Is Your GM Truck or Van Plagued by Mysterious Electrical Gremlins?
If you’re behind the wheel of a late 90s or early 2000s GM workhorse like a Savana 3500, Express Van, or Silverado, you know they’re built to last. But when the brain of the operation—the Powertrain Control Module (PCM)—starts to fail, it can feel like your trusty vehicle is possessed. I’ve seen it hundreds of times in my shop: a vehicle comes in with a list of bizarre symptoms that have stumped everyone else, and the culprit is often a failing PCM.
Common Symptoms of a Failing GM PCM
A faulty PCM doesn’t always fail completely. Often, it’s a slow decline, causing intermittent issues that are frustrating to diagnose. Look out for these tell-tale signs:
- ✔ Check Engine Light is on with communication error codes (like U-codes) or false sensor codes.
- ✔ The engine cranks but refuses to start, even with good fuel pressure and spark.
- ✔ Harsh or erratic automatic transmission shifting.
- ✔ Stalling for no reason, either at idle or while driving.
- ✔ A noticeable drop in fuel economy and overall engine performance.
- ✔ Inconsistent or non-functional gauges on your instrument cluster.
Expert Pro Tip: Check the Basics First!
Before you condemn your PCM, I always tell my customers to check two things. First, inspect and clean the main battery terminals and the chassis ground connections. On these GM trucks and vans, a corroded ground wire can mimic PCM failure perfectly. Second, ensure your battery is fully charged and healthy. A weak battery can cause low voltage issues that create all sorts of strange electrical problems. A few minutes with a wire brush and a voltmeter can save you a lot of diagnostic headaches.
The Direct-Fit, Hassle-Free Solution
This isn’t just a replacement part; it’s a complete solution. We take a quality, tested Powertrain Control Module and program it specifically for YOUR vehicle using your VIN. This is a critical step that many sellers skip. By flashing it with the latest official GM software updates, we ensure that many of the original factory bugs and drivability issues are corrected. This means you’re getting a module that often performs better than the original one did when it was new.
Why VIN-Specific Programming Matters
Your vehicle’s VIN is linked to its specific configuration—engine size, transmission type, emissions equipment, and even the tire size. A generic PCM from a salvage yard won’t have the right data, leading to immediate running problems and a mandatory, expensive trip to a dealership for programming. Our process eliminates that step entirely.
- ✔ No Dealer Visit Required: We handle the complex programming so you don’t have to.
- ✔ Truly Plug-and-Play: Once you receive the module, installation is straightforward. In most cases, you’ll simply need to perform a security relearn procedure, which can be done in your driveway without special tools.
- ✔ Latest GM Software: Benefit from improved engine and transmission performance tables provided by GM’s own updates.
Guaranteed Compatibility
This module is a direct replacement for a wide range of popular GM trucks and vans. If your original module has one of the following part numbers, this is the correct part for you:
- ✔ 16263494
- ✔ 16265035
- ✔ 8162634940
- ✔ 218-11787
- ✔ 21811787
Please verify the part number on your current module to ensure a perfect match. This unit is confirmed to fit many applications, including the Savana 3500, Express vans, Silverado/Sierra pickups, Tahoes, and S10/Blazer models from this era. Don’t let a faulty computer keep your vehicle sidelined. Get the correctly programmed PCM and restore your GM’s reliability and performance.