[geoff.gariepy]

If you are in Michigan, that may be considered 'salt' belt. Corrosion can be an issue after a few years.

There's no doubt about it, Michigan is definitely part of the "salt belt", better known as the "rust belt." Lately we've gotten more salt than snow on the roads.

 

[ImperialCrown]

 

[chuzz]

Since there are so many salt mines in MI, it's kind of a catch 22 living there, isn't it?

 

[Magnum_guy]

Ok so I drove out to my parents where I have the car parked until I have it sorted out enough to daily drive it and Followed advice on cleaning grounds. I got many of them done but I still need to do the grounds on the engine and possibly some in the cabin as well.


Here are some example before and after.

 

[Magnum_guy]

A few more

 

[Magnum_guy]

I pulled the airbox to do the ground near the drivers side head light. While I have a little more room I installed a new set of spark plugs. They all seemed fine and looked like they had been in there a while. I did find one plug to be lose when removing and it was loose enough to have evidence of air escaping. I'm sure it will be a little happier with a new set of plugs that are all fulling installed ( Tight).

I also did all the grounds and batter connections in the trunk. I have never seen a negative battery cable ground just go straight to the unibody and nowhere else. I made sure to clean that cable well and assure everything had dielectric grease on it. I'm not sure if this is in fact my problem but even if its not it seems like really good preventative maintenance to do.

As far as the engine grounds go are some of them easier to access from under the car?

Finally thanks for all the help thus far. I'm new to these cars and it would have taken me a while to think about starting here...

 

[Magnum_guy]

So I just wanted to check back in an report that I did all the grounds I could find to include one on the back of the bell housing ( Did with the car on a lift) and have started driving the car again and for the limited driving thus far the care seems to be driving great ( Fingers crossed)

My after photo is fuzzy sorry about that ( I did notice until after I was wrapped up)

I also did air filter ( WIX), PCV Valve, and an oil change with Pennzoil Ultra Platinum , Lower control arms in the front and a 4 wheel alignment.

I will report back on this thread if the issue does not stay fixed for a while...Trying to get the car buffed and ceramic coated this weekend. Really looking forward to getting some miles on this "new to me" car.....

Thank you so much for the help!

 

[Magnum_guy]

Ok so after a week of trouble free driving the car cut out three times on a short drive yesterday. One of which was with the car warmed up (I was back from the errand) and I was just sitting in the car idling in my driveway ( flat add level) and not touching anything ( brake etc). The car also threw a code the last time in the driveway that it lost communications with the ECM. So while I think the ground cleaning was worthwhile for a car this old, I think I will be pulling the ECM today and shipping out to that place in Florida at the start of this post.

If you guys feel there is a better place to send the ECM please let me know. I just need to know that I have had that looked over / refurbished.....

Thanks for the help on this journey.

 

[ImperialCrown]

Was it a 'U' code? Which one(s)? Same as in post #6?
Finding an 'intermittent' of what seems to be an electrical issue inside the PCM can be hit-or-miss.
Send it in with as much information (a link to this discussion, perhaps?) as possible to help them look for the problem.

 

[Magnum_guy]

Yes same as post 6.

So the other option I am thinking about is a guy near me selling at 2007 MAGNUM 5.7 ECM programed to my car for $100. Any thoughts on a used part over refurb? ( Used part is $200 cheaper and local so I am back up sooner) Just unsure how foolish it may be to play with an old ECM in hopes of saving money/ getting back up faster......

 

[ImperialCrown]

It may run with the 2007 PCM, but be warned, there is no way to make it a 2006. That identity is burned into the PROM upon production. It is a non-volatile memory. A 2006 will always be a 2006.

A software flash update can change operating parameters, but the core identity cannot be changed (even at the dealers).

2006:

2007:

 

[Magnum_guy]

So I got my 2007 ECM and it appears to be a much heavier and better made part. I got it in the car and it ran fine around the subdivision for 10 min or so. Looking forward to getting some miles on it (and assuring that the stalling gremlins are now behind me fingers crossed). Here are some pics of what I took out versus what went back in,

From what I can tell Dodge added a lot of content / robustness into the newer design. Typically cost comes out as the models progress so I am assuming that there was a need for better part this time....

Really grateful to the help on this forum sorting out my first Dodge and I hope the detail on this post helps others.

Thanks,

Will

 

[Magnum_guy]

Just closing out this thread. I have a couple of weeks on this ECM and would recommend this path to others reading this thread....