Quick question Regarding LS1 PCM

[mechatron]

Hey guys,

Quick question....prior to swapping PCMs do I need to disconnect the battery? Some people say yes, some people say no & others say that I should but they generally don't.

If I don't disconnect the battery, is there a potential for the PCM to be damaged by a spike?

I know that it's easy to disconnect the battery, however when I disconnect the battery I lose all the settings on my JVC Head Unit & have to reprogram it...which is a pain

[macca_779]

Taken mine in and out heaps of times never had an issue and never disconnected the battery.


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[mechatron]

Taken mine in and out heaps of times never had an issue and never disconnected the battery.


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Thanks Macca, this is exactly what I wanted to hear

[whitels1ss]

Taken mine in and out heaps of times never had an issue and never disconnected the battery.



Hey thanks for the reply macca_779 I have taken mine out a few times but I have disconnected the battery each time
to be on the safe side, next time I might not disconnect it then.:cheers:

[Woodchukka]

Did the relocation on mine and did not disconnect the battery and no dramas. Have disconnected / reconnected other ECM's and also never had an issue. More standard practice I suppose? Maybe I am just lazy. :lol:

People also say all sorts of things for jump starting cars as well. I have had plenty of people get nervous when I jump start their car because they have heard "you need to do it this way".

[whitels1ss]

People also say all sorts of things for jump starting cars as well. I have had plenty of people get nervous when I jump start their car because they have heard "you need to do it this way".
I had a stupid cnut jump start his POS off my car once and spiked my abs ecu. I did not see what he did wrong to stuff it up
but there is no way I will let anyone just "quickly use my car" to jump start another again. :flamin:


EDIT... By the way, I have jumped started hundreds of times over the years myself without issues
(I am in the motor trade) but I take care to do it the correct way.

[Woodchukka]

I had a stupid cnut jump start his POS off my car once and spiked my abs ecu. I did not see what he did wrong to stuff it up
but there is no way I will let anyone just "quickly use my car" to jump start another again. :flamin:


EDIT... By the way, I have jumped started hundreds of times over the years myself without issues
(I am in the motor trade) but I take care to do it the correct way.

Bummer. I did heaps as my dad showed me before I was told the better way of doing it when I did my mechanical apprenticeship but personally have never had an issue. However as you say it can be done and you are right not to let just anyone have a shot.

[whitels1ss]

Bummer. I did heaps as my dad showed me before I was told the better way of doing it when I did my mechanical apprenticeship but personally have never had an issue. However as you say it can be done and you are right not to let just anyone have a shot.
Yeah thanks, hey it was ages ago. Tracing the exact thing which was damaged by the spike causing my new flashing abs light
was my next problem, there were plenty of "could be" variations from the code,
I was lucky I could get my hands on a couple of other cars to try swapping over parts.
Ended up tracing it and buying a second hand one from the wreckers for $100 instead of about $600 for a new one.


EDIT... This was about 17 years ago on a near new Fairlane at the time.

[Micks]

Hot swapping is ok, though best not with the ignition On!!!

[Radikl]

Me, for the sake of 2 minutes, i disconnect it the battery, just in case........maybe paranoia!!

Will it hurt doing it? Guess not.

[JezzaB]

If done a "couple" you could say (100+) without issues and on the bench as well. They are very tolerant and the design of the plugs with the captive bolt means they disconnect in one go pretty quick. But as a disclaimer, removing the battery cable is always the safe option