on the up and up.  The thousands and thousands of dollars that has been taken from me somehow I will get back.  But the people who have robbed me will get whats coming!  Thanks for all your help!   I guess you and this company must split the dollars they steal!

• Seems as if the only people in this situation that has been dishonest is your Mechanic and you in this post.  You provided info that you’ve spent thousands of dollars on Parts per you Mechanic. You also stated you were suspicious of his motives.

Gmail - Jucretia _J.J._ We have received your order!.pdf Gmail - Jucretia _J.J._ Your Unit is with our Tech!.pdf

[Mopar1973Man]

Now I'll step up as well the Owner of @Auto Computer Specialist did call me on this and was upset about all of this as I've read here ACS has done nothing wrong. He was being helpful and forward like they always do. Assuming the PCM damage is like when my alternator shorted out it fried the PCB so bad it was unrepairable just like @JJSNOW PCM. Sadly there is nothing you can do but replace the PCM. Now this is y my article database was built to educate others on how to prevent damage to their vehicle. Yes, I paid the heavy price for replacement as well. Regarding my case, the PCM protection fuse article was created. Now several members confirmed the article works and prevents damage. Even ACS has verified the article to be valid.

 

As for spending thousands yeah these vehicles are not cheap to repair. This is why my part is to try to educate the members about getting into these issues and provide solutions that keep repairs to a minimum. 

[Max Tune]

JJ, I feel for you. Sounds like you've been through the mill concerning your truck. That's  unfortunate. Hopefully you can take a breath and understand what ASC has told you.

 

You already were told your PCM was unfixable. ACS confirmed this at no charge to you. They gave you a price on a replacement.  Expensive? Yes! It's what they cost. If you find one that will work for your truck cheaper, that's your  call, but you won't know what you're getting without documentation that it is a working unit. You will have that with ACS.

 

You have problems with the truck that are only controlled by the ECM. They found problems with your ECM and fixed them for $400. Could some of your problems be associated with your messed up wiring harness? Yes. It's also possible that the messed up harness damaged the ECM.

 

You definitely need a new mechanic. There have been many people here and on other forums that had their problems fixed using ACS. I'm glad they responded with their side of the story. I will continue to highly recommend them.

 

 

2nd gen trucks, and diesels in general, are not for everybody. Repairs when needed can be costly and labor intensive. Electrical issues on 2nd gens can also be a nightmare if you are not well versed in electronics. This site is the sole reason I still own my truck. Lots of knowledge and helpful information here, but you mostly have to be able to do the work yourself as many mechanics don't like customers telling them how or what to do to repair one of these.

 

I wish you good luck with your truck. You sound like you need it. If you're truly done with it, maybe post some pics and take offers.

[Doubletrouble]

 I'm jumping in kind of late but am I understanding this correctly,  the $400 fixes the ecm, harness was tested/repaired and a replacement pcm?

 If so, I don't think that's unreasonable really. If I had major electronic issues like this I would hand it off to ACS and gladly pay the $400 if it got my truck back on the road.

 I have spent more on frivolous things. I need my truck.

 I hope @JJSNOW can somehow work through this. I get that things can get very frustrating and it can ignite a short fuse at times.

 

[JAG1]

I never had a more money saving reliable truck ever in my life until my 1st get D250, drove that for 23 years. Now I have two second gen Cummins. One is an 02 I've had since 06 and won't sell it. The other, an 01 I have put 65,000 miles on in 5 years is great too. Do they cost? Yes they do need attention and parts once in awhile but are far better than anything I have ever had before and being old guy now, I can say that with confidence. First thing tho... is always buy used that is in original condition never molested. That's the first rule in buying a good rig. Also never buy what a seller tells you just look for yourself and walk away if you have to. Also if they continually try to distract you from looking too close, tell them you need some quiet time with her before you make a choice. You will see much more by yourself alone.

Edited April 15, 2023 by JAG1

[Doubletrouble]

55 minutes ago, JAG1 said:

I never had a more money saving reliable truck ever in my life until my 1st get D250, drove that for 23 years. Now I have two second gen Cummins. One is an 02 I've had since 06 and won't sell it. The other, an 01 I have put 65,000 miles on in 5 years is great too. Do they cost? Yes they do need attention and parts once in awhile but are far better than anything I have ever had before and being old guy now, I can say that with confidence. First thing tho... is always buy used that is in original condition never molested. That's the first rule in buying a good rig. Also never buy what a seller tells you just look for yourself and walk away if you have to. Also if they continually try to distract you from looking too close, tell them you need some quiet time with her before you make a choice. You will see much more by yourself alone.

 100% on all of that. I made sure mine was factory stock unmolested. That way I know exactly what was done and when and by whom. I have been the only person to touch her with a wrench since I got her and it will stay that way.

[Mopar1973Man]

My 2002 was purchased new on my birthday back in Oct. 2002. 463k miles still going. I could list all I've done but that is all here on the site. 

 

Now the 2006 Dodge was molested by both previous owners and continue to make it a reliable vehicle. Close but not perfect. Got issues yet I've got to investigate. 

 

This is true with any used vehicle and unknown history. You might have to undo things previous owners done. Kind of like Thor my 2006 I've still got to remove the 2 inch leveling kit to fix the squatting issue which will fix thrust angle issue and caster issues.

[JAG1]

8 hours ago, Mopar1973Man said:

My 2002 was purchased new on my birthday back in Oct. 2002. 463k miles still going. I could list all I've done but that is all here on the site. 

 

Now the 2006 Dodge was molested by both previous owners and continue to make it a reliable vehicle. Close but not perfect. Got issues yet I've got to investigate. 

 

This is true with any used vehicle and unknown history. You might have to undo things previous owners done. Kind of like Thor my 2006 I've still got to remove the 2 inch leveling kit to fix the squatting issue which will fix thrust angle issue and caster issues.

My 2 inch level kit went into the recycle bin. Was glad to dump that and get back to better steering.

[99dodgecram]

im with team ACS. they just did both my computers in my 98.5 and those guys are awesome. very specific and knowledgeable.  yeeyee