I've been a member a long time, but haven't posted anything until now. I have a 2004 PT GT, with HO turbo and the Getrag G288 5 speed. Last year the engine light started flashing and the car barely ran.The mechanic said a fuel injector had cracked and leaked fuel, which shorted out the computer. I bought the $489 rebuilt computer, and it works except for that the computer apparently does not recognize the magnetic speed sensor (as opposed to the gear driven one in other trannys of the PT). We have tried mightily to get the flashers to fix the problem, but still my speedometer, odometer and cruise control will not work. Has anyone else experienced a problem like this? I am going up to the dealer now to see if they can reflash the computer, but am not optimistic. Any insight would be appreciated.
Carl Raphael

 

how does fuel leak into the PCM ? or did it get into the injector connectors melted the wires and then allowed them to touch causing a short in the PCM driver??
As for the other issue well that would be who programed it at the location that you got it from. With the vin they should have had all the info needed to get the correct software in there.

 

The injector connectors shorted the PCM. You'd think the flashers would be able to get it right. I've spoken to the dealer and they can diagnose and reflash my 04. They have an old timer tech there. I'll keep you all posted.

 

I cant say anything about who flashed the PCM you would figure it would be right but you know. As for the old timer you cant uninstall software and put new stuff in you can only update what's already in there. I am one of the old time techs.

 

Sounds like I'm screwed. The original computer was deemed "unrepairable" as the motherboard was cracked. So, I had to buy a "rebuilt" computer, which is the one that supposedly doesn't see the magnetic speed sensor on the G288. So you're saying, that if the computer doesn't now see the VSS, a reflash for my VIN won't enable it to?
My other question is, I used to work for a major auto parts chain. They sell a new computer for my car, but it needs to be programmed after I buy it. Can I take a brand new fresh computer and have it flashed by the dealer?
Thank you for your consideration.

 

Suggest posting on 'allpar.com'. A contributor there, myckee, specializes in pt cruiser pcm's. Good reputation and backs his work.

 

no one sells brand new PCM the SBEC computers have been replaced by NGC and NGC2 Simply putting a vin in does not tell the software what you have.
If you have worked on any home computers you would know if you take a hard drive out of a system that has windows on it and just put in a different computer it will not work things the software will be looking for wont be there and so on. Its likely the people that did the software from flagship assumed it was a auto trans and not a manual. If you have you old PCM still the part number that you need will be on there that is what the software is needed for that car it will likely have been updated some but the hard part number would be the same

 

I am pleased to report that Myckee over at AllPar has fixed my PCM. Apparently, there is an "extra" bit of software that must be installed into the PCM after buying it rebuilt, which is only an issue if the PT has the Getrag G288 5-speed. It's because they used a funky magnetic VSS in the tranny. Now my rebuilt PCM will see my VSS, which allows the speedo, odo, and cruise control to function normally. Of course, now I have a P0031 and P0037 code coming up, not sure what that's all about, I'll deal with it later.