Heh, too late...

If this new PCM was from a 97, wouldn't there be no problem?

No. When they say a 97 doesn't need a case learn, they're assuming that you already swapped the KS module from the old PCM to the new one. A case learn tells the computer the exact position of the crank, but that data is stored in the KS module when the car is shut off. If you turn the engine over without that old KS module in there, the crank position is obviously changed and it does the computer no good to know where the crank WAS when you took the KS module out. You're very lucky the data stored in the Intense KS module just happened to be fairly close to where your crank was at your last shutoff. Otherwise your car would have run like CRAP, like what happened to me last weekend. Sind the crank position is now unknown to the KS module, you'll have to have the case learn done manually with a Tech II. I'll try to get you a link that will explain it a little better.

I guess I am very lucky. I'm not gonna be driving it around very much in the next couple weeks. I'm not going to risk anything, even if it does drive good right now. First thing I will do when I get home is get that CASE learn done.

This isn't cool. :?

Any other info or advice would be great.

May explain why some guys are blowing up their GTP'*.


Doing the Case Learn or Crankshaft Position Variation Learn Procedure is performed as follows:

1) Engine coolant must be at least 158*F and set parking brake.

2) Block the wheels and close the hood (not too sure why you have to close the hood )

3) Turn off the engine and connect the Tech2 Scan tool, then select and enable the Crankshaft Position Variation Learn Procedure .

4) Start the vehicle. Ensure it is in park.

5) Increase the accelerator pedal until the CKP system variation learn fuel shutoff is reached. It was about 4200 rpm. Had to do it a few times until the second fuel shutoff at 5200 rpm is reached. The compensating values are learned when the RPM decreases back to idle.

Well, I think what Shawn was trying to say is if you haven't thrown an SES light you're probably only + or - 2 degrees of timing, which isn't a huge deal. You should still get the case learn done, but you shouldn't hurt anything between now and then. Just drive it easy and you'll be fine. When I started mine up last weekend with the wrong KS module in it, the timing was WAY off and it wouldn't even stay running after turning over. You're nowhere close to that, so no worries. You've got a little more experience under your belt now, so it'* all good.

Here'* an excerpt of a Grandprix.net article I posted in a 92-99 thread last weekend. This is a little better wording of what I was trying to explain. Basically if you don't switch the KS module prior to turning the engine over your PCM requires a case learn just like any other model year. Yeah, that'* what I was trying to say! Don't fret too much about it between now and then. You're in pretty good shape, all things considered

Thanks for the good info guys.

I should be fine. It just bugs me that this happened. I'm not too mechanically inclined, so I didn't know this stuff. I just knew how to plug the new one in.

I've heard mixed things about CASE learns and PCM'*. Some say you don't need the CASE unless you start removing things(swapping a cam) and then you need it when the PCM is reflashed or changed.
I drove my car around for about a week before I got a deal to get a CASE for free, I didnt notice any difference after it was performed. I only had one Check Engine light come on for a misfire #1 cylinder, the wire on the plug doesnt like to sit on there all the way sometimes :? .
I highly doubt you'll blow your engine up Sol, get a CASE learn just for ease of mind, that'* my opinion.

Yea, I doubt I will notice a difference from it when I get it. I made a few hard runs today before I knew my mistake, and it ran great. The car is flying!

I saw these directions on ClubGP for the CASE Learn:


97-2003 Engine CASE learn procedure:

Turn the key to on position
Turn Tech II on
Select the Diagnostics Menu
Select Car Information (Year, Make, Engine, Etc.) (Make sure they enter 1998 as the year.) (Also you will be asked what type of product line/type. It is a single letter code. Which corresponds to the first letter in your VIN)
Select Special Functions.
Select Variable Crankcase Learn Procedure.
Follow On Screen Directions.

The Crankcase Learn Procedure is going to ask the Technician to do the following:

Put E-brake On.
Make sure car is in neutral or park.
Turn engine on
Rev Car to Rev Limiter (car will hit limiter at 3,000 RPM)
Wait about 5 seconds.
Rev Car to Rev Limiter (The car will this time hits about 5,500 to 6,000 RPM)
Wait about 5 seconds.
Car is done.

When it says "wait about 5 seconds," am I maintaing the engine speed at 3000 RPM or 5500 or whatever? Or do I rev to that speed, then let it idle for 5 seconds, then do it again?

You won't need a case learn if you put your KS unit from your original PCM back in. I don't know how it does it, because I'm not sure exactly how it works, but it can remember where the crank was even if the engine has been started with a different unit in there. This is the same reason why you can swap between two PCMs on your car and not need a case learn. If it has learned it once it doesn't need to learn it again, because it uses other values to figure out where it is or something like that. I'm not sure how it works, but I know it works. If you put your old KS unit it will be fine and you won't need a case learn. But, I guess since you have access to a Tech 2 its no big deal.

Shawn