posted 02-04-2017 09:14 PM                  

quote:

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Originally posted by alprowl:
My car is a 2000 with 33k with some electrical mods... I think that this is only the second year that my car is on a trickle charger and to the best of my memory the battery has gone dead almost EVERY winter since 2000, except I think the battery was disconnected 2 winters. Usually they charge up fine in the spring, but I would guess that I'm now on the 5th battery. The car seems to have no 'computer' problems, except I had to disconnect the rear view mirror years ago and once in a while the power windows don't work, but will start working again 5 minutes later...
I would guess that I've 'cranked' the car 50 times or more in 15 yrs, with the battery too weak to start the car

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I can only post what I have been told. One of our So Cal members ( Mike Rakowski ) just moved to Arizona a few months ago, He had the Prowler in storage for a few months without a trickle charger. When he picked it up a few weeks ago, the battery was very low, and he did jump start it, but the check engine light came on , and after checking the computer, It now has the dreaded PO601 code. He just received his new computer after paying $ 1800 dollars for it. I have his old computer and have been trying to get someone to repair it. Maybe you have been lucky so far, but it could be a $ 1800 dollar mistake down the road. I can only say that I have been told that these new car computers are very touchy with low voltage and that it can damage the processor , and that applies to all cars , not just the Prowler. I keep mine on a trickle charger just for piece of mind

posted 02-04-2017 09:24 PM                  

To say this is a bit of a stretch. Prowler computer hardware is same PCM used on millions of Chrysler model vehicles. Only Firmware Flashed into PCM is unique to Prowler. My Wife's 2001 Sebring convertible had same PCM hardware. How many 3.5L engines/PCM's did Chrysler build across all models?

Her PCM failed at 65,000 miles. Dealer replaced under warranty. Many people do not know PCM/ECM are classified by Government to be an Emission control part and is by LAW warranted for 80,000 miles/8 years.(Same holds true for cat's).

Asked dealer Tech what caused failure. His response, happens a lot, Poor quality.

So, to take this 12V theory/assumption literally, you can never work on a Prowler's electric/electronic systems. Service manual states, remove negative battery terminal before starting repairs. Oops "0" volts. Replace the battery, no can do?

Not saying keeping on a tender/maintainer is not a good idea. Get a good one or you'll overcharge and cook battery.

Just don't go around scaring everyone that somehow we have a unique "Prowler prone PCM problem".(say that fast 10 times)

posted 02-06-2017 05:40 PM                  

quote:

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Originally posted by phil2237:
Early last week , I thought I would call Chrysler headquarters to inquire about the Prowler computers. I really did not expect them to call back, but I received a call from them today. They will continue to make the computers. ( All of them ) I was told they are on back order and waiting for enough owners to request them and then will make a run of them very shortly. They also said at this time, that they had NO intension of not making them available for the time being as they are well aware that there are still many Prowlers still on the road. They said she would expect to have them back in stock in the next few months as they need a minimum order to make another run of them. She also stated that it would help them if people would contact their dealer and order them as most dealers will not require a deposit. This would give them a better idea of how many are needed.

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posted 02-06-2017 08:15 PM                  

quote:

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Originally posted by quincy:
So Phil, do you think its a good idea for us to put a order in for an ECM at our local Chrysler dealership? And, why not as long as they don't require a deposit? At least then we may have some given quantity in the supply chain? Electrical gremlins in vehicles are the worst things to repair. My brother in law had to scrap his Dodge Van due to a no start/run issue caused by a 'no bus' error message showing on the dash which could never be properly diagnosed......

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posted 02-07-2017 04:09 PM                  

quote:

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Originally posted by quincy:
My brother in law had to scrap his Dodge Van due to a no start/run issue caused by a 'no bus' error message showing on the dash which could never be properly diagnosed......

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had a work van that had starting/running issue and was diagnosed as a computer. $1000 later and van was running.

posted 02-07-2017 04:56 PM                  

quote:

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Originally posted by quincy:
So Phil, do you think its a good idea for us to put a order in for an ECM at our local Chrysler dealership? And, why not as long as they don't require a deposit?

