The dealer service guy said that the PCM is bad and yes the TCM is incorporated into the PCM on 05-06 and I got a busted one

Dealer says a PCM remanufactured through the dealership is back ordered 18 deep and that means they can't get them.

Will keep you informed. Now got to deal with this company BBA again to get a another PCM.

Jeep is sitting down at the dealers parking lot and at least they said I can leave it there for now.

 

op up date:
BBA will not send me another PCM, say that the problem is the Jeep
Dealer says it is the PCM!
BBA will not refund my money until I send them a receipt for another PCM

Service guy says he can get a PCM for $800. Every time they work on the Jeep it is $100-200. This will probably cost me $1200-$1500. I have talked with him about making double sure that there is no problem with the wiring harness. He also says he will experiment with my old PCM by replacing it and seeing what error codes come up.

This process has shown me that modern electronics are not dependable, an outfit like Chrysler sells bad products and the trouble shooting is poor.

One thing is certain, everyone will take my money.

 

A long shot but look at tune 150 on Facebook. Wayne is the one I am sending my ECU to for an update.

 

OP update: Jeep dealer called and said the Jeep is fixed. Yea Cost $1250.00 Boo

This includes a remanufactured PCM but this time comes from Chrysler parts department. I've got a real guaranty this time, I'll just have to sell my first born.

I'm sure I will have to drive it awhile to be sure that no codes come up. But I can relax as they will back up their work and parts... they say.

As to the first remanufactored PCM sold to me from BBA, it is definatly bad and confirmed by a reputable shop and Jeep dealer. Last phone conversation secretary said no way the PCM was bad. She said there was a clause that I needed a receipt for another PCM purchase for me to get a return. Well now I do. I asked for my refund via email twice and BBA is not answering! I paid $650.00 for a programed PCM and they gave me a guaranty but now this the jerk treatment.

Plan to call and try to get someone to allow me to send it back for a refund. I hate this sort of thing as it takes time and energy and requirers me to deal with nasty people.

 

You might try the State Department of Consumer Protection or some such. Also complaining on social media sights like their page on Facebook can work wonders.

 

Also file a complaint with the BBB - even if they aren't a member BBB will still record your issue with the business. If you go on social media, a couple of tips for you since some businesses have been known to file a suit for slander, etc. for on-line disparaging reports. Stick strictly to the facts of the situation and don't 'color' your report with assumptions and disparaging remarks and other comments about the business.

There can be no slander if you state the truth. In an extreme case, a business might still attempt to intimidate a reviewer by filing a suit anyway but there is zero chance of them prevailing because you stated the facts of the situation. Just a head's up for you. (Too bad the business won't do the right thing.)

 

Oh man... Even don't what to tell you... Just for those that might come down this path, just a word of caution.

Drove the Jeep home from the dealer with the second remanufactured PCM and the next day started it and gages went nuts and check engine light came on.

Now have new engine codes:

U0101, Lost comm with TCM

U0155, Lost com with instrument panel cluster (IPC) Ctrl Mod.

Looks like another bad PCM Making it 3 for this Jeep.

Could be a plug connection but still engine codes.


Had planed on taking the Jeep Elk Hunting into the Monitor Range central Nevada this weekend but!

Anyway the PCM nightmare is still with my 05 Rubicon

One good thing BBA is taking back the dysfunctional PCM they sent me but haven't got the money yet.

Will now have to take the Jeep back to the dealer, at least I have that.

My friend, trying to keep me grounded, says things happen and guess they do but holy cow, what a bummer. The reality is If you do a web search after awhile you will see what goes... Chrysler sold their customers a bad PCM and has abandon it's responsibility.

Now scavengers are enjoying the harvest. Excuse the drama but this seems to be true. Finding another PCM will not be easy and will be costly.

 

wow - glad it didn't fail while you were out hunting!

 

A friend that is an experienced car restorer, suggests that I replace the ignition switch based on the codes that came and that the dash cluster problem was initiated while I was turning the key to start.

He believes that the codes might indicate a momentary loss of communication not necessarily a PSM malfunction. Also if my memory serves me right I have seen this cluster mis-action, all gages act as they have lost power, before with the original PCM. Although the original PCM never gave these type of codes.

He also warns me that weird problem like this are difficult to track down by standard mechanics, take someone that has specific experience. So might be out of the dealers mechanics abilities.

BTW Jeep runs fine so still may take it hunting.

