Ghost

So I ended up getting a used 2015 Journey screen from a local wrecker I found it on  car-part.com and completing my project.  Happy to report that everything clipped in to existing wiring and I now have a complete installation with GPS, Satellite and everything working including the auto Temp controls, rear climate controls and GPS turn by turn in speedometer screen.  Oddly I didn't even have to re-connect my cell phone with bluetooth (must be in some other memory module).  Only thing I may look at adding is the factory back-up camera - had an aftermarket wireless camera hooked up to may Garmin GPS but don't need that anymore    

I guess they must have meant that the alternator was not supplying power to the battery but here's the latest anyway.
 
On Late model Chry/Dodge/jeep vehicles it appears that the voltage regulator is now( integrated into the PCM (apparently the Journey PCM is also the main ECM computer) and that part (voltage Regulator) inside the PCM has failed on my Journey (the rest of the PCM is functioning properly).
Took to the Dealership and they quoted me $920 CND for the part and 1-2 hours of labour to install and re-program the new PCM - with 13% tax that's about $1200 CND or $900 USD.  Apparently there are no rebuilt ones available and they cannot use one from a salvage yard Journey as the VIN code has to be programmed into the new PCM to work with the other electronic boards and security systems and dealer says they cannot flash a PCM that already has a VIN embedded on it.  I suspect there is a way to do it (erase old VIN) but the dealers just won't do it and since there is not an independent shop I know of that will do that either, I'm told I'm pretty much stuck getting a new PCM and having dealer program it at a cost of about $1200 CND.
 
There is potentially good news though -  I have looked around online and it appears that this problem has been around for a long time and there is a potential work around by bypassing the voltage regulator in the PCM and installing an external Voltage Regulator.  There are even Kits (google ERCKFRM) that have ben made up with a component that will bypass the computer and turn off the dash light & "Battery saving mode" feature. http://store.alternatorparts.com/hd-external-voltage-regulator-conversion-field-replacement-kit.aspx
 
So for a potential savings of over $1000 I have decided to order the kit and install it and see if it works as a fix.  I'm also going to us a relay to have the connect the battery directly rather than running it through a 12V source in my fuse box so I can get a better connection with les voltage fluctuations.
I'll post a write up about it so that if it works it can potentially help others.
 
My Dodge Journey has 156000KM AKA 97000Miles 
 
 
 
 

There is a recall for some other chrylser/dodge products w pentastar 3.6L with the 160 AMP Alternator - Ref. FCA recall P60- wonder if you might be getting the defective product when you ordered yours from Amazon?

I'm hooking up an aftermarket wireless back up camera system so I want to power the rear and front wireless modules from the reverse light power wires in front and rear. I found the reverse light power wire easily in the rear hatch by looking at the taillight (it's cream coloured on drivers side of my 2011 R/T) but I'm looking for somewhere in the front dash area to wire the wireless module that attaches to my reverse camera screen (Garmin GPS unit).
I currently have it powered by hooking into the fusebox under the glovebox, I used fuse that says RR Camera hoping that would be it but that fuse has constant power so leaves my GPS showing the B/U camera even Journey is not in reverse.
Looking for the wiring diagram or if anyone knows what wire I can tap into for the reverse lights up front - Or anyone know if there is a wire under the shifter bezel that has power when in reverse only?
Thanks for any help?