Ensure the OBD-II vehicle interface is properly connected. Switch the ignition to ON but do not yet start the engine. Choose Detect Vehicle… from the Tools menu, then select Program Engine ECU when the window appears, and click OK. Select Program ENgine ECU to enter programming mode.
These typically cost somewhere in the ballpark of $200-$400. Again, the actual cost of repairing and replacing the ECM will depend on the make and model of your car. If the engine control module just needs to be tested, analyzed, and reprogrammed, it should cost you between $150 and $300.
7 Common PCM Failure Symptoms
- Your 'Check Engine' Light is On.
- Your Car Won't Start or Starts Roughly.
- Sudden Loss of Gas Mileage.
- You Failed Your Emissions Test.
- Your Engine Stutters or Stalls.
- Erratic or Random Shifting.
- You're Receiving a PCM-Related Error Code.
- What to Do If You Experience PCM Failure Symptoms.
Prices could range from $80 to $150, depending on the service location you choose. The process takes around about half an hour, but keep in mind that most auto-electricians charge you for at least one hour of work. PCM reprogramming is also one of the few times we'll recommend a dealership over an independent mechanic.
Engine Stalling or MisfiringErratic engine behavior is another common symptom of a bad or failing ECM. A faulty computer can also be responsible for engine stalling or misfiring, though this tends to be more intermittent. These symptoms may come and go, and may appear to have no pattern to their severity or frequency.
To reprogram a PCM or other vehicle module, you need a factory scan tool, or an aftermarket scan tool with reprogramming capabilities, or a J-2534 compliant "PassThru" interface tool (or J-2534-1 for 2004 & newer vehicles) that can connect a PC or scan tool to the vehicle's diagnostic connector or module.
If water gets inside a PCM, it can short circuits and set up irreversible corrosion that ruins electronic connections. Most remanufacturers will not even attempt to repair a PCM if the vehicle it came out of was submerged in a flood. Replacement is the only option.
A bad ECM may lead to a vehicle that won't or is difficult to start. If the ECM fails completely, it will leave the vehicle without engine management control, and will not start or run as a result. The engine may still crank, but it will not be able to start without the vital inputs from the computer.
On the extreme low end, an ECU flashing could cost around $300, but it can go as high as $3,000. Flashing kits are available for a few hundred dollars, and some people do ECU tuning as a sort of hobby or side business.
Reprogramming can improve spark plug timing and fuel enrichment—and can help boost pressure on turbocharged engines to squeeze out every last drop of horsepower. Reprogramming your ECM is necessary for keeping your vehicle control software up to date.
A "new" ECU will almost certainly need programming to the car - if nothing else there will be anti-theft measures such as the immobilizer to consider and potentially other systems in the car for it to be configured with.
Corrosion and moistureCorrosion or damage due to moisture is one of the main reasons for ECM failure. Corrosion can enter the ECM through the wiring harness and moisture can enter by a failure in the seals in the ECM itself. This happens over a period of time (5 to 10 years) due to the ECMs exposure to the elements.
Campbell's Locksmith Company can reprogram your car's computer to make it fully operational once again and save you money in the long-run by increasing your car's efficiency.
Just disconnect the negative battery cable and turn on the headlight switch for about 30 seconds, turn off headlight switch and reconnect the battery cable, this put the ECM back to factory default settings.
How to Flash a Car Computer
- Download and install EcuFlash from OpenECU (see Resources).
- Connect your computer to the car's OBD-II port with an OpenPort cable.
- Open EcuFlash and click on the folder icon at the top of the screen.
- Click the "Write to ECU" button in EcuFlash.
To match the ECU to the vehicle, it must be programmed with the proper calibration. Even if you just wanted to “try it out”, many vehicles would not start due to the antitheft system. You need to supply the VIN of your vehicle.
Technically, the process of entering the correct key (Password) into an ECU is broadly called 'unlocking'. Once the correct key is entered, you then have access to read or make changes to it. What our unlocking services do is find this 'key' to gain access into the ECU to then be able to make changes.
In my experience, a flash alone takes less than 30 minutes. It's usually done concurrent with other tasks and since I've never been charged, I don't have an actual labor hours notation on any invoice.
