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okay so i have a 2000 plymouth with an 01 r/t engine/tranny swap... for some reason the car was having trouble starting and staying running... but when we took out the r/t pcm and put in the old stock pcm is fired right up... whats the problem with the r/t pcm... can you damage them

My *guess* is, that the 'donor' PCM may have had the "sentry feature" activated.

If that is the case, you will have to get an ignition key (gray) with a 'chip' implanted in it, as a security feature....... Plus, a Dealership will have to 'reprogram' the VIN into the PCM, to allow the engine to start.

- Nick

how does the pcm detect the key? is there some sort of ignition sensor i will have to get?

there is a little plastic ring that goes around the ignition cylinder and reads the microchip that is in the key. Car won't run for more than a few seconds unless they match.

can i bypass the sensory key stuff so the car will work without it?

Other than the SKIM issue, the IAC is different on the 2000's did you also swap to the Magnum IM, or did you install the 2000 TB onto the Magnum set up? If you still have the 2000 tb/IAC valve the R/T pcm will not drive the '00 IAC. You would need to get an '01 or newer TB to make it work. Modern sells adapters, but they are for reverse of what you need, so those won't help. If it is the SKIM then you will need to get the interior parts if your car does't have them. Then it would have to be taken to the dealer to get it flashed/programed. If the ign key is black, it does not have SKIM. I am running an '01 R/T pcm, and my car doesn't have SKIM, and I get a code for it, but by some stroke of luck it starts and runs.
Does the car run, just won't idle? if so I would go with a newer TB if you do not have the one from the donor motor.

occasional demons wrote:Other than the SKIM issue, the IAC is different on the 2000's did you also swap to the Magnum IM, or did you install the 2000 TB onto the Magnum set up? If you still have the 2000 tb/IAC valve the R/T pcm will not drive the '00 IAC. You would need to get an '01 or newer TB to make it work. Modern sells adapters, but they are for reverse of what you need, so those won't help. If it is the SKIM then you will need to get the interior parts if your car does't have them. Then it would have to be taken to the dealer to get it flashed/programed. If the ign key is black, it does not have SKIM. I am running an '01 R/T pcm, and my car doesn't have SKIM, and I get a code for it, but by some stroke of luck it starts and runs.
Does the car run, just won't idle? if so I would go with a newer TB if you do not have the one from the donor motor.

well it has the tb iac issue as well... and i bought an 02 r/t tb and im looking to the tps and iac because his didnt have them with it. But I am aware of that issue and i am resolving it.

but im not 100% sure its the skim... but is there any way to have it bypassed? cause I rather not install it

Nope. If it could, it would defeat the whole purpose of it.
And if there is a way, nobodys talkin'.
Either bite the bullet, or just run the 2000 pcm/hardware/widow switch on the Magnum set up. You're not going to see a huge difference for the $ spent to make it work.
If you don't have the IAC, that alone is over $100, unless you can get one used. It would be an expensive 3-5 hp.

occasional demons wrote:Nope. If it could, it would defeat the whole purpose of it.
And if there is a way, nobodys talkin'.
Either bite the bullet, or just run the 2000 pcm/hardware/widow switch on the Magnum set up. You're not going to see a huge difference for the $ spent to make it work.
If you don't have the IAC, that alone is over $100, unless you can get one used. It would be an expensive 3-5 hp.

yeah i was going to get a used iac and tps... but can't the dealership flash the computer to bypass the skim?... i mean i know it can be done on hondas and chevys... or how much am I looking at to install it.. granted I buy all used parts

I'm sure they could, but I think the only way is to buy a new PCM, at least that is how it is for the SRT's. SKIM can only be turned on, they will not turn it off.

occasional demons wrote:I'm sure they could, but I think the only way is to buy a new PCM, at least that is how it is for the SRT's. SKIM can only be turned on, they will not turn it off.

okay so here are my options

1. flash my r/t pcm to bypass skim

2. find a r/t pcm without the skim

3 find a r/t pcm, cluster, skim, and key all the from the same car


Since i need to move in two weeks... my best option is to get it flashed

Flashing the PCM won't get rid of the SKIM. You have to go get a key and all the other stuff, and have the key programmed to your PCM. Flashing just resets the PCM, doesn't take the SKIM off.

