1999 Grand Prix GT 3.8 need help reading programming

They go by many names, P01, P59, VPW, '0411 etc. Also covering E38 and newer here.
geep6
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cars: 1999 Grand Prix GT 3.8
2001 Grand Prix 3.1
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1999 Grand Prix GT 3.8 need help reading programming

Post by geep6 »

I have a 1999 Grand Prix and i was wondering what tools i would need to read and tune the ecu on this car or if it's even possible. I have read a little bit about it and it seems like it's one of the harder one's to read and program vx vy flash based. I do have a older laptop that has a serial and parallel ports also has usb. I have programed game consoles over jtag and usb spi and i have a rs232 chip that i use to read dvd keys from 360 dvd drives.any help i would appreciate
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VL400
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Re: 1999 Grand Prix GT 3.8 need help reading programming

Post by VL400 »

Do you know what PCM part number it uses?
geep6
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2001 Grand Prix 3.1
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Re: 1999 Grand Prix GT 3.8 need help reading programming

Post by geep6 »

HDW NO. is 09357440 I think that is what you are talking about
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VL400
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Re: 1999 Grand Prix GT 3.8 need help reading programming

Post by VL400 »

It looks similar to an LS1 PCM case - it might share the same internal hardware too? If it is the same then there is, AFAIK, no free tool for reprogramming them.
geep6
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cars: 1999 Grand Prix GT 3.8
2001 Grand Prix 3.1
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Re: 1999 Grand Prix GT 3.8 need help reading programming

Post by geep6 »

Here are a few more pics of the internals files were to big to attach so upped them to photo bucket
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VL400
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Re: 1999 Grand Prix GT 3.8 need help reading programming

Post by VL400 »

Looks like a cut down version of an LS1 PCM, I dont know of any free tools to read or write the bin on these :thumbdown:
geep6
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cars: 1999 Grand Prix GT 3.8
2001 Grand Prix 3.1
Location: South East MO. USA

Re: 1999 Grand Prix GT 3.8 need help reading programming

Post by geep6 »

So my next question. Is the bin stored in the Intel flash chip and if i were to pull it and put it in a programmer would it be read out properly
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VL400
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Re: 1999 Grand Prix GT 3.8 need help reading programming

Post by VL400 »

If its anything like the LS1 pcm, yes it is stored in the flash chip and can be read out in a programmer. You can also get ZIF sockets for the flash chip so you dont need to keep desoldering it for re-programming.
geep6
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2001 Grand Prix 3.1
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Re: 1999 Grand Prix GT 3.8 need help reading programming

Post by geep6 »

Just out of curiosity if you had this pcm how would you try and go about reading it looks like the sockets are fairly high to buy the ones that i have found are in the 200.00 to 450.00 dollar range
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VL400
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Re: 1999 Grand Prix GT 3.8 need help reading programming

Post by VL400 »

Would likley socket it as a first step, so can then read the bin and start playing. Get yourself some chipquik (http://www.chipquikinc.com/) too, makes it a breeze to remove SMD parts.

There are cheaper sockets around, but yes you can also pay a fortune for them! The cheaper ones can sometimes have pin contact issues.
http://www.chip-service.de/product_info ... aichi.html
http://www.chip-service.de/product_info ... ritec.html

NOTE: I have never bought from this company, am just using them as an example of an affordable socket.
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