I have a 2001 SS, that I truly enjoy. As I was going to work, one morning, I noticed that, when I was accelerating, as I reached around 40-45 mph, I began to lose power (almost like the transmission didn't want to shift up, which was my first thought) and there were the usual sputtering, backfiring, etc., that comes with a misfire. I carry a code reader in my car and hooked it up while driving. I was getting multiple misfire codes, on the 3rd and 4th cylinders. As a result, I changed the plugs and wires and the two corresponding ignition coils to numbers 3 and 4. I replaced the plugs and wires one at a time, to avoid problems with putting the wrong wire on the wrong coil, so I know I'm good there. The problem still persisted and as an added bonus, I got bad egr codes and misfires on the other cylinders as well. I then replaced the egr....still the problem persists. I've been told by two different mechanic friends that it may be that my ECM is bad. I know that if I were to get a new ECM, it would need to be programmed to my car, the questions that I have are: Are the ECM and PCM the same thing? ( I've heard it called both); I've seen, online, that ECMs are sold that, if I give my VIN number, when I order, the ECM that I buy can be programmed to conform to my vehicle, is that true? Before I shell out the money, I'd just like to know if it's really what I need to do. Thanks to you guys out there in Monte Carlo-land.

 

Does it smell like rotton eggs? Could be your cat is clogged up. But you can get a PCM from a vendor like ZZP or Overkill for a decent price, and you'll get some gains from it.

 

No, there is no rotten egg smell. I don't have any modifications on my Monte, if I were to, to would probably get a CAI, but can I use a performance ECM, when I do replace it?

 

Yeah, you can use a tuned PCM if you want to.

 

Ok, I got a ZZP PCM....I know how to install it and such, but, my question is now, can (or should) I use electronics cleaner and then dielectric grease on the plug ins? Or is that one of those things that I shouldn't do that to? Also, after I install it, is there anything that I should expect, I know that I may have to do the re-learn procedure (but, I've heard that I may not have to), but is there possibly anything else? I'm worried I may have to get the radio reprogrammed.

 

Not sure on the radio, you MAY need to do a relearn. I've never put any grease or anything on the PCM plugs, and haven't had a problem to date.

 

You may also have to get the crank position sensor set (I believe that is what it is called) I know when I stopped by Will's house and he did my pcm he had to reset it. Any dealer can do it for you, I am just not sure with the ZZP as mine was from Overkill

You shouldn't have to get the radio reprogrammed as I didn't with mine

You will be happy with how the car will perform now with the new pcm, it livens it up a lot