so i ended up picking up a good used ecm for the same year and trans as my truck,do i need to get reflash for it to operate in my truck or can i just throw it in and go?

 

Your going to get an annoying horn honk the moment a dealer plugs in.

 

im installing it myself,will the truck run or do i need the dealer to reflash it?

 

That part I don't know. I've heard it's tough to swap ecm's, especially if it's not exactly right for your truck.

 

from a mechanical stand point its about a 10min job,and the ecm is from an identical truck,so hopefully it will run correctly

 

I had a buddy use the ECM from an old toaster he was throwing out...

All I can tell you is ----- It's a good thing he has a sun roof!!!

 

You will have to have it programmed with the VIN from your truck.

 

Don't know about 3rd Gens but I've done it on a 2nd Gen. As long as trannys are a match... worked fine.
And an ECM from an Auto worked fine in a 5 speed.... but not the other way around?
This was back when they had Catcher ECM's... before the Smarty programers came out.

On an 03, I'd give it a try... especially with the yr matching as well!
We did it with an a few 01's and 02's!

RJ

 

thats what i fgured,ill throw it in and see what happens,if it wont run ill drive it to the dealer and put it in in their parking lotthat way i wont have to pay then $100 an hour to do it

 

If you have the Sentry system(grey chipped keys). Then it defiantly won't work, been there, done that.

 

It won't run, you won't drive it anywhere, the dealer can't fix it. When they get done playing with it, charge you for it, and you still have to have it towed then you will understand.

Dealer cannot flash an ECU that deep to fix those problems. They will make you buy a new ECU, or, you will need to send it to a place that reconditions them and have if flashed.

Another option maybe buy a Smarty and have a reflash written to update the VIN. That would be a Marco question

Yeah, those grey keys defiant all right.

 

i guess i dont really understand what you mean???why couldnt i drive it to the dealer and put the new ecm in there??and why couldnt they flash the ecm with my vin andd updated file???and what do you mean they cant fix it?

 

Just checked with a friend who has an 03!
His key is same as my 02....basic Black! $4.00 to copy it at Wal-Mart!

But 'cLAYH' said (implied) his is a grey, "chipped" Key??
Confusing!

'danimal 95' - if you have a black Ignition key....swapping ECM's should work!

RJ

 

On my '03 with the Sentry system(grey key) the vin for the engine ECM is programmed into the truck's BCM computer. If you swap the computer the codes won't match and the BCM will thro a security code and not aollow the engine to run.

In my case I sawpped in a used motor that came with its own ECM. I just left it on when I swapped the motor in. Upon trying to start it the engine would fire then die and the little red secruity light on the dash would blink. Swapping in the original ECM off of the removed motor solved the problem and the truck fired up. I don't know if this would effect a non-sentry equipped truck or not. Try it and let us know.

Worst case scenario if it doesn't work I don't see why you couldn't take the truck to a dealer and have them install the computer and re-program the BCM to accept it.

Whats wrong with the truck anyway that you want to swap ECMs?

 

Ah, It was an option! Got it.
Found another friend with an 04 that also has a 'Black' Key!

RJ