Can locked PCM be reflashed?
Burning Brakes
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 898
Likes: 25
From: Dallas, TX
Might want to call your local parts store. I have a 00 Suburban and the O'Reilly's here could reflash it for me to the OEM for cheap. I just called them and they said they can do my '03 Vette for $50.
Now, I wouldn't give up my Chuck Cow tune for any amount. He doesn't lock his tune either. I've heard that you should never go to a tuner who locks the PCM, this is why. Not your fault though.
Now, I wouldn't give up my Chuck Cow tune for any amount. He doesn't lock his tune either. I've heard that you should never go to a tuner who locks the PCM, this is why. Not your fault though.
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 870
Likes: 7
From: Andreas Pennsylvania
Ok. So re-flashing is a possibility. Can any dealership do this, or do you have something the typical dealership won't. Thanks.
Former Vendor
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 1,584
Likes: 17
From: Lubbock Tx
Former Vendor
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 11,792
Likes: 255
From: Ossining New York
St. Jude Donor '07-'08-'09-'10-'12-'13-'14
Don't sweat it....
Hey guys,
I bought my Corvette with a cam already in it, so it was tuned. I have since put on a set of heads, Fast intake and LS2 TB. I went to get it tuned but they were unable to access anything. I am being told I have a locked PCM with a custom operating system. I am not really interested in going back to that tuner since the car had issues since I bought the car (I have also met others that had issues with this tuner). I was told to take the PCM to a chevy dealership and they would flash it for me (someone said for free?). They said this would take it back to stock settings and then I could have it tuned from there. Some one else told me that if it is locked, that they won't be able to reflash the PCM and that I would have to have it unlocked first. Who is correct? This is turning into a major pain in my rump! I really don't feel like going all over the East coast to get this thing tuned. If you guys know what I can do and who to go to, I am all ears. Thanks.
I bought my Corvette with a cam already in it, so it was tuned. I have since put on a set of heads, Fast intake and LS2 TB. I went to get it tuned but they were unable to access anything. I am being told I have a locked PCM with a custom operating system. I am not really interested in going back to that tuner since the car had issues since I bought the car (I have also met others that had issues with this tuner). I was told to take the PCM to a chevy dealership and they would flash it for me (someone said for free?). They said this would take it back to stock settings and then I could have it tuned from there. Some one else told me that if it is locked, that they won't be able to reflash the PCM and that I would have to have it unlocked first. Who is correct? This is turning into a major pain in my rump! I really don't feel like going all over the East coast to get this thing tuned. If you guys know what I can do and who to go to, I am all ears. Thanks.
Chuck CoW
Race Director
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 11,150
Likes: 890
From: South Western Ontario
I've read that the locking depends on the year, or at least the strenth of the locking. HPtuners and the dealer will both access it the same way (the communications protocol protocol over the OBDII) so I wouldn't think a dealer can do anything if a tuner can't.
The BCM holds the RPO codes and such and needs those set to match the car unless you buy one from a car with the same codes. As others have posted, put the VIN into the PCM and do the relearn procedure and you're good.
Peter
The BCM holds the RPO codes and such and needs those set to match the car unless you buy one from a car with the same codes. As others have posted, put the VIN into the PCM and do the relearn procedure and you're good.
Peter
