Are PCMs interchangeable (in same MY)?
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 1,231
Likes: 28
From: South Riding VA
Are PCMs interchangeable (in same MY)?
Is the PCM basically interchangeable within the same model year? Could I just swap one or would I need to have it re-flashed based on my vin ( to accommodate for any options like FX3 or TPMS etc.)?
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 25,330
Likes: 2,722
What is wrong that you feel you need a PCM to start with. Do you have codes etc indicating failure? You're wanting to buy one to have with a tune other than OE and swap back & forth?
Many questions you've not answered!
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 1,231
Likes: 28
From: South Riding VA
The PCM itself is in your case the same as '95 - does 2 years '94 & '95. The software in the PCM is done by VIN for options, axle ratios, VIN ID etc. Will another crank and run - most likely yes! How well? Unknown!
What is wrong that you feel you need a PCM to start with. Do you have codes etc indicating failure? You're wanting to buy one to have with a tune other than OE and swap back & forth?
Many questions you've not answered!
What is wrong that you feel you need a PCM to start with. Do you have codes etc indicating failure? You're wanting to buy one to have with a tune other than OE and swap back & forth?
Many questions you've not answered!
Race Director
Joined: Apr 2000
Posts: 15,344
Likes: 4,008
From: Texas
In your case, you can easily use a PCM from the same year. At worst, on a stock car you would need to reflash the gear ratio, although if you don't the only issue will be the speedo reading wrong. FX3 and the TPMS are controlled outside of the PCM in the C4. Mileage is in the CCM, not the PCM. ABS and Traction Control are also outside the PCM.
If your car is not stock, simply reflash some of the top-level parameters regarding injector sizing, idle speed, closed throttle spark advance, and perhaps timing.
Stock or otherwise, I would NOT do any WOT experimentation unless you have a wide-band O2 sensor. Having said that....stock cars are notoriously rich at WOT, so there is some room to adjust the PE values but do so at your own risk. On a modified car, all bets are off.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 2,422
Likes: 202
Be careful with the 94 - 95 definition you get both EE & EEb. my late 94 is a EEb i purchased 2 spare 95 PCM's..they are also EEb. My spare i installed sockets to replace the flash. Quick dead flash change..
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 1,231
Likes: 28
From: South Riding VA
Race Director
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 12,261
Likes: 85
From: O'Fallon Missouri
Last edited by STL94LT1; May 2, 2013 at 03:27 PM.
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Melting Slicks
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 2,422
Likes: 202
Tuner CAT is one of good graphical programs. and EE / EEb definition files. plus there USB y adapter OBD1/OBD2.
I would highly recommend purchasing the stand alone program cable. like mine from mad tuner
Your going to shell out at least $200.00. Well worth it once you learn.
Laptops AC vs DC. your car battery voltage & dash noise can crash both flash chips in your PCM
Its all over. You will need to repair your flash and they are hard to find. Now days. Plus you need to de-solder both flash & install sockets.
I would highly recommend purchasing the stand alone program cable. like mine from mad tuner
Your going to shell out at least $200.00. Well worth it once you learn.
Laptops AC vs DC. your car battery voltage & dash noise can crash both flash chips in your PCM
Its all over. You will need to repair your flash and they are hard to find. Now days. Plus you need to de-solder both flash & install sockets.
Last edited by THE 383 admiral; May 2, 2013 at 06:33 PM.
Race Director
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 10,641
Likes: 13
From: Slidell Louisiana
I have 2 PCMs one is the factory original and the other was from an Fbody, they both have the same tune in them and work equally well
I have a spare since at one time I was flash tuning often and didn't want to be without a car if I bricked the PCM.
Both are tuned using TUNER CAT...
Mike
I have a spare since at one time I was flash tuning often and didn't want to be without a car if I bricked the PCM.
Both are tuned using TUNER CAT...
Mike