Restore Peak Performance to Your GM Vehicle
Is your 1998 or 1999 GM vehicle—like a Grand Am, Alero, or Century—suffering from frustrating and unpredictable engine problems? A faulty Powertrain Control Module (PCM), the computer brain of your car, is often the culprit behind issues that seem impossible to solve. From a car that refuses to start to one that stalls at stoplights, a failing PCM can make your vehicle unreliable. This replacement PCM, part number 16236757, is the definitive solution to get your car running smoothly and dependably again.
As a technician with over two decades of experience, I’ve seen countless drivers spend a fortune chasing down electrical gremlins, only to find the PCM was the root cause. That’s why we offer this module fully programmed to your vehicle’s specific VIN. We install the latest factory software updates from GM before it even leaves our facility. This means you get a component that’s ready for installation right out of the box, with no need for an expensive trip to the dealership for programming. Simply provide your VIN at checkout, and we handle the rest.
Common Signs of a Failing PCM
- ✔ Check Engine Light is on with communication or internal module fault codes (e.g., P0601, P0606).
- ✔ The engine cranks but refuses to start.
- ✔ Unexplained stalling or rough idling, especially when the engine is warm.
- ✔ Noticeable decrease in fuel economy.
- ✔ Harsh or erratic automatic transmission shifting.
- ✔ Failure to pass an emissions inspection.
- ✔ Intermittent issues that disappear and reappear without a clear cause.
A Technician’s Notebook
I remember a 1998 Buick LeSabre with the 3.8L V6 that came into the shop with a baffling intermittent no-start condition. The owner had already replaced the battery, crank sensor, and fuel pump. The car would run fine for days, then suddenly refuse to start. After hooking up my scan tool, I noticed that during the no-start events, I was losing all communication with the 1998-1999 Grand Am PCM. This is a classic sign of an internal PCM failure, where heat causes a solder joint or component to fail. We installed a VIN-programmed PCM, and the car started reliably every single time afterward. It’s a textbook case of how a failing module can mimic other component failures.
A Straightforward Guide to Installation
- ✔ Safety First: Disconnect the negative terminal from your vehicle’s battery and secure it away from the post to prevent accidental contact.
- ✔ Locate the PCM: On many of these GM models, the PCM is located inside the engine bay air filter housing or mounted to the firewall. It’s a metal box with several large electrical connectors.
- ✔ Disconnect and Remove: Carefully unclip and remove the electrical harnesses from the old PCM. Then, unbolt the module from its mounting bracket and remove it from the vehicle.
- ✔ Install the New Module: Mount your new, pre-programmed PCM onto the bracket. Securely reconnect the electrical harnesses, ensuring they click into place.
- ✔ Reconnect Power: Re-attach the negative battery terminal.
- ✔ Perform Security Relearn (If Needed): Some GM vehicles of this era require a simple security relearn procedure. Turn the key to the ‘ON’ position for 10-15 minutes, then turn it off, and then start the vehicle. This allows the new PCM to sync with your vehicle’s anti-theft system.
Verified Vehicle Compatibility
This module is a direct replacement for service number 16236757 and is compatible with a wide range of GM vehicles. Please verify your part number or consult the list below. This unit fits the following models and options:
ALERO: 1999 (3.4L, ID 16236757, 9356741, 9357440)
BONNEVILLE: 1998
CAMARO: 1998 (6-231, 3.8L)
CENTURY: 1998 (6-191, 3.1L)
CUTLASS: 1998-1999
EIGHTY EIGHT: 1998
FIREBIRD: 1998 (6-231, 3.8L)
GRAND AM: 1998 (6-191, 3.1L), 1999 (3.4L, ID 16236757, 9356741, 9366314, 9357034, 9347440)
GRAND PRIX: 1998
INTRIGUE: 1998
LESABRE: 1998 (6-231, 3.8L)
LUMINA CAR: 1998 (LH engine compartment)
MALIBU: 1998 (6-191, 3.1L)
MONTE CARLO: 1998
PARK AVENUE: 1998 (6-231, 3.8L)
REGAL: 1998
RIVIERA: 1998 (6-231, 3.8L)
SILHOUETTE: 1998 (LH engine compartment)
SKYLARK: 1998 (6-191, 3.1L)
TRANS SPORT: 1998 (LH engine compartment)
VENTURE: 1998 (6-207, 3.4L)