PCM for Less - Page 2

Thanks Alvin for your response.  I am in Germany, so calling is a bit less easier than email.  My two questions are

Questions:
1.  I now have 1053 miles, but now the "check oil" is being displayed.  Can this occur after swapping the original PCM for the PCMforLess PCM core, or does my vehicle really think it needs an oil change?
2.  I didn't get any other errors or faults such as "check engine".  It might be running just a hair rough (but smooth as butter compared to my older car).  I assume the CASE relearn should and still needs to be done even without an engine fault light being displayed on the DIC.  Is this correct?

Got my loaner PCM today from Alvin n-company (man that was fast)..And installed it in about 7 minutes with removing coolant reservoir...Started right up on first try (didn't need to do a Security Relearn)..All I had to do was, change it from FRENCH to ENGLISH and reset the OILCHANGE reminder...Idles at about 650 RPM and is smooth as silk..Didn't go drive it around as It's too late and the roads are sheer ice...But I'm confident it will run fine..And this is just the loaner..Can't wait till I get mine back all tweeked up to my specs....Thanks Alvin!..I'll be sending you Mine to Program Tuesday, as Monday is MLK's holiday.

Well....It has not stopped sleeting since mid day Friday..6" to 7" on the raods and still coming down...Went driving in it...This Little HUMMER is phenominal...I have not driven a better vehicle in ice and Sleet and snow than this H3..Totally in control, stabile and awesome..Like I was on dry pavement...I just fell in love with it all over again..

Anywhoo..The reason I'm posting is to say the Loaner PCM worked fine..No problems what so ever..Idles silky smooth and responds a little better too..But other than that, it seems slightly better than stock and runs perfect..Cain't wait to see how much more better mine will be once it's been tweeked completely by Alvin..


Funny enough,   I just happened to get my last OnStar report today while I was out tooling around...Looks like all systems are with in specs..and didn't show anything different other than I now have 100% oil life again..




FINAL REPORT -
 


Engine and/or Transmission System

Diagnostic: Complete. No action needed.





Emissions System

Diagnostic: Complete. No action needed.





Air Bag System

Diagnostic: Complete. No action needed.








Antilock Braking System

Diagnostic: Complete. No action needed.








OnStar System

Diagnostic: Complete. No action needed.




[image]http://www.onstar.com/us_english/images/email_images/ovd/BP13_bottom_di

Can anyone help with these questions regarding my PCM core swap?

1.  I have 1053 miles, but after the swap the "check oil" is being displayed.  Is this common?  Can I just reset?

2.  I didn't get any other errors or faults such as "check engine".  Does the CASE relearn still need to be done?

*    I am in Germany so no OnStar checks for me.
**  I have already sent an email to PCMforLess on 1/10 and 1/14.

 OIL CHANGE REMINDER reset...Page 5-17  in the Owner's Manual.

Close all the doors while sitting in the seat, turn your key all the way to the ON/Run position (do not start the car)...depress several times the DIC button, until the OIL-RESET is flashing on your DIC display..While that OIL-RESET is on the DIC display, press and hold the DIC button in, until you hear a Beep-Beep-Beep..the timer is now reset.

This happens with new PCM's..

A security relearn in not needed since the car starts up...If it wouldn't of started, then you would have had to do a Security Relearn....so, in your case NO!
 
If you had a "check engine light" on....then you would have to go to the dealer for them to do a CASE RE-LEARN..So once again, In your case NO!
 
You should be good to go now.

In my case, I had to do a security relearn as the vehicle would not start after the PCM core installation.  Once performed, it immediately started without issue.  The security relearn actually took me longer to do than the installation due to various wait times.  However, all procedures were very easy to perform.

While easy to reset the "check oil" light, it would be nice if the install instructions mentioned that it could be a possibilty.

Per the PCMforLess instructions, "When a computer is completely rewritten with the latest GM calibration, the CASE information is lost.  To relearn the information, a dealership or shop with a Tech II scan tool must perform the procedure, which takes around 5-10 minutes.  The only time you need a CASE relearn is when using our core program."   If the CASE relearn is not needed in some cases it would be nice if this was stated in the instructions too.

