Has anyone experienced the following: I have an ECM which I purchased from Jody when I got my chip a few years ago. The ECM was purchased in order to be used for the chip saving my stock and original ECM untouched. At start up, my glow plugs will not ignite unless I do it manually. Now, I install the original ECM and the glow plugs light comes on and everything works. Do you think this can be fixed with a reflash to the ECM I use for the chip?

 

All Santa’s helpers asleep.....no help on my issue☹️

 

Have you asked Jody (DP) what their thoughts are on the product you purchased from them are?

 

Sous has good thought there and you're out of my pay grade by far.
Also, I am wondering if you don't mean a PCM?

 

Yes I did... lost internal ground in ECM. ...got my answer. Must not be common with members. Now to find someone who can fix because he can’t do.

 

I don't see how the ground pin for the PCM is correlated at all with the glow plugs not firing, but there is not much more information than that being provided.

What did DP say the problem may be?

Did DP flat out say you are on your own, or did they indicate the fault was due to something you may have done?

We would like to help, but the details of this very strange and uncommon problem are not being provided.

 

Jody said it was an internal ground failure which keep the glow plugs from firing when the igintion is activitate.... the unit still cranks up the truck but on the three cold days here in Florida were I would like assistance from the glow plugs... I would need to manually ignite.... yes spoiled.

 

The PCM does make the ground when glow plugs are called for. That I do know.

 

OK, so if I am understanding you correctly, this is what you have going on.

You bought a PCM from DP Tuner (Jody) that does not ignite the glow plugs.

If you install your original PCM, the glow plugs ignite.

DP has told you they cannot help.

You are now at a loss of where to go in order to get help.

If this is correct, the steps below are the ones I would take.

1. Talk to DP again letting them know the glow plugs ignite and the truck starts fine with the original PCM. After swapping in the PCM they sold you, the glow plugs will not light.

2. They claim it is some sort of grounding problem, well if the two PCM's are using the same plastic case, they are using the same grounding clip and should operate the same. If this is not the grounding DP is talking about, ask them to clarify and once they are done clarifying their theory. Ask them why the original PCM ignites the glow plugs after simply swapping it back in with the same harness and glow plug relay.

3. Check the pins on the DP PCM.

4. Take the case off the PCM and see if you can identify anything damaged or burnt.

5. If all else fails, seek a PCM refurbishment specialist. There have been some posts on here recently regarding this very topic. I just have a hard time sending you someplace to have something fixed that has not worked since it was bought from another place.

 

Sous....The PCM I bought from Jody (many years ago) in regards to my issue, did work but just stopped over time igniting the glow plugs at start up.

Everything works fine just the glow plug light doesn't come on automatically at start up unless I activate it manually on/off with a switch.

The weather here is Florida is aways warm but this past week it got down in the 40's....which only happens once a year that got me thinking on fixing the issue. Plus I thinking on taking a road trip North which is very cold and snows,

When I spoke to Jody today he recommended taking it to Napa so they can have it sent out for service due to the internal ground fault in the PCM. He doesn't do that kind of work.

My stock unaltered PCM works fine. Glow plug light come on and off on its own.

I will do what you said and open the PCM and see if there is any burnt pins or the pins just might need cleaning. If all fails, there is a place about 25 miles away from me that sells remanufactured PCM and IDM's...Ill see what they say.

 

I am starting to understand now, and I apologize for being confused. Sometimes a message is very difficult to get across a forum setting such as this one.

Let me ask you this. Are you referring to the WTS (wait to start) light, or the the coil (I think the 03's have this) light on the dash is what is not coming on at all?

Are the glow plugs lighting at all despite the lack of the light coming on, if this is in fact your problem?

I hear you about the cooler weather down south, I am in GA and tested my cold starting capabilities yesterday morning just after the sun rose.

 

Im the one that needs to apologize how I explained my issue....and Yes, its the WTS light that will not come on ..on the dash with this PCM. Now with the stock one, yes...it turns on/off.

Will not light up unless I manually light them...a MOD which I did with the help from a member some time ago.