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any ideas on this CEL

Posted: Thu Sep 15, 2011 9:19 pm
by ragek23
just got this one :(

P0601(M) PCM Internal Controller Failure Internal control module fault condition (check sum) detected.

Posted: Fri Sep 16, 2011 12:46 am
by DetergentCandy
You should try checking your sum.

Posted: Fri Sep 16, 2011 1:17 am
by Lantern04rt
its saying basically that the pcm (computer ecu what have you) has had a failure on one the control boards is your car still running ok? Its like any computer it checks itself on start up like your personal computer checks its ram etc.

Try resetting the codes and see if it comes back you may be looking at buying a used computer though for your car.

Posted: Fri Sep 16, 2011 8:29 am
by occasional demons
Or if everything seems to function correctly, other than a CEL, keep driving it. But I would start saving for another PCM, just in case.

Posted: Fri Sep 16, 2011 9:12 am
by ragek23
hmm might have to see if flightsystems still flashes vins in pcms. I have an AF/X Race here but the dealer couldn't flash the vin in it properly.

Posted: Fri Sep 16, 2011 11:18 am
by occasional demons
If you have SKIM, then yes the VIN, etc will need flashed.

If you don't have SKIM, all pre NGC PCM's are plug and play. (Unless you are anal about having the VIN match.)

Posted: Fri Sep 16, 2011 12:59 pm
by Danteneon
occasional demons wrote:If you have SKIM, then yes the VIN, etc will need flashed.
Actually, if the AF/X is SKIM then it will need to be flashed. If it isn't, you can unplug your SKIM receiver (if equipped) and swap in the AF/X and be happy. No flash required.

Posted: Fri Sep 16, 2011 1:06 pm
by ragek23
yeah i do have a skim that's y its a PITA

Posted: Fri Sep 16, 2011 1:27 pm
by occasional demons
Danteneon wrote:
Actually, if the AF/X is SKIM then it will need to be flashed. If it isn't, you can unplug your SKIM receiver (if equipped) and swap in the AF/X and be happy. No flash required.
Do you know if the AF/X is SKIM equipped, or if it has been already plugged into your car, it is for certain SKIM.

Posted: Fri Sep 16, 2011 1:37 pm
by Danteneon
Worse to worse, unplug your SKIM receiver and swap the PCM. If it starts and runs longer than 5 seconds, you are done. If it dies, put it back to stock and get the AF/X flashed.

Posted: Fri Sep 16, 2011 2:38 pm
by occasional demons
:lol:

Yeah, that too. It was the approach I took with the R/T PCM I bought off ebay. My car is not SKIM equipped, and I had no idea if the PCM was. Turns out the PCM is SKIM, but has some error that keeps it from locking out. Pure luck.

Of course it sat in my garage for close to a year before I got around to trying it... :beatstick:

Posted: Fri Sep 16, 2011 11:56 pm
by ragek23
hmm so you just unplug the security module and then plug in the af/x to see if it has a SKIM? Might be worth a shot

Posted: Sat Sep 17, 2011 7:31 am
by occasional demons
Correct. If any non SKIM PCM sees the SKIM signal, it becomes a SKIM PCM permanently. But the VIN will still need flashed to make it run. AFAIK, the receiver in the column needs disconnected. You may want to wait to see if there is something else before trying it.

Posted: Sat Sep 17, 2011 8:29 am
by Danteneon
Yep, just disconnect the SKIM receiver (the antenna around the ignition cylinder) and switch PCMs. If it keeps running you are golden. No need to flash the VIN in either. If it cuts off after 3-5 seconds, don't try to re-start it with the AF/X in there. Just swap back to your stock PCM and plug your SKIM back in and you are good to go again.

It's too bad you aren't closer. I could flash that PCM for you no problem (if you needed it to be that is).

Posted: Sat Sep 17, 2011 11:32 am
by ragek23
yeah I do :(. I had a local dealer try and flash the af/x. I heard them start it up with the af/x and then when i got home to install it the vin must have gotten cleared cuz it wouldn't run for more than 5 seconds

Posted: Sat Sep 17, 2011 12:04 pm
by Danteneon
Wait, they tried to flash the PCM out of the car? I have yet to see a dealer that can do that. The DRB requires the PCM to be in the car to flash it.

Flight Systems has a bench made up that is wired to simulate the needed connections that a car would have (OBD port, some kind of programable SKIM module, PCM harness, etc.)

Posted: Sat Sep 17, 2011 8:27 pm
by occasional demons
Danteneon wrote:Wait, they tried to flash the PCM out of the car? I have yet to see a dealer that can do that. The DRB requires the PCM to be in the car to flash it.
ragek23 wrote:yeah I do :(. I had a local dealer try and flash the af/x. I heard them start it up with the af/x............

.............and then when i got home to install it the vin must have gotten cleared cuz it wouldn't run for more than 5 seconds
So why would they take it back out? (unless they couldn't get it to stay running)

Posted: Sun Sep 18, 2011 11:32 am
by ragek23
I asked them to remove it because I had to get emissions done that month on the stock PCM. They did program it with the PCM in the car. And they ran the car in the shop but, they removed it so i could get my emissions done later that week.

I am going to try and send it to Flight Systems. They were successful in reporgraming my 01 r/t pcm that i was playing with. Unfortunatly for that one it wouldn't work the injectors correctly.

Posted: Sun Oct 02, 2011 7:48 pm
by ragek23
So, today I was cleaning the battery cables and put on new felt washer to keep of the battery corosion and when i put everythign back on the car wouldn't start. I found out the negative battery terminal was shot. The bolt was stripped. My body guy must have stripped it. Anyway, I go get a new universal ternminal put everything together and my PCM check engine light goes away!!!!

Posted: Mon Oct 03, 2011 3:58 pm
by Danteneon
Yay for something stupid! :lol:

Bad grounds will give you all kinds of weird stuff.

Posted: Mon Oct 03, 2011 4:24 pm
by ragek23
I spoke to soon :banghead:. It came back this morning. and looks like I might have a ball joint or tie rod going. I hear clunking when I try and move my tire pulling from the spokes. I seriously need to look at upgrading to another car :roll: .

Posted: Mon Oct 03, 2011 8:18 pm
by occasional demons
I doubt it is the ball joint. You need to jack the knuckle up to take the load from the LCA to get the ball joint to move. Hopefully it is just the outer tie rod end.

Not the end of the world.

Posted: Mon Oct 03, 2011 10:35 pm
by ragek23
I hope so. tie rods are fairly cheap.