The PCM on my 2004 wj died and I’ve been considering options. One suggestion is to get the Cardone remanned unit from Azone. I can do that for about $200 and they send a programmed unit.
I called two dealerships and got the same story. A PCM from them is $750 (out of the Detroit Chrysler warehouse) plus between $110-150 to program it. Both dealerships were emphatic: has to be programmed with PCM installed on the vehicle.
The Autozone (and other similar places that sell the cardone) they say it is plug in and drive (pray?). I read similar comments in this forum.
I understand electronics, computers and engine control. What I don’t understand, what is the difference/tradeoff between the two methods? It the PCM better tuned to the car? Will I lose some functionality? Will my gas mileage decrease because the PCM is not set at the optimum setting for my specific vehicle?
Last general question (should have asked the stealerships) will they program a PCM that I installed?
Thanks for any insight - $200 vs $900 is a big difference.
J
I called two dealerships and got the same story. A PCM from them is $750 (out of the Detroit Chrysler warehouse) plus between $110-150 to program it. Both dealerships were emphatic: has to be programmed with PCM installed on the vehicle.
The Autozone (and other similar places that sell the cardone) they say it is plug in and drive (pray?). I read similar comments in this forum.
I understand electronics, computers and engine control. What I don’t understand, what is the difference/tradeoff between the two methods? It the PCM better tuned to the car? Will I lose some functionality? Will my gas mileage decrease because the PCM is not set at the optimum setting for my specific vehicle?
Last general question (should have asked the stealerships) will they program a PCM that I installed?
Thanks for any insight - $200 vs $900 is a big difference.
J