What years are intechangable? I have a 98, going to learn how to tune, want a back up just in case I majorly screw-up. I have heard the 98's are sensitive?

I should be able to read my current tune with LS1 Edit and copy it over to the back up computer? Thus only using one license?

TIA

Brad

 

97-98 are the same.Can't use any other year pcm with a 97-98.I don't think...............Paul

 

Brad,

You'll need a Tech2 scanner to reprogram a second PCM as the "back-up" for yours.

For example, the PCM has the VIN number stored in it, and unless it matched the actual vehicle VIN stored in other computers such as the BCM and SDM, you will have problems such as a B1001 code from the SDM, and the engine will not start.

From the http://www.carputing.com website ...

"A word of warning: Please only program your PCM using an LS1 file that was read from your specific PCM. Do not try to program your PCM with an LS1 file from a different PCM. To minimize programming time, we do not completely reprogram the PCM, only the data segments. If you use a different LS1 file, the data in the LS1 file may not match the code already stored in the PCM. If you attempt this, you may end up with a PCM that is non-operational."

Since the BCM and PCM agree on a new password to be used the next time the vehicle is started, a Tech2 would be needed to "force" a second PCM (and that PCM would have to have the correct VIN set in it) to reset and agree on a new password with the BCM. This is part of the security system to prevent auto theft by trying to substitute re-programmed PCM or BCM modules in the car.

HTH

 

He has LS1 Edit.Can't he change the Vin with that?................Paul

 

First, no, you can't change the VIN with LS1edit (otherwise what would be the point of the PCM/VIN based licensing that they use) ... and second ... from what I've read of LS1edit it uses the VIN and a HARD CODED serial number in the PCM. So two PCM's with the same VIN will still require a two PCM license as each PCM has a different serial number that CANNOT be changed by anyone.

 

Note this exchange I found on the LS1edit site .... between a user and an LS1edit employee .... (read from the BOTTOM message to the TOP message)

found at: http://www.ls1edit.com/pipermail/ls1...10/004493.html

 

Do I take both computers to a dealer and ask them to copy it? Cost?
Any other suggestions?

TIA



Brad

 

Brad,

The idea of two different PCMs .. one as a back-up ... isn't really gonna work very well.

One .. as I pointed out earlier, each time you start the car the BCM and PCM agree on a new password. Unless you are gonna copy the two PCM's to each other (and that's assuming the copy by LS1edit even picks up the password) EVERY time you start the car, then if you ever try to use the backup, or copy from it ... the BCM and PCM will be in disagreement on the security password and the engine won't start. Possibly disabling VATS will bypass this problem, but you just made a thief's life much easier.

Two ... this won't save you any money, as I pointed out above, you have to license 2 PCMs ... even though they have the same VIN

Three ... as far as I know you can save a "back-up" of your original PCM files (or later mods to them) on your PC ... so if you need to go back to a previous version of changes that you have made, you pull them from your computer.

Finally, as far as I know a Tech2 can't copy one PCM to another. What they do is first take a "blank" PCM and program a VIN into it. Then with the Tech2 hooked to a PC that can access the GM Techline they "download" the correct software for that VIN. Then the Tech2 is unplugged from the PC, hooked to the PCM, and the "correct" softeware is loaded to the PCM.

HTH

 

Id suggest ditching the LS1edit, and stepping up to EFI LIve, you absolutely will not regret this,

Then id do a PCM Swap to a 99-02 PCM, then you can use the custom operating systems that EFI Live provides and really get your ride dialed in the way you want it.

 

I think the pin outs are different 99 and up then the 97-98 pcm's.I have a 97 and I thought I fried my pcm,So I bought another one from Wait for me perf.Put it in the car,Flashed my tune & Vin# and I was good to go.That's with EFILive though....................Paul

 

 

Hp Tuners, VIN number makes no difference. I could take the tune out of a friends car and put it right in mine, not that it would run good but there is nothing holding me from doing it, no VIN or license or anything.

 

I had a tuner upgrade my '97 PCM to a '98 PCM's software using either the LS1 or HP. How is this done if the VIN# is needed..don't mean to hijack your thread...
SLPRC5

 

Could a '99 program be put into a '97 using the HP tuner?

 

Yes the pinouts and the mounting brackets for the 99-02 PCM's are different from 97-98 PCM's, but its as easy as repinning the red and blue connectors on your PCM if your using EFI Live, its not as hard as youd think if you label everything and take your time.