Scanner to it and he said it kept showing that ECM was getting weak?

JEB3FAN

MEMBER
1996 CHEVROLET S-10
4 CYL
2WD
MANUAL
110,000 MILES

I have a 96 s-10 with a 2.2 L motor. I just bought it and got it for a very cheap price. It runs very, very rough. The man I bought it from said he had a friend with a handheld scanner hook his scanner to it and he said it kept showing that ECM was getting weak. I bought it thinking that a ECM shouldn't be hard to find for it. I did find out right away that a 1996 is the only year that will interchange with it. I've been told now that when I find one it will have to be flashed. If I find one from another 1996 s-10 with a 2.2L, will it have to be flashed? I would think if it is an exact duplicate truck that it wouldn't. There are several 96 GM cars that will interchange also. If I get one from a salvage that interchanges will it have to be flashed? Is the dealer the only place to get them flashed? Please help, this is all new to me

4 Replies

WRENCHTECH

MECHANIC
20,757 POSTS

Yes, it would still have to be flashed but you may not even be on the right track. There is no such thing as a "weak" PCM and there certainly is no code that would tell you that. The PCM is the most misdiagnosed component on the car.

The Engine Control Module (ECM) on a 1996 Chevrolet S-10 is typically located inside the vehicle's cabin, behind the dashboard on the passenger side. Here are the general steps to access the ECM:

Open the passenger-side door and locate the kick panel on the right side of the dashboard. The kick panel is the trim piece that covers the area where your feet rest when sitting in the passenger seat.

Remove the kick panel by gently pulling it away from the dashboard. It may be held in place by clips or screws. Use a flathead screwdriver or a suitable tool to carefully pry it off if necessary.

Once the kick panel is removed, you should be able to see the ECM. It is a small rectangular or square-shaped module with electrical connectors plugged into it.