Anyone know where to get a replacement ECM (1996)?
Seems the only ones available are re-manufactured (what ever that means?)

I understand if an ECM is sent out for flashing it could be a used one or if one sends there original with a problem it comes back flash and possibly still with a problem.

Example if the problem was intermittent stalling due a poor connection or failing component on the circuit board, one would be no further ahead!

Thoughts...

I saw it on SS for stock. I am not sure if it is only the chip or the whole unit.

Anyone know where to get a replacement ECM (1996)?
Seems the only ones available are re-manufactured (what ever that means?)

I understand if an ECM is sent out for flashing it could be a used one or if one sends there original with a problem it comes back flash and possibly still with a problem.

Example if the problem was intermittent stalling due a poor connection or failing component on the circuit board, one would be no further ahead!

Thoughts...

hey Corolla... the difference between a 'new' ECM and a 'reman; ECM is just like any other part...

You pay a core for the 'reman' ones, and get your core refunded when you send in yours (assuming it's good)

When you buy a reman (reflashed) ECM, you don't get yours back... you buy the reflashed one and pay a core charge, then when you get it installed, you send yours back for a core refund.

If you think your ECM has a fault, talk to the vendor about that up front; I'm not sure how they deal with that. Worst comes to worst, if they wouldn't give you a refund for yours (if it were bad), you could send them one from a wrecker, or from somebody with a dead truck that they were gonna trash. Phone the vendors and be up-front about it... I know Heath and Wsters will work with you; SSDiesel is just a re-branded Westers chip and they ship UPS, so stay away from them. Kennedy might work with you on it, too... it's just a phone call to find out.

when i sent my stock ECM in i got no core charge refund from heath as i believe the core had to be a working core, which mine was not 100% working. i sent bill a letter with the old one telling him what i believed the issue was just so he would know upfront and another 6.5 owner wouldn't get my problems.

when i sent my stock ECM in i got no core charge refund from heath as i believe the core had to be a working core, which mine was not 100% working. i sent bill a letter with the old one telling him what i believed the issue was just so he would know upfront and another 6.5 owner wouldn't get my problems.

Was that from your WTS ghost issue?..........Cause if it was, how can you be 100% sure that your PCM was bad?
In my build sheet that I got from DP it said my PCM was replaced twice.........I can't imagine getting 2 bad PCM's.

Louis

Was that from your WTS ghost issue?..........Cause if it was, how can you be 100% sure that your PCM was bad?
In my build sheet that I got from DP it said my PCM was replaced twice.........I can't imagine getting 2 bad PCM's.

Louis

Gotta remember, Louis, that build sheet reflects dealer repairs... if there was something they couldn't figure out 9like a stalling issue after they had already changed the IP not PMD) they would have just played change-a-part with it until they got somewhere...

A friend of my dad's got 2 ECMs, too... one for a surging issue, (also replaced IP and PMD at that time) and another for a glow-plug issue. (funny... they also replaced the GP controller at the time). If only I knew then what I know now... I bet both problems were caused by something else, probably minor and inexpensive, huh?

My point exactly..........So again, how can one be sure that the PCM is bad?...(Only If dave is refering to his WTS Ghost) If there is another issue with PCM than that is a different story.
Corolla and myself both have the same no WTS light, No start issue......But 99% of the time the truck runs fine and there is no conclusive evidence that the problem is the PCM.
Can it be?.......sure,....but it could also be wire harness or ign switch or GP relay or......get my point?
So don't you think saying that your PCM is bad and missing out on a $$$.$$ core is selling yourself short?


Louis

Can I join your "WTS ghost club":D, I've had the same issue for a while. Just bought a PCM from a 2000 ambulance wrecker for $70 and the stealer said it would be $35 for a reflash. Dave said Heath fixed his problem with new pcm I just can't spend that extra money right now (wife and three hoodlums take any extra I got!!!). I'm hoping to get at it this week I'll keep you posted.

Can I join your "WTS ghost club":D, I've had the same issue for a while. Just bought a PCM from a 2000 ambulance wrecker for $70 and the stealer said it would be $35 for a reflash. Dave said Heath fixed his problem with new pcm I just can't spend that extra money right now (wife and three hoodlums take any extra I got!!!). I'm hoping to get at it this week I'll keep you posted.

All are Welcome!........It just amazes me that yet another 6.5 WTS ghost has reared it's ugly head and all I know of are 2 confirmed Fixes, IAMDAVE and LCGarage, Oh wait, make that 1 more, Francisx........and mind you, all 3 fixes were different..........

*Dave= new PCM

*LCGarage= Grounds and/or Ignition switch

*Francisx= Bad wire Harness section (Under the overflow coolant tank, down were the harness goes through the fire wall) to the PCM.

Only thing that is consistent is that a 3 fixes have to do with Electrical issue (wiring)

Any thoughts, feedback or comments are appreiciated.

Thanks,
Louis

mine was also the most expensive fix it seemed :rolleyes:. i'm sure if i found the right spot in the factory PCM where i was having trouble and fixed it that would've worked as well. but i'm not the best solderer in the world and i didn't want to make things worse.


