Just match the same part number or would it have to go to a dealer for some kind of reprogramming? I'm just curious if I can grab one from a wrecker and throw it in to see if my other problem goes away. It's just a lot cheaper doing that away instead of getting a new one installed at a dealer for a ton of moneyNasmfell wrote:You answered your questions. If I'm not mistaken, the replacement ECM would need to match up with the one being replaced.
Would that likely be all? There wouldn't be any performance issues or check engine light?trb wrote:Found this post on here where someone did the same.
viewtopic.php?f=28&t=30729&p=345749&hil ... nt#p345749" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
I think it may show up if you put it on a computer that there is a different VIN number progammed in the PCM than what is on the car. That is probably what the dealer needs to reprogram.
No idea. That post was the only one I found on the same subject that you were asking about, replacing a PCM/ECM without dealer programming. That person never came back to update again, but it sounded like their car was running OK after the swap.c2cummin wrote:Would that likely be all? There wouldn't be any performance issues or check engine light?trb wrote:Found this post on here where someone did the same.
viewtopic.php?f=28&t=30729&p=345749&hil ... nt#p345749" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
I think it may show up if you put it on a computer that there is a different VIN number progammed in the PCM than what is on the car. That is probably what the dealer needs to reprogram.
Toyotas will throw a check engine light if you install a new ECU, which must have a VIN programmed into it using a Toyota dealership's special computer. Once the VIN on a Toyota ECU is set, it CANNOT be changed, so a used ECU will throw a code on a car that doesn't match its VIN.c2cummin wrote:Would that likely be all? There wouldn't be any performance issues or check engine light?
The recall was performed on this car.trb wrote:As a side note, do you know if the recall was done on this car? If not, you could get it replaced by GM if it is one of the recalled PCM/ECM/ECUs.
lannvouivre wrote:Toyotas will throw a check engine light if you install a new ECU, which must have a VIN programmed into it using a Toyota dealership's special computer. Once the VIN on a Toyota ECU is set, it CANNOT be changed, so a used ECU will throw a code on a car that doesn't match its VIN.c2cummin wrote:Would that likely be all? There wouldn't be any performance issues or check engine light?
I think the GM version of the Toyota ECU has totally different protocols. You would have to research and see if their ECU could be reflashed or not, however you have to remember that it's an odd duck because it is Toyota hardware with probably GM protocols for communicating to scan tools but possibly Toyota software for actually running the engine.
I can't say for sure on the Vibe ECU, but Fabian taught me how to do the ECU recall on a 2006 Corolla yesterday.
EDIT: Forgot to mention the car will run with the new ECU straight away, as far as I can tell.
Yes. Toyota has a special laptop you plug into the OBDII plug and you run a special program. No idea on GM, as I don't work there. There's an update for the 2006 Matrix so a heat-soaked engine will fire up faster, but I don't know if GM offers it. I want to have it done but as I mentioned, the protocols are different and so the Toyota scanner isn't even on speaking terms with Epona.c2cummin wrote:How did you end up reprogramming the ECU? Did you take to a dealer for that?
Would the programming really be that different? Just curious since the ECU in my car says Toyota on it. Everything actually other than the grill on the front says Toyota.lannvouivre wrote:Yes. Toyota has a special laptop you plug into the OBDII plug and you run a special program. No idea on GM, as I don't work there. There's an update for the 2006 Matrix so a heat-soaked engine will fire up faster, but I don't know if GM offers it. I want to have it done but as I mentioned, the protocols are different and so the Toyota scanner isn't even on speaking terms with Epona.c2cummin wrote:How did you end up reprogramming the ECU? Did you take to a dealer for that?
The one we set a VIN on was brand new. Was even in stock at the dealership! Very nice and shiny.
The Toyota scan tool won't talk to my vibe the way it does a Toyota. You can talk to other cars using it but can only pull up codes and sometimes the live datastream. When it talks to Toyotas, it can recalibrate the programming, perform a health check, and some other functions. This is using a Techstream.c2cummin wrote:Would the programming really be that different? Just curious since the ECU in my car says Toyota on it. Everything actually other than the grill on the front says Toyota.
Just wondering because a friend of mine thinks he'll be able to program the VIN into the used ECU but is gathering tools/software required for doing so on a Toyota.
