C4 Tech/Performance L98 Corvette and LT1 Corvette Technical Info, Internal Engine, External Engine

Need some help on a 86 ECM?

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Old Jan 15, 2007 | 01:28 PM
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St. Jude Donor '08-'09-'10-'11
Default Need some help on a 86 ECM?

I have a 86 4+3 and I am parting out a 86 Auto, I want to keep the computer but my question is: can you simply swap one for the other or are they programmed different? I know the 4+3 has the upshift indicator and I was wondering what tells this light to come on? Thanks for the advice, when it comes to the computer I am totally lost because I do not know if it a ECM, EPROM or is it called anything else. Please excuse my ignorance.
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Old Jan 15, 2007 | 04:49 PM
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The ECM's are the same. All you have to do is switch the Proms.

Larry
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Old Jan 15, 2007 | 05:20 PM
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Originally Posted by Vetracr
The ECM's are the same. All you have to do is switch the Proms.

Larry
That is correct.
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Old Jan 15, 2007 | 08:59 PM
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Thanks guys I appreciate it.

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Old Jan 15, 2007 | 09:16 PM
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To answer your other question, yes they are programmed differently. The 4+3 cars had multiple programs depending on if they had the MK2 overdrive included with Z51, or the MH5 overdrive. Besides that there are overdrive specific commands that aren't used the same way in the Automatic programs.
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Old Jan 15, 2007 | 09:39 PM
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Thanks scorp508 for the information, what started this is I noticed the fans come on at a lower temperature than the stock setting on my 86 4+3 so I think there is a hypertech chip or something else in the car right now, so in order to put it back to stock I need the PROMM reprogrammed to the stock setting, correct? I kind of thought it was not going to be as easy as plug & play.
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Old Jan 15, 2007 | 09:50 PM
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If you remove the prom from your origional ecm, you can simly plug it in the replacement. No programing needed.
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Old Jan 16, 2007 | 09:11 PM
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The main fan settings are burnt into the chip and controled by the ECM. The aux fan (if you have one) is contoled by a switch in the right head. Just plug and play. You may notice differences in the way the car operates now with the parts car chip. Only way to change anything in the chip is to have the setting erased and new settings burnt into it.
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Old Jan 16, 2007 | 09:17 PM
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Originally Posted by RRT vette
The main fan settings are burnt into the chip and controled by the ECM. The aux fan (if you have one) is contoled by a switch in the right head. Just plug and play. You may notice differences in the way the car operates now with the parts car chip. Only way to change anything in the chip is to have the setting erased and new settings burnt into it.

I do have the Aux fan and when I ground the sensor between cyl 2 & 4 the fan comes on so I know that works, I kind of thought I would have to have the stock files put back on the chip in order to get it back to stock, I know that could open a can of worms around here with what temps the fans should come on.
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Old Jan 16, 2007 | 09:48 PM
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Originally Posted by rspreng86
I do have the Aux fan and when I ground the sensor between cyl 2 & 4 the fan comes on so I know that works, I kind of thought I would have to have the stock files put back on the chip in order to get it back to stock, I know that could open a can of worms around here with what temps the fans should come on.
Between 1 and 3 spark plugs, you will see the aux fan switch.

You will have no way to know if the chips are stock or not, until you put them on an eraser. Just try both and see which you like.
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Old Jan 16, 2007 | 09:55 PM
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Originally Posted by RRT vette
Between 1 and 3 spark plugs, you will see the aux fan switch.


Ooops I meant 1 & 3 I always reverse what side is what. If I get some time I might give it a shot.

Bob
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Old Jan 17, 2007 | 11:18 AM
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Don't know about all early C4s, but my 87 auto has an upshift light on it and I believe the 86s do too. I think they are more for fuel economy indication than anything else.
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Old Jan 17, 2007 | 02:30 PM
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Originally Posted by rick lambert
Don't know about all early C4s, but my 87 auto has an upshift light on it and I believe the 86s do too. I think they are more for fuel economy indication than anything else.
Yes, my 86 does too. Says shift for best economy.
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