Need advice on where to buy ECM

[tolmsted]

~171,000 miles 2001.5 5 speed etc.

Just been advised by repair shop that I might have a failed ECM. Will know more in the morning after they say they will install a TEST ECM unit.

I'm dreading what the cost will be from the repair shop ( I will not mention shop name here). I will say that it is not a Dodge Dealer. I used the search tool but was unable to to get any good hits on where to buy on line. I was hoping by this post I can open Panders TDR box and be overwhelmed with suggestions.

Are ECM's being sold on line all re manufactured ? What suppliers I should look to and which to avoid?

Thanks in advance folks.
Tom

[BarryG]

Many have good to say about auto computer exchange including myself.

Auto Computer Exchange - Auto Computer Superstore - Cheaper than dealers and mechanics.

Local dealer wanted 1100ish for an ecm and then a charge to flash it and install time..

From above source took old one out put new one in no flash needed was well under 1/2 the cost of the dealer unit.

[JLandry]

Ditto on using Auto Computer Exchange out of Florida. They also sell through eBay.

New ECM's for the 2nd Gen. are no longer available from Dodge, so no matter where you get it it's going to be refurbished.

Good luck,

John L.

[HBarlow]

That's good information. I saved the link provided above.

[Bloomy]

Find Bob Wagner on here. He will take care of you. TDR Member easy to deal with. Lots of knowledge.

Thomas

[WilsonF]

These are the people I got mine from:
All Computer Resources Dodge Jeep Chrysler Ford GM OEM Engine Computer Auto Computer PCM ECM ECU TCM TCU Store
Lifetime guarantee comes flashed for your car I think it was around $250.
Floyd

[tolmsted]

I had to quickly pull the trigger yesterday and placed my order with Auto Computer Exchange out of Florida. Their programing the ECM today, shipping today over night and I'm to have it tomorrow on Friday. I'm going to install it my self in a near by parking lot from the repair shop. Cost was 50% less that the shop quote. Shop also did not have ECM in stock and said 1 week to get. That was also a deal breaker. Anyway, I like to do my own repairs if I can save $.

[JLandry]

Tom,

Please let us know how everything works out.

Good luck!

John L.

[tolmsted]

The below is the TRUTH!!!!!!

Last Wednesday 10/28/09 ~3:30pm I placed my order by phone with Gus @ AUTO COMPUTER EXCHANGE. I was told by Gus that with their $30.00 regular shipping rate I would not receive the ECM unit next week. I asked if I could get the ECM on Friday? Gus responded by saying,"YES, if I paid for OVERNIGHT SHIPPING, additional $20.00 I could have the ECM on Friday," 10/30/09. He also said that they would on Thursday program the ECM and ship it out that day and I would have it the next day, Friday.

Friday AM I call for a UPS tracking # and Hit a brick wall in that the # is good but UPS has not received the package.
Friday. No ECM. ~6:30pm I call AUTO COMPUTER EXCHANGE and some one answers the phone and will not tell me his name but that 3-4 units shipped today.

Today, Monday, I call Gus and he now tells me a different story. "It takes 24-72hrs to process all orders. ie: remove unit from stocking area, program the unit for cummins diesel, testing the unit before shipping, etc. You should have the unit soon. We are shipping it TODAY". He will not acknowledge what he said about my receiving the unit last Friday other than to say that if I want to cancel the order for me to just say so and that they will not refund the $20.00 because I will receive overnight shipment Today.
I'm ......off and feel this is a prime example of a sales person saying anything to get the order and then brushing the customer off and acting like it's not their fault.

FLAME OFF!

Comments?

[JLandry]

Sorry to hear about your bad treatment from them Tom. Sounds like they simply dropped the ball and are making lame excuses.

When I purchased an ECM and PCM from a couple of years ago, I did it through eBay specifically so I'd have some kind of recourse if they didn't hold up their end of the bargain. FWIW, they currently have a 99.4% positive feedback rating on eBay.

Everything went great for my order, but then I didn't request expedited handling.

