Will an '05 ECM work on an '03/'04 truck by chance?

 

Was the ECM absolutely dead ? Did any of the following happen ?

a) grid heater relay click on
b) fuel pump go on
c) wait to start light came on
d) tach came off of 0 RPM while cranking
e) any dash lights functional

Did the scan tool get no reply or did it get errors ?

 

"Will an '05 ECM work on an '03/'04 truck by chance?"

Check the part numbers in the TSB link I posted.

 

BTW: The flashing ABS and other lights were because the correct VIN and mileage were not programmed into the ECM. See page 8E-108 of volume 1 of the shop manual.

A calibration procedure of sorts needs to be run through. See page 8E-110 of volume 1 of the 05 shop manual. Speed control, mainly.

 

Where did the BullyDog connect into the engine harness ?

According to the shop manual it is very rare for the ECM not to talk at all. The scan tool should have received error messages at least.

Stupid question: did someone check the fuses and power to the ECM before it was pronounced dead ?

I wouldn't let them send that ECM back yet if I were you.

 

Page 8E-101:

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Note: Before replacing the Powertrain Control Module (PCM) or Engine Control Module (ECM), be certain to check the related component/circuit integrity for failures not detected due to a double fault in the circuit. Most PCM/ECM driver/control circuit failures are caused by internal component failures (ie relays and solenoids) and shorted circuits (ie pull ups, drivers and switched circuits). These failures are difficult to detect when a double fault has occurred and only one DTC has been set.
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Page 8e-33, Volume 1:

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Use scope input cable CH7058, cable to Probe adapter CH7062 and the read and black test probes.
Connect the scope input cable to the channel one connector on the DRB. Attach the red and black leads and the cable to probe adapter to the scope input cable.
...
Does the voltage pulse from 0 to 7.5 volts ?
===============================================

Was this done on your ECM ? I'll bet $20 that it wasn't.

I've got two thoughts here and then I am done for the night:

a) there is a wiring short somewhere in your engine harness that burnt out the first ECM. And it will burn out the second ECM as well.

b) there was nothing wrong with the first ECM other than a fuse or something outside of the ECM interrupting power or ground or communications with it.

To just replace the ECM with a new one isn't good enough. The cause of this problem has to be found or your truck will die again.

Reprogramming the ECM didn't cause the problem in and of itself.

 

"they don't have the software to do anything with the 04.5"

That is the root of the problem. I suspect that if they can't reprogram the 04.5 ECM then they couldn't troubleshoot it properly in the first place.

Like I said in the last post. Either there is something seriously wrong on the engine harness and you'll burn out another ECM or there was nothing major wrong in the first place, other than the ECM needing a reprogramming.

Before you take the truck from the dealer, clarify (and get it writting) what the warranty is on the second ECM.

I don't think you are at the bottom of this problem yet.

 

Superd, passed on to dealership.

looks like my dealership is just charging me MSRP for the ECM per your above link.

that's to be expected, wife worked there 3 years, both kids worked there as receptionist thru school, one daughter still works there.

http://www.trademotion.com/partlocat...05&catalogid=1

ECM, Ram 2500, 3500, 5.9L Diesel, w/o High Output, Manual Trans 03-06 $1,500.00 $1,275.00

 

I really feel for you in your situation.

I don't know what else to say, except I'm shocked it came to all this in the first place.

 

Talked to two different techs at BD tech today at length, explained what happened:
Bought BD used.
tried to load on my Truck.
BD Locked my ECM.
ECM now requires replacement.

I do not think they were aware of the cost of the ECM ($1500 , almost $1700 with final programming by dealer)

Per both techs, this is a known problem, and not repairable.

They were under the assumption that a Dodge Dealer could just re-flash my ECM and restore the truck to operation.

They stated that this is caused by VIN lock, in other words, the used BD was not properly uninstalled (there is a different process than re-loading the stock setting) on the old vehicle, and once it is attached to the new VIN, it locks the ECM and the Bullydog Downloader.

it's 150~200 to send a Bullydog in and have it re-set to accept a new VIN.
which is agreeable, because you could just be free loading all your buddies trucks if they did not charge to change VIN's

 

I'm pretty sure that a Cummins dealer can unlock that ECM without any problem.

Furthermore, the ECM should still respond to the scanner. Even when the software is screwed up it has a boot program that will report errors such a P602,604,606 and 608, which are internal errors from the ECM.

The only time the ECM is dead is if it fails the scope test previously outlined.

This isn't a case of a hopeless ECM. This is a case of nobody being motivated to help you save $1700. Unfortunately.

If Bullydog is saying that they wiped the boot flash in the ECM in order to protect their product from thievery, I would never ever touch a Bullydog product again.

 

Isn't this similiar to what the new Catcher "Smarty" will do?

 

maybe so, I've called them and passed on info to them, they don't seem too interested in our offers to help. they only want to replace parts.

here's "rumor and conjecture" ... that was the underlying feeling i got from their techs....they (corporate) know that they are disabling peoples trucks, but they don't want to do anything about it, and the techs did not seem to agree with that.

i explained that a HyperTech that is locked to another VIN doesn't DESTROY the next car you hook it to, it just warns you and won't work. it don't cost $2000 to figure out the last guy unloaded it wrong. their techs agreed with that under thier breath.

 

Sad. Sad. Sad. (I had to use 10 characters or it wouldn't let me post.)

 

Either the earlier loaders did not have that feature or you are being handed a line.

I have a loader from an 03 working just fine on my 04 and its accessed the ecm a number of times checking codes, clearing codes, uploading different levels and returning to stock.
I do have the infamous 0602 [I think that is the one] that the earlier loaders left on the ecm.
As others have mentioned, I seriously doubt the ecm is toast.
Go to the dealer and turn on your key and tell us what happens.
Listen for the lift pump too. If you get the lights, tach and lift pump [as mentioned] the ecm is working.

Check for shorts too. For the cost of 1700 I would think its worth it to go get the truck and troubleshoot elsewhere.

Just my opinion after having a few issues like this over the years with lack of knowledge leading to us spending money on parts that are not needed.

Scotty