T444e ECM hunt

[TypicalTN]

Hi all,

I am curious if anyone has any good leads on an ECM for a '99 T444e
I believe I managed to fry a portion of my ECM, the local community college diesel repair program has more or less confirmed that fear. (after months of working on the bus)



I called my local IH dealer/certified parts dealer/mechanic, which the good news is they can program an ECM, but the bad news is a new ECM is going to cost more than what I originally paid for the bus. (5k)

I've seen a few listings on ebay motors, but feeling a bit hesitant of taking the leap on one of those before checking to see if anyone had any access to a used one. Or had a lead on a trust worthy source.

 

[BamaBus]

What happened to make you think it needs replacing? The codes you posted last year doesn't seem to indicate fried ecm. Are the codes the same now?

There was a seller on ebay that has one with 30 day return at 315. Seems worth trying if needed.

 

[cadillackid]

these ECM's are very common.. look for one with a 2004 date code on it.. it can be programmed for your VIN and has later firmware that greatly improves the cold weather mamners of the T444E.. im running a 2004 ECM in mine... I have seen short circuits in the wrong place fry the IDM portion of these single box ECM's... the test for it is no high voltage DC anywhere...

 

[TypicalTN]

What happened to make you think it needs replacing? The codes you posted last year doesn't seem to indicate fried ecm. Are the codes the same now?

Loud pop when grounding with a multi-meter while trying to diagnose the source of the original codes. Also checked every fuse, relay, and even had the starter professionally tested. All passed. That, in addition to the professor of my local community college diesel mechanic program (who have had the bus and my schematic for 4+ months now) claiming it was looking like the ECM.

these ECM's are very common.. look for one with a 2004 date code on it.. it can be programmed for your VIN and has later firmware that greatly improves the cold weather mamners of the T444E.. im running a 2004 ECM in mine... I have seen short circuits in the wrong place fry the IDM portion of these single box ECM's... the test for it is no high voltage DC anywhere...

Yeah the loud pop I originally heard, and the three sensors I had posted codes about not having any 5v reference (according to the professor once again) makes me think I fried a portion of it.



After posting, and doing more digging, I was able to find Rydemore (https://www.rydemore.com/) via a posting they had on ebay. They had an actual brick and mortar location and phone number. So, I was able to place the order over the phone


So, I've got a "guaranteed programmable" used one on the way from them for 300 flat (that includes shipping). So, if it works out I'll be sure to update this thread.

 

[nikitis]

Let us know how it goes. I just recently went through a 3box **** with a T444E. My VPM was fried. Got it replaced after International replaced it with the 4th one.

 

[cadillackid]

Let us know how it goes. I just recently went through a 3box **** with a T444E. My VPM was fried. Got it replaced after International replaced it with the 4th one.

his 99 is a single box.. these ECM's are all over the place.. theres a bunch of different part numbers that will work..

 

[Diverdude0075]

Try AAABus out of Phoenix.

 

[Bouje bus]

@typicalTN, where are you sending your ECM to get programmed?


I recently swapped a 2500 in place of the blown AT545. I'd like to get the ECM updated to talk to the new allison. It's a 1998 T444e.

The local dealer said they could do it, but didn't have the right cables to plug into that old of a box...

 

[cadillackid]

@typicalTN, where are you sending your ECM to get programmed?


I recently swapped a 2500 in place of the blown AT545. I'd like to get the ECM updated to talk to the new allison. It's a 1998 T444e.

The local dealer said they could do it, but didn't have the right cables to plug into that old of a box...

1998, this should be a single box ECM... if you are bringing the whole bus to the dealer they should be able to do the parameter changes through the 6/9 pin diagnostic connector under the dash.


im assuming you have the big computer hanging off the side of the passenger valve cover?


did you connect uo the 3 pin J1939 data link? if so your engine should talk to the transmission in a rudimentary form without the parameter change.. (at least gives it throttle data and turns off the check-trans light. ).