Originally Posted by
Rob M
I am hoping the community may be able to provide some insight into this mess of issues.
I own a 2004 w/ 25K miles. A couple months ago while driving the transmission downshifted into limp mode. I drove the remaining 2 miles home. Would not restart right away. Later it did start and seemed to run fine. The next time I drove it a good distance, it stalled and would not restart/keep running after numerous tries. Would either get a crank with no start, a crank with start/sputter/stall, or no crank at all. I had it towed home. At first I assumed it was a crank position sensor but that was only until I started reading codes and got a P0600 (Serial Data Link Communications Malfunction). At that point it would typically not crank at all unless I disconnected the negative battery cable one or more times. I did get it to start on occasion, but then it I could not move the transmission out of park without using a ball point pen.
Here is a full list of the symptoms:
P0600
MILs - ABS, BAS/ESP, Brake, Brake wear indicator
Spoiler deploys and won't retract
Speedometer does not function
Transmission stuck in 'Park'
When able to start and override selector into "Reverse" or "Drive", stuck in limp mode
Here's what I've tried so far:
Removed and examined RCM. I attempted re-solder of three known troublesome spots. Didn't correct the problem. I'm not very good at soldering, and I'm not sure whether there might be some other RCM issue. I wouldn't mind trying to switch out a known good RCM with mine, but haven't done so yet. I'm not sure whether my long list of symptoms is even consistent with the RCM issue.
I replaced my battery less than two years ago with one that was manufactured in 1/14. It is putting out over 12 volts. The battery terminals and ground(s) were not corroded, and I cleaned them just to make sure.
Today I was not able to get it to crank at all. Since I disconnected the battery numerous times as well, there are no codes. I'm sure I would still get the P0600 again if I were able to start the engine, but right now with just the key on, my reader says "pass" - not even any pending codes.
With all the symptoms and especially with things like the speedometer not working, I am worried that it could be a bad PCM.
Any opinions welcomed.