P0601

[jesusnarvaez]

I own a 2002 Dodge Grand Caravan. We had a squeek and we took it for service, the dealer indicated that the water pump was bad so we changed it. After an hour of driving the squeek was back again, took it to the dealer and now they said it was the alternator, so we changed it after several arguments. The next day the check engine light comes on. Took it to Autozone and it ran the Code P0601. I took it to the dealer and they say it had nothing to do with the 2 repairs they had done and that to fix the issue, we would need to replace the PCM for a cost of ~$900.

Question #1: Could this issue be caused by the work prevuiosly done to the car?

Question #2: I find it hard to beleive that the PCM is bad if it was ok before I took it to the dealer. Is there any way of confirming that it is really the module and not a sensore or anything else?

Question #3: I asked the dealer if they could reset the PCM (check engine light) and they said no. Is there a way to reset it to makesure that it is really the PCM and not something they did when reparing the alternator or water pump?

Thanks In advance!

[Bear]

Do not know if a scan tool can reset the PCM, I would talk to a independent garage owner. You can try disconnecting the negative battery cable for a couple of minutes and see what happens (no guarantee).

[jesusnarvaez]

Thanks for the reply...I took it to Autozone but they said they couldn't reset it so I will try disconnecting the battery tonight and see waht happens. Would this issue be related to the service I got from the dealer?

[RickMN]

The voltage regulator for the alternator is built into the PCM. Unlike previous generations of regulators, the PCM regulator only asks for power generation when it determines the vehicle needs it. That saves on gas. If the dealer just ran a quick electrical check on the alternator when the PCM wasn't calling for power generation, it would read as a bad alternator. Very common mistake for the unwashed. But if they replaced it for the squeak and it solved the problem, then it probably had a bad bearing. That leaves you with the issue of why they replaced the water pump. Was it leaking? Or did they misdiagnose the water pump as the source of the noise? Po601 is the code for PCM failure. It cannot be reset. If not for the squeak, I'd be temped to say that it was the PCM from the beginning.

[RIP]

If you have less than 80K miles on the van you might want to look into this: http://www.dodgeforum.com/m_626254/m.../tm.htm#626654

[Bear]

If not covered by warranty, ecudirect.com may have one for you at about $395.00.

[Otakon1983]

if they did not disconnect the battery when replacing the alternator it may have been the reason the pcm got fried. It has happened to two of my friends dodge trucks, 02 dakota, and 98 durango.

[RIP]

jesusnarvaez - Otakon1983 may have a good point. If someone can get you a copy of the procedures for changing the alternator from the factory service manuals, you would have some pretty good amo for an arguement for the mechanic to pay for a new PCM. If someone doesn't supply it here you can get that info at Alldata.com for $15.

[garync1]

Thanks for the ecu direct link.. Getting ready to send one off for a friend. Got the 601 code and dealer also said there PCM was bad.. For 1,000 the dealer will do it. I will be able to do it along with the flash program for 299.00. One question to make this easier.. I can find it. But would someone make it easier and tell me where it located. So I won't search high and low. Is it inside the van or inside the engine bay.. Thanks. Never done this on a Dodge. Also if it has a theft lock which in this case I don't think this doge has you will have to take to dealer for the theft lock reprogram. If you don't this is a plug and play item. So if you have a theft light that blinks then you have one more step before the van will run. Just thought I would pass this along.. thanks. Gary