85 ECM removal?
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 155
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From: CA
85 ECM removal?
This is probably a stupid question...but after tearing half my dash apart, that is about where I am at. I am in the process of sending my memcal in to be custom tuned, and my Corvette Haynes manual says "remove 3 screws below the dash and take out the ECM". Well...I have removed every screw and plastic piece, and panel I can get to in the front passenger (and driver) side of the car and dont see it. There is a big sponge rubber bumper... a lower carpeted piece with no visible screws...and the top of the dash itself left. Anyone else done this? is it really this hard to do?
There is a huge FAQ section on chips and proms in the forum ...but nothing about just getting it out of the car....flaming about not owning a shop manual is OK hopefully I can't feel any worse
There is a huge FAQ section on chips and proms in the forum ...but nothing about just getting it out of the car....flaming about not owning a shop manual is OK hopefully I can't feel any worse
Team Owner
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 24,337
Likes: 25
From: San Diego , CA Double Yellow DirtBags 1985..Z51..6-speed
The top dash comes out pretty easy. Remove the dash plastic, (gauge bezel is the trickiest), then undo screws going up into the dash pad (none on passenger side), then two at the defrost vent, and pull it straight back to remove. You'll see the ECM then. It's tight to access from below.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 6,228
Likes: 698
From: Clifton Park, NY ............Clearwater, FL ... 85 Original Owner
Originally Posted by LangstC4
This is probably a stupid question...but after tearing half my dash apart, that is about where I am at. I am in the process of sending my memcal in to be custom tuned, and my Corvette Haynes manual says "remove 3 screws below the dash and take out the ECM". Well...I have removed every screw and plastic piece, and panel I can get to in the front passenger (and driver) side of the car and dont see it. There is a big sponge rubber bumper... a lower carpeted piece with no visible screws...and the top of the dash itself left. Anyone else done this? is it really this hard to do?
There is a huge FAQ section on chips and proms in the forum ...but nothing about just getting it out of the car....flaming about not owning a shop manual is OK hopefully I can't feel any worse
There is a huge FAQ section on chips and proms in the forum ...but nothing about just getting it out of the car....flaming about not owning a shop manual is OK hopefully I can't feel any worse
Le Mans Master
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 5,866
Likes: 60
From: Hellinois
Finalist 2020 C4 of the Year - Modified
I'm a big guy and it is not a bad deal to get out, as was mentioned by Joslinm, take the plastic panel out that has the light in it, pull the wire bundle down and you will see a creme colored box shaped thing with a 10mm screw in each side. Remove the two screws and the ECM will come straight down and out. You may have to work it down around the wiring bundle, no big deal at all. Make sure the battery is disconnected and before you take the small panel off the side of the ECM to remove the PROM touch something on the car to get rid of any static electricity you may have aquired.
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 155
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From: CA
Thanks everyone...glad to know I was tearing into the right part of the car at least....I just lost my way for a bit and could not see it with all the wires. I will try it again today...
update ....Finally Got the ECM out and took the small door off....no memcal? There was supposed to be a blue piece held in by some clips...nothing was there. I will keep looking ...almost done (I hope)
update ....Finally Got the ECM out and took the small door off....no memcal? There was supposed to be a blue piece held in by some clips...nothing was there. I will keep looking ...almost done (I hope)
Last edited by LangstC4; May 20, 2006 at 09:40 AM.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 3,426
Likes: 4
From: Heidelberg PA
Cruise-In V Veteran
If your car was running, the chip is there. The plastic covering the chip - may be 1 1/2 to 2 inches long could be blue, white or black - any color. If I recall there are two chips, a small one and a larger one. The larger is the chip that is tuned.
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 155
Likes: 0
From: CA
ecm chips
Originally Posted by 85vet
If your car was running, the chip is there. The plastic covering the chip - may be 1 1/2 to 2 inches long could be blue, white or black - any color. If I recall there are two chips, a small one and a larger one. The larger is the chip that is tuned.
