2001 PCM swap, need to be flashed?

Ryanm07 · Post by **Ryanm07** » Mon Apr 02, 2007 6:53 pm

Ok, I need a new PCM in my car. its a 2001 with the 3spd auto. I got one off ebay, used from a 2001 3spd auto (should be the exact same PCM). I called two dealerships. One told me it needed to be flashed to use it and it would cost me $98. The other one told me that in the 2001, since it doesnt have the NGC, that it should swap in just fine without being flashed. I throw it in, the acc goes on fine. Then when you try and start it, it wont even make an attempt. Does anyone know the true answer to this? everywhere I go it seems like I get different answers. Thanks!

kc2005ptgt · Post by **kc2005ptgt** » Mon Apr 02, 2007 7:14 pm

Do you have the sentry key? (gray key)

If so, then that is problema, but usually it will start up. Another problem if you have a black key (non sentry module) could be that you got one with sentry (or of course, visa-vee), but either way, PCM could also be bad, and the eBay'r scammed you. Another problem could be that your PCM was fine, and there was something else wrong with the car other than PCM. If it does not start after installing new PCM, then check and see if you re-installed everything right.

Ryanm07 · Post by **Ryanm07** » Tue Apr 03, 2007 12:39 am

black key, non sentry.

I'll double check everything and try reconnecting it. I've been chasing a problem for close to 8 months and was finally told by a dodge tech today that my problem is definetly a short in my PCM.

ragek23 · Post by **ragek23** » Tue Apr 03, 2007 1:43 am

check to see if any fuses blew while atempting to start the car.

I wonder if you will need a sentry type key or not? I would try flashing the car anyway dodge may have put a sentry device in your car but not activated it. This may not be the case but i have heard of wierder things.

BlackRoseRacing · Post by **BlackRoseRacing** » Tue Apr 03, 2007 5:34 am

As mentioned before...
The replacement pcm, is it sentry? if your not sure, pm me the vin number on the replacement pcm and I can let you know if it is or is not. If you crank the car and it starts and stalls, thats a sign of the sentry system and no skimm detected or an incorect skim. After 3 times the system will be locked out and you have to leave the key on for 1hr to disable the securty lock

I've been chasing a problem for close to 8 months and was finally told by a dodge tech today that my problem is definetly a short in my PCM

Its not often our pcm's go bad, thats one of the reasons why you never see one for sale here in the forums...

Jamie · Post by **Jamie** » Tue Apr 03, 2007 4:24 pm

Im with the other guys here, sounds like the New PCM is one thats designed to work with a transponder key, which means sorry guy you gonna have to get it flashed. unless you know anyone with a $7000 DRB tool (wish i did!!) Now once its flashed you can get modules for like car alarms and so forth that you can program it as a transponder key so you can use regular keys...did that make sense? anyway yeah you need to go to the dealer with it and your vin, maybe even some transponder keys and say "Flash me baby!" unless its a guy of course... hope that helps!
j

kbobob · Post by **kbobob** » Tue Apr 03, 2007 5:44 pm

hmm......was gonna get in on this...but noticed black rose racing is already here. he hooked me up with how to do it.

the tech that did my car said its easy if you have sentry keys, but said he never was able to get it to work on non-sentry keyed cars.

it does sound like you got a pcm from a sentry car though....cause if it wasn't and you have black keys....should start up...so..probably has the skim in the pcm.

Ryanm07 · Post by **Ryanm07** » Wed Apr 04, 2007 1:24 pm

yeah blackroseracing helped me out and informed me, based on the VIN on the PCM that it was from a car with sentry.

Now kbobob mentioned that the tech said he couldnt get it to work on non-sentry key cars? Is this a normal problem? or should they be able to do it at the dealer?

01WhiteNe0n · Post by **01WhiteNe0n** » Wed Apr 04, 2007 3:00 pm

They should be able to program it to make u have sentry keys ? I'm just throwing up a guess. I only have 1 key to my car and to get two they would have to reprogram mine and make 2 new keys.

Jamie · Post by **Jamie** » Wed Apr 04, 2007 3:10 pm

white neon, your correct. its easy to program a third sentry key because you need the first two. there is a sequence that you have to put the first key in for x amount of time or on off on off for so many times, then put the second key in for the same thing, then when you put the third key in it will program its self after doing the routine with it. because you need both keys is why you obviously cant do it with just one. dont know exactly what the routine is butii can find out though. we did this with the remote start module on my alarm. we have a little black box that we programed this way so that the pcm sees it as a key and allows it to remote start with out a key.

now Ryanm07 i think what he was referring to is that he could never get a sentry computer to work with non sentry keys. so you need to pick up two sentry keys, take them with you to the dealer and have both keys programed for that pcm and you should be good to go!

good luck
J

Ryanm07 · Post by **Ryanm07** » Wed Apr 04, 2007 3:43 pm

wow...what a pain in the ass lol. Now anyone know where I can pick up a couple sentry keys cheap? and do i need to get them cut and then bring them over? Or do i just bring them my car, the PCM, and two blank keys?

ragek23 · Post by **ragek23** » Wed Apr 04, 2007 4:23 pm

http://motors.search.ebay.com/search/se ... age=search

not too bad for the key i am sure it will cost more to get it programed tho

kbobob · Post by **kbobob** » Wed Apr 04, 2007 5:41 pm

um....arent you guys missing the skim key immobilizer?????

to have your sentry key system work you need a pcm with sentry key, the keys, and sentry key immobilizer.

and for the guy with the one key, the dealer can make a new key for you without flashing the computer, they did it for my car when the couldnt find the second key..
..and if you have two keys there is a way to use your keys to make other ones work...my dad did this for me...i have four keys now..haha...
...if i remember correctly your skim key immobilizer can do up to 8 keys.
black rose....correct me if i am wrong. haha...

Jamie · Post by **Jamie** » Wed Apr 04, 2007 8:20 pm

Oh wow... kbobob your right!!! you do need that little ring in the ignition lock also.

i have no idea what else is needed but yea your right. mine orriginally had a skim key with the grey cover ripped off showing the chip, taped in the middle of the ring from when the person before me ghetto rigged the remote start to work.

yeah sorry guy dont know what else i can help you with here... maybe pull some wiring dg's from the dsm and see what else you may need... or just get a non sentry pcm... wish i could help more

good luck
J