I haven't gotten an answer yet to my emails to PCMforLess.  I would like to get confirmation from PCMforLess stating the CASE relearn is or is not needed.  If not needed as stated in the previous post, I could avoid taking a day of leave on Friday, the 2-hour roundtrip drive, the wait at the garage, and the cost to have the CASE relearn procedure done.

I really like the operating differences in my vehicle after the install.  I would just like to not have these couple of uncertainties.  Hooah from Germany

For those that do the core PCM, I got a response back from both Kelly and Alvin at PCMforLess.  Their response was
 
1.  You are good to go to reset the oil light.  Sometimes it gets reset when we reflash them.
 
2 The rough idle is normal for the first 100 miles of operation. After that it should clear up and go away. If you used a CORE exchange that you still must get a CASE relearn done even if the light is not on.
 
So, I will reset my change oil and go off to the garage on Friday for the CASE relearn.

Good..I'm glad you got that cleared up....Happy Trails

T[h]anks Dennis

quote:

ORIGINAL: Dennis

Good..I'm glad you got that cleared up....Happy Trails

 
Not in a Hummer though eh Dennis. Better a Freelander TD4 - Sorry guys only kidding!!! Honest.

Good evening Robin...Glad to see you again..Look at your Inbox..

Just popped in hto say hi Dennis. Wasn't sure if you would ignore a PM. I would like to pop in now and again if that is okay with you guys.

Welcome Robin...Come on in and visit anytime..Like I said..Glad to see you again..
 
PS; Post some pictures of your African adventure last year..The folks here do appreciate difficult off road driving.

HIGHLY recommend you take full advantage of the great deal and professional, expert PCM tune from PCMforless...The best money you can spend on any MODIFICATION for your H3...I swear!

Got my PCM back from Alvin/Kelly yesterday...I installed it in about 10 minutes (and I took my time too, I sprayed contact cleaner (Deoxit) and lubricant on the three connectors before hooking them up) and it started right up without a hitch...Idled down smoothly as compared to the original programming which was rough on idle down on a cold start....Settled out at approx 600 rpms as that is what I wanted the idle to be set at...Very smooth and no vibrations to speak of in the steering wheel at idle, while in D with foot on brake...I have driven it a whole 30 minutes total since the install..

(Remember, I had mine tuned once before by a flyby nighter and it was only tuned for the 4000 to 5500 rpm range and never affected the city street drivability)

So, what I've noticed so far, is a marked improvement on initial take off pep and shifting..the shift points are a little firmer and smoother and shifts points are better spaced to get more revs before it shifts to the next higher gear...coming to a stop I can sense the tranny down shifting is more pronounced and seems to make the exhaust note sound pretty cool too (Gibson Cat-back)..I know, as I've been reading the posts from Alvin and the comprehensive reports from my buddy Hummerguy (Mike)...that as you drive more, the PCM learns an operational pattern for optimal performace...

So, all in all, I'm very impressed with the results of this TUNE from PCMforless so far (definitely more power, that's for sure, as the engine doesn't sound like it's working as hard) Even at this early stage of the relearn process of the PCM...If it gets better as it should as I'm told, then it should really be fun driving around....

Look out Z06's..you're gonna have a HUMMER on your ass now 



I'll update this initial report of mine here in a few hundred miles, as things get better .

Waiting for my loaner which should be here any day now. Having my PCM tuned for 93 octane (why, I don't know, just being silly I guess) so am looking forward to giving it a try. Might give my Esprit a run for its money.
 

You will be impressed...
You may not have looked into the past on this subject, but I was shall we say, a tad bit skeptical at first....But I can honetly say now,  it's worth it every penny!!

quote:

ORIGINAL: Dennis

You will be impressed...
You may not have looked into the past on this subject, but I was shall we say, a tad bit skeptical at first....But I can honetly say now,  it's worth it every penny!!

Thanks Dennis, we are just glad that you gave us a chance. We really feel like our product is something that we are proud of. And hey if you don't like it - we fix it until you do or take it back.

quote:

ORIGINAL: Dennis

HIGHLY recommend you take full advantage of the great deal and professional, expert PCM tune from PCMforless...The best money you can spend on any MODIFICATION for your H3...I swear!

