# Powertrain Control Module Failure

**URL:** <https://community.cartalk.com/t/powertrain-control-module-failure/48253>\
**Category:** Maintenance/Repairs\
**Tags:** van, ram, dodge\
**Created:** [May 2, 2010, 2:18pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/powertrain-control-module-failure/48253 "2010-05-02T14:18:51Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 3\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![Sonny35](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/c77e96/32.png) [@Sonny35](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Sonny35)\
**Post date:** [May 2, 2010, 2:18pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/powertrain-control-module-failure/48253/1 "2010-05-02T14:18:51Z")

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I have a 2001 Camper van with the Dodge 5.9 eng.and only 30,000 miles.  
  
 I stopped in Yuma,AZ after driving from Demming,NM. with a strong wind blowing from the west. This may be important info because I’m driving west through a few hundred miles of desert into a strong wind.  
  
 After stopping for an hour, the van started easily but began stalling. I parked for the night and the next morning the van started and ran fine but the engine malfunction light was on. I took it to a Dodge dealer who diagnosed: PCM losing communication - Repl PCM & Prog.  
  
 The repair took less than an hour and cost me over a $1000; $755 for the part, $238 labor, $12 disposal fee and tax. I asked for the old part but was told there was a core charge of $500 on the part. Did I get taken by this dealer?

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**Author:** ![Caddyman](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/caddyman/32/23_2.png) [@Caddyman](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Caddyman)\
**Post date:** [May 2, 2010, 3:35pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/powertrain-control-module-failure/48253/2 "2010-05-02T15:35:36Z")

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You ALWAYS get taken for a ride by dealers. That’s how they make money…An independent shop MIGHT have been able to fix this by simply cleaning a connector. You will never know. Can we assume the repair cured the problem?

A $12 “disposal fee”…I wonder what they disposed of that cost $12…This after charging you $238 labor for less than an hours work…

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**Author:** ![Sonny35](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/c77e96/32.png) [@Sonny35](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Sonny35)\
**Post date:** [May 2, 2010, 7:59pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/powertrain-control-module-failure/48253/3 "2010-05-02T19:59:28Z")

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I feel like I was taken for a ride on a smelly fishing boat. It does look like the PCM was replaced or they removed it, cleaned it up and reinstalled it. The problem was resolved but I’m also leaning toward a clogged injector because of the driving conditions prior to the problem. They knew they had me over a barrel because of my Calif. address. I’m going to follow up with Dodge Customer Service in Detroit because the high charges.