Is Your GM Vehicle Running Rough, Stalling, or Throwing Confusing Codes?
As a mechanic with over two decades of experience under the hood, I’ve seen countless late-90s GM vehicles like your 1998 Buick Riviera suffer from frustrating and intermittent electronic issues. The culprit is often a failing Powertrain Control Module (PCM). This isn’t just a part; it’s the central computer for your engine and transmission. When it starts to go, it can cause a cascade of problems that seem unrelated, from poor fuel economy to a car that refuses to start.
The Real-World Solution: VIN-Programmed and Ready to Install
Forget the hassle and expense of a dealership visit. This Powertrain Control Module is the definitive solution, arriving at your door pre-programmed with the latest GM software updates, specifically matched to your vehicle’s unique VIN. A customer’s 1998 Park Avenue came into my shop last month with these exact symptoms: it would randomly stall at red lights and had a persistent check engine light for an ‘internal controller error.’ After confirming the power and grounds were solid, we swapped in a VIN-programmed PCM just like this one. The car ran flawlessly immediately, and the customer was back on the road in under an hour, saving hundreds compared to a dealer quote.
Symptoms of a Failing 1998 Riviera Powertrain Control Module:
- ✔ Persistent Check Engine Light (CEL) that won’t clear
- ✔ Engine stalling, stumbling, or hesitating
- ✔ Harsh or erratic automatic transmission shifting
- ✔ Complete no-start or intermittent starting condition
- ✔ Noticeable decrease in fuel mileage
- ✔ Failure to communicate with a diagnostic scan tool
Expert Pro Tip from the Shop Floor
Before you install your new PCM, take five extra minutes to clean the electrical connector pins and the main engine ground points. On these 20+ year-old vehicles, even a small amount of corrosion on a ground strap or in the harness connector can create resistance, leading to performance issues that mimic a faulty module. A small wire brush and some electrical contact cleaner can prevent a major headache and ensure your new part functions perfectly from the start.
Plug-and-Play Installation: No Dealer Visit Required
We make this repair straightforward. By programming the module to your VIN before we ship, we eliminate the need for expensive on-car programming. This is a repair you can confidently do in your own driveway.
- Safety First: Disconnect the negative terminal from your vehicle’s battery.
- Locate the PCM: On most of these vehicles, the PCM is located in the air filter box housing in the engine compartment.
- Disconnect Connectors: Carefully unclip the wiring harness connectors from the old module. Inspect them for any corrosion or damage.
- Remove Old Module: Unbolt the old PCM from its mounting bracket.
- Install New Module: Bolt the new, pre-programmed module into place and securely reconnect the wiring harnesses. You should hear a distinct ‘click’.
- Reconnect Battery: Re-attach the negative battery terminal. The vehicle is now ready to start.
Guaranteed Compatibility
This module is a direct replacement for a wide range of GM vehicles and is guaranteed to be compatible with the following service part numbers: 09356741, 16236757, 9356741, 9357034, 9357440, and 9366314. It is engineered to fit the following models:
- Alero (1999) – 3.4L
- Achieva (1998) – 3.1L
- Bonneville (1998)
- Camaro (1998) – 3.8L
- Century (1998) – 3.1L
- Cutlass (1998-1999)
- Eighty Eight (1998)
- Firebird (1998) – 3.8L
- Grand Am (1998-1999) – 3.1L, 3.4L
- Grand Prix (1998)
- Intrigue (1998)
- LeSabre (1998) – 3.8L
- Lumina Car (1998)
- Malibu (1998) – 3.1L
- Monte Carlo (1998)
- Park Avenue (1998) – 3.8L
- Regal (1998)
- Riviera (1998) – 3.8L
- Silhouette (1998)
- Skylark (1998) – 3.1L
- Trans Sport (1998)
- Venture (1998) – 3.4L
Order today and restore the smooth performance and reliability your vehicle had when it left the factory. Simply provide your VIN at checkout and let us handle the rest.