How to flash computer - 2003 Oldsmobile Silhouette

The correct term is to "flash the BIOS". The BIOS (Basic Input-Output System" is a small, physical chip hardwired onto every computer motherboard. It is key to booting and running your computer; when you press the power button, the power supply starts and the very next thing that activates is the BIOS which sends instructions to the CPU (your processor) to activate your hard drive and other devices (DVD drives, USB ports, etc.) which has your operating system (aka Windows) and boots Windows. Sometimes you have new technology you want to install on an old machine, and in order for your operating system to "see" it the BIOS must be updated with new commands. So "flashing" means that you overwrite the BIOS with a new set of instructions. No BIOS should be flashed unless:
>You absolutely need to
>You know exactly what you are doing and how to do it
>You know exactly what to do if your flash goes bad.
If a flash is done improperly you will ruin your computer and cannot boot. Period. Sometimes it can be fixed with a re-flash, but don't depend on it.

Hello! I'll need the trouble code to fix your vehicle...Below is procedure with a code list...Guru...saailer

Remove the trim panels in front of the center console. Locate the engine computer attached to a floor-mounted bracket on the transmission tunnel between the console and the firewall.

Turn the diagnostic mode selector, located in a round opening on the side of the engine computer, until it stops. Observe the small red and green LED lights on the side of the computer next to the mode selector. They will flash to indicate the modes, with a pause between each mode. One quick flash is mode one, two quick flashes is mode two and so on. When the light flashes indicate mode three, quickly turn the mode selector counterclockwise until it stops. You have entered mode three diagnostics.

Remove the trim panels in front of the center console. Locate the engine computer attached to a floor-mounted bracket on the transmission tunnel between the console and the firewall.

Turn the diagnostic mode selector, located in a round opening on the side of the engine computer, until it stops. Observe the small red and green LED lights on the side of the computer next to the mode selector. They will flash to indicate the modes, with a pause between each mode. One quick flash is mode one, two quick flashes is mode two and so on. When the light flashes indicate mode three, quickly turn the mode selector counterclockwise until it stops. You have entered mode three diagnostics.

Turn the diagnostic mode selector, located in a round opening on the side of the engine computer, until it stops. Observe the small red and green LED lights on the side of the computer next to the mode selector. They will flash to indicate the modes, with a pause between each mode. One quick flash is mode one, two quick flashes is mode two and so on. When the light flashes indicate mode three, quickly turn the mode selector counterclockwise until it stops. You have entered mode three diagnostics.Observe the red and green LED lights on the side of the computer. The red light flashes to indicate the "Tens" digit of the code and the green light flashes to indicate the "Ones" digit of the code. For example, if the red light flashes two times and the green light flashes seven times, this would indicate code 27.


Turn the ignition key off for two minutes to exit diagnostics. The computer will automatically return to mode one for normal operation...

Code 11 Crank sensor angle

Code 12 Mass airflow sensor

Code 13 Engine coolant temperature sensor

Code 14 Vehicle speed sensor

Code 21 No ignition reference

Code 22 Fuel pump

Code 31 Engine control unit

Code 32 EGR sensor

Code 33 Oxygen sensor

Code 34 Knock sensor

Code 35 EGR temperature sensor

Code 43 Throttle position sensor

Code 45 Injector leak

Code 51 Injector circuit

Code 54 Automatic transmission signal

Code 55 No malfunction recorded

I’m happy to help further over the phone at https://www.6ya.com/expert/david_6df67de3b14de867

have your obd II CODES READ this will give you more of an idea what is going on with it. most auto parts stores read these codes. If you are smelling rubber check your serpitine belt for where and if it looks good take the belt loose and check the rest of the components that the serptine belt runs on altinator, water pump,powersteering pump, pully tensioner, other pullys ext.

There is no way to tell what the light is for without scanning for trouble codes.There is a way to access the computer trouble codes without having a code reader. If you look under the driver side dash near the steering column, you will find the diagnostic port where you would plug in a scanner. If you look closely you will see that the terminals are identified as a,b,c, and d. Take a metal paper clip and straighten it out, then bend it into a u-shape. Put one end of the paper clip in terminal A, and the other end in terminal B. Now turn the ignition key to the on position, but do not start the engine. The check engine light will start flashing. This is how you will get the codes, by counting the flashes. The check engine light will flash the number 12 three times, to let you know that it's getting ready to flash a code. Let's say the computer has stored a code 32, and a code24. First, the number 12 will flash 3 times(flash-pause-flash flash). Then there will be a long pause. Then the computer will flash the first code, which, in this example, is 32(flash flash flash-pause-flash flash). It will flash the same code three times, then it will flash the number 12 again. After the third number 12 has flashed, the next code will flash, which is 24(flash flash-pause-flash flash flash flash). That code will flash 3 times. Then there will be a long pause, and the pattern will be repeated. After all the codes have been flashed, the whole sequence will be repeated, starting with the first code, and will continue as long as the paper clip is in the diagnostic plug. Write the codes down as they are flashed. If you get mixed up, just wait for the next sequence of the number 12 to flash, then start counting the flashes again. Believe me, it takes a lot longer to type all this out than it does to get the codes off teh computer. If you have any questions, let me know. When you have the codes, I can look them up for you and see what they represent.

