Long story short, I have a 2008 Kia Sedona and it was recently diagnosed with an internal PCM short. The $1,500 price tag for a new PCM is a bit much. So, what are the chances of a used PCM working? I’ve heard varying opinions and I’ve already had one used PCM not work.
Should my only option be a new PCM, would the money be better spent towards a newer vehicle? I’ve never had any major problems with the van and has just under 90,000 miles.
Thanks
JB
I’ve installed many used PCM’s in vehicles over the years, and never had a problem with any of them.
Tester
So, is it possible that the dealer is trying to hose me on this? I had to take it there, instead of my regular mechanic, he “doesn’t do electrical stuff.”
How hard is it to replace/reprogram the PCM? I don’t mind working on vehicles, but when I start taking out pieces of the engine then I get a little weary.
If one used PCM did not work, my best guess is that is because there is nothing wrong with your present PCM.
Twice in my life I have had a car diagnosed as a bad PCM, the first time, an independent shop assured me the stalling problem I had was a bad PCM. His price was quite high and I lacked confidence in him so I talked to the Chrysler dealer and they said they had refurbished PCMs in stock and they could install one to see if it solved the problem and swap them back if it didn’t and only charge me labor. Either 1/2 hour or 1 hour depending how long it took. The PCM made no difference.
The second time was also for stalling but this time it was intermittent with no apparent pattern and the diagnosis was bad distributor (obviously different mechanic). The distributor was replaced and after a week it was obvious that that was not the problem. The shop owner claimed that I had needed the distributor but now the PCM was bad also. The Chrysler dealer rescued me again, he confirmed that the other car I had used the same PCM to see if the problem followed the PCM. It did not. I traded that car in and about 6 months later found out the problem was icing in the electronic feedback carb. under certain weather conditions.
So far, I have never had an actual computer failure. I am not saying it can’t happen but both of these places instead of doing actual diagnostic procedures, said, because it was not X, it has to be the computer. I never want to hear “it had to be the computer” , I would listen to " The computer is bad because there is no output from pin # x and there is power to the computer and I have checked the ground.
I would question how to get the body computer and pcm to play nice. Usually, if the 2 don’t play nice (i.e. pcm isn’t recoded to the VIN) the alarm system/anti-theft system won’t turn the fuel pump on.
Let me know how you make out , I have a 2016 Sedona, and, well… the second I’m financially able to dump it, I am. A guy relieved me of my 2011, totalled it by rear ending me, but it kept my family somewhat safe, and my 10 year was in 3rd row, the rear gate made contact with her seat, she walked away with only body sprains. So, I replaced it with a 2016, and don’t like it much. Something to do with finding “Hyundai” logos all over internal parts. But, may as well learn some PCM tricks while I have it!
One idea, try googling “pcm module repair”, something like that. There are companies who are able to diagnose and repair vehicle electronic modules, at least for certain vehicles. You just mail your module to them, they fix it and return it to you. I’ve never tried this myself however. But it seems like it should work.
If I had that problem I’d remove the pcm and look it over very closely top and bottom with a magnifying glass, looking for tiny pieces of metal that might be shorting two pads, or a broken pad, broken solder joints, cracked pcb material, discolored components, etc. It’s possible you might find a broken solder joint or something and just be able to re-solder it to fix it. If that didn’t work I’d try to find a used PCM from a wrecked vehicle with as close to the same configuration as mine as possible.
If you don’t trust their diagnoses continue to drive the vehicle as is, don’t fix it.
You may have a problem installing a used PCM if you can’t change the VIN to match your vehicle, with some vehicles there will be some warning lights and faults from a mismatched VIN.
If your vehicle has an immobilizer system the vehicle won’t start with a used/unfamiliar PCM. It may or may not be possible to register your keys to the replacement PCM.