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2001 Dodge Caravan Internal or External PCM Issue?

Tiny
SNAPON_SHAYNE
  • MEMBER
  • 2001 DODGE CARAVAN
  • 6 CYL
  • 2WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 112,000 MILES
I too recently had a check engine light come up on my dash. I hooked up my Modis scanner and pulled a P0601 code. At 1st when I went to look at what causes this type of code, my mind was set on it being external meaning a short somewhere in the wriring harness, possibly from the battery acid dripping onto the harness. Once I looked closer and noticed the white corrosive matter which appeared near the wiring harness approximately 8 inches from where it clips into the PCM, this assured me that I had figured out my issue. I am no tech by a long long shot but I feel I have solved my P0601 code. My question is if this acid caused a short in the PCM do I 1st find the short if any in the wiring harness, fix it and then replace the PCM? Is the PCM completely toast and need to be replaced or could it be salvaged once the wiring issue if any is fixed. I do not want to risk putting a new reprogramed PCM in the vehicle only to short it out if a short in the wiring harness exists. Please help I need it Badly!
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Wednesday, February 11th, 2009 AT 6:14 PM

4 Replies

Tiny
BMRFIXIT
  • MECHANIC
  • 19,053 POSTS
DTC P0601: INTERNAL CONTROLLER FAILURE
Monitored & Set Conditions
Internal controller operation is monitored when ignition is on. DTC will be stored in Powertrain Control Module (PCM) memory when an internal checksum for software failed and does not match the calculated value. Possible cause for DTC to set is a defective PCM.

Testing
Turn ignition on. Using scan tool, check for DTCs. If DTC P0601: INTERNAL CONTROLLER FAILURE does not exist, test is complete. If DTC P0601: INTERNAL CONTROLLER FAILURE exists, replace PCM. PCM is located on left side of engine compartment, near front of battery. Program the new PCM.
Good luck
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Wednesday, February 11th, 2009 AT 7:58 PM
Tiny
SNAPON_SHAYNE
  • MEMBER
  • 3 POSTS
Thank you for your response I highly appreciate your knowledge. One question though from what I read in your response you are telling me it is internal. The P0601 code in troubleshooter states that this code is set due to a drop or increase in voltage from the normal values. So my question is, when the wiring harness shorted or spiked, did this event set the internal PCM code? If so what is the 1st thing I should do to fix this issue so I can then get it fixed and then I can get it smoged?
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Thursday, February 12th, 2009 AT 10:48 AM
Tiny
BMRFIXIT
  • MECHANIC
  • 19,053 POSTS
Repair what you had found for short
in the wiring
reset PCM start then start and check if light comes back on with the same code
need to replace PCM
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Thursday, February 12th, 2009 AT 2:03 PM
Tiny
SNAPON_SHAYNE
  • MEMBER
  • 3 POSTS
This is the First Forum that I have ever posted in and I would like to take the time and Say Thanks for your responses, the help proved to be very useful. Again Thank you, and I look foward to my next posts.
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Thursday, February 12th, 2009 AT 8:23 PM

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