Chrysler Repair: 01 dodge caravan:how to replace pdc/ipm?, dodge caravan, postal mail

Question
QUESTION: Car will not start local dodge dealer says power distribution box under hood needs replaced. Part is $775 plus labor, is this something I could replace myself and find part from good caravan at junkyard

ANSWER: Hi Greg,
The 'intergrated power module' also formerly called the power distribution center, is as far as I can tell a unit which brings together all the fuse/relays/interconnections and 9 modular multi-wire plugs each with a wire harness. It appears to be a 'plug and play' sort of exchange so it should be a do it yourself project. And you can get the experience at a pull-it-yourself yard before working on your own. I believe that it came into use in the '00 model year, but it would be good to check at the dealer's parts counter to see the part number for '01 applies to which years which you might find available in a yard. I wonder what happened to yours to require it to be changed out? Do you have any specific history, or explanation from the dealer as to why it broke down or which circuits/fuses are not functioning? I wonder about such a diagnosis.
I can xerox a couple of pages from the '02 manual and postal mail them to you that show the process to exchange it out.
Roland

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

QUESTION: Thank you very much this is excatly what I was looking for.

Answer
You are welcome. Let me know a postal mailing address if you want the pages.
To remove the ipm, begin by removing the battery (if equipped remove the battery thermal guard as well). Then insert a flat bladed screwdriver on the outboard side of the ipm where there is a latch, to release the latch by twisting the screwdriver, so that the ipm can be rotated upward so as to expose the plugs on the underside. Then remove the plugs, then release the ipm from the mounting bracked by removing the bracket clips from the hinge. A screwdriver slipped in will remove the clips retaining the hinge. Then remove the ipm. When assembling, reverse the procedure. Take care that the B+ single red wire (on the 5-pin plug) is well seated in its socket.