Arrow PCM with factory warranty

[Mccarlin]

Hey guys,

Is the Arrow Gen V PCM a direct replacement for the stock PCM? An addition to the stock one? Does the stock PCM need to be reprogrammed?

I ask as the car I bought has 3yrs left of the maxcare warranty and if any service is ever needed I'd like to throw the stock PCM back in, or remove the arrow PCM from the car first. Easy process?

Thoughts?

[Steve M]

You can swap one for the other. I've never personally done it, but it sounds like a few minutes if you've done it before.

The issue is that the Arrow PCM has to be married to your car (VIN and mileage), so that will be in the FCA system once installed. It doesn't necessarily mean you'll be denied warranty coverage, but it's certainly not going to make things easier for you if something happens to your drivetrain.

[TA Two Oh]

Yes, it's an easy and quick process. It's a direct fit for the stock computer and takes ten minutes with a socket set. Don't forget to disconnect your battery before you start. The plugs are color coded so even guys like me won't screw up the swap.

A couple of important points. There's a mileage counter in the PCM so the tech can check to see if it agrees with the mileage on the car. It sounds like on your car, that horse has already bolted but it's not something that they would typically check unless you have a major driveline claim.

Also, you DEFINITELY want the stock PCM in whenever you take it to a Dodge dealership in case they reflash it on account of an update, or, just because they want to. If they do that, and your Arrow Race Controller was installed, you'll now be the proud owner of TWO factory original PCM's. If that happens, you can console yourself in knowing that one of them is at least the latest version.

[Dman]

Swapping literally takes 7 mins. And that’s only because you spend 5 mins disconnecting the battery. I’ve done this many times on my previous gen5’s.

Dodge can tell with a scan that the PCM has been swapped back and forth, and guys on here have had their warranties voided because of this. Dodge has tried voiding warranties for lack of receipts from owners oil changes, so yea, they’re picky. You should assume it’s 90% likely that a warranty claim will be denied. Dodge in the past has claimed that since the Arrow PCM increases the rev limit by, and I forget exactly, it’s 250 or 500rpm, it voids the warranty due to over revving the engine. You can’t make this stuff up it’s so crazy.

[Steve M]

Dodge in the past has claimed that since the Arrow PCM increases the rev limit by, and I forget exactly, it’s 250 or 500rpm, it voids the warranty due to over revving the engine. You can’t make this stuff up it’s so crazy.

It's 200 RPMs - 6,400 (stock) -> 6,600 (Arrow)

[ACRSNK]

You can pretty much kiss your warranty goodbye if you swap controllers been discussed many times in many threads

[nwa_viper]

I’ve had the rear end and both rear hubs replaced under warranty while running the Arrow PCM. It all comes down to how bad the warranty claim is I guess.

[Gen5snake]

I’ve had the rear end and both rear hubs replaced under warranty while running the Arrow PCM. It all comes down to how bad the warranty claim is I guess.

or if your tech is easy going.

[Vipes]

The issue is that the Arrow PCM has to be married to your car (VIN and mileage), so that will be in the FCA system once installed.

How do you figure that? I could see that when the Arrow PCM first came out since they would sell them without your VIN programmed in so you had to have your dealer do it. For the last 4 years or so Prefix programs in your VIN when you buy it. Most can just plug in play without going to the dealer but a few have to go in for the throttle relearn. Assuming you aren't one that needs the dealers scan tool I don't think Prefix submits in your VIN into the system?

Dodge can tell with a scan that the PCM has been swapped back and forth, and guys on here have had their warranties voided because of this.

The red flag is the fact that the mileage isn't synced between your odometer and stock PCM since the Arrow was in. When you reinstall the stock PCM, you could have the miles matched up with the car.

[Steve M]

How do you figure that? I could see that when the Arrow PCM first came out since they would sell them without your VIN programmed in so you had to have your dealer do it. For the last 4 years or so Prefix programs in your VIN when you buy it. Most can just plug in play without going to the dealer but a few have to go in for the throttle relearn. Assuming you aren't one that needs the dealers scan tool I don't think Prefix submits in your VIN into the system?

I didn't realize they were pre-programming the VIN these days. So that would just leave the potential throttle relearn that might force you to go to the dealership.

[ViperTony]

It's no secret that modifications can void the warranty especially when it comes to the PCM. It's happened and can be hit or miss depending upon what the warranty claim is for. Even if you have a wonderful relationship with your dealer, and your tech is easy going, at a certain point, the dealer's hands become tied on this. If the claim is not related to engine issues then very low chance of an issue. But I have seen the PCM checked in cases of engine failures as part of the warranty process. Whatever procedures/secret sauce Chrysler has to check the PCM, the tech can't hide it.