Posted on 06/12/2015 3:49:19 AM PDT by Cowman
I have a 2005 dodge truck with a 4.7 that has started running very rich to the point of choking out and it has a random cylinder misfire. The cruse was working intermittently and the dash lights would randomly go on and off. The mechanic changed a coil and cam sensor that did nothing but clean up a couple codes and suggested I change the ECM.
My question is: can I use a junkyard unit that I can change myself or does the new computer need to be reprogrammed for my vehicle by the dealer (I have heard both)
When the EMP happens........I’ll drive my 71 cutlass supreme, and leave my 2014 RAM 1500, dead, in the driveway.
I’ve had similar experiences with them. First rate company and the prices are amazing. Rare combination these days.
Only time I don’t buy from them is dealer-only stuff, or if I have a car apart and find I need something I didn’t plan for. Then I might hit the local parts store just to get it back together that weekend.
Autozone for the most part is peopled by the less than qualified. However if they read the codes for you write down the codes and google their meaning. Don’t rely on them. I have used them for diagnoses and free tool rental. But I don’t purchase parts there as they fired that employee who saw the store being robbed from outside, went to his car, got his shotgun and ended the robbery. He was fired for having a firearm on the premises even though he only brought it in to end the robbery. Use them, but don’t fund them.
See 23
Yup.
Old Jeeps are particularly susceptible to ‘bad ground’ syndrome.
I only have one right now, a 1971 Jeepster Commando (with the Buick Dauntless “Oddfire” V6) and it is definitely in need of “treatment”. I’ve been trying to find the time for the last month.
I agree. This is a good idea for any vehicle on which you are replacing cables, regardless of how it was configured from the factory. Many older vehicles have either "BAT to Engine Block" or "BAT to Chassis". "BAT to Block and to Chassis" is best.
Cowman, the cable will have a battery connection at one end, and also TWO mounting lugs. one will be partway along the cable and one will be at the other end from the battery connection.
If your truck is not already configured for such a cable you'll need to do some measurements so you can buy a "generic" cable with sufficient length(s) to be able to run it from the Battery to the engine block (intermediate lug) and then from the block over to the chassis (the end lug).
Yes they do have some employees that are dumber than a rock (no offense to rocks) but from what I've seen the Management keeps them off the High Tech stuff.
I only buy from ANY local store if it is a must or oil & chems.
Was not aware of the robbery thing. Good on the stopping it. Bad on AZ for canning Him. I'll bet they have a clause about Firearms in the employment contract.
I filled out one of the on-line apps and it was strait out of the Highly Ridiculous (HR) Playbook. hr needs to go back to being PAYROLL and that's it.
{Autozone and most other Parts stores will do it for free.}
Parts houses have neither the equipment or skilled technicians to do real time data logging, which is how difficult diagnostics is done. While true parts houses can read basic OBDII codes, proper diagnostics is far more complex requiring multi thousand dollar scanners, technicians trained to evaluate the results, and software subscriptions in the $10,000 per year range.
The benefit of a couple hundred dollar diagnostic fee can be offset by not shotgunning $500.00 ECMs at a vehicle or using used parts that may further exacerbate undiagnosed issues. But you are welcome to roll the dice with the kid behind the parts counter and his $200.00 code reader.
WayneS- don't You just laugh at those Factory Engine to Chassis 18GA "cables" with the giant lugs on them ? What a waste of good Lugs.
Haven’t seen a Commando in years.
Sometime back when I had to endure the Jonesboro storytelling festival a few years in a row, going into town at a small garage was a Commando that never got touched.
It was in the same spot with the same flat front passenger tire.
I was not referring to RT Data collection. Been there done that.
I did 18 years selling parts and 12 turning wrenches for a living, mostly on high end stuff. Jag/Rolls/MB/Porsche/Ferrari/Lambo’s as well as Domestic.
They ALL breakdown it's just a matter of what and when. It could sell for $500,000 or $ 50.00. It's still mechanical/fuel and electrical.
Just about all of signals on that old Willys were gone and I’ve run wire, crimped, heat shrank quite a few spools.
That is also throwing in modifications and upgrades of my own.
Yes. Undersized wires and over-sized fittings. The plumbing equivalent would be putting 1-1/2" valves on 1/4" pipes.
How old is the battery? Can you swap batteries with another vehicle?
The body on my Commando is in very bad shape and replacement body parts for them are hard to find. So, I'm thinking about making it into a CJ/Commando hybrid. Single piece replacement body tubs are still available for the CJ6 in either steel or fiberglass.
They are quite expensive, though, so I find myself at that crossroads where I need to decide whether I'm going to fix the thing up as a "decent beater" Jeep, or whether to sink some real money in to it and make it a show-piece.
Been there, done that.
Good thing is, I don’t get greasy anymore. I read codes and map ECMs from my desk right here at work.
It bothers me sometimes that dealers, big three and import along with independent shops, rely on outside vendors for diagnostics more and more.
It used to be only custom shops that would have us map LS crate engines for custom install in older vehicles but now dealers are using outside vendors like us for daily diagnostics.
or a brain in a politician...
To an experienced tech with an idea what the issue may be using a basic code reader at a parts house may be all that is needed. But to someone without knowledge and experience to be coached to parts shotgun on their important daily driver IMHO not the way to go. Reputable repair facilities would never spend big money on Modus, VAG-COM, Alldata and the like if they could divine severe drivability issues with a parts house code reader.
Take it to a professional.
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