truck was stolen!! You won't believe what they took!!

[hikethemtns]

My girl friends 04 was stolen and besides the normal stuff like tail gate, radio, tires etc they took the ecm [engine computer module], odometer cluster and brake Abs module????? Anyway, her problems have just begain,as i finally located these items on ebay, but when we installed them the truck would not run. took it to the dealer and he says it's because the items came off a vehicle with a different vin # and the code it gives him is "vin mismatch". He says the only way to get it to run is to buy both modules new from him [2000. 00] and then he can program in my vin#, but used parts cannot have the vin# changed so that they will work. IS HE PULLING MY LEGG? THANKS; JIM

 

[j.m.mcfly]

you should be able to bring to dealer and install your vin into the new modules with the drb scan tool

 

[Gary - K7GLD]

Probably a legality issue between the dealer and DMV, regarding changing odometer mileage numbers - may be a private party out there would do it "under the table"...



But the same issues apply to a new replacement as well - if he can reprogram one you buy from him, he should be able to do yours as well - I suspect he smells $$$...

 

[Bob4x4]

The vin # can be changed on many ecm's not all. It gets more complicated if you have the skim system,then modules must match(secret codes). The skim module would have to be changed than configured to match. The vin can usually be changed in the abs module. It is not an E-bay friendly system :-laf . The diesel ecm must be for the correct application,it can not be reconfigured at the dealer level. Good luck finding some one willing to take the time to help when you spent your money with some one else.



Bob

 

[Bob4x4]

Probably a legality issue between the dealer and DMV, regarding changing odometer mileage numbers - may be a private party out there would do it "under the table"...



But the same issues apply to a new replacement as well - if he can reprogram one you buy from him, he should be able to do yours as well - I suspect he smells $$$...

Gary the new modules come blank... ... . no vin. Some modules can not be changed at the dealer level. The mileage is in the cluster. The clusters are sold with the mileage set before you get it. The mileage is also saved in the pcm but can be rewritten.



Bob

 

[FDavid]

ever heard of insurance?

 

[TDiebolt]

I can see all these issues being a computer hackers dream challenge. Looky looky I took my truck with 100K and now it only has 30K miles and no record of ever being bombed. The guy would get many hits I am sure. :--)

 

[JHardwick]

*nose in the air* something stinks here, lol

 

[DPKetchum]

Its to prevent the blackmarket of stolen electronic parts. I think the dealer is correct on this one. Some parts ecm's/radio's have been this way for a long time now.

 

[BillLanterman]

What about the theives? How are they getting theirs to work?

 

[klenger]

What about the theives? How are they getting theirs to work?

They probably aren't. They sell them to other victims on ebay.

 

[lil red cummins]

klenger hit it on the nose



car jockey at local dealer here just got arrested for stealing the manuals and keyless entry remotes from traded in used cars. he then sold them on ebay.



beware of what you buy online. for the one millionth time: "if the deal seems too good to be true---- it probably is"



jim

 

[sag2]

For the last several years most (ECM's, PCM's, Clusters, FCM's, CAB's, WCM's SKIM's) can not be swapped from one vehicle to another. You can write a VIN to a new controller, but can not rewrite to a used controller. The VIN is written to more than one controller, and as soon as you turn on the key, the VIN is broadcast to the other controllers. If they do not match, you get a no start.

 

[hikethemtns]

Thanks for the info. Are you saying used parts [which ones?] that store the vin # are worthless? thanks jim

 

[sag2]

That is correct. Unless you got all the modules from one vehicle, they are worthless.

 

[Big_H316]

If the truck and modules were stolen then why is the insurance not covering this???? Isn't that what we pay the high *** premiums for? That truck should be fixed good as new when it's all said and done.

 

[Bob4x4]

For the last several years most (ECM's, PCM's, Clusters, FCM's, CAB's, WCM's SKIM's) can not be swapped from one vehicle to another. You can write a VIN to a new controller, but can not rewrite to a used controller. The VIN is written to more than one controller, and as soon as you turn on the key, the VIN is broadcast to the other controllers. If they do not match, you get a no start.

Sag2 that is not always true,replace the skim module and the pcm's will work I have been doing a few turbo Neons and so far no problems changing VINs to work. I have also done some trucks. Don't beleive everything D/C instructers have told you. Once configured they will not work with a different configured vehicle.



Bob

 

[joaker]

I am not completely sure of this, but would it not be possible to get a "Catcher ECM" from the guy on here who sells them, I think he just reflashes them or something..... not sure, but maybe a possibility.

 

[TCDiesel]

It

It"s going to be a Nasty Flash even for a expert,I sold My last 04 ECM to A Member. I do have a 03 PCM/ECM matching Vin

 

[BillGotthelf]

I believe the vin info is stored in a "write one time" memory area. There is some proprietary info written in this area also. This just means that once the vin has been written to the pcm it must be used with all the other electronic hardware associated with that vin. Also the "catcher" ecm reprogramming does not change any of the vin info, just timing and fuel curves located in read write area in the comp.