Hang in there,

John L.

[Gary - K7GLD]

WELL, here's my FWIW on the Ebay Florida outfit...

I get the STRONG impression it's run by a group of Latinos with the typical "Manana" outlook and work ethic. I've had good results with what *I* bought from them - but purely good luck, rather than any evident expertise or professionalism on their part.

I ordered a "Reconditioned" ECM from them for my '02 - they advertise as to disassembling units for careful inspection, and updating/replacement of any parts in need - then cleaning and refinishing them for appearance.

Mine arrived, looked like a pull straight from a wrecking yard - showed NO evidence of being opened - or even TOUCHED by them, other than repacking and shipment to me.

I cleaned it up as best as possible - pins in the ECM connector were grungy from apparent lengthy storage in a less than laboratory environment - and then installed it on my truck!

Fortunately, mine operates perfectly - never even bothered to remove it, and simply wrapped up the OEM ECM to set aside as my spare.

I later got a good buy on a ECM/PCM combo on EBAY, hoping to sell the unneeded ECM, and have the PCM reprogrammed for my own use as a spare - but the ECM didn't sell quickly, and I then found the PCM was too old a unit to reprogram, and was only useful as a core - so I made arrangements to sell both units to the Florida outfit at a decent price.

That deal went quite well, and quickly - so I have mixed emotions on their overall level of performance - I came out OK - but the experience of the member further above is NOT an isolated one - and I sincerely hope it all turns out OK in the end, other than the inexcusable delay...

[tolmsted]

I'll try to make this quick, fat chance!

You bet they dropped the ball. Don't deal with Gus, he is nothing but excuses and no help. He said Monday AM when I called him that the unit was done and would ship that day. That never happened. Yesterday I call several times and the personal that answered could not/would not listen and/or help me. Finally, Micheal answered and was very understanding and helpful. He found my ECM in the shipping Dept. so he said and made sure it was packaged up with label attached. He then called me back and said I would receive it today.
He also apologized and said for me to ask for him next time.

UPS delivered it this morning.

Upon inspection I see a date stamp by them of Nov. 3, 2009. YESTERDAY.....DUH!

OK. Now as Paul Harvey would say: "For the rest of the story". I go to the repair shop and they want to double bill me for the work. DUH! Get the manager! Manager said they made a mistake and sorry. They dropped the double bill. Things starting to get better now. By the way, the unnamed shop, said it was a 3-4 hr job to install new ECM @ $114.00 per hr. I installed the new ECM my self in the parking lot next door to the repair shop before coming home in less than 45 minutes and that include unbolting the fuel filter and reinstalling fuel filter. Go figure!!!!

Truck now runs fine but check engine light is on and I now have......12 codes!!!! I can't win......

Parked truck in garage and I'm trying to chill out for a while.
I have not looked at the codes and/or erased them and/or called Auto Computer Exchange
Anyone out there have any suggestions what to do next?

Thanks,
Tom

PS: Send me a private message if you want the Shop Name.

[JLandry]

Tom,

Having a bunch of DTC's is completely normal after installing an ECM which has been reprogrammed. Just clear them all, drive it, and keep an eye out for any new DTC's.

Did you renember to reset the APPS after installing the new ECM?

John L.

[tolmsted]

Originally Posted by JLandry

Tom,

Having a bunch of DTC's is completely normal after installing an ECM which has been reprogrammed. Just clear them all, drive it, and keep an eye out for any new DTC's.

Did you renember to reset the APPS after installing the new ECM?

John L.

Thanks John for the tip. I'll do that in the AM.

You bet I remembered to reset the APPS and also disconnect both negative battery cables, It's so good to have the factory service manuals. Although it did not say anything relating to the fuel filter being in the way and give a heads up but maybe that's what you learn in diesel school. I learn in the school of life and hard knocks.

Tom

[tolmsted]

I cleared the 12 codes before starting the engine.

All is well. No check engine light and/or codes.

Having the truck down sucks big time. Sure is nice to have it running again.

Thanks fellows for the help & support.

Tom