Is Your Late-90s GM Vehicle Plagued by Mysterious Electrical Gremlins?
If you’re driving a 1998 or 1999 GM vehicle like a Cutlass, Grand Am, or LeSabre, you might be dealing with some incredibly frustrating issues. Maybe it’s a car that cranks but refuses to start, a transmission that slams into gear, or a check engine light that stays on no matter what sensors you replace. These aren’t just signs of age; they’re classic symptoms of a failing Powertrain Control Module (PCM), the computer that acts as the brain for your engine and transmission.
Over two decades, I’ve seen hundreds of these specific GM PCMs fail in my service bays. The constant heat cycles under the hood or dash cause internal components like capacitors and solder joints to degrade. This leads to intermittent connections and faulty logic, creating problems that can be a nightmare to diagnose. You might be chasing phantom sensor codes or dealing with a car that runs perfectly one day and leaves you stranded the next.
Expert Pro Tip: Check Your Grounds First!
Before condemning your PCM, I always tell my customers to check the main engine and chassis ground straps. On these GM platforms, a corroded or loose ground can cause voltage drops that mimic PCM failure, leading to all sorts of bizarre electrical behavior. A few minutes with a wire brush can sometimes save you the cost of a new part. If the grounds are clean and tight and the problems persist, the PCM is the most likely culprit.
The Direct, Reliable Solution: A VIN-Programmed PCM
Replacing the PCM used to mean buying the part, installing it, and then having your car towed to a dealership for expensive programming. This module eliminates that hassle. We take the guesswork and extra cost out of the repair by programming the PCM specifically for your vehicle before it ever leaves our facility. All you need to do is provide us with your Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) during checkout.
- âś” Programmed for You: Arrives flashed with the latest GM software updates for your specific VIN. This ensures optimal performance and compatibility.
- âś” True Plug-and-Play: Once installed, you will only need to perform a simple security relearn procedure (often called Passlock or Passkey), which can be done in your driveway without any special tools.
- âś” Solves Common Issues: Directly addresses problems like harsh shifting, no-start conditions, inaccurate gauge readings, and persistent diagnostic trouble codes (DTCs).
- âś” Restores Communication: Fixes issues where scan tools cannot communicate with the PCM, a sure sign of internal failure.
Confirming Your Part and Fitment
To ensure this is the correct part, please match your existing module’s service number to one of the numbers listed below. The service number is typically printed on a white sticker on the PCM itself.
Compatible Service Numbers:
This module is a direct replacement for parts bearing the service numbers: 09356741, 16236757, 9356741, 9357034, 9357440, and 9366314.
Vehicle Compatibility List:
This part is confirmed to fit the following vehicles and configurations:
- âś” ACHIEVA 98 Electronic Control Module; 6-191 (3.1L)
- âś” ALERO 99 Electronic Control Module; (LH center dash), 3.4L, ID 16236757, 9356741, 9357440, 9366314
- âś” BONNEVILLE 98 Electronic Control Module
- âś” CAMARO 98 Electronic Control Module; 6-231 (3.8L)
- âś” CENTURY 98 Electronic Control Module; (6-191, 3.1L)
- âś” CUTLASS 98 Electronic Control Module
- âś” CUTLASS 99 Electronic Control Module; (LH center dash), ID 16236757
- âś” EIGHTY EIGHT 98 Electronic Control Module
- âś” FIREBIRD 98 Electronic Control Module; 6-231 (3.8L)
- âś” GRAND AM 98 Electronic Control Module; 6-191 (3.1L)
- âś” GRAND AM 99 Electronic Control Module; (LH center dash), 3.4L, ID 16236757, 9356741, 9347440, 9357034, 9366314
- âś” GRAND PRIX 98 Electronic Control Module
- âś” INTRIGUE 98 Electronic Control Module
- âś” LESABRE 98 Electronic Control Module; (6-231, 3.8L)
- âś” LUMINA CAR 98 Electronic Control Module; (LH engine compartment)
- âś” MALIBU 98 Electronic Control Module; 6-191 (3.1L)
- âś” MONTE CARLO 98 Electronic Control Module
- âś” PARK AVENUE 98 Electronic Control Module; (6-231, 3.8L)
- âś” REGAL 98 Electronic Control Module
- âś” RIVIERA 98 Electronic Control Module; (6-231, 3.8L)
- âś” SILHOUETTE 98 Electronic Control Module; (LH engine compartment)
- âś” SKYLARK 98 Electronic Control Module; 6-191 (3.1L)
- âś” TRANS SPORT 98 Electronic Control Module; (LH engine compartment)
- âś” VENTURE 98 Electronic Control Module; (6-207, 3.4L)