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posted 02-07-2017 06:22 PM                  

Mike Rakowski one of the Arizona members now, (former So Cal ) just bought one 3 weeks ago from the Prowler store for $ 1895.00 and everything works correctly. You also have to pay $ 300.00 deposit until you return your old one back to them. At least people can get them, the car is useless without it. I have his old one here now & have been trying to get it repaired.
If you do not need one, Not a good idea to stock one as you may never need it. Just keep the battery fresh & on a trickle charger when not in use.

posted 02-08-2017 02:37 PM                  

The way I see it you have four choices.

1. Park your Prowler and let the battery drain on it's own.

2. Park your Prowler and put a battery tender on it.

3. Park your Prowler and disconnect the battery.

4. Park your Prowler and disconnect the battery and put
a battery tender on the battery.

posted 02-08-2017 03:52 PM                  

quote:

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Originally posted by NiteProwl64:
Phil,

Good point. The prices of the PCM's vary from year to year, but they are all cancelled from Chrysler, regardless of what they tell you on the phone, they're not going to make more, especially since its FCA now. The only one that is still available is the 97 and that is through vpartsinc.com. You can check it out there. They have 83 of them as of this post. Aaaaand in case you were wondering, no the 97 won't work in any other year due to a plethora of reasons.
Sorry.

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The computer does show discontinued, All I can tell you is what she told me. Right now , the only one who has them is the Prowler store and that may be the only place they will be available in the future. I have put a call into her office to ask and will post if she calls me back. SID claims the only difference In the 2000 to 2002 computers are the emission settings as they were different each year. Sure would be nice if we knew who built them for Chrysler in the first place and then contact them. On one of the above post , someone claimed SID made them , but SID says they just repair them, not build them, but won't touch one with the 601 code. If anyone knows of a shop that are willing to repair the processor, post it here. I have tried every shop around here and no one does the processor.

posted 02-08-2017 04:00 PM                  

From what I understand, disconnecting the computer from the battery for short term repairs does not hurt them. I don't know about just leaving them disconnected for a long period as I have never had a computer problem with any car that I have owned. I am just hoping that we can find a company that will keep us in parts in the future. All I can tell you is what several repair places have said , that the battery failure is what they claim is what causes the majority of failures.
I plan on keeping my prowler for many more years and would hopefully like to find venders that can help us down the road.
I don't want to wait for a breakdown, then spend months tracking down parts.

posted 02-09-2017 01:31 PM                  

quote:

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Originally posted by ed monahan:
Does the Prowler Store actually them or are they "fixing" them?
Have any of you tried replacing the THROTTLE POSITIONING SENSOR as was suggested a few times?

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I replaced my throttle position sensor right before I parked the Prowler for the winter and I believe I got the code P0123. I only drove it once or twice with the new throttle position sensor. I had the light come on two times and each time at WOT (wide open throttle) I have not
tried it at WOT since I changed it. The car ran fine once the check engine light came on.

http://www.obd-codes.com/p0123

posted 02-09-2017 03:37 PM                  

PCM rebuilder, their explanation. "Chrysler's PCM supplier used a Flash (EEPROM) within the PCM that had really poor quality control at one point in time. We replace this brand of EEPROM with a TI brand of Flash and haven't seen any of our PCMs returned for P0601s." "They went on to say that they repair about 4-5 Chrysler PCMs a week for this exact situation".

2- PCM/ECU Manufactures;

"Avinash Hiremath, Working as Strategy consultant for Auto component manufacturer".

"Engine Control Units (ECUs) are typically manufactured by the Tier 1 and Tier 2 suppliers who have partnered with car OEMs.

Each ECU is typically customized for a particular OEM based upon the agreement signed and specifications provided by the OEM".

"Here are few companies that manufacture ECUs":

Delphi Electronics
Steyr-Motors
Bosch Electronics
Triumph Engine Control Systems
Continental
Denso
Minda Industries
Dowcornet
Thomasnet
Safran Electronics
Fujitsu