PewterWSSicc

I just finished a motor swap on my 98 camaro SS went to turn the key and it won't start.

when hooked up to hp tuners vcm editor I get an error message saying "vcm not found". I think I fried my computer with my old motor.

I was wondering if anyone else has had this problem and also if flashing my 01 ws6 info into a new computer would work on my 98 SS?

any info would be appreciated

PewterWSSicc

any advice?

horist

if you're using the 98 PCM, it's not compatible with 99+ computers so you can't flash it to anything but a 98

Make sure the OBDII port has power, if it doesn't then that'll give an error

PewterWSSicc

If I purchased a PCM for a 2001 Trans Am WS6, flashed it with my current tune info would it be compatible with my 98 camaro SS?

horist

a 99+ PCM (so 2k1 TA) would require you repinning your PCM harness (it's not plug and play) also a 99+ can not be flashed with a 98 tune (you'd have to copy over the tables manually)

changing from a 98 wiring harness to a 99+ seems to be a pretty complex ordeal (if you want your gas gauge and all your instrument gauges working, also the temp sensor on a 98 is different from a 99+ motor)

PewterWSSicc

thanks for the advice horist. I wanted to try and keep my car away from the dealer but it seems its my only reasonable option. I just want to get my car running again.

thanks again for all the help.

sreve

iTrader: (3)

check eng lite koeo? fuses good?

Frost

iTrader: (45)

Just get a 98 PCM (not very expensive) and copy the tables over from your TA file to a 98 file (not all tables are the same between them so it'll take a little time, also use the VIN from your 98 that is getting the PCM/new engine) and flash and go.

PewterWSSicc

Does anybody have a stock 98 SS tune as an hptuners file, that they could email to me. Then i could just put in the new 98 computer and flash it with that, couldnt I.

horist

have you checked to ensure you have power to the DLC (plug that you plug the cable into to talk to the VCM) , i think it's pin 16... if you don't have power here then that's your problem

If you're using an MPVI interface (the newer one) you can easily test by plugging just the box in (dont plut it into the laptop, just the car) if no lights light up, you're missing power

PewterWSSicc

I'll test the power and check that.

I tried to swap computers today to see if it was the computer.

the 98 vcm in the 01 ws6 failed to start/ no fuel to motor. but radio and air box continued to run even when key was removed from ignition and door was opened. had to unplug computer to get the components to turn off. (don't know if that was incompatibility or vcm was damaged.

the 01 vcm in the 98 SS gave the same symptoms as the 98 SS vcm. no fuel sent to motor, gauge cluster showed dim orange where my mileage should show (69,000), oil preasure all the way passed 80, volt charge not reading(brand new battery).

it seems like the vcm needs to be replaced but that doesn't explain the gauge cluster. I sent out for 200 MPH gauges and just had them recalibrated befor my motor threw a rod.

PewterWSSicc

I checked the power and it is good. It turned out that there are two pcm ground wires on the drivers side behind the motor. These two wires never got rebolted back up to the motor. I bolted them on and the car started, i was also able to then hook hptuners up to it. I unplugged everything and put the pcm back where it goes, plugged it all back in and now its doing the samething. So i think i have a short in the back somewhere, i will have to investigate further.

PewterWSSicc

car is now running great. 800 miles left till race time. thanks for all the help. see you on the road.