Back In Stealth Mode

My 1992 Dodge Stealth is finally back in operation...

The good news?

I was able to repair the ECM (aka Engine Control Module, aka ECU - Engine Control Unit, aka Engine Computer) myself, with a couple of bucks worth of parts. The repair entailed removing three defective capacitors and replacing them. I did a better job of the repair than I did when I removed/replaced the capacitors on my computer a while back. This time, I invested in a solder sucker and some desoldering braid, which made the process less traumatic - to me and to the circuit board. I also made sure to clean the top and the bottom of the board really well with alcohol. More details on the problem and resolution can be found at these sites: overview, removal, capacitor replacement.

After returning the module to the dealer, they installed it and the engine fired right up.

The bad news?

The transmission was stuck in 3rd gear - or "limp mode."

Figuring that maybe the TCM (Transmission Control Module) (aka TCU - Transmission Control Unit, aka Transmission Computer) also had one or more defective capacitors, I asked the dealer to remove it and let me try my hand at repairing it. Turns out there was only one defective capacitor on it, and fortunately, I had purchased one extra for the ECM, so, I had high hopes when I brought it back to the dealer.

Unfortunately, my optimism was not founded. After installing it, the mechanic discovered that the car was still in limp mode.

I had them remove it and give it back to me. Since Glen at ECM To-Go had been so helpful with the ECM, I thought he might also be able to provide some guidance on the TCM. He was, but the news wasn't good. Turns out that the "E303 chip" was blown, and that rendered the unit unrepairable. Unfortunately, he neither had a remanufactured unit that he could sell me, nor did he even have a core that he could repair, as I mentioned in A Nicely Social Weekend. As I also mentioned in that post, I did find a rebuilt TCU from another company - ECU Direct for $400, which was much better than the $750 the dealer had quoted me. While ECU Direct did ultimately provide me with a functioning TCU, I was not 100% satisfied with my transaction. Initially, they told me they had the part in stock, and that I would receive it in two business days. After processing the credit card charge, they called me back to inform me that they had a core in stock, but that it would need to be repaired, which would take a day or two. It ended up taking three, and then they shipped the part ground, rather than at least shipping it 2nd day. Their web site also indicated that they would meet any competitor's price, but when I asked them to meet another price I had been quoted, they declined. Because of all of the delays, I ended up having to rent a car for three days (because Jeanie was out of town with our only vehicle), which cost me over a hundred dollars.

The repair of the ESCM (aka ESCU, aka Electronic Suspension Control Computer) by ECM To-Go was much smoother. I had elected to have it repaired because even though the car functioned with the damaged ESCM, Glen had told me that a bad ESCM could damage the newly repaired ECM or TCM, and I figured that it would be easier to sell the Stealth with eveything working. Plus, the repair of the ESCM was only $99 and Glen had earned that much just in the free advice he had so graciously given me.

I would be remiss to not mention how great the service department at Rick Keffer Dodge/Chrysler/Jeep was - especially the Service Advisor (Larry) and the Mechanic (Dan). They seemed genuinely happy and excited when I returned the ECM after making the repairs myself and it worked! They were also really patient with me as I worked to get the other units repaired - even though by doing so, I was reducing their revenue. And finally, I think the $400 in labor was a good deal, as I have a funny feeling that they ended up spending a lot more time than they charged me for.

So, total damage to the 'ol pocket book? Around a grand - $400 for labor, ~$400 for the TCM, ~$100 for the ESCM, plus some more $ for parts and shipping (and I'm not including the $100 for the car rental that I could have avoided had ECU Direct shipped the TCU on time). But, that transformed the car from being worth maybe $500, to being worth $2500 or more. And, it was much better than the ~$3500 that it would have cost had I gone with all new parts from Dodge.

The car is still not 100%. The radiator idiot light is still on - but that is just because of a faulty sensor, and I just didn't feel like spending another $140 to get that fixed. The CD player still doesn't play, and the display on the radio still doesn't display. But, I'll leave those for the next owner.

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Posted by David at August 19, 2006 05:39 PM