How do you make a new ICP/Cluster work?

I have a 98 deville, just got a new engine, engine computer, and digital guage cluster. But the cluster apparently needs to be programmed in order for it to start the car. The dealership wants $750 dollars to program it but in the service manual it says you can program it without a programming machine by turning the key to on for 10 minutes then off and then back on for 10, then off and back on for 10. But I cant seem to get it to work, the cxar stilkl wont start, anyone ever done this? any tips?

just curious.....how many miles on your deville before needing a new engine?
(was it the head gaskets?)

105,000, warped head, and blown head gasket, overheated

jeez, sorry to hear it.

TurboJimmy recently did an extensive flood resto on a deville. I think part of that was going to the dealer and getting it 'reprogrammed'.

Lets see what he has to say.

jeez, sorry to hear it.

TurboJimmy recently did an extensive flood resto on a deville. I think part of that was going to the dealer and getting it 'reprogrammed'.

Lets see what he has to say.

It's like deja vu all over again! Mine's an '01, so I'm not sure how much of this applies.

First, the cluster has nothing to do with starting the vehicle. The people that manufacture the cluster (Specmo) told me that it is an integral part of the theft deterrent system and that I had to buy a new $850 cluster from them. I did not. I used a junkyard cluster that I got for free. The cluster just reports information. All the BS I went through was with the PassKey III system, which I don't think you have on your '98. Your key would have a "PK3" stamped on it versus a little resistor embedded in it. It sounds like your problem is with the theft deterrent system rather than the PCM itself. I don't know how the theft deterrent system on a '98 works. On my '01, the PCM is looking for a password from the theft deterrent module, which it learns from the transponder in the key head. The PCM stores this value and looks for it every time you turn the ignition on. Since I replaced my PCM (like you), it was looking for a password that I didn't have (actually I had the right key, but it's a long story so let's pretend I didn't). The SECURITY light would illuminate and the car wouldn't crank. The 10-minute procedure you're talking about applies to PK3 systems. If you leave the key on for 10 minutes it goes into learn mode and will accept a new key (the PCM will learn the new value from the transponder in the new key).

Even if you have a PCM from the correct model year car, it will probably need flashed anyway. I'm not sure why you replaced the IPC and the PCM, but if I were you I'd put the originals back. On the '01, the IPC is one 3 body control modules (collectively referred to as the "BCM"). They register their identities with each other. If there is a discrepancy it will light the malfunction indicator lamp. Your car should still start and run fine, but the light will be on.

The PCM operates independently of the BCM so I think your problem lies with the theft deterrent system and it's relationship to the PCM. Check out a '98 factory service manual to find out how the theft deterrent system works.

Ultimately, the dealer did reprogram my car. My theft deterrent module was bad and would not learn new keys (wouldn't send the password to the PCM). They replaced the module and key for me. They also had to re-flash the PCM and a whole bunch of other stuff. They didn't itemize my bill (let's just say it was a lot more than $750), but $750 seems like an awful lot for basically just reprogramming the theft deterrent system.

Jim

The 98 has the passkey II system, it has the key with the resistor in it. The orginal cluster has a short in it somewhere and it goes in and out. Its very unreliable. it was cheaper to get a salvage cluster for $100 than to get it repaired (but now the problems im having now make it seem like it will become more expensive)

I want to try the 10 minutes technique like it says in the service manual but im not sure exactly what to do, it is a little vague

The 98 has the passkey II system, it has the key with the resistor in it. The orginal cluster has a short in it somewhere and it goes in and out. Its very unreliable. it was cheaper to get a salvage cluster for $100 than to get it repaired (but now the problems im having now make it seem like it will become more expensive)

I want to try the 10 minutes technique like it says in the service manual but im not sure exactly what to do, it is a little vague

The way the PKIII system works is you turn the key to 'run' and wait 10 minutes untile the SECURITY 'tell tale' light goes out. When it goes out, it's ready for a new password. Turn the key to crank and it should accept the new password and crank/start. I never had any success with this method, however, because my theft deterrent module was bad. The dealer used the Tech2 to set up the new modules.

I'm not sure if the instrument cluster was ever an integral part of the theft deterrent system for any model year. I know for 2000 up it is NOT. Again, I think your problem lies simply with getting the PCM to accept a new password. Thus, the 10-minute reprogramming should work. If not, see how much the dealer wants to program a new master key (which is the same procedure). I bet it's not $750.

Jim