Effects of heat on van ECM

[Jim Williams]

I was just wondering if there is a trend of more van computers having to be replaced in vans with a slide in. I have had to replace the ECM in both my 2004 Chevy and my 2014 Chevy. I was thinking the heat in the cab could have an effect on the life of the ECM. My 2014 has a bulkhead that blocks some of the heat but still has some holes and gaps for TM heat to come up front through. Thought I might try to get a divider or something to completely insulate the cab since that's where the ECM is located. Is it just me having this problem? Possibly a Chevy problem?

 

[Desk Jockey]

Never had one go out and we had 6-8 at one time.

 

[Cleanworks]

I had one go out on my 2001 dodge. Summer time, it gets pretty hot inside.

 

[Doug Rice]

I had one go out in my Dodge too but it was over a screaming 509 V8. If it was a slide in couldn't you just have a small fan cooling things?

 

[Steve Lawrence]

My 2010 GMC van is going to the dealer June 12 to check the computer. (A Butler, not a slide-in). We keep getting the engine light on for the same issue-- #1 sensor in bank #2 kept showing it was going bad--not very funny as we have addressed this 4 times in the last year at $400 a pop. (It's a sensor that monitors O2 output of the engine--an environmental thing probably mandated by the gov't) My mechnic (not GMC) thinks it may be a computer glitch and none of my mechanics work on computers so it's off to the dealer (cripes!). Will post again when I learn more.

 

[Jim Williams]

My 2010 GMC van is going to the dealer June 12 to check the computer. We keep getting the engine light on for the same issue-- #1 sensor in bank #2 kept showing it was going bad--not very funny as we have addressed this 4 times in the last year at $400 a pop. My mechnic (not GMC) thinks it may be a computer glitch and none of my mechanics work on computers so it's off to the dealer (cripes!). Will post again when I learn more.

My 2014 is showing that the crankshaft position sensor is bad, but my mechanic replaced it but when he tries to do the relearn procedure it won't let him do it so he's thinking it's the computer. He installed a used one but when the guy came from the dealer to program it he said you can't use a used one in a 2014 so he's getting a new one. The van runs but it's really sluggish. Guess I'll take a day off next week to get it fixed.

 

[Doug Rice]

How many miles? Catalytic converter? Mine was bad and the mechanic played heck finding out the problem.

 

[Jim Williams]

How many miles? Catalytic converter? Mine was bad and the mechanic played heck finding out the problem.

It's got 135,000 on it. Was it showing a code that wasn't really what was wrong?

 

[Kenny Hayes]

I think that’s just a Chevy deal. My 03 Avalanche was notorious for that. All 4 sensors had gone out at various times, multiple time. Fortunately my truckmount mechanic was a certified Chevy mechanic and a kid. He was good and cheap.

 

[Jim Williams]

I think that’s just a Chevy deal. My 03 Avalanche was notorious for that. All 4 sensors had gone out at various times, multiple time. Fortunately my truckmount mechanic was a certified Chevy mechanic and a kid. He was good and cheap.

I think I might just put my TM in a trailer and buy a Toyota Tundra to pull it with until Toyota starts selling a work van. Hard to beat the reliability. My wife has a Four Runner with 350,000 miles on it with no repairs. That was until she totaled it last week.

 

[Cleanworks]

Toyota already sells a work van but you can't buy it here without paying a 25% tariff. It's called the chicken tax. Been in place since 1964. You should write your Congress man. In Australia, you can buy toyata Hiace vans with factory installed Hydramaster cds units. Reliable and economical.

 

[Kenny Hayes]

Wow, that’s interesting. Few go from a van to a trailer. If you haven’t done it, you’d probably hate it. Especially residential.

 

[Cleanworks]

It's not a bad way to go in rural areas but not practical in the city.

 

[Jim Williams]

I mostly work rural areas and the burbs. I used to pull a trailer in the chimney and duct cleaning business. It is sort of a hassle but has it's advantages too. If your vehicle breaks down you can always use another one.

 

[Kenny Hayes]

Then I don’t blame you. That’s everyone’s rationale that pulls one. But I have both now, van and trailer

 

[Hack Attack]

toyota is known more for its commercial vehicles then private southern hemisphere

my old 93 hiace van.. its gonna die from rust not mechanical 2.8 diesel that just goes and goes..

 

[Kenny Hayes]

OKC is so spread out and urban, that you can operate with a trailer. But again, it can be a pita. Sometimes it can be a pain in commercial. That’s why I do both.