PCMforless tuning options (send in, core, loaner)

I know this can all be a bit confusing, hopefully this post can straighten it out.


1. Send in. You are always welcome to send your PCM in to us, if you have another vehicle to drive. We are almost always able to have your PCM back out to you the same day that we receive it, to minimize downtime. The price is $149 plus shipping.

2. Core program. In this, we send you a tuned 'core' PCM that you install. You then send in your stock PCM, and receive the $125 core charge back. If you wish to keep your stock PCM and forgo the refund, that is fine with us. We just ask that you notify us so that I can stay on top of how many PCM's I have coming and going. With the core program you MUST have a CASE relearn done. Cost - $149 (tune) + $125 (core charge) + shipping.

3. Loaner program. This is for the folks who cannot be without their H3, but don't want to fool around with getting a CASE relearn. We send you a stock PCM to get you through the week. You send in your personal PCM, which we reprogram. Since it is out of your truck, it already has your vin/calibration on it, so I do not need to overwrite new information to the PCM, thus the CASE information stays intact. We then ship your tuned PCM back, and you return our loaner. We charge extra for this service because we have to write two PCM's for you instead of one, and also ship twice. Cost - $149 (tune) + $125 (core charge) + $50 (loaner fee) + $20 shipping.

We ship through USPS, either priority ($15) or express overnight ($30). The website says $12 but will be changed shortly, we have increased shipping costs to include insurance.

Kelly- I have an extra vehicle and can do w\out my 3 for a few days. Where do I ship to? I'm from the San Diego area. Priority mail would be ok for me. I have read the feedback and am anxious to see what will happen with optimzing the pcm. Let me know. Also, instructions on module extraction would be helpful, you know, like where its located, how many plugs, etc. Thanks in advance for your help.Rock on-Mark

quote:

ORIGINAL: markthetech

Kelly- I have an extra vehicle and can do w\out my 3 for a few days. Where do I ship to? I'm from the San Diego area. Priority mail would be ok for me. I have read the feedback and am anxious to see what will happen with optimzing the pcm. Let me know. Also, instructions on module extraction would be helpful, you know, like where its located, how many plugs, etc. Thanks in advance for your help.Rock on-Mark

Mark,

Removing the PCM is easy. It is located on the passenger side firewall. Start by disconnecting the battery. There are three connectors total. On each connector is a little red tab that 'locks' it together. Once you pull that out, there is a little gray handle on each connector that loosens it, then it pulls right out. Once all three connectors are off, the PCM snaps out of its holder.

Our address is PCMforless, 7412 Claymont Dr, Charlotte, NC 28227.

Kelly

Hi Kelly,

I have a question that may have already been discussed, but I couldn't find the post.

What are the pros and cons of keeping my original PCM and installing a tuned replacement unit vs. reprogramming my original PCM?

For example, should I keep the original as-is in case I need dealer warranty work or something? Or, could the dealer overwrite the tune while doing some other service?

And while I'm asking dumb questions What is a CASE relearn? Does it hurt?

Thanks,
-Alan

If I may be of some assistance..




I found it easier if you have big hands, to remove the coolant tank and set it aside, makes getting at the connectors much easier.

quote:

ORIGINAL: kelly

quote:

ORIGINAL: markthetech

Kelly- I have an extra vehicle and can do w\out my 3 for a few days. Where do I ship to? I'm from the San Diego area. Priority mail would be ok for me. I have read the feedback and am anxious to see what will happen with optimzing the pcm. Let me know. Also, instructions on module extraction would be helpful, you know, like where its located, how many plugs, etc. Thanks in advance for your help.Rock on-Mark

Mark,

Removing the PCM is easy. It is located on the passenger side firewall. Start by disconnecting the battery. There are three connectors total. On each connector is a little red tab that 'locks' it together. Once you pull that out, there is a little gray handle on each connector that loosens it, then it pulls right out. Once all three connectors are off, the PCM snaps out of its holder.

Our address is PCMforless, 7412 Claymont Dr, Charlotte, NC 28227.

Kelly

I had a really hard time getting the wiring harnesses off of the PCM, BUT don't let that discouarage you. You may need to jiggle them back and forth to ease them off. Mine were Extremely tight, but only on my original PCM. On the Loaner that Kelly sent me, they went on and off fairly easily. It may just be that the plastic moldings on mine are a little off and made the connections tighter. Overall, it's fairly easy. Do NOT start your car until you read the security relearn procedure. That's my advice ;-)

Thanks Dennis for the picture and the reservoir advise. I went the PCM 'loaner' route and should be receiving it from Kelly tomorrow.

I assume this will be included in their instructions, but what's up with the security re-program?

BTW- I towed my boat for the first time yesterday (approx 3200#). I need another 3 cylinders! Maybe Kelly can program 3 software cylinders in my tune. Man alive, I'm going to miss my Dodge Ram 1500!

Apparently the PCM has a security feature that doesn't allow your vehicle to start unless it knows that it belongs with YOUR H3 and not somebody elses. I guess it's a preventative measure to deter theft. Anyway, there is a 35 minute procedure you will need to do to teach the PCM that it belongs in your vehicle. It isn't hard, but it's time consuming, so bring a paper or video game system or something to keep you occupied while you wait in the car. I'm obviously not going to post how it's done, but you will get instructions on how to do it. It's VERY easy.

The GOOD news is when you get your original PCM back reprogrammed, you will not have to do this because it already knows it belongs in your H3. When I got mine back, it started right up with no problems.

