:help: ...I know... this is a *really* elementary question...
:thatfunny but where will I find the ECU on a 2001 Intrepid?
The check engine light is on, and stays on; the only symptom the car has is occasional hesitation after warmed up when launching [errr, I mean going away from a traffic light]. ;-)
...car won't pass PA inspection without dealing with the check engine.
Was hoping to just reset the check engine light, but it seems I need to replace the ECU, or have it rebuilt / reprogrammed.
ANYWAY, step one is to find the ECU and get the part number off the crazy thing.
After that, I'm looking at having AutoCraft Microsystems in FL do the reprogramming work....
Many thanks,
> Bill K.
gsmagnum
07-03-2006, 06:39 PM
You need to scan the thing first.
The port is under the dash on the drivers side and any Autozone will do it for free.
AlwaysMorePower
07-07-2006, 07:20 AM
Thanks Grant.
The code is P0601 "internal controller failure"
:mad:
...so... I called AutoCraft Microsystems / ECUDirect dot com and plan to do have them do the "Remanufacture & Return Service".
...which loops me back around to question one, being, where may I find the ECU?
I looked behind the driver side and passenger side kick panels, and found nothing like an engine control unit.
Some other threads talk about a powertraine control module PCM. Is that the same as the ECU?
Thanks again,
> BK
gsmagnum
07-07-2006, 09:41 PM
I believe on the earlier ones like mine it is under the air filter housing.
Just a thought on where to look.
That really sucks that the ECU is done for.
AlwaysMorePower
07-30-2006, 09:09 AM
I found the PCM / PCU / Power Train Control Module at drover side front. The Intrepid PCM is just forward of the power distribution center and just behind the TCM / Transmission Control Module (infact, the two are bolted together via the same bracket).
...anyway... I installed the repaired/reprogrammed PCU in early July (work done by ECUDirect dot com (great people, prompt service, highly recommended)), but still had the P0601 error (checksum error),
so,
it seemed that either the PCM got fried on re-installation (unlikely as I was v careful in following their instructions, and had the ground wires fully disconnected) or the problem was elsewhere.
ECUDirect was quite firm that the unit was fine when it left their office, and they noted that one of the codes stored in the PCU/PCM was a fault in the TCU/TCM.
So, I sent the TCU to them for repair.
I installed the repaired TCU and on the initial start it displayed no codes and the check engine light did not come on -- which was great -- then on the second start the check engine light came on and it had the P1684 code (no big deal, it's the "Lost power in the last 50 starts" code).
So we kept track of starts of the car (and I did some more this morning by starting it, letting it run for 15 seconds, turn it off for 10 seconds, then repeat the process) so it has been started more than 50 times since install of the TCU. ...so the P1684 should go away....
But, I still get the P1684, and the P0601 (checksum error) has returned. (!)
So my question now is this:
If I take this car to the dealer can they gain a deeper look into the computer system when they plug in with their expensive testing equipment?
Meaning, can they detect if it is a sensor on the transmission that's bad?
Or are we really in a game where we have to hand-test each sensor till we find the fault?
...or do we need to continue to swap out computer chips till we find the one that is imposing this P0601 code?
