Hi Folks,

Looking for info from anyone that does emission inspections in Massachusetts, especially if they have any experience with modded OBDII vehicles, or input from anyone that has been through any similar transmission/PCM OBDII swaps in Massachusetts.

This subject is probably nowhere near as complicated as I'm making it out to be here but I have a couple of PCM swap questions that I can't seem to resolve.

The project - Put a 5spd NV trans in my 98 5.9 ZJ Jeep. I figure the easiest way is to use a PCM from a 98 5.9 5spd Ram.

Done extensive Googling on the subject and done search/FAQ on about two dozen Dodge/Jeep/Mopar forums. I've found out a lot but the info doesn't always agree from site to site and/or I'm not sure if other people's experience applies to the type of emissions inspections they do here in MA.

Just came back from the place I got my sticker last time and he couldn't answer all of my questions off the top of his head because he had never seen anything similar done. (my vehicle is still stock at the moment)

The answers to all of these individual questions aren't as important as the whole idea of whether it can be done or not and how and what actually comes into play.

So, the main questions:
1 - Do all states have the same emissions/inspection requirements as Massachusetts now that OBDII is around? If not, what other states do?
2 - The emission inspection machines in MA reads the VIN through the OBDII port, correct? Does the tech also have to manually enter the VIN and/or verify that it agrees with the PCM VIN?
3 - Any CEL/code will automatically fail a vehicle through the machine, yes?
4 - If a vehicle has CEL/codes due to the missing auto trans is there any option in the machine for the tech to override or ignore the failure that wouldn't really apply since it wouldn't have the automatic in it anymore?
5 - The best way around this is to use the PCM from a 5.9/5spd Ram?
6 - Can a new VIN be flashed into a used PCM or not? Chrysler dealer says they can't do it but I'm not sure if that's a "they won't do it" issue or a "they actually can't do it" issue. Someone said the "Enter VIN" option doesn't come up on the DRB if the PCM already has a VIN.
7 - If the VINs can't be easily overwritten, used PCMs wouldn't have any value right? Maybe for use in non-inspection states?
8 - Do any digits in my vehicle's VIN specify the transmission type? (I don't think so) If they do - Maybe I'm getting too crazy here - does that figure of the VIN actually have any input as to how the PCM operates, or is the VIN flash just an internal "label"?
9 - Do any other scanners have the ability to overwrite VINs or delete them?
10 - I know B&G charges $130 for VIN flash and $430 for a custom flash. Is overwriting the VIN considered custom?
11 - Can my 5.9/auto trans PCM be reflashed deep enough to eliminate the "looking for auto trans" inputs? I talked to B&G about this swap but it was at about 4:59 on a Friday. I didn't have the heart to keep them there answering questions about a swap that probably had them questioning my sanity anyway :-)
12 - Do the Ram trucks have BCMs and is that a factor in this swap?
13 - The alarm/disable issue - (VTSS?) I've heard the PCM from a factory alarm vehicle can only go into another factory alarm vehicle. A "non-alarm" PCM can go into either one.

I'll try B&G again sometime soon but figured I'd post here first to see if anyone had any experience with similar swaps in Mass. Besides, I think most performance flashes are designated "For off road use only" so they may not take these inspection issues into account.

Like I said, so much info/so many conflicting answers. I know there can be issues with the seatbelt warning lights and/or the ABS lights etc, others say that's not a problem as long as the PCM has any VIN number in it.

The nuts and bolts of the swap isn't that crazy but I don't want to start buying parts til I solve the last few issues.

Thanks for any replies - John[/align]

 

some help maybe... your Registration Card has your VIN on it we scan the the bar code on Registration Card after the computer does its thing we hook the computer up to the pcm so there it has to match or a automatic fail !!!
This is in pa ...

 

That's what I thought. Are all states doing some kind of OBDII scan now? Pretty sure NY and CA do it. Now I know PA does it too.

Not sure if our regisrations have scan codes or not but I'm sure they have to confirm it somehow.

Hopefully I'll get some info on the VIN flashing on used PCM questions.

Thanks for the reply PDR.

 

Checked my reg card. No bar code.

Talked to an inspection tech that knew more than the last guy I talked to.

He said all VIN stuff is from the registration card and visual confirmation, not from the PCM.

I told him about the swap and he said as long as there are no active codes it should pass.

So much simpler than I thought it was.

 

good to hear

 

I'm getting psyched!

It's afunny process though.

I'm getting tons of great answers, like in my LD vs HD post but sometimesthe good answerslead me to more questions about stuff that I didn't even know I needed to know about! (I think that sentence makes sense!) LOL

It's two steps forward, one step back!

Like I said, I've done cars for years but I have very little knowledge of 4WD stuff.

Thanks again

 

yah ive been auchually learining loots too i wanna swap my ram to a 5 speed some day soon and this is helping learn what i need to know too