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

PCM Programming - PCM Now Dead!! HELP!!

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Old Jul 16, 2003 | 08:06 PM
  #1  
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Default PCM Programming - PCM Now Dead!! HELP!!

Ok, now I have a big problem.

Using TunerCAT I downloaded my Flash and made a small change to the cooling fan temps and tried to write it back to the PCM. It established communications, then erased the PCM Flash, then I got an error message. "Invalid message Format" or something similar. I clicked Ok and it said retry was successful. It proceeded to approximately 50% then I received another "Invalid message" error. This time it aborted with no other message. Then my cooling fans turned on and I knew the PCM was dead. I tried to send the Flash image again and Tuner can't establish communications!!

This is not good. What options do I have now? I have my Flash memory on my laptop, how can I load it?



:cry :cry :cry
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Old Jul 16, 2003 | 08:50 PM
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Default Re: PCM Programming - PCM Now Dead!! HELP!! (Atok)

what year is your car .
Check you cables you used to plug into your pcm.If you try to load and the cable disloges it can blow you corvettes computer.Zack from speed scene wiring.com might be able to talk you thru it and give you a hand.Zack is out this week but grew is there hemight be able to help. www.speedscenewiring.com
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Old Jul 16, 2003 | 09:22 PM
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Default Re: PCM Programming - PCM Now Dead!! HELP!! (Atok)

I see you're not in the US but a person named Andrew at http://www.akmcables.com unsolders the flash memory chip and installs a new flash memory chip with the factory program and also installs a socket so that if it every happens again, you can replace the chip with a backup one.

As you found out, if you can't link with the PCM because the program is corrupt. The only way to get the PCM working is installing a new flash memory chip that is already programmed.


[Modified by Hooked on Vettes, 9:23 PM 7/16/2003]
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Old Jul 16, 2003 | 10:02 PM
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Default Re: PCM Programming - PCM Now Dead!! HELP!! (Atok)

I sold my HPP+ and was thinking about getting tunercat. Hmm... now having 2nd thoughts :eek: Did you use an AKM cable or was it another type?
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Old Jul 17, 2003 | 07:52 AM
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Default Re: PCM Programming - PCM Now Dead!! HELP!! (Lone Ranger)

I sold my HPP+ and was thinking about getting tunercat. Hmm... now having 2nd thoughts :eek: Did you use an AKM cable or was it another type?
I already had a cable built for my PC scan tool. I asked the TunerCAT folks to send me a schematic of the cable they recommend (AKM) and it matched the one I have now.

The read/scan functions work just fine. Something caused TunerCAT to abort abruptly after 50% of the write function. I really like this Tuner program but to be honest I won't be using it to write my PCM anymore. I would love to know what when wrong. The PC was a P3-1.2Gig Dell Laptop running WinXP Pro. I did notice the FIFO buffers on the COM port were set to the lowest setting, which shouldn't matter for 8192 baud on this PC.

I'm now in the process of unsoldering my Flash chips and soldering sockets to the boards. I'm going to use my EPROM/Flash writer to modify my PCM from now on but I need to pick up a couple of chips first.

Man, what a PITA!!!!!

:sad:
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Old Jul 17, 2003 | 01:40 PM
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Default Re: PCM Programming - PCM Now Dead!! HELP!! (Hooked on Vettes)

I see you're not in the US but a person named Andrew at http://www.akmcables.com unsolders the flash memory chip and installs a new flash memory chip with the factory program and also installs a socket so that if it every happens again, you can replace the chip with a backup one.

As you found out, if you can't link with the PCM because the program is corrupt. The only way to get the PCM working is installing a new flash memory chip that is already programmed.


[Modified by Hooked on Vettes, 9:23 PM 7/16/2003]
I have heard the same thing about Andrew as well. I use LT1 Edit and have flashed my PCM well over 100 times and never lost the PCM.
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Old Jul 17, 2003 | 06:30 PM
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Default Re: PCM Programming - PCM Now Dead!! HELP!! (Atok)

What version of tunercat were you using? According to their web site everyone with 94 or 95's need to upgrade to the latest version asap due to problem with the older version screwing up ECM's.
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Old Jul 18, 2003 | 08:55 AM
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Default Re: PCM Programming - PCM Now Dead!! HELP!! (Lone Ranger)

What version of tunercat were you using? According to their web site everyone with 94 or 95's need to upgrade to the latest version asap due to problem with the older version screwing up ECM's.
I believe I am running the latest, version 2.00. I recieved the latest $EE definition file from TC just before I attempted the write, which failed.

I've got the chips off the PCM board now, waiting for new chips/sockets from Ion. He's been a big help, many thanks to him. I need to get a PLCC adapter for my EPROM/Flash writer so I can write my own.

No longer :cry , just :sad: now.
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Old Jul 18, 2003 | 07:33 PM
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Default Re: PCM Programming - PCM Now Dead!! HELP!! (Atok)

Well, hope you can get it straightened out asap. :blueangel:
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