2001 Dodge 1500

[The Grebe]

If anyone out there is running a 2001 Dodge, you best hope that your computer never goes out of it!

I had that happen to mine, brought it into the shop, they sent the computer out to a premium rebuilder and after 6 weeks, I got my truck back. It ran for two weeks and the computer died again, luckily, both times it happened in our driveway.

Out to be rebuilt again, couldn't be rebuilt, some kind of unfixable glitch in the computer. The company is scouring the country trying to find one. Yup, I said 'Country' there is a perspective computer in California that I'm supposed to get in a few days. As of today, the truck has been down for another 4 weeks, sitting in the parking lot at the garage. What a deal, I'll be lucky to have the thing going by winter and my hands are tied!

[deadeye]

More info please? 2x4 4x4? Size of motor? Auto/manual transmission, manufacturing date? I got a couple possible leads on this if I have more info!

Edited again-

There are several of all types in town. Just get me more info and I will email you the the location of the part. Probably could have it running by the end of the weekend. The salvage yards are loaded with these guys right now.

[The Grebe]

2001 Dodge 1500, regular cab full size box. Two wheel drive, automatic tranny, 5.2 liter magnum. I don't have the manufacture date right now.....but I bet I could get it on Monday, along with the numbers off the computer!

4wanderingeyes gave me some leads also, so if this thing doesn't get done this week, I'm going to try to get myself a refund, have the truck towed back here and start over.

[AnglerX]

It's a fairly common problem on 1999-2001 Durangos, Dakotas, and 1500's. Total pain in the arse problem. I recently went through the same thing. Dealer wanted almost $1000 to do the work but said it would be three weeks or more to get a new computer if in fact they could find one, another shop I dealt with couldn't find the part. I did a little research and found auto computer exchange

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You basically give them your VIN number and milage on the truck and they reprogram a refurbished computer for you, after you receive the new one you send back the old one to cover the core. It cost me $270.00 and five minutes of labor and I haven't had a single problem since. I highly recommend their service as it only took two days. Good Luck!

[AnglerX]

Also on a side note, you can't just replace it with one from the scrap yard or a rebuild unless it is programmed exactly for your vehicle.

[deadeye]

Sounds like you got the right idea about it. Im not sure why it would take so long to get it done. Even if they were sending it to cardone to get it programed/rebuilt it shouldnt take that long. A week max.

O’Reilly Auto Parts was almost set up to flash the mopar/ford by the time I left there. They had already been doing gm for a few years when I quit. When and if you get one from a yard, if for some reason it doesnt work, it would have to be flashed. It takes a day or so for them to get it done, but all the updates are done when they do it. (i had the one done for my blazer and it made my a.b.s. brakes and transmission perform much better)

[LwnmwnMan2]

Sounds like you got the right idea about it. Im not sure why it would take so long to get it done. Even if they were sending it to cardone to get it programed/rebuilt it shouldnt take that long. A week max.

The big green irish named parts haus that I used to work at was almost set up to flash the mopar/ford by the time I left there. They had already been doing gm for a few years when I quit. When and if you get one from a yard, if for some reason it doesnt work, it would have to be flashed. It takes a day or so for them to get it done, but all the updates are done when they do it. (i had the one done for my blazer and it made my abs and tranny perform much better)

This last line... are we still talking automotive?

Back to topic.

[deadeye]

Ya I guess that could look bad lol? ABS brakes and transmission control. They had a bad program from the factory and the truck had a longer stopping distance when the ABS was being applied. The shifting was mushy too. Now its shifts properly.

[The Grebe]

Deadeye...FINALLY! After 4 weeks the garage calls me today..."Come get your truck"! The computer that they got was from Calif. I don't care where it came from, as long as I got my truck back and it doesn't happen again! Thanks for your involvement.

[The Grebe]

4wanderingeyes....thanks again for your input 4, I was waiting in the wings with it in case the Calif. computer didn't come through, well, it did and I have my truck back.

[Scott K]

Good to hear! I hope this one lasts for you.

[deadeye]

Thats good to hear. Hopefully its a forever fix now!