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Are ECU's interchangeable?

M

mok4200

New member
This is the last thing i can try for my overheating problems (Fans wont kick on), and so im curious, can i go to the junk yard, find another 97 grand prix GT, and swap it? or will i have to buy a new one and have it flashed for my vin?
 


You can run off another of the same year/model. But the vin will be wrong if your state tests emissions and looks at it.
 
and you'll more then likely need to do a security learn too. 36 minutes of your life you'll never get back lol

you can change the vin # if the new pcm fixes your problems.

last pcm i got i took the air box out of the car, and put the pcm back in the box, bought a air box for 12 bucks.......and a pcm.
 
Scottydoggs said:
and you'll more then likely need to do a security learn too. 36 minutes of your life you'll never get back lol

last pcm i got i took the air box out of the car, and put the pcm back in the box, bought a air box for 12 bucks.......and a pcm.
Click to expand...

My car doesnt have any type of alarm or anything if thats the security your talkin about, or maybe your speaking of how when the car thinks its being stolen.., and for the second part, well, that doesnt make much sense lol kinda jumbled up words?
 


i did 11 minutes each cycle, 15 seconds off then back on for 11. so 11 X 3 = 33, then a few times you leave it off for a 10 to 15 seconds, yeah, 35 minutes easy
 
at the time dhp was crashing that damn laptop, so i was not doing a whole lot with it. felt lucky enough it fired up after the security learn really.
 
mok4200 said:
My car doesnt have any type of alarm or anything if thats the security your talkin about, or maybe your speaking of how when the car thinks its being stolen.., and for the second part, well, that doesnt make much sense lol kinda jumbled up words?
Click to expand...


What Scotty means in the second part is: Your PCM resides inside the airbox (where the air filter is). In order to save yourself from getting raped for a PCM from the junkyard, you can simply find another 97 GT, remove BOTH the PCM and the airbox and before you walk up front to pay you have the PCM tucked back into the airbox where it started and they only charge you for the airbox assembly and you get a free PCM.
 


this is a security relearn for the pcm to your car. but as bill cleared up a 97 wont have to do this.

In the event that your vehicle fails to start after installing the PCM, you will need to perform the Security Relearn Procedure. This procedure allows the PCM to function properly in your vehicle. Follow the steps listed below completely.

Security Relearn Procedure Steps
1.) Attempt to start the car by turning the key to the Start/Run Position.

2.) Observer that the vehicle fails to start and that the security light is illuminated.

3.) Release key to the 'ON/Accessory' Position. (DO NOT turn key to the 'OFF' position).

4.) Allow the vehicle to sit with the key in the 'ON/Accessory' Position for at least 11 minutes.

5.) Turn key to 'OFF' position and allow the vehicle to remain in the 'OFF' position for no less than 30 seconds.

6.) Repeat steps 1-5 for 3 cycles.

7.) On 4th attempt, your car should now start.

NOTES:
- Since this is a fairly long procedure, it is recommended that you limit all electrical sources, such as disconnecting headlights, to prevent discharge of battery.

- It is SAFE to wait LONGER than the allotted time, but it is not safe to wait less time (i.e. 12 minutes instead of 11 minutes should be safe; however, waiting 10 minutes instead of 11 minutes is not safe.).

​
When properly executed, this procedure should take approximately 35 minutes to complete.​


and ford man is correct. buy the air box with the pcm back inside of it. they dont know the pcm is inside, and charge you for a air box, and thats less then the pcm.
 
FordMan77 said:
What Scotty means in the second part is: Your PCM resides inside the airbox (where the air filter is). In order to save yourself from getting raped for a PCM from the junkyard, you can simply find another 97 GT, remove BOTH the PCM and the airbox and before you walk up front to pay you have the PCM tucked back into the airbox where it started and they only charge you for the airbox assembly and you get a free PCM.
Click to expand...

NICE!
 


honestly ive seen far more harness's with open circuits than i have seen bad pcm's when it comes to the fans.

oddly enough several cooling fan relay wires are in the harness where they are almost ht e first pieces worn through.

make sure the hard plastic loom holder is still there, even if it is still there, remove the dogbone chassis side mounts and pull your harness back and take a look with a mirror.

10 minutes with a vintage mt2500 "red brick" scanner and a test light will give you far more info to diagnose this than "mahhhh it must be dat der brainbox thinger"
 
BillBoost37 said:
The actual procedure does not say 11 minutes. It says to watch the security lights, when it goes out.. turn the key off
Click to expand...

believe it or not the procedure changes between models even if its a vats/passkeyI/II/or III, and even if its the BCM or ICM based units (cheapo cars got the instrument cluster module based systems)

you have oddballs like the achieva's and the other "leftover parts bin" cars towards the end.
i had an 04 regal gs with no passkeyIII
none
95 park aves that do a security learn in only one 10 min cycle...btw the ign switch can turn without the key.

the earlier 1.5 lumi's and monte's often didnt have it enabled, lots of those cars were probably gm test vehicles during the transition? **** thats the only way i can explain working on a 95 model year regal with an OEM SII, built in 4 of 94. owner bought it at an auction in 96.

that one regal probably got me more into this **** than anything else, come to find out i had to tell the scanner it was a 96 before i could get into it...it was NOT a conventional 1.5 car lol

also **** pk3
 
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