Have a rebuilt ECM? Please check in here

[sothpaw]

I need a new ECM for my 1993. I want the highest quality unit I can get.

What are your experiences with the re-manufactured units?

I read that the AC Delcos are now done by the same company that is not very good. Is NAPA or Autozone a better alternative?

Thanks for your feedback!

 

[rrubel]

What happened to your ECM? Oddly, mine has also decided to stop working right...
[RICHR]

 

[surferdave]

check with www.pcmforless.com I had them reprogram my pcm and they sell remanufactured also. surferdave

 

[sothpaw]

What happened to your ECM? Oddly, mine has also decided to stop working right...
[RICHR]

What happened is as I was chasing down a Porsche Carrera (he really should have let me pass, I had him for over 1 lap and was waiting 1/2 car length back just off line on his left) when I got some error messages. One was low coolant (rad hose) but also there was "service engine soon" (saw that one earlier but it would go away).

Now it is persistent and the code is code 43 for knock sensor.

Well, took it to Paul for diagnosis and he says the timing is all over the place and not being correct as it should be for temp. variation and load variation. He points to either the ECM or the Chip (so I have to swap that out to scratch it but I doubt very much that the Prom would go bad--only 2 years old). It's not the knock sensors.

Did you find out what ECM you can use? I suppose I could use 92 also but I saw one on ebay for 91 which claimed it would work for 92-93 also. Check, there is one for '86 too.

 

[grapeknutz]

I had to replace my ECM and I went with Zip's they had the best price and they stand by their product.

 

[rrubel]

Sothpaw, apparently I can use any ECM from 86-89, regardless of transmission. The MEMCAL is what's different between them.

Have you replaced the knock sensor? Mine was bad when I got the car - and it was ALSO disconnected! I think it was throwing codes, so a previous owner pulled the wires, tied them out of the way, and let the engine knock at will. Hence the broken rings and piston skirt...

I think I tested the EST module (what controls the spark retard on my car) before finding the disconnected sensor. They work together with the ECM.

Also, I wouldn't rule out the chip itself - I think my custom one got corrupted because all of a sudden the overdrive has a mind of its own. On my car, that's controlled by the MEMCAL.

[RICHR]

 

[sothpaw]

Tried replacing the chip (not the carrier) over the weekend and it gave the same code and ran even worse / didn't run at all.

I've known for a few months that something was not 100% because it was less than perfectly smooth on start up. Thought it might be a plug (mine are just the stock ones with 13 k mi). Pays to know condition of your engine.

That piston stuff is scary--hope mine is ok from all this.

 

[rrubel]

On mine, under certain conditions you could hear MASSIVE detonations. If you're not hearing much knock, then you're probably fine. If you're still concerned, have a cyl. leakdown test in a couple months.
[RICHR]

 

[jiangtao]

What exactly does a knock or ping sound like? I have always wondered this.

 

[geekinavette]

What I want to know is just what the heck a "rebuilt" ECM means? It's a box full of electronics....I'm quite sure they don't go and replace all of the chips. I believe it's just a matter of testing the ECM....and the level of testing can vary quite a bit. IMO the term "rebuilt ECM" is completely inaccurate and misleading.

Bill

 

[rrubel]

What exactly does a knock or ping sound like? I have always wondered this.

Pinging is a sort-of rattle in the engine while you're accelerating. The knocking, in my case, is a loud clacking sound under heavy acceleration. Almost sounds like someone dropped marbles in your engine.
[RICHR]

 

[sothpaw]

What I want to know is just what the heck a "rebuilt" ECM means? It's a box full of electronics....I'm quite sure they don't go and replace all of the chips. I believe it's just a matter of testing the ECM....and the level of testing can vary quite a bit. IMO the term "rebuilt ECM" is completely inaccurate and misleading.

Bill

Fair question--but they must do some reconditioning, because they want your old one back really bad. I'm going to give them one which is causing a code 43 so they need to repair whatever circuitry would cause that (EST circuitry). Maybe they look for bad chips and replace?

 

[Vettelt193]

Fair question--but they must do some reconditioning, because they want your old one back really bad. I'm going to give them one which is causing a code 43 so they need to repair whatever circuitry would cause that (EST circuitry). Maybe they look for bad chips and replace?

I think you hit the nail on the head... they test everything, and replace whatever is fried, but nothing else

Good luck regardless. It is a PITA to have a computer go out...

 

[sothpaw]

Good luck regardless. It is a PITA to have a computer go out...

Even worse than you think--I replaced the ECM with a used one and I still have the same code. I am thinking wiring problem now, have to take it back to the shop. But this time, I'll be there, and I'm bringing the GM shop manual to help.