TRANNY TROUBLE
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Senior User
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 323
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From: Victor Harbor South Aust
Good job @Diesel Submariner . The case of the PCM has to be grounded to the cab. Did you remember to insert the little metal clip that touches the case that goes under one of the PCM bracket screws?
Ok, so I pulled the PCM to look at refitting that metal spring clip.
What I found was:
In my observation that clip is not there to earth out the PCM casing to the body.
This is because the area on the back of the PCM where that clip makes contact is coated in a thick clear resin like compound.
It is the same on my faulty PCM and the replacement PCM.
So that spring like clip is insulated from the PCM casing.
I reckon it is only there to act as spring pressure to hold the PCM in position and stop it sliding around in the plastic bracket it sits in.
And to hold some small pressure against the firewall opening to help seal it.
Again this is my observation and I'm happy to be proven wrong.
However I need this clarified because the reason that spring like clip fell out in the first place is that it is broken.
So if the PCM casing needs to be earthed out I will need to make up an earth wire and attach it to one of the screws on the PCM casing and attach the other end to that same screw the spring clip was held in by.
Can someone please clear this up?
Cheers,
Reg
Butt-Head
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 9,437
Likes: 2,925
From: Reed Point, MT
Pick me! Pick me!
Nope. Completely unnecessary.
I have, on MANY occasions (and currently still with one, the 2000), run a few pickups without even having the PCM in the carrier or bolted in; in the case of my '95, not even in the firewall opening but just resting between the master cylinder and inner fender liner for many years.
I've been driving the 1973 for almost 5 years (in April) with the PCM only slid into the plastic case with nothing touching it since it's backed into a corner.
Nope. Completely unnecessary.
I have, on MANY occasions (and currently still with one, the 2000), run a few pickups without even having the PCM in the carrier or bolted in; in the case of my '95, not even in the firewall opening but just resting between the master cylinder and inner fender liner for many years.
I've been driving the 1973 for almost 5 years (in April) with the PCM only slid into the plastic case with nothing touching it since it's backed into a corner.
More Turbo
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 515
Likes: 6
From: North East Arkansas.
I'm not trying to be a downer here. You've got this truck pointed in the right direction, we have identified the PROBLEM AREA, but have not identified the cause of the problem. What if the broken clip is not the return path back to the negative post, but secures the case of the PCM to make contact somewhere else for the return path. Check with your meter set on Ohms to see if the case is in contact with the frame of the vehicle. I would make a list following the steps in that article and do what you can to eliminate that P0603 code. Start with the easiest one first. Maybe do one thing on that list clear the codes and then see if you can make the code pop back up. It would really suck if all of these problems started with a loose negative connection. But every problem starts somewhere. We are confident you installed a good PCM, but that code is coming back for some reason. Showed the pictures to the Wife. Maybe I shouldn't have. She want to go to Australia now.
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Senior User
Joined: Jun 2010
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From: Victor Harbor South Aust
Ya'll be welcome.
Yes I do hunt but haven't for some time now. I used to hunt a lot of wild boar, goats, kangaroo, ducks, rabbits etc.
However the over the top and suffocating gun laws we have over here now make carrying a gun very difficult.
The laws have been in so long that we have a generation of people who unlike my era have not been bought up around guns and there use.
So anyone seeing someone with a gun, even in the middle of nowhere will not hesitate calling authorities and all hell breaks loose.
I still have all my guns and will get out for a shot some time soon.
I have a mate up in the area where those pics were taken who is a Professional Kangaroo Shooter and I go out with him on occasion.
Reg.
