Coded for failed PCM

Tiny
DESIREE TENNANT
  • MEMBER
  • 1997 CHEVROLET CAVALIER
  • 2.2L
  • 4 CYL
  • 2WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 200,000 MILES
My car broke down, got a reader to see what could be the cause. It coded for a failed PCM. Changed it and now it turns over but will not start, seems like it is not getting any gas or fire. Tried looking it up and found out it could be a anti theft thing and tried over riding that by doing the ten minute thing to make the PCM do a relearn. Still not working. Please any help will be great.
Saturday, April 14th, 2018 AT 4:03 PM

6 Replies

Tiny
ASEMASTER6371
  • MECHANIC
  • 52,797 POSTS
Good evening.

First, what code led you to a bad PCM?

Did you use a new PCM and have it flashed to your car?

The ten minute relearn is not a bypass but you are teaching the key the password for the anti theft. You do that procedure three times for the key to learn the password.

Roy
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Saturday, April 14th, 2018 AT 5:48 PM
Tiny
WRENCHTECH
  • MECHANIC
  • 20,758 POSTS
In this security system the key does not have a transponder built in and does not learn anything. The system learns a specific footprint of the ignition lock rotating. You can add or replace as many keys as you like without any programming but a change of the PCM does require the thirty minute relearn, done in the proper sequence. The Instrument cluster acts as the security control module.
This system does have common issues with the lock sensor and related wires having problems. There is a method to bypass the sensor but the rest of the system would still be operational.

PASS-LOCK SENSOR BYPASS:
Look for the black wire and the yellow wire from the pass-lock sensor in the column, cut the wires and you can solder in a 2.2K (2200 ohm) resistor connecting them together and then attempt to start the car. It will stall do not turn the ignition off. Leave the ignition on for ten minutes or until the theft light goes out. Turn the key off for ten seconds then attempt to start the car. If it now runs you have been successful. If it does not you either made a mistake or there are other problems besides the ignition lock cylinder.

This relearn process is used when the PCM has not been changed. In your case it has to be repeated three times in succession, even if you do the bypass.
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Sunday, April 15th, 2018 AT 8:09 AM
Tiny
DESIREE TENNANT
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  • 3 POSTS
The PCM was bought from a junk yard so no, did not know I needed to get it flashed, and it coded PO141. The catalytic converter was bypassed before I bought the car so the other problems that code shows for is not relevant to my car. I mean by all means if I have missed something please let me know. I can use all the help I can get. This Friday I will be doing what WrenchTech suggested doing. We did the turn the key to and from three times and that did not work, so we are going to bypass those wires you mentioned and do it again.
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Wednesday, April 18th, 2018 AT 2:13 PM
Tiny
ASEMASTER6371
  • MECHANIC
  • 52,797 POSTS
The first thing I would do is have the PCM programmed to your vehicle. Any shop with an advanced scan tool can do this for you.

The cost is about $100.00.

Roy
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Wednesday, April 18th, 2018 AT 2:30 PM
Tiny
DESIREE TENNANT
  • MEMBER
  • 3 POSTS
Do not really have the money to do that at the moment, is there no other way? I mean if that is the route I have to go then so be it, but if I can save some money then I would like to go that way. Haha
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Wednesday, April 18th, 2018 AT 3:09 PM
Tiny
ASEMASTER6371
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I understand but it is the only way.

Roy
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Wednesday, April 18th, 2018 AT 3:32 PM

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