where is the ECM computer located?

Hey ARO,

It looks like the PCM is located in the front part of the engine compartment on the drivers side. Check out the diagrams (Below). Please let us know what happens.

what does it cost to reprogram computer 1n 2001 buick century

should just take about an hour which would cost around $70 .

Thanks for the answer. Now I know I can aford it.

1998 buick century 160,000 miles 3.1v6 engine. i can't get my radio to play while i'm driving. when i turn the key backwards in the ignition the radio plays, when i turn it frontwards right b4 i crank it it stil plays but as soon as i start the car it stays on for a few seconds and it cuts out. power is geting to it because the radio is on its jus that no sound is coming out. what should i do? there is also a small oil leak i cant seem to locate

I'm not sure how to go about the radio problem, but it isn't the PCM, More likely internal in the radio.

The oil is in one of two likely places that I would first look. Rear valve cover or distributer plug oring. Look under the throttle body right down to the block with a flashlight.

Provide pics and maybe I can help narrow it down if I didn't already.

thanks. i forgot to mention that the security lights keeps coming on. i saw another post wher a guy with the same model year and mileage was having the same problem and he said that his anti theft system was malfuntioning. he said he took it out and he hasnt had the problem since. the dash board light was off also but it came back in so i didn think anything of it until i saw that post. what do u suggest?

Again, I was replying to the oil leak more so, I'm not able to provide much on the radio problem. Maybe someone else may jump in on this.

thanks. it was the dern radio. my friend tried it in his jeep and it killed the battery. he had it playing for like half an hour to test it and it was so hot it burned him and was melting plastic. he said sometimes the front speakers would play and the back would b dead other times it wouldnt. then the radio would b on and no sound then it would b off and music would play. it was a custom made radio was the amp and evrything built in. it killed my battery also and i ended up having a buy a new one. the only problem now is the dimmer. sometimes my gauge cluster is bright and sometimes its dim.

You may be having a voltage regulator going bad in the alternater regarding the dimming.

The temp switch sends a signal to the PCM which then goes to the relay and then the fan. What is the PCM?

Where are the fuses located and is there a map of these?

Hello,

The PCM stands for Powertrain Control Module and it is the computer for the vehicle.

The is a fuse block under the driver dash and posibly in the engine compartment. Will post diagrams if can find.


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Ok, there is no fuse for the fans. There are 2 relays and they are on the passenger front in engine compartment there is a row of 4 relays the 2 nearest the fender are for the cooling fans.


Also, what problem(s) are you having.


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I have a 1990 Buick Century. Car started to stall when I would hit the gas. Took it to a shop and they said it was the ecu and it would cost around $400 to fix. Well I am uneployed and do not have $400 so I wanna try to either reset the ecu or buy a used one and replace it. The only problem I have is to locate the ecu. Please help!!! only family car !!!! or do you think by resteting it it will help

Thanks

Steve

It is located behind the dash, to the left of the glove box. Resetting it isnt an option with the older cars, you can only "flash" newer computers

Thank you I will take a look for it :) When I say resting it I mean by disconnecting the battery for about 30 min so the computer loses power then connecting the battery back and starting the car. I read online that kinda resets the ecu and just leave the car running for about 30 mins so the ecu re-learns????? what do you think??? or should I just replace it. Thanks again

Steve

Those computers arent real smart as far as learning goes.It will basically just relearn idle speed, nothing real major.Taking power away will reset the check engine light

Hi I replaced the ECU and the car drove fine for one day then today I drove it around city driving and no problem then I got onto the highway and the car stalled. I unpluged the wires from the ecu and put them back on- the car started. I got off the highway and parked the car for 15 minutes and tried to start it back up and it would not start so I unpluged the ECU again and this time it would not start so I kept unplugging and plugging the wires and trying to start it after about 10 tries the car started again drove it for like 10 miles then parked it and the same thing happened so I unplugged and replugged again and after about 10 times it started. Then while I was driving it stalled again on the road and I did the same thing unplugged and replugged wires, OMG PLEASE HELP!!!!!!!!!!!! Like I said I bought a new ECU after the mechanic told me it was it. What else could it be?

Thank You Steve

When it dies you need to test for spark adn fuel pressure to see what is missing and go from there.Also need to scan the ECM for codes, so dont unplug it (which can ruin it)