Thread Starter
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Senior User
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 323
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From: Victor Harbor South Aust
I'm not trying to be a downer here. You've got this truck pointed in the right direction, we have identified the PROBLEM AREA, but have not identified the cause of the problem. What if the broken clip is not the return path back to the negative post, but secures the case of the PCM to make contact somewhere else for the return path. Check with your meter set on Ohms to see if the case is in contact with the frame of the vehicle. I would make a list following the steps in that article and do what you can to eliminate that P0603 code. Start with the easiest one first. Maybe do one thing on that list clear the codes and then see if you can make the code pop back up. It would really suck if all of these problems started with a loose negative connection. But every problem starts somewhere. We are confident you installed a good PCM, but that code is coming back for some reason. Showed the pictures to the Wife. Maybe I shouldn't have. She want to go to Australia now.
You'd both be welcome
I agree that the initial cause still needs to be tracked. So I'll have to wait for the report to come back from the fella in the US who will repair the PCM out of my truck.
However I have cleared codes and gone for a couple more runs and each time that Code P0603 raises it's ugly head.
The truck performs perfectly on each and every run. Cruise control perfect, no blinking stork, shift button on stork drops from OD to 3rd under pulling load up hill and back into OD without issue.
So I guess I'll just have to monitor the truck closely for now and keep ya'll posted.
Just clutching straws here and seeing that this PCM is new to this truck:
Seeing that Code P0603 is to do with the KAM and learning parameters of the trucks driving habits, could it be simply building up a predetermined amount of data for that memory.
Once it gathers that data it then simply disappears as an error code (told ya'll earlier that this may turn me 'Barking Mad' and this statement may be that sign...I could need help
)Reg
More Turbo
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 515
Likes: 6
From: North East Arkansas.
D S. I'm trying to redirect my life to undo some biased opinions. Part this means learning how others live in this world and why? And Australia looks like a really good to do that. That p0603 learning code question you have, I have no idea. But do post the test results when you get them back. That's a nice truck too. It is possible to find some rural spots here in Arkansas too. 2 days 10 miles over night float-fishing trips. I'll post a few pictures.
No one has all the answers, which means we all have questions and all need help from time to time.
No one has all the answers, which means we all have questions and all need help from time to time.
Thread Starter
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Senior User
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 323
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From: Victor Harbor South Aust
PCMs Plastic frame/casing
PCM in it's plastic frame
PCMs External Firewall Rubber Seal close up
PCMs External Firewall side of rubber seal
Firewall Cab side rubber seal for PCM
Well I've checked the mounting of the PCM to death.
I cannot see that it requires grounding out.
The PCM itself sits in a plastic frame, the pin end squeezes up against a rubber seal in the firewall.
The external side also sits against a rubber seal on outside of firewall. When you tighten the 10mm bolt the female pin connection squeezes against a synthetic poly type seal.
So the whole unit is installed above ground and must have an internal earth/ground return.
So I'm convinced that that little metal spring tag is only there to keep the face of the PCM snug against the firewall seal and to stop it moving around in it's bracket.
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Thread Starter
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Senior User
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 323
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From: Victor Harbor South Aust
Underneath pic of PCM in firewall and the IDM mounted inside left side fender
Location of the PCM on RHD Superdutied (red tape arond loom to highlight the loom run into PCM connector
Just for interest sakes.
This is the position of the PCMs location in the RHD Superduties.
Mounted through the left side firewall below the fender location of the IDM.
You will notice that I have a set of 3 leaf parabolic front spring and am very happy with them.
FTE Chapter Leader
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 13,106
Likes: 4,714
From: Henderson, NV
My bad for giving bad information. All the PCM threads I'd read before seemed to point to needing that clip for grounding so I took it as gospel. Cleatus12r should know better than most people so I will go with what he says.
More Turbo
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 515
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From: North East Arkansas.
What year is your vehicle? Mine is 1999.5 with fuel bowl heater removed and no code.
Logistics Pro
Joined: May 2017
Posts: 4,667
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From: Muskogee, Ok
Mine's also a 99.5 with that crappy paperclip wire for a heater. Been running fine without it for 2 1/2 yrs no codes, i have no need to replace it with the updated version since i dont live in the arctic circle. But I'm not sure what would be on an Aussie truck, if it has it it's something to check out