Anyway reporting to Rubicon Owners Forum helps me calm down and collect my thoughts. Thanks fellows for being here.

 

..Anyway reporting to Rubicon Owners Forum helps me calm down and collect my thoughts. Thanks fellows for being here.

We feel your pain! I'm sure we've all experienced a similar frustration in some form or another.

 

Like you said "back to the dealer". I would think that it's now up to them to find and fix the problem.

 

Quote:
Originally Posted by sierrabob
..Anyway reporting to Rubicon Owners Forum helps me calm down and collect my thoughts. Thanks fellows for being here.

We feel your pain! :sad: I'm sure we've all experienced a similar frustration in some form or another.
__________________


I feel exactly the same way. Unless one has been there one cannot truly know the frustration a jeep can provide !!!!!! I think it is the perfect definition of masochism.

 

OP with update on the third PCM and codes it threw.

Called the dealer and service guy and I talked about the next step. Cleared the codes and went hunting.

No elk but engine check light came on with code p0038. This is a new code and the earlier PCM's did not have this one. Taking the Jeep to the dealer again. I'll update when I have the results.

 

No elk and a new code, you have all the luck .

 

Can this Jeep PCM problem get worse, Yes it can and it has.

Took the Jeep into the dealer and the nice service guy that got me to bring in the Jeep had down cast eyes and didn't want to talk to me and I was sent down to another service guy. He listen to me but made little connection to situation and history of the Jeep problem. He just wanted me to leave the Jeep and go. I didn't know then but I was being manipulated and set up.

Today, this second service guy called me after the shop analysis and said he recommended all O2 sensors be replaced... to start.

But wait, I wanted to know "what if's" and discuss the PCM as possibly being bad and their shops responsibility and promised guarantee since I just paid for analysis, a new PCM, all costing $1250.00 and promised this would fix it.

Which BTW I fully discussed with the first service man before any work was done and I was assured their shop knew what to do and would back up their work. How wrong, it appears, I was in believing him.

The discussion went on with the second service guy until I realized he was the guy that people are sent to when the dealers repairs don't fix the problem. He is the stone wall! Essentially he told me I was going to pay for all parts and time regardless of the situation. He also said if the PCM they put in was bad it was shorted out by my Jeep after I picked it up.

Holy ripoff, I'm so pissed.

He said if I didn't like what he was telling me I could come and pick up the Jeep and go away I still insisted on fair treatment and he then said I should talk to the service manage but read reviews about him and he was discribed as another real jerk.

So here I go again. Jeep is throwing the check engine light and can't get it to pass smog. Now I have to deal with another outfit that apparently can't analyze a problem and fix a problem but resorts to changing out parts until it is fixed with the cost going to the consumer... me

Where is the quality, honesty and just plain moral decency? So far it isn't at this Dealer, Carson Dodge Chrysler Jeep.

I'm not done. I am going to drive down tomorrow, over 60 miles one way and talk with the service manager and also make an appointment with the owner. Such a bummer, again. Just tire of this.

Another note... owner is lost in a corporation. Found the president but searching only found a front company with no address. Man am I screwed

 

Dealership service people can be difficult.

I would get a regional manufacturers rep involved, see if they have some other remedies. I've had problems the past with another make and the regional rep could bring in a decent technician/ trouble shooter to get things done.
Good Luck

 

Steve,
Sounds like a regional manufactures rep might be helpful. Since I haven't gone to step two and screwed up with the dealership powers to be yet, that may be my best bet.

I am in Nevada and probably this might be northern California and Nevada combined rep. Just how can I find him or her?

Note: just did a search and only found dead ends looking for a Chrysler rep. Maybe should look under a rock.

 

File a BBB complaint and you can take them to small claims court. Hopefully you got the promises and commitments in writing...

 

To add to the above: Does a local TV station or newspaper have a consumer watchdog type person? If so threaten to go to them with your problem. How about a state consumers affairs board? How about parking your rig on the public street in front of the stealership with a big sign on it stating that the place is ripping people off? As I mentioned above try leaving comments on their Facebook page. Corporations etc. hate having bad publicity.

 

OP with update...

The general manager stepped in and seems to be trying to understand the situation and come to a resolution.

My view: 05-06 Jeep PCM's are lemons, remanufactured label is meaning less as bench testing cannot be done, these are off the shelf from junk yards. A real test is putting it in a vehicle.

