Fan clutch and PCM programming

[Cloudsurfer]

So, while I am swapping out the water pump next week, I am doing the fan clutch as well, to the newest version of the OEM clutch.

I understand that a PCM update is ideal along with the new clutch, but is there the ability to get a new flash from PCM4LESS that has the new fan clutch programming in it?

Is there practical advantage to the PCM4LESS software?

 

[Mypetropig]

I was told that they use the latest software from GM. That being said they should have the new fan clutch parameters in there tune. I suppose you could shoot them an email just to verify that. The tune will vastly improve transmission shifts, no more dead pedal feeling upon acceleration etc. In short overall driveability is improved. Best $140 bucks I've spent.

 

[Cloudsurfer]

I shot an email out last night, but no response as of yet. I'd imagine that their tunes incorporate the latest of whatever GM has done on these things, as well as the other improvements.

Based on what others have said, I'm pretty sold on the whole thing.

 

[AbsoluteZero]

Consider filling out your vehicle profile..... I'd assume some time after 03 the PCM update was incorporated in regular production.

If you input your VIN into this TIS site it will tell you all the various updates HOWEVER you'll need a scanner that can give you the Calibration number for your PCM to see if it has those updates. Most of the el cheapo scanners can't read calibration numbers... not sure if the android Torque app can. Others may comment.

Something to consider if you are having a tune..... have them turn off the fan fault codes. That way you can use one of the later 08 non-electro/viscous clutches if you choose and your CEL won't come on.

 

[Cloudsurfer]

Consider filling out your vehicle profile..... I'd assume some time after 03 the PCM update was incorporated in regular production.

If you input your VIN into this TIS site it will tell you all the various updates HOWEVER you'll need a scanner that can give you the Calibration number for your PCM to see if it has those updates. Most of the el cheapo scanners can't read calibration numbers... not sure if the android Torque app can. Others may comment.

Something to consider if you are having a tune..... have them turn off the fan fault codes. That way you can use one of the later 08 non-electro/viscous clutches if you choose and your CEL won't come on.

I thought about going the e-fan route, and I might consider it if I actually drove this thing more and/or had a nicer example of one. Mine is an 02 with 115k on it, but being that it was owned by a chick before me, isn't in the best shape and has been neglected a bit. I've been going through the big things which will actually cause this thing to blow up, but by no means do I ever expect this to be a "nice car." I picked mine up for nothing to be my airport car, and other than the occasional trip to Homo Depot, is about all I do with it.

While it's a bit more complex than it perhaps needs to be, I don't know that the EV clutch system is a horrible idea. Although, to me, the easier route for this whole thing would be to just copy what BMW does: still a mechanically driven fan, no EV control of it, but with an auxillary e-fan to aid cooling if need be, but especially to aid AC performance at low road speeds.

 

[Mooseman]

You could get the fan errors programmed out by PCMofNC (formerly PCM4Less) and just get a 2008/2009 regular viscous clutch. Yes, they finally realized the electro-viscous clutch was a failure and reverted to the good old fan clutch of the 70's. It's a direct swap. You just need to get the PCM programmed to ignore the fan errors.

 

[KNBlazer]

You could get the fan errors programmed out by PCMofNC (formerly PCM4Less) and just get a 2008/2009 regular viscous clutch. Yes, they finally realized the electro-viscous clutch was a failure and reverted to the good old fan clutch of the 70's. It's a direct swap. You just need to get the PCM programmed to ignore the fan errors.

Are you one of the members who scrapped their electrically controlled clutch?