Thanks! Appreciate the heads up. I guess my attempts might be pointless if a used ECU can't have the VIN changed anyways... I don't really want to drive around with a check engine light on constantly. I might have to take to the dealer after all.lannvouivre wrote:The Toyota scan tool won't talk to my vibe the way it does a Toyota. You can talk to other cars using it but can only pull up codes and sometimes the live datastream. When it talks to Toyotas, it can recalibrate the programming, perform a health check, and some other functions. This is using a Techstream.c2cummin wrote:Would the programming really be that different? Just curious since the ECU in my car says Toyota on it. Everything actually other than the grill on the front says Toyota.
Just wondering because a friend of mine thinks he'll be able to program the VIN into the used ECU but is gathering tools/software required for doing so on a Toyota.
If you use Snap-On's Solus Pro, you can't use the Toyota personality key to talk to the ECU as well and have to use the same one as the GM vehicles.
I'm just saying it's at least different enough that you have to use GM communication programming.
That would be good to know. I remember the recall was for 2005-2008 models so maybe they are different. I've just read around that a new ECU can cost around 1000 bucks so trying to get a good used to work would be great. A wrecker near me only wants 60 bucks for a used, but then again I am taking a gamble on a used one....lannvouivre wrote:I've been thinking about this a lot lately and asked the guy who swapped his 2004 auto vibe to a manual whether he got a used ECU, but it's 12 am and I don't think he'll answer just now. I'm posting so I don't forget.
EDIT: He used a used ECU, but his was a 2003 or 4. 2005+ may be different.
Well, it's only $50. Just check the part number to make sure it's not one affected by the recall.c2cummin wrote:That would be good to know. I remember the recall was for 2005-2008 models so maybe they are different. I've just read around that a new ECU can cost around 1000 bucks so trying to get a good used to work would be great. A wrecker near me only wants 60 bucks for a used, but then again I am taking a gamble on a used one....
How do you check the part number? Is there an identifier in it to tell if it came from a recall? I'd just like to be able to tell before buying it if possible.lannvouivre wrote:Well, it's only $50. Just check the part number to make sure it's not one affected by the recall.c2cummin wrote:That would be good to know. I remember the recall was for 2005-2008 models so maybe they are different. I've just read around that a new ECU can cost around 1000 bucks so trying to get a good used to work would be great. A wrecker near me only wants 60 bucks for a used, but then again I am taking a gamble on a used one....
If you remove the ECM, it will have the part number on it. There were specific batches that should be listed online somewhere.c2cummin wrote:How do you check the part number? Is there an identifier in it to tell if it came from a recall? I'd just like to be able to tell before buying it if possible.
That list is great! The ECM in the vibe says 'toyota' on it so I'm guessing these part numbers would match something that's in a vibe. I'll have this list handy if I get to wrecker's soon to check. At least it's a really good starting point.lannvouivre wrote:If you remove the ECM, it will have the part number on it. There were specific batches that should be listed online somewhere.c2cummin wrote:How do you check the part number? Is there an identifier in it to tell if it came from a recall? I'd just like to be able to tell before buying it if possible.
http://media.fixed-ops.com/Toy_Campaign ... nterim.pdf" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
Let me know if these numbers match up at all. You may also be able to call the dealership and inquire about the number (if the Vibe number is different); if they don't want to help, maybe send it to me and I'll threaten to crush the guys at my local dealer to death with my love handles if they don't cooperate
Ontario, Canada. The cost from the dealer for a new one installed is going to be around 500 bucks. A bit of a gouge but for some reason I thought it'd be upwards for 1000. I went to my local salvage yard and they had 1 but a guy working there told me Toyota doesn't recommend putting a used one in....that I could have shifting problems. I didn't want anymore headaches so I decided to just go for a new one.lannvouivre wrote:Where are you located, anyway? I just went to a salvage yard the other day to pick up a 2007 automatic transmission from a base Vibe, they may still have the ECM.
Sorry for the delayed reply!antdes45 wrote:Hi c2cummin, I'm having the same trouble as you did with my Matrix and was wondering if the new ECU fixed the problem in the long term.
While the tach jumps: temp needle stays low and the A/C relay flickers. Also, I get the 5 canister codes even though the canister works properly.
It's clearly not the tach sensor as the rpm is just fine when reading from OBD.