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

Changing ECM

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Old May 18, 2002 | 06:35 PM
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Default AutoXray Problem HELP!

My autoXray will not read my ecm correctly. I pulled down the ecm and it is a 165- so it is an 86-89 ecm BUT it had a reman sticker on it!

AutoXray wants the 8th and 4th vin letters anyone know what combos for the various years I can punch in to try and get this to work right?


[Modified by snyper, 5:10 PM 5/18/2002]
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Old May 18, 2002 | 08:05 PM
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Default Re: AutoXray Problem HELP! (snyper)

:confused: Why don't look at your VIN? Anyways, 4th digit is Y, 8th is 8
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Old May 18, 2002 | 11:09 PM
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Default Re: AutoXray Problem HELP! (dgoodhue)

The AutoXray's standard codes don't work with the ecm. Because this was a remanufactured I'm sure other cars had the same ecm. The trick is finding out which one it is.

The combo 8 and Y give false readings in the autoxray
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Old May 18, 2002 | 11:41 PM
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Default Re: AutoXray Problem HELP! (snyper)

The 305 & 350 F-body's also used the 165 ECM.
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Old May 19, 2002 | 12:46 AM
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Default Re: AutoXray Problem HELP! (dgoodhue)

I need to figure out what other vin combos that used the 165. That way I may have a prayer of getting the autoxray to work the way it is supposed to.

I don't know the vins of the f-body's that used it. Autoxrays range on this is a-z 0-9. So mathmatically I could easily try thousands of these before the right one is hit unless I narrow down the range of possibilities.
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Old May 19, 2002 | 01:47 AM
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Default Re: AutoXray Problem HELP! (snyper)

Try an F instead of a Y. F means F-body.
8 is the engine code for TPI. you have to keep the 8.

Reman makes no difference. It is the same ECM remanufactured or not.


[Modified by Kevin 88, 11:49 PM 5/18/2002]
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Old May 19, 2002 | 11:20 PM
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Default Re: AutoXray Problem HELP! (Kevin 88)

From what I was told where it came out of is very important. It not only could be a f-body but an Impala or any other number of cars.

The closest so far is an 87 K/8.

Bottom line my AutoXray doesnt work with 86 Y - 8. I need to find out what it does work with. It works flawlessly with the same settings and an 85 model, the only problem there is I know they had a different ecm all together model 870 I think... But with the 85 settings the readings are very limited and the 86 settings add about 10 more items I want to track, mainly the spark advance.

Can anyone help me with why my autoXray won't work the way it should?
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Old May 20, 2002 | 02:17 PM
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Default Re: AutoXray Problem HELP! (snyper)

This may not apply to your case but my AutoXRay will read my '84 Vette ECM, no problem.

Call them, they will be glad to help you with this problem.

Matter of fact I've got TWO AutoXRay's and they both have hooked up to just about every DOMESTIC GM vehicle I've got.

'84 Vette
'91 Vette
'89 Cavalier
'98 Camaro (LS1)

73' Chevt truck,,,,,just kidding, there's no ECM on the 73 Chevy...:) :)
;)
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Old May 20, 2002 | 03:01 PM
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Default Re: AutoXray Problem HELP! (snyper)

From what I was told where it came out of is very important. It not only could be a f-body but an Impala or any other number of cars.
Actually what the ECM is out of shouldnot matter. it is what the MEMCAL is from is where the problem might be. I would call the makers of Auto X-ray and tell them your problem... is there an option on the Scanner to set the year vehicle?
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Old May 20, 2002 | 03:32 PM
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Default Re: AutoXray Problem HELP! (-=Jeff=-)

-=Jeff=- is right on.

There are only four things to get right on the AutoXRay. It's one of the simpler to use systems.
I know that doesn't help much when you're having trouble. . . .

1) Manufacturer
2) Year
3) VIN #
4) Cable

There IS a year option AND you have to select the correct CABLE for your ECM.

Up to 95 the system is really a pre-runner of OBD-II.
Use the generic OBD cable and you should be ok. (NOT OBD-II cable)

A call to AutoXRay will REALLY help clarify if you have a scanner/ECM problem.
They don't care where you bought the AutoXRay, they just want it to work for you.
I've found them (AutoXRay customer service)to be uncommonly helpful.

Post back here if you're having trouble.
There are SEVERAL Rocket Scientist on here. Your's truly not amongst them, sorry.

Good luck with it, it's a great tool.

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Old May 21, 2002 | 07:55 PM
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Default Re: AutoXray Problem HELP! (VetNutJim)

I've talked to them and they said almost the same thing I've said here. I need to find the correct combo for the vin and year.

My ecm is ODB-1, to configure I must select 3 things.

1- The year (GM made the 165 for 86-89)
2- Vin section 1 (usually the body type mine SHOULD be Y but 6 other cars shared my ECM and this could have came from one of them)
3- Vin section 2 (engine code. should be 8 but could be several others including all the other bodytype engine codes which 8 doesn't mean 8 cylinder just luck)

This is why if you order a ECM they require your VIN to make sure they get the correct one for you. Obviously the yahoo who owned the car before me didn't feel that was necessary.

I understand the logic of what I should be do to make this work but obviously this falls right out of that realm.

Does anyone know a place I can look up and decode other cars vins so I may find the correct match. Weblinks are great. I only know of one good on and that is at thirdgen.org but they focus on the f-body...

Still stuck! My actual chip was burned by TPIS, I figure I'll give them a call and see what they say... :confused:
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