Hi there,

The bad news: your vehicle's computer has detected an internal fault in your transmission.

The good news: your computer may be flashing a fault code 'sequence' through the 'hold' light. Observe the code sequence to determine how many long flashes and short flashes occur - long flashes represent the 1st number, short flashes represend the 2nd number (e.g. 3 x long flashes - pause - 2 x short flashes, denotes code # 32).

If you are able to report back with a code of any sort, I may be able to advise the likely fault.

Cheers,

"If this has helped you in any way, please rate this solution"

The onboard computer requires specialized diagnostic equipment to first read the vehicle identification number stored prior to re-flashing the new program. If the computer is new, the request data command also unlocks the computer to allow the re-flashing of data.
There are a few GM dealers that have "off-board" programming equipment that can re-flash the Power Train Control Module (PCM) at the parts counter, however most will require the vehicle and PCM.
I would recommend having it done at the dealer so you get the most recent software. Usually a 1 hour labor charge, get an estimate prior to having them do the work.
Good luck.

You should have the computer self tested by someone with a scan tool. The flashing overdrive light indicates a concern with the transmission. Self testing the computer should produce a fault code and give you some idea of what is wrong.

there are a lot of things that can cause this here are a few. The connector socket has come loose or the ground wire has ca-roded and is not making contact, here is what you can do clean both the battery posts with sand paper and clean the cable ends as well follow the ground cable and clean the ground on the frame and on the block, this is the most common problem, then get a paper clip with the key off place the paper clip on the #3 pin and the other end to ground now watch the check engine light and turn the key to the run position, not start, count the flashes, if it flashes like this flash pause flash flash that's code 12 it will flash 3 times next any trouble codes will flash and each trouble code will flash 3 times when t is done it will flash code 12 three more times and will resend the codes again, if you get no response from the computer then the computer e-prom may be bad or the computer is bad, if you need a new computer you must get the eprom and computer # and you need the vin number and you can go to schucks or auto zone and buy a refurbished computer and a updated eprom chip, be sure to disconnect the battery before working on the computer, the computer is located on the passenger side and you have to remove the kick panel, if not there follow the wiring harness as the engineers played peek a boo and hide and seek with the mechanics in those years so it could be anywhere. I re man computer will cost about $100.00 and if you don't live in a state where they have emissions laws you can buy a performance chip to get more power out out of your engine.

I just ran into the same problem. Today my mechanic showed me 2 computers, one under the rug under the glove box on the floor. Lift rug and turn key on, not to turn car on but to just turn radio on, and see if a red light flashes on this computer. It should flash once when you turn the key on. If it flsahes more than that one time, count the number of times it flashes and then light will stop flashing and start flashing again. Count it thru a few of those times to make sure you have the number of times it flashes right. If it flashes more than once, this is called a code. Having a code means there is something wrong with car, your mechanic should be able to tell you what the code means. Mine was flashing 2X, so the code was 2. My mechanic pulled the corresponding fuse for this code, and held the fuse out for 10 seconds, and then put it back in, this reset the computer to no codes. He told me to drivew it home and then shut car off and then turn key on again and see again if any code was flashing. When I got home, no code was flashing on this computer. Good news, resetting it by pulling the fuse fixed whatever that computer was doing.

Secondly, he checked another computer under my pass. seat, to do this you need to turn key on, (do not start car), and you have to view this from the BACK seat, it should flash a red light once and then no flashing. Well, mine flashed 15X, so was a code 15. He pulled the corresponding fuse, held it out for 10 sec. and put fuse back in. It then showed no flashing except for the one time it is supposed to flash when you turn key on. He told me to check it once home, I did, and the 15 flashes (code 15) is back and what this means is I need a speed control sensor. And he said it definitely does whack out the tranny. So all I need is a speed control sensor, not a transmission replacement! Try this and see if yours gives you codes and if so, have mechanic pull the correct fuses and hold them out for 10 seconds and then put back in. Then drive your car for awhile, and recheck the computer modules again for any flashing lights (codes.) You may just need a speed control sensor!!

thers only one problem with replacing a computer on a newer model vehicle and that is when you get a computer sometimes you have to "flash" the computer to put in your vin numkber and other things. If you don't your vehicle won't start or it will start and immediately die. The only place I know of that can flash computers in the dealer. A computer for your vehicle is about $900 from the dealer and then you have to pay to have it flashed. Hope this helps.