1996 - 2002 GM 6.5L Diesel Used Salvage Yard PCM VIN Reflash with SPS and Tech2 (Chevy & GMC)

[@godfamilycountry4211]

Awesome video. Thx for taking the time to reach us. New sub and really look forward to your lessons. Cavalier bcm is my issue so thx again.

[@michaelmauracher2438]

Hello Can you please measure where the diode between the two capacitors behind the pin 1 of the light blue connector is connected to the light blue connector? Regards

[@chipvickery5078]

Great video sir! I have one of these I need to do at our shop. Is it also possible to do the VIN on these by EEPROM?

[@DrShock]

Thanks. I haven't explored doing that, but this older model may utilize an MCU memory rather than an EEPROM.

[@blackmanops3749]

I'm confused. If you use the donor VIN then wouldn't a State inspection thru the OBD Port mess things up since the PCM VIN is no longer matching the actual Vehicle VIN?

[@DrShock]

Donor PCM, *not* donor VIN. SPS will reprogram the donor PCM with the trucks VIN as part of the re-calibration process. Not the other way around. The screen I believe you are referencing is just the opportunity to confirm you want to overwrite the donor PCMs currently stored VIN with the one for the target truck. When bench programming, with the PCM out of the truck, you have to tell SPS what VIN to go with. This sort of situation only arises with a salvage yard PCM. A new, or remanufactured, PCM will not have a VIN married to it out of the box.

[@Beirdo1]

Would you happen to have a part number for the service manual you are using? I would love to have a copy of that for my 6.5L. This is a very inspiring video :)

[@DrShock]

They are out of print with Helm nowadays, but they are fairly common on eBay. I'm using the 1998 2nd edition C/K service manual for this video. It was a rather large 4 volume set cover all body styles of C/K trucks. Here's an eBay affiliate link showing several listings - ebay.us/z5cENd

[@Beirdo1]

@@DrShock Does it cover the G-series vans with the 6.5 as well? Thanks, I'll take a look :)

[@DrShock]

No, there's a separate G service manual for the Express and Savana.

[@deandeanthedancingmachine1855]

Hi Dr Shock We have a p-30 stepvan with a 6.5 diesel that had bad ecu so purchased a new one but can’t find a dealer willing to reflash it Can you help us? We can send it to you and compensate for your time Thank You!!

[@HardiganFarms]

What was the original problem that made you want to change the pcm. I love you videos you keep my pickup go pickup going there is no Mechanic in my area that know how to work on 6.5

[@DrShock]

This particular video wasn't the result of a repair need. In this case I was salvaging the PCM for resell. The video was just my sharing how I go about making sure I'm selling a _good core_ in doing so. Typically you would be replacing the PCM though for limited reasons. So as if it was physically damaged (like during a collision), water damaged (like in a flood), internal corrosion (oxidation affecting the circuit board connectors or components), or electrically damaged (where a short or surge has knocked some or all of its original functionality). They are otherwise very hardy components and rarely go bad.

[@danman9017]

i like these video

[@johnlockesghost5592]

cool and refreshing, isn't it?

[@lindaburke9828]

Your experience is so valuable to so many people! Can you please help me find a great company to work on my PMC/ECM for a 1996 GMC Diesel 6.5L Turbo model K20953 pickup. My mechanic can't find a reputable company to work on it or find a replacement part that can be programed. Any help is truly appreciated because my pickup that I love is just sitting waiting for this important part! : )

[@DrShock]

Thanks, these PCMs are not discontinued and still available from GM so not sure why your mechanic is having trouble there. There are search links in the video description. Now they are not cheap, need to be programmed, and are not available aftermarket. So you'll have to be willing to put down the coin for a remanufactured unit. Or, alternatively, have a mechanic with a subscription to www.acdelcotds.com *and* a GM compatible J2534 scan tool to use SPS2 to reprogram a salvage yard one as I showed in this video. If you don't have access to someone who can program these, then try on the eBay link I provide in the description for a seller who will do the programming for you if you buy their used PCM. Usually Flagship One will do that.

[@vencentbauer]

Love the videos. Can we just use the tech 2 on the bench and not up date and just switch the vin ???? Or even in the vehical

[@DrShock]

Thanks. Whether on the bench like this, or in vehicle, the GM tools marry the VIN to the calibration update process they call SPS (Service Programming System). So GM doesn't have an "update VIN" function (remember GM is selling PCMs so there's no money in supporting the use of used modules). Nowadays in fact they outright block the reuse of modules. That all said, with the old TIS2000 only, you should be able to go in and update a PCM that already has the latest PCM to a different VIN (if its the same year same model with same exact options ONLY). I didn't show this, but you'll get an error that you can't update to the same calibration, but you should be able to ignore that and it will still update the VIN. I'll try and show that approach in a couple of weeks when I finish the video on the Vortec V8 gasoline engine VCM updates for 1996 - 2001.

[@paul-tj9no]

i have a old pcm from a 01. if i flash it for my 96 would it run or would vats/passlock get in the way?

[@DrShock]

It would have to be the exact same GM part number to be compatible of course. If the part numbers are exactly the same, and the 96 one is still functional, you can do a replace and program option and the Tech2 will clone it as an exact copy.