Got my PCM back from Alvin/Kelly yesterday...I installed it in about 10 minutes (and I took my time too, I sprayed contact cleaner (Deoxit) and lubricant on the three connectors before hooking them up) and it started right up without a hitch...Idled down smoothly as compared to the original programming which was rough on idle down on a cold start....Settled out at approx 600 rpms as that is what I wanted the idle to be set at...Very smooth and no vibrations to speak of in the steering wheel at idle, while in D with foot on brake...I have driven it a whole 30 minutes total since the install..

(Remember, I had mine tuned once before by a flyby nighter and it was only tuned for the 4000 to 5500 rpm range and never affected the city street drivability)

So, what I've noticed so far, is a marked improvement on initial take off pep and shifting..the shift points are a little firmer and smoother and shifts points are better spaced to get more revs before it shifts to the next higher gear...coming to a stop I can sense the tranny down shifting is more pronounced and seems to make the exhaust note sound pretty cool too (Gibson Cat-back)..I know, as I've been reading the posts from Alvin and the comprehensive reports from my buddy Hummerguy (Mike)...that as you drive more, the PCM learns an operational pattern for optimal performace...

So, all in all, I'm very impressed with the results of this TUNE from PCMforless so far (definitely more power, that's for sure, as the engine doesn't sound like it's working as hard) Even at this early stage of the relearn process of the PCM...If it gets better as it should as I'm told, then it should really be fun driving around....

Look out Z06's..you're gonna have a HUMMER on your ass now 



I'll update this initial report of mine here in a few hundred miles, as things get better .

Didn't we tell you we knew what we where doing with these things? 

Just to make Alvin grin somemore I got one and I like mine! Im going to tow my work trailer tomorrow, 3500 lbs and see how that works. I usually use my truck but I got to know. One thing I did not see a claim for is HP increase. Since that is not really what I was going for after all the other things I have done I did not ask. I wanted the low end pep instead of all at the top end and smooth out the shift points so it did not fall on its face in the midrange towing. I will tow my 14' Whaler a lot so that will be a good test. Just driving it alone all that has happened.
So how much HP increase could there be?

Well any pick up in pep and ease at maintaing speeds is an indication of some HP gain..
 
I'm guessing 10 to 12 HP increase and maybe a little more torque too..would be a fair guesstimate

We state a 10-14hp gain at peak. We are also finding you more ponies where you need it most - not just at wide open throttle 

Today...170 miles on the reprogrammed PCM..and for some reason this SOB flew like an eagle...I kid you not..I was easing away from a stop light and this POS Land Rover Disco pulled along side as if to mock me...I tromped it to get away from his dumbass and I seen him lurch too...But my front end raised up about 5 inches and I was pinned to my seat from the Gs..HOLY CRAP I was doing 70 before I knew it and still in 3rd...The hunk of junk LR was still trying, but kept loosing ground with me..This was a Discovery Series II V8...Blown away by an I5...
Man I was proud...Especially since a certain moron on a certain useless Land Rover site had posted about how HUMMERS are worthless bling mobiles that break down all the time...What a typical hypocrite crock of Chit from a dipshit!

WoW... Sounds like this PCMforLess is exactly what i'm looking for!!!
Couple of questions though, would this affect Waranty? And what if i had to take in my truck to the Dealers for a Check Engine problem, and the tech goes and reflashes the PCM back to default, would this erase the programing that i've paid for?
If not then... I'll be sending that sucker in as soon as i get my Cat backs installed!!!

quote:

ORIGINAL: HumRluvR

WoW... Sounds like this PCMforLess is exactly what i'm looking for!!!
Couple of questions though, would this affect Waranty? And what if i had to take in my truck to the Dealers for a Check Engine problem, and the tech goes and reflashes the PCM back to default, would this erase the programing that i've paid for?
If not then... I'll be sending that sucker in as soon as i get my Cat backs installed!!!

 
Hi Yvon,

No it will not affect the warranty..And they cannot detect in anyway that your program has been altered with their test equipment.

If you have any kind of error codes, the dealer can still look at them and clear them..they only will reflash the PCM as a last resort and yes, that will remove the up-graded program..so always tell them up front not to reflash.

Man your fast with replies... How the heck do you do it??? Got a few clones of yourself?!?!?!
 
Thanks Dennis... You Da Man