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Thread: Relink VATS if I temporarily put in another PCM?

  1. #1
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    Relink VATS if I temporarily put in another PCM?

    I have a 2010 Camaro SS. If I remove the E38 from my car, and plug in another E38, ONLY to allow me to perform a Read Entire, and then simply remove that and put my cars original E38 back in, will I need to do anything to re-link VATS, or any other security systems, or will my car behave like I never did anything at all when I hit the key again?

    I've got a PCM I want to read to see what's in it, but I don't want to mess up the car, so if necessary I'll build a benchtop harness.
    2010 Camaro SS M6. Stock Bottom End, Heads/Cam/Intake/Headers/Exhaust.
    2005 Silverado RCSB. Forged 370 LQ9/Borg-Forced Inductions T6 S484/Jake's Stage 4 4L80E with D3 Brake/4WD.
    2023 Durango Hellcat

  2. #2
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    It should be fine to read it that way with no vats link. Done it a few times on gen iii without issues.
    1997 Trans Am WS6 - LS1 swap - TR224 - Pacesetter Longtubes - Yank SS3600
    - 3.42 Moser 12 bolt - Wilwood Brakes - HP Tuners tuned - P1SC-1 Procharger

  3. #3
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    Cool. When you say you've done it with a Gen 3, you mean an LS1 or similar? The newer BCM's are a bit touchy, that's why I'm nervous. As it is the car doesn't like to restart after a write calibration only unless I let it sit for 5 minutes, or unhook the battery.
    2010 Camaro SS M6. Stock Bottom End, Heads/Cam/Intake/Headers/Exhaust.
    2005 Silverado RCSB. Forged 370 LQ9/Borg-Forced Inductions T6 S484/Jake's Stage 4 4L80E with D3 Brake/4WD.
    2023 Durango Hellcat

  4. #4
    Senior Tuner Iam Broke's Avatar
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    I tried an aftermarket ECU long enough to write the tune & start it, had security issues and reinstalled the stock ECU and sent the other one back. No problems linking the original again, only ran the aftermarket 5 mins in the garage.
    '12 Camaro T3 2SS/RS LS3 M6, SLP TVS 2300, Flex Fuel

  5. #5
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    Quote Originally Posted by MikeOD View Post
    Cool. When you say you've done it with a Gen 3, you mean an LS1 or similar?
    Yeah refering to an LS1
    1997 Trans Am WS6 - LS1 swap - TR224 - Pacesetter Longtubes - Yank SS3600
    - 3.42 Moser 12 bolt - Wilwood Brakes - HP Tuners tuned - P1SC-1 Procharger

  6. #6
    Advanced Tuner Montecarlodrag's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by MikeOD View Post
    I have a 2010 Camaro SS. If I remove the E38 from my car, and plug in another E38, ONLY to allow me to perform a Read Entire, and then simply remove that and put my cars original E38 back in, will I need to do anything to re-link VATS, or any other security systems, or will my car behave like I never did anything at all when I hit the key again?

    I've got a PCM I want to read to see what's in it, but I don't want to mess up the car, so if necessary I'll build a benchtop harness.
    You won't have any problems, I have done it a few times with Gen 4 PCM's and the car started good when original ECM was put in.
    I never tried to start the vehicle when the spare PCM was hooked to avoid tripping any weird thing.
    9 sec Montecarlo SS

  7. #7
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    I did this with an E67/T42 setup, swapped ECM/TCM into my truck and read them. Didnt even try to start it, swapped back to stock ECM/TCM and had 0 issues. Dont know if the Camaro's will behave this nicely, but it cant hurt. Worst case, relearn your stock controllers you've already licensed.
    ~Erik~
    2013 Sonic RS - manual, CGM, 6M, sunroof, mods in process
    2008 TrailBlazer 3SS AWD LS2, loaded, dropped, modded, SE22 Performance tuned. And then some...
    2002 TrailBlazer LT 4WD 4.2L I6, lifted, tires, exhaust, SE22 Performance tuned

  8. #8
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    Cool, thanks guys.
    2010 Camaro SS M6. Stock Bottom End, Heads/Cam/Intake/Headers/Exhaust.
    2005 Silverado RCSB. Forged 370 LQ9/Borg-Forced Inductions T6 S484/Jake's Stage 4 4L80E with D3 Brake/4WD.
    2023 Durango Hellcat

  9. #9
    Senior Tuner 10_SS's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by Iam Broke View Post
    I tried an aftermarket ECU long enough to write the tune & start it, had security issues and reinstalled the stock ECU and sent the other one back. No problems linking the original again, only ran the aftermarket 5 mins in the garage.
    I did this exact same thing, on a 2010 Camaro SS. Including sending the "other ECU" back cause I couldn't get it linked.

    After consulting support, I concluded HPTuners does not relink the 2010 Camaro E38, I lost $100 in credits doing this, actually, make that $200 thinking a newer OS would fix the problem. I would suggest greying out the "relink" button in the scanner so we don't waste 8hrs and lots of $$ trying multiple methods.

    I never had to "relink" the OEM ECU, it just plugged in an worked after all these attempts.
    2010 Camaro LS3 (E38 ECU - Spark only). MS3X running complete RTT fuel control (wideband).
    Whipple 2.9L, 3.875" Pulley, kit injectors, supplied MSD Boost-A-Pump, stock pump
    LG Motorsports 1 7/8" Headers - No Cats, stock mid pipe with JBA Axle Back
    ZL1 Wheels/Tires

  10. #10
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    anyone got a schematic to build a bench harness or the minimum wires needed? I got a couple extra e38 plugs I could use