GenVibe - Community for Pontiac Vibe Enthusiasts

Is there a way to have the PCM re-flashed? I hate the shifting on my car and a mechanic told me that it seems like it needs to be re-programmed. He didn't have access to anything and said I'd probably have to contact a Pontiac Dealer...........which scares the hell out of me and they probably wouldn't be able to, or want to, do it.

I would try a Toyota dealer. A Pontiac dealer would not have a clue. I have heard of estimates between $300 and $800 for a ECU reflash/reprogram from Toyota.

Quote, originally posted by BlueCrush »I would try a Toyota dealer. A Pontiac dealer would not have a clue. I have heard of estimates between $300 and $800 for a ECU reflash/reprogram from Toyota.That's a worse ripoff than a Unichip.

$300 to $800 to spend about an hour reflashing?whats the issue exactly that your mechanic feels a reflash is required for? perhaps have pontiac diagnose the concern and see if its a reflash or something else that is required to fix. A reflash usually either returns everything to an un-learned state. Or updates the programming. Its not always a "solve all" solution.

He drove it and said that there is nothing mechanically wrong with the tranny but said that it seems to shift early, so he knows what I'm talking about. He thinks the shift points are off and said a PCM reflash should do the trick. I wish there was a cheap or easy way to do it.

you should also try a tranny drain and fill. or a full flush (non aggressive) that helps smooth the shifting. If you cant reprogram the tranny, look into a level 10 tranny or tranny parts (ie. torq converter)

It's already been flushed and has full synthetic AMSOIL.

If you do go to a dealer...I go to Stark Pontiac in Sun Prairie. I have not had good service at Don Miller.