Get Your 1997 GM Truck Back on the Road, Fast.
Is your trusty 1997 Chevy, GMC, or Isuzu truck, van, or SUV suddenly running rough, refusing to start, or throwing confusing check engine lights? A failing Powertrain Control Module (PCM) is often the hidden culprit behind these frustrating issues. This isn’t just a replacement part; it’s the revitalized brain for your vehicle’s engine and transmission. We provide a professionally Programmed 16229684 PCM, flashed with the latest official GM software and tailored specifically to your vehicle’s VIN. This eliminates guesswork and the need for expensive programming at a dealership, getting your workhorse back in service where it belongs.
Common Symptoms & Your Solution
If you’re experiencing any of the following, a failing PCM is a likely cause. This module is the definitive solution for:
- Complete no-start or intermittent starting issues
- Poor fuel economy and engine performance
- Harsh or erratic automatic transmission shifting
- Check Engine Light (CEL) with communication-related Diagnostic Trouble Codes (DTCs)
- Engine stalling unexpectedly while driving or at idle
- Apparent failure of multiple sensors at once
Features & Benefits
- ✔ VIN-Specific Programming: We flash the module with your vehicle’s VIN and the newest GM updates before shipping. This ensures it works seamlessly with your specific configuration right out of the box.
- ✔ Plug & Play Installation: Because it arrives pre-programmed, you avoid the high cost and hassle of a trip to the dealer for programming. A simple security relearn procedure may be required, which can be done without special tools.
- ✔ Restored Performance: By correcting engine and transmission control issues, this module restores the smooth power, crisp shifting, and reliable operation you depend on.
- ✔ Guaranteed Compatibility: This unit is a direct-fit replacement for OEM part numbers 16229684 and 8162296840, covering a wide range of 1997 GM vehicles.
- ✔ Peace of Mind: This unit is backed by our one-year replacement warranty.
Expert Insight: The Ghost in the Machine
On these late-90s GM trucks, a classic and frustrating symptom is a “crank, no-start” condition. Many owners and even shops will chase their tails, replacing the fuel pump, ignition control module, and crank sensor, only for the problem to persist. Often, the root cause is a failing PCM that is no longer properly commanding the fuel or spark systems. It’s the ghost in the machine that standard diagnostics can miss. Installing a properly Programmed 16229684 PCM often resolves these stubborn issues instantly, saving you hundreds in unnecessary parts and labor.
Frequently Asked Questions
What exactly does a PCM do?
The Powertrain Control Module (PCM) is the central computer that controls all aspects of your vehicle’s engine and transmission. It manages fuel injection, ignition timing, emissions systems, and automatic transmission shift points to ensure optimal performance, fuel efficiency, and reliability.
Do I need to do anything after I install this module?
Because this PCM is programmed to your VIN, it is ready for installation. However, on most GM vehicles of this era, you will need to perform a simple security relearn procedure (often called a Passlock or VATS relearn) so the vehicle recognizes the new module. This procedure typically takes about 30 minutes and does not require any special tools.
How do I provide my VIN number?
After you complete your purchase, simply send us a message with your 17-digit Vehicle Identification Number (VIN). We cannot program and ship your module without it. You can find your VIN on your vehicle’s registration, insurance card, or on the driver’s side dashboard visible through the windshield.
How can I be sure this fits my vehicle?
This module is compatible with a wide range of 1997 GM trucks, vans, and SUVs. Please review the detailed fitment list on this page and confirm that your vehicle is listed. Matching the part number 16229684 or 8162296840 from your original unit is the best way to guarantee a perfect match.
What does it mean that this PCM is ‘flashed’?
‘Flashed’ or ‘programmed’ means we load the specific, factory-correct software for your vehicle directly onto the module using your VIN. This ensures all systems, from the engine size to the transmission type and emissions equipment, are controlled correctly, just as the manufacturer intended.