EDIT: i was rereading your post louis and i thought of something. it sounds crazy to me but what if the bad grounds led to problems in the PCM? the grounds on my truck were trashed but maybe that led to electrical failure? i do know the electricity will take the path of least resistance and i'm sure there was a better path than through those trashed ground straps. think its possible?

mine was also the most expensive fix it seemed :rolleyes:. i'm sure if i found the right spot in the factory PCM where i was having trouble and fixed it that would've worked as well. but i'm not the best solderer in the world and i didn't want to make things worse.


EDIT: i was rereading your post louis and i thought of something. it sounds crazy to me but what if the bad grounds led to problems in the PCM? the grounds on my truck were trashed but maybe that led to electrical failure? i do know the electricity will take the path of least resistance and i'm sure there was a better path than through those trashed ground straps. think its possible?


That would be a perfect question for GMCTD, as he is an electrical engineer........Hope he finds this thread and responds.
As for me, I guess it's possible but i'm not very electrical savy.

Louis

All are Welcome!........It just amazes me that yet another 6.5 WTS ghost has reared it's ugly head and all I know of are 2 confirmed Fixes, IAMDAVE and LCGarage, Oh wait, make that 1 more, Francisx........and mind you, all 3 fixes were different..........

*Dave= new PCM

*LCGarage= Grounds and/or Ignition switch

*Francisx= Bad wire Harness section (Under the overflow coolant tank, down were the harness goes through the fire wall) to the PCM.

Only thing that is consistent is that a 3 fixes have to do with Electrical issue (wiring)

Any thoughts, feedback or comments are appreiciated.

Thanks,
Louis

Louis,
Pillow had an interesting experience with his 96 and re-flash and stalling.
Hopefully he adds to this thread.

Louis,
Pillow had an interesting experience with his 96 and re-flash and stalling.
Hopefully he adds to this thread.

What happened?............... After his reflash the stalling stopped?

Louis

He had a re-flash of the 96 ECM that was stalling, then the problems followed to that unit.

This is a great thread and I hope to shed some more light on my particular issue with a 96 PCM.

About a month ago I had the "PMD like" stalling going on with my 96 K3500... Drove me nuts of course. So I already had a Heath Issolator installed that is about 2 years old, so that let me to believe it was something other than the PMD. I did not see the "reset" associated with a failing ignition switch either, so bunk on that theory.

After calling around a few people we came up with a theory that the IP was bad since it only stalled when the fuel was hot (about 45 minutes driving time)... Someone claimed that a bunch of the GM reman IPs that were used for warrantee work were duds.

So I changed the IP, glows, and injectors then toodled down the road with a happy smile for a couple days... Day 3 stall. :( Grrrr.

Called up Heath and requested a Turbo-Master and HP4 pronto. Installed quickly and life is good again.

I decided I liked the HP4 so much that I might as well get the CORE PCM from the 96 reflashed. Heath claimed that any core will do and the probability of a bad PCM is minimal and that they hot test the PCM to check it anyway. So I was like okay lets do it.

Installed the TM and HP4 in the Burb... Runs fine for 2 days, runs like a raped ape for two days ;) Then dies on a long drive sitting in traffic! The Burb has been an oak of reliability and only one variable changed. THE PCM from the 96 reflashed!

Also on mine the only way to get it started is to let the coolant go below 170F and get the glow plug controller to click on. Otherwise no go. Luckily my trucks are set with 180F t-stats otherwise I might have to wait a while.

From what Craig and I have been discussing it seems to be a 96 only issue. Also Bill Heath claims that he only sees 1-2 bad PCMs a year, which is a good statistic to reference from.

At this point I have another HP4 on the way for the Burb and should be able to follow up on this cruddy saga of wasted time and money later.

Called up Heath and requested a Turbo-Master and HP4 pronto. Installed quickly and life is good again.

I decided I liked the HP4 so much that I might as well get the CORE PCM from the 96 reflashed. Heath claimed that any core will do and the probability of a bad PCM is minimal and that they hot test the PCM to check it anyway. So I was like okay lets do it.

Installed the TM and HP4 in the Burb... Runs fine for 2 days, runs like a raped ape for two days ;) Then dies on a long drive sitting in traffic! The Burb has been an oak of reliability and only one variable changed. THE PCM from the 96 reflashed!

So let me get this straight,....... you sent the core PCM w/ WTS Ghost to Heath For an HP4 reflash........He sends you back the same core PCM w/ the flash, and now you have a HP4 PCM (That was origanly yours) that has the same WTS ghost ?

Am I getting this right?

Sorry, I'm a little slow today

Louis:duh:

So let me get this straight,....... you sent the core PCM w/ WTS Ghost to Heath For an HP4 reflash........He sends you back the same core PCM w/ the flash, and now you have a HP4 PCM (That was origanly yours) that has the same WTS ghost ?

Am I getting this right?

Sorry, I'm a little slow today

Louis:duh:



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