Get Your Van Back on the Road with a Reliable, Programmed PCM
If your 1998 or 1999 Chevy Express 1500 is giving you headaches with stalling, erratic behavior, or a persistent Check Engine Light, you’ve likely traced the problem to its source: a failing Powertrain Control Module (PCM). As a technician with over 20 years of experience, I’ve seen firsthand how a faulty PCM can mimic a dozen other issues, leading to wasted time and money on unnecessary parts. This isn’t just a component; it’s the brain of your van’s engine, and when it fails, nothing works right. This genuine, used GM PCM is your direct, cost-effective solution.
We take the biggest hassle out of the repair process. Forget expensive dealership visits or trying to find a shop with the right tools to program a new module. We flash this PCM with the latest official GM software updates, tailored specifically to your vehicle using the VIN you provide at checkout. This ensures that when it arrives, it’s ready for installation and prepared to restore your engine’s performance and reliability. This is the smart fix for the professional mechanic or the savvy DIYer looking to do the job right.
Is Your Van Showing These Symptoms?
- ✔ Unexplained Check Engine Light with codes like P0601 (Internal Control Module Memory Check Sum Error) or P0605 (Internal Control Module Read Only Memory (ROM) Error).
- ✔ Engine stalling, sputtering, or refusing to start, especially when warm.
- ✔ Noticeable decrease in fuel economy.
- ✔ Harsh or erratic automatic transmission shifting.
- ✔ Communication errors with diagnostic scan tools.
- ✔ Failure to pass an emissions test due to module-related faults.
A Technician’s Notebook: The Intermittent Stall Case
I remember a 1999 Savana 2500 that came into my bay with a frustrating intermittent stalling issue. The owner had already replaced the fuel pump and ignition coil pack, but the van would still die randomly at stoplights. No codes were stored. After checking fuel pressure and spark during a test drive, I hooked up a scope to the PCM’s main power and ground feeds. I noticed the 5-volt reference signal would occasionally drop out just before a stall. This pointed directly to an internal failure in the PCM. We installed a VIN-programmed module just like this one, performed the security relearn, and the van ran perfectly. It’s a classic example of how a failing 1998-1999 Express 1500 PCM can create ghost-like symptoms that are impossible to pin down without experience.
A Straightforward Guide to Installation
- ✔ Safety First: Disconnect the negative terminal from your vehicle’s battery and secure it away from the post.
- ✔ Locate the PCM: On most Express and Savana vans, the PCM is located in the engine compartment on the driver’s side, near the air filter housing.
- ✔ Disconnect Connectors: Carefully release the locking tabs and unplug the wiring harness connectors from the old PCM. Inspect the connectors for any corrosion or damage.
- ✔ Remove the Old Module: Unbolt the PCM from its mounting bracket. It’s typically held in by a few 10mm bolts.
- ✔ Install the New PCM: Mount your new, pre-programmed PCM onto the bracket and securely fasten the bolts.
- ✔ Reconnect and Secure: Plug the wiring harnesses back into the new module until they click firmly into place. Reconnect the negative battery terminal.
- ✔ Perform Security Relearn: You will likely need to perform a security relearn procedure (often called a Passlock or CASE relearn) to sync the new PCM with your vehicle’s anti-theft system. This procedure can typically be done without special tools and instructions are widely available online.
Verified Vehicle Compatibility
This module, identified by service number 09366810 or interchange ID 9355699, is a direct-fit replacement for a wide range of GM trucks and vans. While this is a core part for the 1998-1999 Express 1500 PCM replacement, it also fits many other models. Please verify your part number or consult the list below. Providing your VIN ensures we send the correctly programmed unit for your specific application.
Compatible with Service ID 9355699 on models including:
- Chevrolet Express / GMC Savana 1500/2500/3500 Van (1998-1999)
- Chevrolet / GMC C/K 1500/2500/3500 Pickup (1998-1999, Gasoline)
- Chevrolet Suburban / GMC Suburban 1500/2500 (1998-1999, Gasoline)
- Chevrolet Tahoe / GMC Yukon (1998-1999, Gasoline)
- Cadillac Escalade (1999)
- Chevrolet Astro / GMC Safari (1998)
- Chevrolet S10 / GMC Sonoma (1998, 4.3L)
- Chevrolet Blazer / GMC Jimmy (1998, 4.3L)
- Oldsmobile Bravada (1998, 4.3L)
- GMC Envoy (1998, 4.3L)
- Isuzu Hombre (1998, 4.3L)
Frequently Asked Questions
Why do you need my VIN?
Your Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) allows us to flash the PCM with the exact software and calibrations your specific vehicle requires. This includes engine size, transmission type, and any other factory options, ensuring a seamless and correct installation.
Is this part difficult to install myself?
The physical replacement is straightforward for most DIYers with basic hand tools. The most critical step after installation is the security relearn procedure, which syncs the module to your keys. This can usually be done without a scan tool by following a simple key-cycling process.
What is a ‘used’ or ‘salvaged’ part?
This is a genuine, original equipment (OEM) part that has been carefully removed from a recycled vehicle. We inspect these modules for physical damage before programming and shipping. It’s a reliable and economical alternative to a new dealer part.
Will this fix my transmission shifting problems?
In many cases, yes. The PCM controls both engine and transmission functions. If your shifting issues are caused by faulty electronic signals from the PCM, this replacement will resolve them. However, it will not fix internal mechanical failures within the transmission itself.
Do I need to do a CASE or Crankshaft Variation Relearn?
For some vehicles, a CASE relearn may be necessary to prevent a misfire code (P0300) after installation. This procedure typically requires a bi-directional scan tool. Many vehicles run perfectly without it, but it’s a possibility to be aware of for a 100% perfect setup.