They did ask me for the VIN and apparently verified it for accuracy. I bet that's why... interesting...

quote:

ORIGINAL: Dennis

All that is required for the loaner is it to be flashed with the VIN and that should be easy for Alvin to do before he sends it and then you won't have to go through all that learning mode.

Actually, you do have to go through it no matter what if you have a loaner. They program the VIN in there for you but it still requires the security relearn. Why? I don' t know, but that's the process.

Well not to contradick you...But Mine worked fine as soon as I plugged it in..I only had to reset the oil change reminder and take it to the dealer for them to reset the relearn calibration for the crank angle sensor of the engine to clear the Service engine light...and all I gave them before they sent the brand new never been in my truck PCM was my VIN.

quote:

ORIGINAL: Dennis

Well not to contradick you...But Mine worked fine as soon as I plugged it in..I only had to reset the oil change reminder and take it to the dealer for them to reset the relearn calibration for the crank angle sensor of the engine to clear the Service engine light...and all I gave them before they sent the brand new never been in my truck PCM was my VIN.

!@# %&$* $!( !(#@($(* **$*%%&& #*! !(*#* *@*@ ##**$$*@

OK Now that I got THAT out All that time I spent. Oh well. It's ok. It still rocks my world

quote:

ORIGINAL: Dennis

Well not to contradick you...But Mine worked fine as soon as I plugged it in..I only had to reset the oil change reminder and take it to the dealer for them to reset the relearn calibration for the crank angle sensor of the engine to clear the Service engine light...and all I gave them before they sent the brand new never been in my truck PCM was my VIN.

Actually 90% of the time you will have to do a security relearn. VIN has nothing to do with this. The BCM links with the PCM's serial number. If the hardware is changed than the BCM has to relink. The only way around the security relearn is to not to use a new or seperate PCM.

The Security relearn only takes 30 minutes, is very easy and is mostly waiting. There are no tools involved. Even a caveman csan do it.

quote:

ORIGINAL: Dennis

All that is required for the loaner is it to be flashed with the VIN and that should be easy for Alvin to do before he sends it and then you won't have to go through all that learning mode.

Again, This is wrong. VIN has nothing to do with the security relearn. IF anyone has any questions please feel free to ask us.

Read again " Actually 90% of the time you will have to do a security relearn. "

There are certain number of security codes like vats pellet codes. Each controller has its own. When they did your CASE relearn they probally also did a security relearn (PCM BCM relink)

This might of been ask before if so sorry.
What is the procedure of the security relearn.

Thanks

quote:

ORIGINAL: dilo2001gt

This might of been ask before if so sorry.
What is the procedure of the security relearn.

Thanks

I don't think it's a good idea to post it here, considering it will make it alot easier for people to steal them

Alvin (or anyone else)

I stayed up past my bedtime to swap out the loaner PCM. I got to work on time this morning so everything worked fine. Alvin, my PCM is on it's way.

I do have a couple of observations and questions:

- During the security relearn procedure (which was necessary on my H3), I noticed that the security 'light-lock' stayed on for approximately the stated mandatory minutes. Then it turned off. Was this coincidence? I waited 5 minutes extra just in case. Point being, I could have been in bed 5 minutes x (number of cycles) earlier if the indicator light 'turning off' is an indication that it is OK to proceed to the next step.

- Also, I wasn't sure if I could exit the vehicle during the process. Didn't want to chance it at 1:30am and possibly start the whole process over.

As far as the connectors are concerned, mine were very snug, but did come out fairly easily. It did help to look at the loaner PCM to see how the pins are oriented and to determine where the inline connector ends and where the socket begins. Also, and very critical to successfully removing them is an explanation of the grey 'seating' clamp. The connectors won't release from the socket unless the grey clamp is fully in the up position. After installing the loaner PCM these clamps seated the connectors perfectly when returned to their front position.

Looking forward to receiving my newly tuned PCM.

quote:

ORIGINAL: HummerGuy

quote:

ORIGINAL: dilo2001gt

This might of been ask before if so sorry.
What is the procedure of the security relearn.

Thanks

I don't think it's a good idea to post it here, considering it will make it alot easier for people to steal them

Just woundering what it take to do it .Do you need the key on and push some button ? just want a idea if i go threw with this.
They all must be different for each truck for people to steal them.

quote:

- Also, I wasn't sure if I could exit the vehicle during the process. Didn't want to chance it at 1:30am and possibly start the whole process over

.


You can. I did and it worked fine. You won't ever have to do it again though so it doesn't matter

quote:

ORIGINAL: dilo2001gt

quote:

ORIGINAL: HummerGuy

quote:

ORIGINAL: dilo2001gt

This might of been ask before if so sorry.
What is the procedure of the security relearn.

Thanks

I don't think it's a good idea to post it here, considering it will make it alot easier for people to steal them

Just woundering what it take to do it .Do you need the key on and push some button ? just want a idea if i go threw with this.
They all must be different for each truck for people to steal them.

I'll PM it to you

Well I ordered mine. Now if ya'll would hurry and send back in your loaners so I can get mine

Alvin,

Is the loaner PCM tuned to factory defaults, or does it have a few tweaks? Might be my imagination, but in driving around town with the loaner installed, the H3 seems more responsive.

It's tune to factory defaults. That's what he told me when I spoke to him on the phone. He said they don't tune any of their loaner PCMs.

My placebo effect acting up again!