ECM lab DDEC III and DDEC IV ECM functionality, component level, and exploratory tests.
In addition to Basic and Overnight ecm hardware functionality testing. DCS can also a variety of more specialized ECM bench tests ranging from the external data monitoring of an engine input such as oil temperature to thermal imaging of a DDEC ecm during cold start up. We can even link multiple DDECs together to test the big 16-cylinder Detroits. Advanced and specialized ecm tests often done at the component level inside the ecm involving more test equipment, longer set up time, longer testing duration, component level tests and significantly higher costs.
If the conditions during the observed abnormality, loss of function, or symptom are unknown or not easily repeatable and have to this point not been observed during testing or visually observed damage during inspection to associated components then the only two options are to send it back and pay the $450 plus shipping in testing costs and get your ecm back or get into more advanced ECM lab testing and more specialized component level ecm tests. These tests aren’t practical and can easily take more time then a big repair due to the time needed for set up, testing, measurements, data collection and data review so they are expensive and time consuming. So much so that I don’t consider them worth the time and expense and typically don’t recommend them unless you have done thorough diagnostics on the truck and engine side and have a datalink or telematics recording of what you did or the loss of functionality or abnormality that was observed. Or have specific abnormality,, question, or special project that your willing to burn money to find, answer, or get a one of solution for. I’ve run these advanced ECM lab tests for application side engineers, +100ft yachts, fleet service managers, truck pullers, other ecm rebuild shops, and owner operators.
Bench testing provides tests of ECM functionality during the testing but it does not provide any information on ECM condition or expected remaining component or function life. This is where a physical inspection of the circuit board and its components can help. Also with the service plate removed more advanced (and expensive) ecm tests such as thermal imaging tests can be done.
When an internal DDEC III-IV ECM inspection and a basic/overnight testing has not observed damage or recorded any loss of function
The best and least expensive option if you found a broken wire, sensor, or switch or had some other possible unexplored causes that are likely the cause of the observed loss of function or abnormality is to pay the cost of the first and overnight tests, the internal inspection and the return shipping then once that invoice is processed, we’ll mail your DDEC back so diagnostics of the engine and truck side can continue. The cost would be from $400 to $450 plus shipping.
Otherwise the other option is to go on to more specialized and advanced ecm tests such as internal component level tests
Thermal imaging is an option after an inspection
Oil trapped underneath top layer of laminate
Component oxidation often won’t act up when testing
DDECs like this can be fully functional and test good despite being covered in oil. This is why an inspection is often a good idea after a test.
Didn’t have to spend any test time on this DDEC IV. A quick internal inspection was all that was needed to core it. When the damage is this bad and the ecm is getting cored and not getting sealed back up the inspection cost is $25
Black trace oxidation indicates a water intrusion problem.
ECM lab Advanced DDEC III and DDEC IV ecm testing
- Inspection and minor testing costs can sometimes be included in the cost of the repair.
- ECM bench tests ecm hardware functionality during the test. It cannot be used to predict future functionality conditions or life
- DDEC III and DDEC IV ECM testing evaluates ecm functionality during the testing period. Intermittent symptoms may not be observed during the testing period if the duration of the testing period is less than the frequency of the symptom.
- Intermittent symptoms may not be observed during the testing period if the conditions that trigger the loss of functionality or abnormality go unreported or are unknown preventing the ecm test conditions from being replicated
- Overnight and extended tests can improve the chances of catching a symptom that only occurs once a day. Testing can identify memory issues as well as well as other functions that fail to work after a few hours such as Jakes and injectors.