'98 Stratus issues

gunbunny said

You're not going to like this answer.
Maybe yes, maybe no. You may be able to use a donor PCM, but it will have to be flashed on the car. That's when your going to get your answer.
When the car powers up, there is a handshake protocol.
The PCM wakes up and searches for the body controller and/or the trans controller. The VIN's must match for the system to work. Some of the PCM's can be re-flashed and the VIN's changed, some the VIN is burned into the PCM and that is that. I don't have a way of telling you if you if you can re-flash or not. But if it can be done, it's going to take a DRBIII and not a generic scan tool.

Click to expand...

I understand what you're saying about the interface. Especially considering that the PCM is burned with the specific car in mind. Which is what's making me suspicious about what I was told by the other guy. (Let's just say that I've had a long discussion with the same guy over a blower motor resistor and rather it was bad or not...he said it was, when it really was just a loose pigtail.)

I don't think he's taking the TCM and BCM into consideration, especially considering he works for a multi-make dealership and calling him a Chrysler tech is a bit of a stretch. His location sells more imports than domestics.

Then we have to consider the idea of NY state emissions inspection which is a direct link from the DLC to the state's NYVIP which transmits all PCM data to the state data bank. There's no way around it. The state takes that out of the hands of the individual inspector.

Now another question is: if a donor PCM can be used to verify the no start-no spark condition. Will it fire the engine long enough or will there be effects along the CAN setting off codes all through the system, like with the TCM? In other words would I be able to use this as a diagnostic tool long enough for her to be able to get up the money to get it a dealership for a flashable PCM to be installed?