Swordfish2Cowboy wrote:Flashing the PCM won't get rid of the SKIM. You have to go get a key and all the other stuff, and have the key programmed to your PCM. Flashing just resets the PCM, doesn't take the SKIM off.

how do you know this... not trying to second guess or anything.. just i'm finding alot of mixed answers.

BBR has a SKIM and key he can sell me

I have my R/T PCM, a SKIM cluster from a different car.. and his SKIM and key..

now your saying I can get it flashed to all work together?

Bluerocketsneeks wrote:

Swordfish2Cowboy wrote:Flashing the PCM won't get rid of the SKIM. You have to go get a key and all the other stuff, and have the key programmed to your PCM. Flashing just resets the PCM, doesn't take the SKIM off.

how do you know this... not trying to second guess or anything.. just i'm finding alot of mixed answers.

BBR has a SKIM and key he can sell me

I have my R/T PCM, a SKIM cluster from a different car.. and his SKIM and key..

now your saying I can get it flashed to all work together?

Okay, so.

PCM is like a CPU. As long as you have all the hardware that the computer requires, you can run it. All the nifty little programs and software and maybe even additional hardware you don't need (like an HDDVD player or speakers) you don't have to have, but you still need the harddrive and motherboard, RAM, etc.

You can have the R/T PCM, and as long as you've got the basic stuff down it'll work.

SKIM stands for Sentry Key Immobilizer Module. Basically it's a password for your car, and if you don't have that password, you can't run your car. Just like a bootup password for your computer.

If the SKIM is turned on, or you have the module, or however it works, it's going nowhere. Flashing the PCM will reset it, but you still have to deal with the password. I think all you have to do is swap out the ignition lock cylinder with the SKIM reader attached, and get a gray key programmed to the SKIM that you've got.

At least I think this is how that works.

Oh, and to answer your question: Yes. At least I think so.

okay i can get the parts.. no problem... but I was told i needed everything from the same car... but I guess getting it flashed makes it all from the same... so the ignition thing... so now im going to have a different key to start it now... then my doors and trunk... like i'll have a new ignition?

Yes, but I think it's easy to have exterior locks repinned. You might need everything from the same car, so call the dealership and ask. Or wait for someone more knowledgeable.

Bluerocketsneeks wrote:

okay so here are my options

1. flash my r/t pcm to bypass skim

2. find a r/t pcm without the skim

3 find a r/t pcm, cluster, skim, and key all the from the same car


Since i need to move in two weeks... my best option is to get it flashed

Option 4

occasional demons wrote:or just run the 2000 pcm/hardware/widow switch on the Magnum set up.

This will get the car running and to the dealer without it being towed. Get moved/settled in, then worry about the small stuff. So what if the butterflies don't function for a few weeks. You'll have your car.

occasional demons wrote:or just run the 2000 pcm/hardware/widow switch on the Magnum set up.

I don't completely understand this or what the results will be..


I want to be able to rely on my car to get me from place to place.. and i also have to run it through the dmv... if I can do things by doing that... and what cost am I looking at?


I am also moving to a different state... from DE to Long Island

im getting everything tagged and run through my parents DE address (cause i dont want a front plate)

Well if you install your 2000 TB/IAC valve, and the 2000 PCM, it will run. The only thing is the butterfies won't be functional in the Magnum IM. There is a sticky on doing that with a non-Mag PCM.
But if you only put off doing the whole PCM swap untill you move then running for a few weeks won't hurt much. You may be down on power a little at the top end is all.
I'm just thinking things may not be as intense going this route, as compared to getting all the pieces together, getting it to a dealer, swapping the parts in their parking lot, and handing it to them hoping all goes smoothly in a 2 week window.
But then if you like pressure....

