flint_jeff Posted November 19, 2004 Report Share Posted November 19, 2004 "Service Engine Soon" light lit today on my 190,000 mile 1990 Lumina 3.1. Used the paperclip method and got the expected 12,12,12 followed by 41,41,41. Looked up the code and it suggests that the calibration chip in my ECM has gone bad (it's the original ECM and the car has been in the family since new). Took a look at a replacement ECM at Autozone and it requires you to transfer the cal chip from the old ECM which wouldn't seem to help the situation. Anyone know how much a new calibration chip is? Is it a dealer-only item? Thx in Advance FJ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
skiiirt Posted November 19, 2004 Report Share Posted November 19, 2004 well a new ECM will run ya about $300 CDN ($150 US) if you have a good dealer I have seen upwards of $500 CDN asking price Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest TurboSedan Posted November 19, 2004 Report Share Posted November 19, 2004 memcals are only like $40 i think from GM Parts Direct but i doubt the memcal is your problem. i'd go get a used ECM from someone on the forum (isn't Ben selling one?) or a salvage yard. you probably have the 7727 ECM which is pretty common. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HokemBokem Posted November 19, 2004 Report Share Posted November 19, 2004 How do you do that paperclip trick BTW? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Vegeta Posted November 19, 2004 Report Share Posted November 19, 2004 I have an ECM for sale that is in known good working order. 50 shipped. The memcal rarely goes bad...and I don't have memcals here anymore, just the adapters which won't fix a faulty memcal unless its just the chip code that is bad. If the cooling fans come on with the key on but not running, that is a sign that that chip is bad. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
digitaloutsider Posted November 19, 2004 Report Share Posted November 19, 2004 How do you do that paperclip trick BTW? It does NOT work for OBD-II cars. But, for reference if you ever have one: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HokemBokem Posted November 19, 2004 Report Share Posted November 19, 2004 How do you do that paperclip trick BTW? It does NOT work for OBD-II cars. But, for reference if you ever have one: Thanks alot But what do you do/wait for after that? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
digitaloutsider Posted November 19, 2004 Report Share Posted November 19, 2004 Watch the SES light and get the codes. For example: **Flash** [pause] **Flash** **Flash** = Code 12 **Flash** **Flash** [pause] **Flash** **Flash** **Flash** = Code 23 I'm also adding all of the SES codes to the W-body FAQ Soon. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HokemBokem Posted November 19, 2004 Report Share Posted November 19, 2004 Watch the SES light and get the codes. For example: **Flash** [pause] **Flash** **Flash** = Code 12 **Flash** **Flash** [pause] **Flash** **Flash** **Flash** = Code 23 I'm also adding all of the SES codes to the W-body FAQ Soon. Now that pretty cool Did GM make it like that or is it something that someone just found out? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
digitaloutsider Posted November 19, 2004 Report Share Posted November 19, 2004 GM made it this way, I'm sure. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GPXSS Posted November 19, 2004 Report Share Posted November 19, 2004 just an FYI, the lamp will flash a code 12 3 times first, which tells you the ECM is working. Then it will flash any stored codes 3 times before going to the next. Finally it will end with another 3 code 12's Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest TurboSedan Posted November 19, 2004 Report Share Posted November 19, 2004 just adding another detail - the key has to be in the 'ON' posistion when you check codes. and do not start the car while the paperclip is in place. a Haynes manual has the procedure in it as well as a description of all trouble codes. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DaveFromColorado Posted November 20, 2004 Report Share Posted November 20, 2004 ... you can* start the car with the paperclip in place, but this will put the car in it's "default" mode ... it's not recomended, but it's useful (sometimes) --Dave. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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