2000 Caravan ECM failure?

My neighbor took her 2K Caravan to Autozone to pull the code. It came back with the following,

"ECM Internal fault. ECM Unable to communicate on SPI Line. Probable cause: Shorted Input Sensor, Shorted Electrical Circuit, or Failed ECM."

Besides the obvious stated, any ideas where to start or what it could be? Is this common or is the ECM screwed?

I sincerely hope the lack of response is due to the holiday.

Not even a suggestion. Really. No one else has had this issue? Sigh.

P0601GenericInternal Control Module Memory Check Sum ErrorI take it this the code? Yes replace the computer is the fix. warrantied for 8 yrs or 80k miles.

A bit more info on a 601 code: http://www.obd-codes.com/p0601

FYI - ECM or Electronic Control Module is a generic code used to ID the engine computer. On a Chrysler Corp minivan it's known as the Powertrain Control Module or PCM and yes, I for one was gone for two weeks.

Thanks for the replies everyone.


I just called her. She states there's no actual code on the printout.

Just for grins, I'm going to see if I can find one on the cheap. Where's the computer located in this beast?

Nothing conclusive here but it does show evidense you are dealing with a P0601 code: http://autoforums.carjunky.com/Automotive_Repair_C1/Engine_Fault_Codes_F29/01_dodge_stratus_code_p0601_P36033/

The PCM is on the drivers side fender wall outboard of the battery. I'll see if I can find a pic.

Nothing conclusive here but it does show evidense you are dealing with a P0601 code: http://autoforums.carjunky.com/Automotive_Repair_C1/Engine_Fault_Codes_F29/01_dodge_stratus_code_p0601_P36033/

The PCM is on the drivers side fender wall outboard of the battery. I'll see if I can find a pic.


Thanks. I've done some extensive research today and everything points to replacing the module. Can I replace the computer with a used one? If so, I'm guessing it has to be programmed by the dealer? Does anyone know if it's possible to drop a used computer in the van temporarily to verify that this fixes the issue?

Not a good idea. All the modules talk to each other. Say the vehicle you are working on is not equipped with VTSS (vehicle theft security system) and you install a PCM from a vehicle that is equipped; you will have a no start condition. The PCM will be looking for a signal from the BCM ( body control module ) that is not there.

Not a good idea. All the modules talk to each other. Say the vehicle you are working on is not equipped with VTSS (vehicle theft security system) and you install a PCM from a vehicle that is equipped; you will have a no start condition. The PCM will be looking for a signal from the BCM ( body control module ) that is not there.

Ya, that's been an issue. Logic tells me if you can verify you are matching up a VTSS PCM to a VTSS equiped van or non equiped to a non equiped...then it should be ok to slave in the PCM. Make sense jpb?

That's the only way it will work properly.

Their should be a number on the computer you have to match.

It hit me on the way home that what I said earlier is not entirely correct. Thinking about too many cars at one time! If the van MD is working on is not SKIM equipped it will not work properly. You will have a vin mismatch. If the key is grey it is skim equipped and used is not a good choice.

I'm just trying to understand what has been posted so far. I pulled a P0601, hence I need a PCM, that I understand. My car has VTSS (vehicle theft security system). Would I be able to put in a used PCM from a car that also has VTSS?

The dealer is quoting me 920$ for the PCM and 220$ for labor, 120 for reprogramming. Trying to save some cost on the part....

Mine is an 02 caravan 3.3l. Those used PCMs are hard to find too...

The problem is that if your van is equipped with something the donor van is not, the donor pcm will not recognize it. If your van does not have something the donor van has it will not be happy. Lastly, you have to program the vin and mileage into the computer, if there is a vin/mileage mismatch it won't work. As far as I know, the dealer is the only place you can get the vin/mileage programmed and it is a one shot deal, once it is programmed you cannot change it.

http://www.autocomputerexchange.com/ You can get yours rebuilt.