Can I put a used Powertrain Control Module in?

BUDDHALUV79

MEMBER
1995 DODGE STRATUS
4 CYL
AUTOMATIC
200,000 MILES

I took my car to a mechanic after it just stopped running. Did Trouble shooting on all the fuses, relay switches, etc. The mechanic informed me that my Powertrain Control Module had gone out. I have talked to a few people and some say that I will have to purchase a new one. Others say I can find a used one but will have to have it "flashed" and re-programmed in order for it to work (even if it comes from the same vehicle). And then someone else told me that if it was the same part that I would not have to have it programmed or "flashed." I also was told I could take mine that was bad and have it re-programmed to work.

My questions are: Can I go find a used one and put it in the car and it will run? Or if I do find a used one, do I have to have it re-programmed?

Can I just have my old one re-programmed?

Or is my only option to buy a new one that is already programmed?

Any info would be greatly appreciated!
Thank you!

6 Replies

DOCFIXIT

MECHANIC
18,828 POSTS

Very unlikely PCM has failed not common. Is there spark at plugs? Fuel pressure good?

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Thursday, November 3rd, 2011 AT 4:15 PM

BUDDHALUV79

MEMBER
42 POSTS

This is a post I posted earlier and this is what happened:

“I was driving my car to work and it died. It started back up and did fine. When I got to work and parked, and turned the car off, I tried to turn it back on and it would not start. It makes the "rrrrr, rrrrrr, rrrrrr" sound, it just won't start. I checked to see if I heard the fuel pump kicking on and did not, so I assumed my fuel pump was out. I dropped the gas tank and got to the fuel pump and it was NOT kicking on. However, I had the fuel pump tested and it is good. My problem is that the electrical connector that you plug the fuel pump into under the seats, is not putting out any electric, therefore, not kicking the pump on. The only thing that anyone has told me it may be is the ASD relay switch. But I have checked it and switched it with another switch and it is good. I was also told to try the crank shaft sensor and/or the but both of those are ok as well. Also, I am not getting any spark when I try to start the car, but was also told that the ASD relay switch would stop spark too.

I have been looking in the Hayne's repair manual and it states that the terminal in the PDC that corresponds with terminal 30 of the ASD Relay should have voltage present at all times (even with the key off), and it does. But it also says that the terminal in the PDC that corresponds with terminal 86 on the ASD relay should have voltage ONLY with the ignition key turned to the "On" position. But I tested it and it not only has voltage with the key "On" but when the key is "Off" as well. Could that be a problem?”

I tried all the relays, fuses, etc. I also tried to get codes, but no codes were coming up... It wasn’t being read for some reason. That is when I took it to a mechanic and he said that the PCM was out.

?

It would be awesome if that was NOT the problem but I don’t know what else to do or check...

Thanks so much for the help!