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Chrysler Repair/a/c clutch problem: Is it the pcm?.

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Expert: - 6/7/2011


Question
hi roland i have a 01 chrslr t/c 3.8 a/c wont come on due to elec. problem. this was discovered by an electrician who checked the relay and discovered that 4 out of 5 prong holes were working!he bypassed the relay and wala the system came on! he told me that it was the ecm,ecu? but everything else is working perfect. im about to by a ecm or ecu, is this the right decision?

Answer
Hi Mike,
I would not so easily dismiss the possibility that there is an issue with the a/c clutch control circuit. Have you tried for fault codes using the ignition key? "On-off-on-off-on and leave on" doing that in 5 seconds or less elapsed time. Then watch the odometer window of the cluster to see if the mileage reading disabppears and a 4-digit number preceded by a P appears. If so, let me know what it is. For the relay to close, the pcm has to do it (powertrain control module) and for it to do it there has to be both a proper reader from the refrigerant pressure sensor and a proper request from the ac control unit, and funtioning circuit/relay. A fault code readout may tell you something specific is wrong and not the pcm.
Roland

Chrysler Repair

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Roland Finston

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I specialize in Chrysler/Dodge/Plymouth cars, minivans, and SUV's for the model years 1982-2008 based upon my 50-year DIY experience, factory shop manuals and wiring diagrams. I offer fast repair advice to help you minimize repair costs by helping you diagnose and do it yourself. Problems with electronically controlled engines and transmissions as well as body wiring problems are my specialty.

I take questions one at a time between 8am and 10pm CT and attempt to answer within 20 minutes. "Maxed Out" means I am answering another question of otherwise busy, so try again later.

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Five decades as a 'do-it-yourselfer' on domestic and imported cars

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Yahoo Autos Group called The Chrysler Lebaron Club (co-moderator)

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Degrees in Physics/bruised knuckles.

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"Top expert of 2010" and "2011" at Allexperts. Among top 50 experts for years 2006-2009 at Allexperts.

Quickest "average response time" at Allexperts (currently no. 1).

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