Drive By Wire (DBW) to (DBC) Cable Throttle Conversion

Swapping to Cable Throttle on 03-07 GM Trucks

Honest advice: Keep the Drive-by-Wire if you have the parts. If the throttle feels laggy, just tune out the torque management in the software. But if you are set on swapping to a cable setup, here is what you need to know:

Disconnecting the Old System: The Drive-by-Wire system relies on a TAC module. It talks to the PCM through Pins 14 and 15 on the Blue connector. Once you disconnect those lines, the DBW wiring is effectively removed.

The PCM Problem: A cable throttle body needs an Idle Air Control (IAC) valve to idle correctly. Most truck computers can't run this valve because they are missing the internal driver chip.

The Fix: You need a PCM from a 2004 GTO or a pre-2005 Express Van. Check the hardware numbers carefully against the compatible list—if the number is off by one digit, it won't drive the IAC.

Verified Compatible PCM List (with IAC Drivers)

Use the list below to source a PCM. You must match the Service No. and Hardware No. exactly. If the number is off by one digit, the PCM likely lacks the drivers.

1999 – 2002 (Blue/Red Connector)

  • Service No: 09354896 or 12200411

  • Notes: These are the most versatile PCMs. They work with both Drive-by-Wire and Drive-by-Cable; they simply need to be programmed for your specific setup.

2003 (Blue/Green Connector)

  • Service No: 12576106

  • Hardware No: 12570558

  • Source: Found in most 2003 trucks.

2004 (Blue/Green Connector)

  • Service No: 12586243

  • Hardware No: 12583659

  • Source: Mostly found in the Pontiac GTO, Chevy Express Vans, and Cadillac CTS-V. It might be found in some pickup trucks.

2005 – 2006 (Blue/Green Connector)

  • Service No: 12589462

  • Hardware No: 12589161

  • Source: Primarily Chevy Express Vans. You may occasionally find this in some pickups.

2007 (Blue/Green Connector)

  • Service No: 12602801

  • Hardware No: 12589161

  • Source: Found only in Chevy Express Vans.

  • Important: Even if the donor van was equipped with Drive-by-Wire, this specific PCM hardware does support cable throttle control.

Any 4.3L V6 pickup or S10–S15, Blazer/Jimmy, Astro or Safari uses the same computer and can be programmed for a Gen 3 LS V8.

First, confirm your PCM supports the required part numbers. If unsure, remove the PCM cover (4 Torx screws) and look for the stepper motor driver chip. Also check for pins through the circuit board labeled "B67U1." Pictures help for reference. Do not remove the circuit board — it’s unnecessary and not recommended. This method has been reliable in my experience.

Close-up of a circuit board with electronic components inside a casing, placed on a wooden surface.

No chip installed. WILL NOT WORK WITH CABLE THROTTLE

Close-up of a green printed circuit board with metallic connections and components, featuring a red circle highlighting a specific area on the left side.

No pins through circuit board. WILL NOT WORK WITH CABLE THROTTLE

Close-up of a car engine control unit (ECU) circuit board with various electronic components, including chips, resistors, and connectors.

Circled is the stepper motor driver, and an extra capaciter that is found in DBC able PCM's. WORKS WITH CABLE THROTTLE

Close-up view of an electronic circuit board with various components and solder points, featuring a red circle highlighting a specific area.

Notice the pins from that chip stick through the circuit board. WORKS WITH CABLE THROTTLE

Chart shows wire color, function, and PCM plug locations for 2003+ Express vans with mechanical cable throttle bodies.

You can use a 2003+ oil pressure sensor plug for the TPS, but note the 5V reference and low reference are reversed between the oil pressure plug and TPS. If using the oil pressure plug for TPS, swap the BLACK and GRAY wires either at the TPS plug or at the PCM — if you don’t, the TPS will read backwards.

Move the Oil Pressure Signal wire (TAN/WHT) from GREEN pin 58 to GREEN pin 24.

The exact pin for the TPS 5V reference doesn’t matter (pin 7 or 8 are both fine). The low reference may be pin 60 or 63. What matters is the TPS has the correct 5V reference and low reference at the sensor.


