Is Your GM Truck or Van Acting Up? Let’s Get It Fixed.
As a technician with over two decades of experience under the hood, I’ve seen it all when it comes to drivability problems. If your 2001-2002 GMC 3500, or another GM vehicle from that era, is suddenly giving you headaches, chances are the Powertrain Control Module (PCM) is the culprit. This isn’t just a guess; it’s a pattern I’ve diagnosed hundreds of times in my shop. The symptoms are often confusing and can lead you down a rabbit hole of replacing perfectly good sensors.
Common Symptoms of a Failing GM PCM
A failing PCM doesn’t always mean a dead truck. The signs can be subtle at first and then get progressively worse. You might be experiencing:
- ✔ Unexplained Check Engine Light (especially with communication error codes like P0601 or P0606)
- ✔ Rough or erratic idling
- ✔ Harsh or delayed transmission shifting
- ✔ Complete no-start condition where the engine cranks but won’t fire
- ✔ Poor fuel economy that seems to have appeared overnight
- ✔ Intermittent stalling for no apparent reason
- ✔ Inaccurate gauge readings or gauges that stop working altogether
Expert Pro Tip: Check Your Grounds First!
Before you condemn your PCM, do yourself a favor and check the basics. On these GM trucks and vans, a corroded or loose ground strap—especially the main ones from the engine block to the frame and the battery to the body—can mimic a bad PCM. I’ve seen customers spend hundreds on diagnostics when all they needed was a $10 cable and a wire brush. A quick voltage drop test across the main grounds can save you a world of frustration. If they’re solid, and the symptoms persist, the PCM is your next logical step.
The Right Solution: A Pre-Programmed, Reliable PCM
This isn’t just a replacement part; it’s a complete solution. We take a reliable, tested Electronic Control Module and program it specifically for YOUR vehicle using the Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) you provide. This is a critical step that many sellers skip. Without proper VIN-specific programming, your vehicle may not start, the transmission won’t shift correctly, and anti-theft systems can be triggered.
Here’s what we do:
- ✔ VIN-Specific Programming: We flash the module with the exact calibration file for your truck’s engine, transmission, and options.
- ✔ Latest GM Software Updates: We ensure your PCM has the newest software from General Motors. These updates often correct factory-known bugs, improve transmission shift points, and can even enhance fuel efficiency.
- ✔ Plug-and-Play Installation: Because it’s programmed beforehand, this module is ready to install right out of the box. In most cases, you will not need to perform a complicated security relearn procedure, saving you a trip to the dealership.
Guaranteed Compatibility and Fitment
This PCM, service number 52369718, is a direct replacement for several original part numbers, including 12200411, 12201281, and 12576160. It is guaranteed to fit and function correctly in a wide range of GM vehicles. Please verify your vehicle is on the list below to ensure a perfect match.
Vehicle Fitment List:
This module is a confirmed fit for the following vehicles and configurations:
- ✔ AVALANCHE 1500/2500: 2002 (LH front under battery)
- ✔ ASTRO / SAFARI (GMC): 2000-2002 (LH front by battery, check ID)
- ✔ BLAZER S10 / JIMMY S15 / BRAVADA: 2001-2002 (RH front engine compartment)
- ✔ CAMARO / FIREBIRD: 2001-2002 (5.7L, behind RH strut tower, check ID)
- ✔ CORVETTE: 2001-2003 (RH engine compartment)
- ✔ ESCALADE / ESCALADE EXT: 2002 (LH front under battery)
- ✔ EXPRESS / SAVANA VANS (1500/2500/3500): 2001-2002 (Gasoline, LH rear engine compartment, check ID)
- ✔ S10 / S15 / SONOMA PICKUP: 2001-2002 (4.3L, RH front engine compartment)
- ✔ SIERRA / SILVERADO PICKUPS (1500/2500/3500): 2001-2002 (Gasoline, LH front under battery)
- ✔ SUBURBAN / YUKON / YUKON XL (1500/2500): 2001-2002 (LH front under battery)
- ✔ TAHOE: 2001-2002 (LH front under battery)
Don’t let a faulty computer keep your reliable GM truck off the road. Order today, provide your VIN, and we’ll ship a fully programmed, ready-to-install PCM directly to you.