Replacement ECMS/PCMS May Give Free Engine Starts (HSN 1001-18)

REPLACEMENT ECMS/PCMS MAY GIVE FREE ENGINE STARTS

TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN

SERVICE INFORMATION

Some replacement ECM/PCMs are programmed to give 10 free engine starts before you need to use a programmed ignition key. These free-start ECM/PCMs are intended for the production line, but occasionally, they may get put into parts stock by accident. This can cause a lot of confusion at dealerships because these parts look identical to regular parts stock. If you happen to repair your customer's vehicle with one of these free-start replacement ECM/PCMs, and it still has free starts remaining when you return the vehicle to your customer, the engine won't start after the tenth free start is used up, and the vehicle will need to be towed back to the dealership.

A quick way to check if the replacement ECM/PCM has free starts remaining, is to plug in the unit, reconnect the battery, and try to start the engine. If the ECM/PCM has free starts remaining, the engine starts and the immobilizer system indicator comes on steady. If the ECM/PCM has no free starts remaining, the engine doesn't start.

You must use up all 10 free starts or you can't program the ignition keys with your PGM Tester. To use up the free starts, just start and stop the engine until it won't start anymore.