Me to Gen Manager: If you do not have documentation that this PCM you installed was tested OK then this is from a junkyard. Now I am the test and it is not OK.

What I agreed to do: Replace all O2 sensors, I will pay dealers cost. If PCM throws codes again the dealer will warranty PCM and replace.

I went along with this since It is the best choice.

Note: Regional Chrysler rep apparently backed up my conclusions about the PCM's.

BTW BLACK RUBI, I was fired up and ready to carry a sign walking in front of the dealer lot! Plus thinking on the same lines as you have suggested. Hopefully the gen manager is for real and cooler heads will prevail.

 

Glad to hear that you're making progress Bob.

 

Sounds like you are making progress - keep us updated.

 

OP update: Dealer shop called and left message late Friday, back to the nice guy now. No info about the PCM work, something else!

Oil pump drive assembly is making noise and mechanic recommends to replace unit. Didn't get price but Quadratec has the part for $109.00. UTube has several good videos on replacing so I will do it myself.

Lots of info about this on forums and looks like another Chrysler Jeep reputation problem. You guys probably know all about and I'm just saying what I found for my own knowledge and maybe others like myself. Here is the quick story about the OPDA Oil Pump Drive Assembly.

Chrysler Jeep manufacture installed faulty OPDA's in 05-06 Jeeps with an S in the vin at the eighth letter. I'm so lucky, that is my Jeep. This is an external oil pump the rides on the cam gear, failure may cause damage to the cam and engine will stop. Note: this problem may occur in any 4.0 Jeep engines.

Chrysler Jeep knew this and sent a letter to the dealers "suggesting" all Jeeps in their inventory have the OPDA replace before selling. The big problem is no recall and no requirement to change. Why would a manufacture not want all Jeeps fixed when their assembly line put in faulty parts that can cause catastrophic engine failure? Why not have all previously sold Jeeps called to the dealer for replacement? Money before honor, seems to be low down behavior to me.

Anyway I like my Jeep but think badly about Chrysler/Jeep as a company and wondering what next?

 

Sorry, but this is such an old issue with the 05/06 jeeps as to be boring. Not you, the info. Do a OPDA search and you will get a flood of info. BTW, I went thru 3 of the bas%^*\s before going GM.
Piece of sh*t design that needs a class action lawsuit!

 

Yes, the OPDA is a known issue. Recently owners have been finding the Crown OPDA to be better than the Dorman. A search on the forum will be helpful for you.

These vehicles are bought for their capabilities, not their overall reliability. Considering the harsh treatment they get ( compared to a Honda sedan, for instance) it is reasonable to have wear and breakage not found in the vehicles most are used to. Owners do need to anticipate this and be diligent in inspection and lubrication so that problems are avoided by early correction. As you modify your jeep you will need to strengthen vulnerable areas.

This forum is a great place to learn.

 

Just verbalizing my exasperation at Chrysler/Jeep for selling vehicles with PCM and OPDA that have a KNOWN design/build problem that can fail prematurely at the cost of the buyer.

They apparently made a corporate decision knowing that it would cost them customer loyalty and project a shady image and give the buyer a headache.

What kind of outfit would make that call? If it was a dollar and cents issue they must have calculated that into their thinking.

Money for honor, doesn't meet my moral code.

And yes I am new to Jeep ownership, had to satisfy a long time desire for the for an awesome 4 wheeler. Got me a clean good looking Rubicon TJ with 110K miles but lots of that tow. But the trouble trying to smog it and working with dealers etc has been frustrating and educational. As in learning what a hornets sting feels like.

 

Two items: the "S" in the VIN denote a Rubicon, and second towed mileage doesn't register on the odometer (at least I know it doesn't with an auto).

 

I got an auto then got more miles than I thought

If I didn't have bad luck I'd have no luck at all, gullibility is me I guess.

Got to give Eric Burdon credit for that one, btw.

If S is Rubicon's then that is hard to believe that only Rubicon's are effected.

Beyond my knowledge base now. So maybe off base. But this is the news on the forums as I read it.

Any opinion on Chrysler/Jeep behavior?

 

...

 

Yes, the OPDA topic has been well and truly beaten to death :dhorse: . I suggest we stay on track with the original issue.

 

Yes, the OPDA topic has been well and truly beaten to death :dhorse: . I suggest we stay on track with the original issue.

Just attempting to share knowledge, John.