[@unclea8148]

Question Doctor Shock. I have recently converted my 96 c3500 with 6.5 from automatic to manual trans. I’m getting codes now for pcm not seeing shift solenoids and tcc solenoid etc. Can you/dealer reflash my PCM to have the same vin but choose manual trans to remedy this? Thank you for this video and any info would be great.

[@DrShock]

That would depend on whether the 1996 C3500 offered a manual trans option with the 6.5L diesel, and that the one you're now using is that same one rated for 6.5L duty (I believe this would have been the NV4500 trans for 96). Otherwise the PCM will not recognize the configuration as factory. Since the flashing software from GM is VIN database as built by factory driven, it would have to be a different VIN used to get it to flash the PCM for your modification. Some dealers will do this job, some won't. You'll have to check around first, but have the donor VIN handy from a 1996 C3500 salvage yard vehicle. You might have an easier go finding a 6.5L PCM being sold from such a vehicle, and then turn around and resell yours to recoup some of the costs. No, I'm not a business so I don't do this kind of work.

[@unclea8148]

@@DrShock thank you for your reply. Yes it’s a factory trans option nv4500 I installed. There is an aftermarket diesel business that will do it and also add a tune for towing but it’s pricy. Tried to buy a pcm off eBay but it failed APP voltage test when I sent it to them so I’m out already for that one but I might just bite the bullet and send them the one out of the truck. Thanks again for your knowledge on this

[@timothyjackson7813]

Great video. Can you program a remanufactored ecm the same way?

[@DrShock]

A reman one should already have the latest calibration installed as part of the recovery process. But if not, sure you can update it during the config process. The reman units will put the PCM back to a virgin state (if done right) to match how a new one came out of the box from GM, without any VIN. So you'll go thru a very similar process as I showed here other than choosing the program and replace menu path.

[@timothyjackson7813]

Take you for responding. The reason I asked is because I have a 2000 6.5l diesel with no start. Used a scanner and had no communication, so bought a clone tech 2 and still have no communication. Was thinking of buying a remanufactured one and trying that.

[@DrShock]

Like in this video, you should be able to communicate to the PCM all by itself. So not being able to points to only one of two things. Either the PCM has bit the dust, or there's a problem in the wiring harness. I'd rule out the latter before dropping coin on a new one. You want to verify you have voltage and ground at the PCM harness connectors that plug into it, and that the communication bus is not shorted to ground/open.

[@timothyjackson7813]

Thanks for replying. Already checked voltages and ground at pcm and had 12 volts. I'll order a remanufactured and go from there. Again thanks.

[@timothyjackson7813]

I've got a 2000 c3500 6.5l turbo diesel. Had no communication with OEM ecu. Purchased a remanufactored ecu and tried to flash with tis2000. When building vehicle I've got to adding year, light weight truck but I dont see a c3500 on list of vehicles. Which vehicle should I use to continue? Thanks

[@ishgilbertstone4887]

Will this work with the 99 6.5 gmc savanna short busses Thanyou Doc!!!

[@DrShock]

afaik, every 6.5L diesel from 1996 and up used this same PCM. Though I have seen the Hummer H1s sold under an AM General part number assigned rather than using the GM part number (yet the ones I've seen still have the Delphi 16216588 sticker on top).

[@ElectraGlide-vx6cp]

hi hello, I wanted to ask you if it was possible to pass the data from the old control unit to the new one. if possible have a contact to talk about it. Thank you

[@DrShock]

For the diesel PCMs prior to 1996 you could just move the PROM chip over, but for the programmable series like in this video you have to have a scan tool. Some modules like radios and body control modules you can move over a single EEPROM chip, but for this type of PCM that data isn't available so scan tool is the only way.

[@ElectraGlide-vx6cp]

if I let you have the two control units would you be able to pass the data?

[@DrShock]

@@ElectraGlide-vx6cp I'm not a business, just sharing knowledge so folks with the skills and equipment can repair these themselves. If you would prefer someone else do the repair, best bet would be to drive the vehicle with the original PCM into an indy repair shop and have them do the program and replace of the PCM for you. If the vehicle isn't drivable currently, then best bet is one of the mail in shops where you can get your PCM programmed. Google _mail in GM PCM programming_ and you'll get several hits. But these services are not cheap, even if you supply the PCM. They are all just doing some variation of what I've shared here for free. ;-)

[@tomrohn8607]

Would this be the Same as used in 95 6.5 diesel

[@tomrohn8607]

95 are different I found it

[@steveg5268]

Are you using windows xp or is windows 10 ok to use?

[@DrShock]

I'm actually using Win2K as that was what it ran on in the day. But WinXP should work too. Nothing newer would support such an old software package that needs direct port access control.

[@steveg5268]

@@DrShock ok thank you i'll reload xp

[@steveg5268]

Win xp worked for me. I programmed another pcm and confirmed that wasnt my problem. But its ok another skill is always good.

[@enriqueguijosa3675]

Do you have a contact #?

[@DrShock]

No, but happy to answer questions here.

[@fernandovitor7192]

Hi, can you check my ecm if I ship it to you?

[@wadebond7679]

There is a crank sensor..I own a 1998 6.5.

[@DrShock]

Yes of course, and here's how to replace it - kzbin.info/www/bejne/r3WqqKGIpMujgcU but it doesn't trigger a relearn from SPS like a gasoline engine. As mentioned it would at most trigger a TDCO relearn for the 6.5L diesel.