any ideas on this CEL

ragek23 · Post by **ragek23** » Thu Sep 15, 2011 9:19 pm

just got this one

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

DetergentCandy · Post by **DetergentCandy** » Fri Sep 16, 2011 12:46 am

You should try checking your sum.

Lantern04rt · Post by **Lantern04rt** » Fri Sep 16, 2011 1:17 am

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.

Post by **occasional demons** » Fri Sep 16, 2011 8:29 am

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.

ragek23 · Post by **ragek23** » Fri Sep 16, 2011 9:12 am

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.

Post by **occasional demons** » Fri Sep 16, 2011 11:18 am

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.)

Danteneon · Post by **Danteneon** » Fri Sep 16, 2011 12:59 pm

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.

ragek23 · Post by **ragek23** » Fri Sep 16, 2011 1:06 pm

yeah i do have a skim that's y its a PITA

Post by **occasional demons** » Fri Sep 16, 2011 1:27 pm

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.

Danteneon · Post by **Danteneon** » Fri Sep 16, 2011 1:37 pm

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.

Post by **occasional demons** » Fri Sep 16, 2011 2:38 pm

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...

ragek23 · Post by **ragek23** » Fri Sep 16, 2011 11:56 pm

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

Post by **occasional demons** » Sat Sep 17, 2011 7:31 am

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.

Danteneon · Post by **Danteneon** » Sat Sep 17, 2011 8:29 am

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).

ragek23 · Post by **ragek23** » Sat Sep 17, 2011 11:32 am

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

Danteneon · Post by **Danteneon** » Sat Sep 17, 2011 12:04 pm

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.)

Post by **occasional demons** » Sat Sep 17, 2011 8:27 pm

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)

ragek23 · Post by **ragek23** » Sun Sep 18, 2011 11:32 am

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.

ragek23 · Post by **ragek23** » Sun Oct 02, 2011 7:48 pm

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!!!!

Danteneon · Post by **Danteneon** » Mon Oct 03, 2011 3:58 pm

Yay for something stupid!

Bad grounds will give you all kinds of weird stuff.

ragek23 · Post by **ragek23** » Mon Oct 03, 2011 4:24 pm

I spoke to soon

. 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

.

Post by **occasional demons** » Mon Oct 03, 2011 8:18 pm

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.

ragek23 · Post by **ragek23** » Mon Oct 03, 2011 10:35 pm

I hope so. tie rods are fairly cheap.