Chrysler Repair: TCM malfunction: code 0605, tcm, personal experience

Question
QUESTION: I'm getting the P0605/P0700 TCM fault codes on a 2002 Voyager.  On visual, the connector was a bit loose on one side, but securing it did not change the behavior.  Two questions:

1.  In the rebuild market, two vendors have both told me that their units come "pre-programmed", and that shop-equip. reprogramming is not necessary.  In your experience, is this true?

2.  Could the bad connection have "killed" the unit by sparking or some other electric event at the pins?  Or, alternatively, if I gave it a bit more attention (full pull out, 30 min battery off, etc), is there yet possibility that the codes would clear?

Thanks for you help.
Allen

ANSWER: Hi Allen,
I don't have any personal experience with that claim, but if they will warrant that claim with a full refund if not true, go ahead.
On the impact of loose connector, I doubt it would cause damage. But, if you disconnect the battery to erase codes, reconnect, and then try driving it again and then read codes, you will either get a 1684 (battery disconnected recently) alone, or also the 0605 which if so says the tcm has an internal failure. Unless the observed symptoms clear up following the disconnect/reconnect, I would believe you need a rebuilt tcm based upon the 0605.
Roland
PS Please 'rate' my answer. Thanks

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Not a question; a follow up report.  The dealer quote for the TCM was 370/1.5 hr, so I decided to let them do it.  Took it in this AM, waited 3 hrs, and after lunch they told me there were no TCM units for that model available, and Chrysler wouldn't be getting them any until Jan.

So, I ordered a rebuilt today, and it's back to Do It Myself.  We'll get to see first hand about the "pre-programming."  The dealer told me they would charge 95 for programming, so that's the back-up.  That, plus the price of the rebuild, is right at the price of their new unit (assuming, of course, they had any ;)

I do have one simple question:  is their any trick to removing those inch long splash pan grommets without totally dinging up the "threads"?

ANSWER: Hi Allen,
I haven't seen the grommets of which you speak on the minivan, but others that I am familiar with have a round inner plastic 'spike' which you simply pry gently upon and that allows the grommet's surface threads to become 'soft' so you can pull out the grommet without damaging it. Just note an inner circle on the head of the grommet and put a blade or tip of a small screwdriver under the edge of the inner circle and pry it gently upward to release the tension on the threads. The grommets are reuseable if care is taken to do this when removing them.
On the programming of the rebuilt unit, they should be doing the pinion factor and the quick learn procedure. To do the pinion they should ask you the size of your wheels and tires.
Roland

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Follow-up:  The reman'ed TCM arrived Wed, and I installed it yesterday in about an hour.  No programming needed.  The check engine light went out, and the van shifts  as it should.  Then, today, check engine came back on; the code is for a bad O2 sensor.  

Do you think that's just bad luck/coincidence, a symptom or consequence of the higher rpm running (never over around 3K though) it had to do while in limp mode, or maybe something I jiggled, e.g., electrical connection, or a vacuum line that got disrupted, during the TCM install?  I wasn't under or in the engine compartment, going in via removal of the wheel and the splash shield.

I would appreciate any thoughts.

BTW:  For the grommets, I got behind the shroud with a pickle fork, and they came straight out without damage.  One I couldn't do that, and I snapped it off trying to pry it.  Fifty cents at NAPA. In the old days, they would have used metal screws; this is plastics-age cost savings I guess.  Just as good, really, and they don't rust.  

Answer
Hi Allen,
Thanks for the progress report. The most likely way to damage the O2 sensor while servicing is by damage to the wires between its plug and the external tip. So once you know which one it is you can contemplate on that scenario. Otherwise, it is probably coincidental.
If it was a vacuum line you probably would have noticed the engine malfunctioning.
Roland