WIRE COLOR / SENSOR PIN LOCATION - DESCRIPTION - PCM PLUG / PIN LOCATION

Throttle Position Sensor (FACTOR PIN LOCATION FOR 2003+ DBC EXPRESS VAN)

PIN A or 1 - GRAY - 5 VOLT REFERENCE - BLUE PIN 8

PIN B or 2 - BLACK - LOW REFERENCE - BLUE PIN 60

PIN C or 3 - DK BLUE - TP SIGNAL - GREEN 24

   

Oil Pressure Sensor (2003+ harnesses)

PIN A or 1 - BLACK LOW REFERENCE - BLUE PIN 63

PIN B or 2 - GRAY - 5 VOLT REFERENCE - BLUE PIN 7

PIN C or 3 - TAN/WHT - OIL PRESSURE SIGNAL - GREEN PIN 58

   

WIRE - IAC PIN # -DESCRIPTION - PCM PLUG - PIN LOCATION

Idle Air Controller Valve

LT GRN/BLK PIN - (A) - IAC COIL B LOW - GREEN PIN 77

LT GRN/WHT PIN - (B) - IAC COIL B HIGH - GREEN PIN 76

LT BLU/BLK PIN - (C) - IAC COIL A LOW - GREEN PIN 78

LT BLU/WHT PIN - (D) - IAC COIL A HIGH - GREEN PIN 79

If converting a RED/BLUE (DBW) harness to a DBC setup, only add wiring for the IAC valve and TPS.

You can use a RED/BLUE PCM on a 2003+ GREEN/BLUE (cable-throttle) harness with one main change: the O2 sensor heater wiring.

  • On 2003+ PCMs the PCM provides the O2 heater ground and 12V comes from the fuse block.

  • On 1999–2002 PCMs both 12V and ground go directly to the heaters.

To make a 2003+ harness work with a RED/BLUE (1999–2002) PCM:

  • Supply 12V to the O2 heaters from the fuse block.

  • Route the heater ground to the PCM.

Remove these BLUE PCM connector pins: 24, 27, 64, 67 (black with white stripes). They are extra grounds for the 03+ PCM and aren’t needed on 99–02 PCM. Pull the pins out—don’t cut wires yet; some will be reused.

Also remove the four PCM wires that go to the O2 heater controls (one per sensor). If you only use front sensors in the conversion, ignore anything for Sensor 2.

Bank 1 Sensor 1 - BLACK/WHITE - GREEN connector pin 72

Bank 1 Sensor 2 - BROWN - GREEN connector pin 52 - after CAT o2 sensor

Bank 2 Sensor 1 - LT GREEN - GREEN connector pin 74

Bank 2 Sensor 2 - RED/WHITE - GREEN connector pin 53 - after CAT o2 sensor

Now, you should have 4 ground wires, and 2 (or 4) oxygen sensor heater control wires pulled from the PCM connectors.

Locate the four tan oxygen-sensor low-reference wires at the BLUE PCM connector. For front O2 sensors use pins 26 and 29. Add pins 25 and 28 for rear sensors. These wires are always TAN and may have a white stripe.

To splice:

  • Pull the pin from the connector (note its position).

  • Remove some insulation, solder a lead, slide heat-shrink over the splice, shrink it, and reinstall the pin.

  • Leave about 12" of extra wire for each splice.

After splicing you should have:

  • Four black/white ground wires loose,

  • 2–4 O2 heater-control wires loose,

  • 2–4 wires joined to the TAN reference wires.

Join all these together in one big splice:

  • Slide a larger piece of heat-shrink (1/4"–5/16") over the ground wires first.

  • Strip 1–2" from each wire, solder them end-to-end into the splice, then slide and shrink the outer heat-shrink.

To fit the connectors into the PCM, trim the rib off the GREEN plastic terminal cover so it will seat in the RED PCM socket.

Use O2 sensors for a 2002 Chevy 5.3L (white plastic connector) — they plug into the 2003+ harness without changing plugs.