problem with computer.

O.K. so driving along 68 m.p.h. all of a sudden my yellow engine warning light comes on/ off. 10 min later on/off. all gauges in normal range. no performance issues at all. drive 80 miles to shop. code 53 is stored. EEPROM Non-Volatile Memory Failure. shop tells me I need new e.c.m. I have him clear codes, drive 3 miles to next shop code comes back, shop say's may be a ground or other problem, maybe not e.c.m. leave it with them. this morn shop calls & tells me I need to have e.c.m. reprogrammed.


drive 90 miles to w.w. williams in birmingham al. they tell me trying to reprogram may crash the e.c.m. & if that happens, e.c.m. will be no good. also if it does accept reprogramming, there is no guarantee it will last 5 minutes, 5 hours or 5 years. so for $ 225.00 I say do it. it takes. I tell them I have a used spare ddec 3 can they reprogram it so I can have for a back up. they say yeah. same cost, no guarantee, no discount, so I just go with the original e.c.m. reprogram. I dropped off back at shop. they said they will put it on in the morning along with finishing up my overhead. both shops are my local guy's no charge for the hook up or to clear codes.


my engine is a 95 11.1 ddec 3 currently 365 h.p.@ 1800 or 1850 r.p.m. the ddec 3 I bought used off line 3 years ago I am going to have tuned, not sure if it was off of a 11.1 or a 12.7. I also have a spare ddec 4. the detroit guy said I can go to a ddec4, but if I do I cannot go back to a ddec 3. so anyway, what can I expect? any opinions, advice? my question. if I get truck & it runs, but the engine light come back on, would it be safe to drive for a few day's until I can get other e.c.m. tuned & put on? lost enough revenue already.

 

nothing between e.c.m case housing. shop checked all wires, cables, e.t.c. hope the reprogramming is more than a temp fix.

 

I have been told by another driver & forum member that, THAT code will not hurt anything as far as shutting truck down or have a performance issue. I have read up on code 53 & on one websight said it was uncommon for this code NOT to come up sometime DURING THE LIFE OF THE E.C.M. . the guy at detroit said you have to put an adapter in to go from a ddec 3 to a 4. did not understand that.I will pick truck up in the morning & drive 35 miles home. if the light stays off great if not & there is no difference is starting running, e.t.c I will run mon thru thurs & hopefully have my spare programmed to work as it should.

 

well the shop checked voltage supply. & ruled it out. so I got the e.c.m. reprogrammed. if I myself wanted to check volt supply where, how do I check? I have besides what is on the truck from factory, a spare ddec 3 & 4.

 

got truck back. drove home 35 miles. all is well so far. thanks for all the help.