Replacing an ECM
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 1,340
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From: hamilton nj "Life's tough......It's even tougher if you're stupid."-John Wayne
Replacing an ECM
What's involved with replacing the ECM on a 09? I removed the panel in the fender well and it looks awful tight up there! Does the fender need to come off?
Last edited by budmont; Oct 5, 2009 at 07:21 PM.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 1,086
Likes: 1
From: Michigan
Cranky is right. The only way to replace an ECM is to have the dealer program it to your exact VIN using a Tech II.
Unless you have a friend with a Tech II and the latest software that includes your VIN you are out of luck.
Unless you have a friend with a Tech II and the latest software that includes your VIN you are out of luck.
Intermediate
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 26
Likes: 0
From: Edmonton AB
Wouldn't EFILive work in this application for a new or used ECM installed in your new corvette. I checked their website and they support 06-09 vetts. We do ECM swaps on our diesel trucks all the time for warranty issues.
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Jun 2002
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From: hamilton nj "Life's tough......It's even tougher if you're stupid."-John Wayne
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 2,326
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From: louisville "derby city" kentucky
Comes right out the bottom. You have to unlock the connectors. They have small plastic keys. Once the connectors are unlocked, the plugs unplug and you remove the screws to get the pcm out.
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Jun 2002
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From: hamilton nj "Life's tough......It's even tougher if you're stupid."-John Wayne
Former Vendor
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 11,792
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From: Ossining New York
St. Jude Donor '07-'08-'09-'10-'12-'13-'14
OR, you could send it to Chuck CoW....
On 09' models it's up there much higher than it was in earlier models.
If the car is a ZO6, be careful...The fender is practically an egg shell and if you fight with it, you could damage the fender.
As I recall, the easiest way is to remove one of the 10mm headed bolts that holds the ecm to the bracket or something like that.
Removing it allows the pcm (with plate it sits on) to be lowered making it easier to remove and re-install.
It's not that hard as long as you have loooong arms.
Chuck CoW
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Race Director
Joined: Jan 2005
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From: Daytona Beach FL
I replaced one on my 2005 and it was very easy.
I dropped shipped a new PCM to my tuner and he loaded a tune into it and also loaded my VIN so it would match and I could start the car.
If you're putting a brand new PCM into your car that has been VIN matched as mine was, you should be able to drive the car but you'll throw a code until you get a "crank variation relearn" procedure done (at least that's what I think was required).
Chuck CoW can you confirm that I've got the correct terminlogy?
Bob
I dropped shipped a new PCM to my tuner and he loaded a tune into it and also loaded my VIN so it would match and I could start the car.
If you're putting a brand new PCM into your car that has been VIN matched as mine was, you should be able to drive the car but you'll throw a code until you get a "crank variation relearn" procedure done (at least that's what I think was required).
Chuck CoW can you confirm that I've got the correct terminlogy?
Bob
Former Vendor
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 11,792
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From: Ossining New York
St. Jude Donor '07-'08-'09-'10-'12-'13-'14
It's a bit more than that....
I replaced one on my 2005 and it was very easy.
I dropped shipped a new PCM to my tuner and he loaded a tune into it and also loaded my VIN so it would match and I could start the car.
If you're putting a brand new PCM into your car that has been VIN matched as mine was, you should be able to drive the car but you'll throw a code until you get a "crank variation relearn" procedure done (at least that's what I think was required).
Chuck CoW can you confirm that I've got the correct terminlogy?
Bob
I dropped shipped a new PCM to my tuner and he loaded a tune into it and also loaded my VIN so it would match and I could start the car.
If you're putting a brand new PCM into your car that has been VIN matched as mine was, you should be able to drive the car but you'll throw a code until you get a "crank variation relearn" procedure done (at least that's what I think was required).
Chuck CoW can you confirm that I've got the correct terminlogy?
Bob
A new, un-used pcm (one that has never fired an engine before) will automatically learn the security key from the BCM the very first time and engine is started with it. (this is what happens on the assembly line at the GM plant) It's not a matter of putting the vin# in it, but either modifying the VATS procedure or just purchasing a new unit.
You can either turn off the "crank variation learn not performed" code or find someone with a TECH II and a CANDi Module to perform the Crank Learn Procedure.
It's pretty easy and my customers do it all the time.
If you're not in an area where you can get my tune in person, all you have to do is remove the PCM and send it to me.
Stay TUNED!
Chuck CoW
2nd Gear
Joined: Jul 2019
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2008 z06
It's a bit more than that....
A new, un-used pcm (one that has never fired an engine before) will automatically learn the security key from the BCM the very first time and engine is started with it. (this is what happens on the assembly line at the GM plant) It's not a matter of putting the vin# in it, but either modifying the VATS procedure or just purchasing a new unit.
You can either turn off the "crank variation learn not performed" code or find someone with a TECH II and a CANDi Module to perform the Crank Learn Procedure.
It's pretty easy and my customers do it all the time.
If you're not in an area where you can get my tune in person, all you have to do is remove the PCM and send it to me.
Stay TUNED!
Chuck CoW
A new, un-used pcm (one that has never fired an engine before) will automatically learn the security key from the BCM the very first time and engine is started with it. (this is what happens on the assembly line at the GM plant) It's not a matter of putting the vin# in it, but either modifying the VATS procedure or just purchasing a new unit.
You can either turn off the "crank variation learn not performed" code or find someone with a TECH II and a CANDi Module to perform the Crank Learn Procedure.
It's pretty easy and my customers do it all the time.
If you're not in an area where you can get my tune in person, all you have to do is remove the PCM and send it to me.
Stay TUNED!
Chuck CoW