occasional demons wrote:Well if you install your 2000 TB/IAC valve, and the 2000 PCM, it will run. The only thing is the butterfies won't be functional in the Magnum IM. There is a sticky on doing that with a non-Mag PCM.
But if you only put off doing the whole PCM swap untill you move then running for a few weeks won't hurt much. You may be down on power a little at the top end is all.
I'm just thinking things may not be as intense going this route, as compared to getting all the pieces together, getting it to a dealer, swapping the parts in their parking lot, and handing it to them hoping all goes smoothly in a 2 week window.
But then if you like pressure....

well I have a R/T harness so the 2000 tb and iac dont fit the harness

not worries about power at the moment.. just rather have a car.. after i move ill have plenty of down time

What happened to the old harness?

Swordfish2Cowboy wrote:What happened to the old harness?

I used it to try and wire up the manifold but it threw a bunch of codes so we took it out... probally threw it out...

But I got the 01 tb and iac.. They're in the mail..

Once I get those installed I can use the rt harness and 00 pcm?

I don't think they're pinned the same. the '01 and '02 are, but unless you can get pin outs to compare, (if the connectors are the same) There is a post somewhere here with pin outs for a few PCM's. The pain would be switching them back so the dealer has a clue when they flash the Mag PCM. You will not have any idle control either, but you can fold a piece of paper and pull back the IAC plunger and slip it in the seat (the plunger is spring loaded, so it won't come out) you will have to play with the number of folds to get a reasonable idle speed. That is what I did when my IAC took a shit. Worked till I replaced it. But you will have to compare connectors on your PCM's to see if it will even slide in.

occasional demons wrote:I don't think they're pinned the same. the '01 and '02 are, but unless you gan get pin outs to compare, (if the connectors are the same) There is a post somewhere here with pin outs for a few PCM's. The pain would be switching them back so the dealer has a clue when they flash the Mag PCM. you will not have any idle control either, but you can fold a piece of paper and pull back the IAC plunger and slip it in the seat the plunger is spring loaded, so it won't come out you will have to play with the number of folds to get a reasonable idle speed. That is what I did when my IAC took a shit. Worked till I replaced it. But you will have to compare connectors on your PCM's to see if it will even slide in.

well if not ill order a tps.. the 02 r/t tb and 02 iac are on theyre way... the 2000 pcm fits.. its in there now with the r/t harness... I just need to figure out what would be the best way to fix the skim problem after i move

occasional demons wrote:viewtopic.php?t=22387

dude i have a 2002 tb and iac... i dont need to retro fit it

You do if you want to run the 2000 pcm. Dude.

Does your origional key grey (have the skim option) If it does, all you need to do is have the dealer program the r/t computer to match your cars skim system. If you don't have it, you need to either find an r/t computer without skim (or buy a brand new one from dodge) or buy all the parts to install the sentry system including a key to match the vin number on your r/t computer. then all you have to do is plug the stuff in, have the key cut to your ignition cylinder, and it should all start.

hybrid-Srt2001 wrote:Does your origional key grey (have the skim option) If it does, all you need to do is have the dealer program the r/t computer to match your cars skim system. If you don't have it, you need to either find an r/t computer without skim (or buy a brand new one from dodge) or buy all the parts to install the sentry system including a key to match the vin number on your r/t computer. then all you have to do is plug the stuff in, have the key cut to your ignition cylinder, and it should all start.

nah my car orginally did not have skim... but the r/t computer i want to put in does... i havent gotten a clear answer on this yet

if i get the rest of the parts, from a junk yard or whatever, can I get the dealer to program it to all run together?


what parts do i need and where should i get them?

1. r/t pcm

2. grey key

3. cluster with skim

4. ?

get an afx race pcm for a 2000 without a skim and buy your self msd windows switch. It's for me the best way to make it work perfectly.


I am using the MSD but I'm stock with the same problem as you my afx/race pcm need a sentry key so I am running my 00 mtx pcm