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Thread: Bricked my PCM- What to do?

  1. #1
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    Default Bricked my PCM- What to do?

    I bricked my 99 Trans Am PCM last night, trying to full flash with just a jumper box on the battery.. damn thing locked up right after the flash and won't respond worth a damn.. It runs, but it can't be reflashed. Can I get any 99-07 LS1 style PCM and flash my COS5 into it? I was thinking about buying one of the ones off eBay for $100 shipped.. that program the VIN into the pcm before they ship it. Do I need to buy a new license if I do that? Other option is going to junkyard and buying one out of a Blazer/S10 (my 03 blazer PCM is the same Delphi PCM, i'm pretty sure I can full flash it to the LS1 OS).. What do you guys do when you brick one?

  2. #2
    Joe (Moderator) joecar's Avatar
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    It runs, but it doesn't flash...?

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    It runs very poorly. It says "Bootloader rejected, bla bla bla.. " I tried reinstalling software for two hours, trying different versions etc, to no avail. I tried every variation of flashing, pulling fuses (did lots of searching), tried flashing with V8 after converting tuning file from .tun, recovery, flashing with key $FFFF, etc etc. I swapped the PCM from my other car (also a '99) and it simulated flash successfully first try. It simply won't boot. If you know a way to recover it, I'm all ears. I kinda want to get a 411 PCM if it will work, because with COS5, its a pain flashing the conversion OS, then moving all the calibrations over one at a time. It'll save time if i can actually use it.

    Until then..

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    Joe (Moderator) joecar's Avatar
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    I pm'd Tech Support for further guidance.

    ...

    When you try flashing, you see a text log, can you copy/paste that here (in the box do ctrl-A, ctrl-C, and then paste it in a reply here).
    Last edited by joecar; October 22nd, 2011 at 02:02 PM.

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    Ouch !! Best to charge the vehicle battery prior to tuning (disconnect the charger before beginning) and run the Notebook / Netbook computer on its internal battery.

    Try powering both the battery and ignition voltage circuits of the PCM. Then disconnect the battery power circuits - while leaving the ignition circuits powered. After a few seconds remove all power to the PCM. This may reset the PCM (if recoverable).


    Regards,
    Taz
    Last edited by Taz; October 21st, 2011 at 02:04 PM. Reason: - typo

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    Quote Originally Posted by 67RsCamaroVette View Post
    ... Can I get any 99-07 LS1 style PCM and flash my COS5 into it?
    1999-2002 are 512Kb LS1-B PCMs. 2003-2007 (classic) are 1Mb LS1-B PCMs. These two groups of PCMs are not compatible (i.e. cannot flash a 512Kb tune into a 1Mb PCM)

    ... Other option is going to junkyard and buying one out of a Blazer/S10 (my 03 blazer PCM is the same Delphi PCM, i'm pretty sure I can full flash it to the LS1 OS) ...
    A 2003 S-truck PCM is a 1Mb LS1-B style.

    I had overlooked these comments in my first response - if you tried to flash a 512Kb tune into a 1Mb PCM then it is a brick.


    Regards,
    Taz
    Last edited by Taz; October 21st, 2011 at 02:21 PM. Reason: - typo

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    I'll plug it back in and give it a shot. It says PCM connection OK, it also says that it has no calibration, and I get the endless Bootloader rejected,
    "retrying in 1 second" string. I'm going to the JY tomorrow and looking for a pre-03 PCM. Will a V6 one work from a grand prix etc?
    Last edited by 67RsCamaroVette; October 21st, 2011 at 02:31 PM.

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    Quote Originally Posted by Taz View Post
    if you tried to flash a 512Kb tune into a 1Mb PCM then it is a brick.
    Even though I bricked this one, I know the no-no's of tuning (low battery voltage (duh), ETC tables, severely out of limit calibrations, etc etc..) And I learned about ground offsets during my LC1 days (shudder), so I don't use an inverter... As for testing, I didn't actually flash to the other PCM, no sense wasting a license I don't have on a POS blazer. I have used 6 licenses, I don't have any more. If I could transfer the license, I will be eternally grateful. I'll try the ignition trick tomorrow AM. I threw a fresh battery on the car and have it on a 2A trickle.

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    I found a folder with 29 BLX files that appear to have been made during my flashing attempts.. from 5Pm - 10Pm.. How do I read those?

    The orange light (second from the right) flashes quite a bit when IGN is on, I don't know if that means anything or not. Scan software can connect to the PCM, so there's something there.. I just wish I could reflash it.

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    Quote Originally Posted by 67RsCamaroVette View Post
    ... I'm going to the JY tomorrow and looking for a pre-03 PCM. Will a V6 one work from a grand prix etc? ...
    512Kb LS1-B PCM
    • 1999-2002 truck/SUV (some 1999 & 2000 - 2500/3500 series still used the Vortec "black box" PCM)
    • 2001-2002 full size van (Express / Savana)
    • 2001-2002 S-truck / Astro / Safari van (with 4.3L)
    • 1999-2002 Camaro (V8) / Corvette
    Might be some others that don't come to mind ...


    Regards,
    Taz
    Last edited by Taz; October 21st, 2011 at 02:45 PM. Reason: - typo

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