Is Your 1997 GM Vehicle Running Rough?
If you’re dealing with frustrating issues like a persistent Check Engine Light, unpredictable stalling, poor fuel mileage, or harsh transmission shifts in your 1997 Pontiac Trans Sport or another compatible GM vehicle, the root cause is often a failing Powertrain Control Module (PCM). As the central computer for your engine and transmission, its health is critical. Over two decades in the garage, I’ve seen countless vehicles from this era exhibit these exact symptoms, leaving owners chasing down phantom vacuum leaks or faulty sensors when the PCM itself was the culprit.
The Direct Solution: A VIN-Programmed PCM
This isn’t just a replacement part; it’s a complete, ready-to-install solution. We take a quality-inspected PCM, part number 16218070, and professionally program it with the latest GM-certified software using the unique Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) from your vehicle. This critical step ensures the module communicates perfectly with your engine, transmission, and all related systems, just as it did from the factory. By matching the programming to your VIN, we eliminate the compatibility guesswork and the need for an expensive trip to the dealership for coding.
Expert Pro Tip from a 20-Year Technician
Before you install your new PCM, take five minutes to inspect and clean the main electrical connector and its pins. On these late-90s GM vehicles, I’ve often traced intermittent issues that mimic a bad PCM to nothing more than corrosion or a slightly bent pin on the harness side. A quick spray with electronics cleaner and a gentle pass with a small brush can prevent a world of diagnostic headaches and ensure a solid connection for your new module.
Common Symptoms of a Failing 1997 Trans Sport Powertrain Control Module:
If you’re experiencing any of the following, a faulty PCM is a very likely cause:
- โ Check Engine Light is on with various, often unrelated, trouble codes.
- โ The engine cranks but refuses to start (no-start condition).
- โ Unexplained stalling, especially after the engine has warmed up.
- โ Rough or erratic idling.
- โ Noticeable decrease in fuel economy.
- โ Harsh or delayed automatic transmission shifting.
- โ Failure to pass an emissions test.
Simple, Plug-and-Play Installation
You can get your vehicle back on the road without towing it to a shop. Our VIN programming makes this a straightforward DIY job for most owners. Follow these general steps:
- 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 engine bay, often inside the air filter housing or mounted to the firewall.
- Disconnect Connectors: Carefully unlatch and remove the electrical harness connectors from the old module.
- Remove Old Module: Unbolt the old PCM from its mounting bracket and remove it from the vehicle.
- Install New Module: Mount your new, pre-programmed PCM, reconnect the electrical harnesses securely, and re-attach the negative battery terminal.
- Final Check: Start the vehicle. The Check Engine Light may stay on for a short drive cycle as the system relearns, which is normal.
Guaranteed Fitment for Your Vehicle
This module is a direct replacement for part numbers 16217058 and 16218070. It is guaranteed to fit and function correctly in the following 1997 models:
- Achieva: 6-191 (3.1L)
- Bonneville: 6-231 (3.8L), w/o supercharged option
- Century: 6-191 (3.1L)
- Cutlass: Supreme models
- Eighty Eight: 6-231 (3.8L), w/o supercharged option
- Grand Am: 6-191 (3.1L)
- Grand Prix: 6-191 (3.1L) & 6-231 (3.8L), w/o supercharged option
- LeSabre: 6-231 (3.8L)
- Lumina Car: 6-191 (3.1L)
- Monte Carlo: 6-191 (3.1L)
- Regal: 6-231 (3.8L), w/o supercharged option
- Silhouette: 6-207 (3.4L)
- Skylark: 6-191 (3.1L)
- Trans Sport: 6-207 (3.4L)
- Venture: 6-207 (3.4L)
After your purchase, simply reply to our confirmation email with your vehicle’s VIN. We’ll handle the programming and ship your ready-to-install module directly to you.