[3jimbo3]

Hello all,
I have an 04 4X4 with a 4.7. I have 280,000 miles on the truck and it runs great. Recently I have been having some transmission troubles. Usually I would get trouble codes listed under the transmission, I would clear the codes or simply turn the truck off and my problem was gone for a few weeks. This week it started jerking and sometimes having to run high rpm’s to get the truck to move and it would completely drop overdrive. I scanned it again and got the p0700 “transmission control system”. I cleared the code and it immediately done it again. I scanned it again and got the same code. The only thing I don’t understand is the code is under engine codes and nothing is under transmission codes. Now with all that being said, I contacted the local dealer and they told me the TCM was unserviceable. I have read that the TCM on an 04 runs thru the PCM and ECM. Could I have an issue with the ECM not telling the TCM what to do? When I look for the TCM everything directs me to the right hand side just behind the air box. The p/n on this part comes up as the ECM. Can anyone enlighten me as to how to address this issue? The tranny is full of fluid and it is clean, and the filters have about 5000 miles on them. Any help will be greatly appreciated, I’m at a loss right now.

 

[oldmarine]

I'll try to help here, but some of this is educated guessing. I have Factory Service Manuals (FSMs) for 2003 and 2005 Dakotas, but not for 2004. I know that in 2003, the 4.7L with the 45RFE transmission used a separate TCM which was mounted right behind the right headlight. In 2005, the TCM had been integrated with the PCM and was mounted on the right side fender near the firewall. So I'm guessing for 2004. In 2003, electronic control was managed through the JTEC system, using a 3 connector PCM (and a TCM for the 45RFE transmission). In 2004, Dakotas switched from the JTEC system to the NGC control system. In 2005, with the NGC system both the engine and the transmission are controlled with an NGC PCM using 4 connectors. So, guessing now, if your 2004 Dakota has a PCM with 4 connectors, the TCM is indeed integrated with the PCM.

Based on research a did a couple of months ago on another issue, the transfer case control module (TCCM), in 2005 was integrated into the TIPM, the totally integrated power module, which is physically linked to and part of the underhood fuse box. Again I'm guessing, that is the same case with 2004 transfer case control.

 

[3jimbo3]

I'll try to help here, but some of this is educated guessing. I have Factory Service Manuals (FSMs) for 2003 and 2005 Dakotas, but not for 2004. I know that in 2003, the 4.7L with the 45RFE transmission used a separate TCM which was mounted right behind the right headlight. In 2005, the TCM had been integrated with the PCM and was mounted on the right side fender near the firewall. So I'm guessing for 2004. In 2003, electronic control was managed through the JTEC system, using a 3 connector PCM (and a TCM for the 45RFE transmission). In 2004, Dakotas switched from the JTEC system to the NGC control system. In 2005, with the NGC system both the engine and the transmission are controlled with an NGC PCM using 4 connectors. So, guessing now, if your 2004 Dakota has a PCM with 4 connectors, the TCM is indeed integrated with the PCM. Based on research a did a couple of months ago on another issue, the transfer case control module (TCCM), in 2005 was integrated into the TIPM, the totally integrated power module, which is physically linked to and part of the underhood fuse box. Again I'm guessing, that is the same case with 2004 transfer case control.

That helps me a lot, my truck has the four pin module on the fender. Do you suppose that maybe if I change that out it may help my issue? This option is a lot cheaper than a transmission.

 

[oldmarine]

I have no experience with this at all, but several people in this forum have sent their PCMs in to various companies to fix their PCMs and have them returned, with successful results (and a couple not so successful). At a price much less than buying a new one. If you are thinking of doing this, I would attempt to contact the company and describe your symptoms to see if they cover transmission issues.

Perhaps another member can address specifics of their experience in this regard.

 

[immattj]

As to OldMarine's above post, I am one of the members here who (in 2018, I believe) had a PCM repaired (for a crank but won't start issue) by a facility in Tilden, Il. called SIA Electronics. They did not meet their advertised turn time, but other than that I had no issues with them. To be clear, I am not putting in a plug for this facility, just relating my one & only personal experience. I do know that someone else on this board who I had relayed this info to also wound up getting his PCM repaired by them.

Back when they did the work for me, they did have a website & a phone number and I did speak to their telephone rep as well as a tech, so if all that is still the same, you could call them & ask them about the transmission aspect of PCM repairs.

 

[3jimbo3]

As to OldMarine's above post, I am one of the members here who (in 2018, I believe) had a PCM repaired (for a crank but won't start issue) by a facility in Tilden, Il. called SIA Electronics. They did not meet their advertised turn time, but other than that I had no issues with them. To be clear, I am not putting in a plug for this facility, just relating my one & only personal experience. I do know that someone else on this board who I had relayed this info to also wound up getting his PCM repaired by them.

Back when they did the work for me, they did have a website & a phone number and I did speak to their telephone rep as well as a tech, so if all that is still the same, you could call them & ask them about the transmission aspect of PCM repairs.

Thank you for the information, I will look into them