Looking For ECM Repair Place

My 2007 Saab 93 is going in to limp mode and then will stall and not restart until things cool down. Then the cycle repeats.  The only code is PO606. ECM failure.

I need a place I can send the ECM to and have it tested/fixed.  I have seen several places that will do it on a core basis.  An replacement will have to have the VIN programmed in to it.  This is why I was looking at Bi directional scan tooled a while back. 
 

Anyone have experience with this that can recommend a place that does this?   If it helps this is a GM based ECM. The whole car is really a GM car tweaked by SAAB. 

i texted this thread link to another GRM guy because i can't remember his username to call him out here.

Xemodex is the one I know of for Volvo, looks like they service Saab as well. 

Engine Control Modules For Saab | ECM Repair | XeMODeX Inc.

Hey Dean,

I just did this and it's super easy to clone your own PCM. It copies all VIN, key info, and data from old PCM to new (used) PCM.

If you're local to MI I can just do it for you. But I can also link you to tools and software required if you wanted to do it yourself. The Saab forums have great step by step guides. 

Are you sure something outside the ECU is not taking down the VRef?

bentwrench said:

Are you sure something outside the ECU is not taking down the VRef?

No I am not that is why I would like to have it tested if possible. 

RACEC4R said:

Hey Dean,

I just did this and it's super easy to clone your own PCM. It copies all VIN, key info, and data from old PCM to new (used) PCM.

If you're local to MI I can just do it for you. But I can also link you to tools and software required if you wanted to do it yourself. The Saab forums have great step by step guides. 

Please pm me a link to what I would need. It is probibly somthing I should have in my tool collection. 
 

Or maybe I could acquire a good used ECM and ship both to you. 

In reply to bentwrench :

This gen of 9-3 are famous for killing ECM's.  SAAB/GM decided it was a good idea to bolt the computer to the motor.  It gets hot and vibrates all the time, circuit boards love that.

Dean,

This place:  https://www.esaabparts.com/ is putting together a kit that includes a rebuilt ECM and a spacer/isolator.  The first batch sold out in one day but if you email their customer support you can get put in the list for the next batch.  In the mean time, take the plastic cover off of the motor if you haven't already, that will help keep the temps down somewhat.

In reply to Aaron_King :

I sent them an email and I will see what they say.  Thanks for the link!!!

RACEC4R said:

Hey Dean,

I just did this and it's super easy to clone your own PCM. It copies all VIN, key info, and data from old PCM to new (used) PCM.

If you're local to MI I can just do it for you. But I can also link you to tools and software required if you wanted to do it yourself. The Saab forums have great step by step guides. 

Can you post up the links to the SAAB forum for this or post a link to what I would need to DIY it.

Is this something you can do through the OBD port or does it require special connectors directly to the ECM?

Thanks!!

Dean,

Sorry for the delay, I get no notifications for this forum or topics I've replied to. Kind of annoying.

You can do this all through the OBD2 port, no special cables or tools required.  But the first thing I'm going to suggest you buy is a special cable and tool that is required. LOL

1)Need to be able to connect your computer to your vehicle, both the software and I recommend the following cable ($50):

https://www.amazon.com/ScanTool-OBDLink-USB-Professional-Diagnostics/dp/B005ZWM0R4/ref=sr_1_5?crid=JLNJOWVY20ZB&keywords=obdlink+sx&qid=1658260284&sprefix=obdlink%2Caps%2C174&sr=8-5

It comes with software and drivers. It is a pretty nice OBD2 tool that works for any car, so $50 well spent IMO.

2) Need to get some free Saab software called CAN-flasher (T8 Suite is also awesome as its complete tuning software, but you don't need it for standard PCM cloning).

https://txsuite.org/download/t8-suite/

https://txsuite.org/guides/trionic-can-flasher/

3) See if you need to clone/replace your PCM based on the codes/forum, mine threw about ~6 codes with smoking gun being P0245+P0201/2/3/4+P0301. These are all failing drivers inside PCM. I recommend reading the following link to help you assess if you are on the right track and step by step guide on how to clone your old PCM to a new PCM. There are only 2 types of PCM's I believe, so you should be able to easily discern which type you have, and do a like for like Part Number swap (its what I did and had literally zero issues, worked perfectly).

https://www.trionictuning.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=8094&sid=390e1ee329bf85634facabf64a9adfef

4) Following above guide with PCM cloning is basically connect to vehicle, download .bin files from old pcm, physically install 'new-used' pcm, upload .bin files to new pcm - and done!

I think I can now do it all in about ~10 minutes, so its very little actual work, but please read carefully and follow the above forum link word for word.  There is possibility of messing it up if you either check, or uncheck certain boxes.  Conversely, it is very clear and apparent which boxes to check/not check, so just do not get in a hurry, and you'll be fine.

Let me know if you have any more questions and I'll help where I can.

 - Ian

In reply to RACEC4R :

Thanks.  Our 9-3 has been progressively getting worse, mostly throwing Throttle body codes.  We have gotten by with keeping a cheap ODB 2 reader in the car and just clearing the codes but it is getting more frequent.  Unfortunately I have not been able to snag an ECU from any of the P-N-P's around here.  Either the yard is taking them or someone is in the jard right away to harvest them.

In reply to Aaron_King :

Yep, same here. All local PnP are taken. Went to eBay with a seller that accepts returns. Sure it was more expensive, but I didn't have to leave my house and hunt, about same price as car-part.com and honestly hassle free. 

In reply to RACEC4R :

Wow. Thanks for that!!!  I am getting those codes and P0606. Clear them all and p0606 comes back first but as things get worse the other codes stack up.  

In reply to dean1484 :

Yeah, sounds like it's a ripe candidate and in need of replacement then.

I could replace it two or three times for the single price of repairing, so I'd roll the dice. Plus I got more skills, tools, and Saab specific software now for future endeavors like adding Aux ports, programming keys, etc. Win win win situation.  

Gut a bad computer for the connector and splice in a MS harness. save working computer to pass emmissions.

Win Win Win

If you buy a used ECM, what are the chances that it will be good given the propensity of these to fail?

In reply to RACEC4R :

Thanks for putting that together, just flashed our car and worked like a charm.