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Diesel ECM exchange and repair

We rebuild, exchange, and program diesel ECMs. Cummins, Cat, and Detroit are our core lines. Two-year warranty, out of Princeton, MN. Our specialties: Cat 70-pin ECMs (3406E, C10, C12, C15, C16) repaired in 3 to 5 days on the bench, and Cummins ISX, ISM, ISB and ISC ECMs (CM550 through CM2350) repaired in 15 to 30 days.

Buy an ECM

Cummins · Cat · Detroit · Tested + warrantied

Programmed to your specs Shop ECMs

Repair My ECM

Diesel ECM repair · Cat 70-pin: $525 sale price, full refund if we can't fix it, 3 to 5 days · most others 15 to 30 days

Diagnostic report included Start a repair

Shop Tools

TimingBuddy · ECM parts · Lab gear

Built by Northland See the tools

Sell a Core

Posted buy list · Cash for cores

Old, dead, or working See our buy list
2-Year WarrantyOn every exchange unit
Bench-TestedBefore every shipment
Data PreservationYour tune stays intact
USA ShopPrinceton, MN
Our specialty

Caterpillar ECM repair

Battery went dead and now it won't start? Turn the key on and watch for the check engine light. If it never comes on, there's a good chance your ECM is not waking up. That's the classic Cat ECM failure, and we fix it every week.

3406E · C10 · C12 · C15 · C16: 3 to 5 days on the bench · $525 flat, sale through Oct 31 · paid at checkout · can't fix it, full refund · lifetime warranty

By engine: 3406E · C15 · C13 · C12 · C10 · C16 · C7 · 3126 · Cat equipment

Cat ECM repair → Cat ECM failure symptoms

How ECM Repair Works at Northland

Here's how a repair goes once it's on our bench.

  1. 1

    You ship it in

    Self-ship free, or add a prepaid UPS label ($45). Drop-offs in Princeton by appointment.

  2. 2

    We test it

    Full diagnostic on the bench. Written report in 1-2 business days.

  3. 3

    Repair or exchange

    Cat 70-pin: you pay the repair price at checkout. Everything else: $350 bench fee that credits toward the repair. If we can't fix a Cat 70-pin, you get a full refund (details on the Cat pages). On other ECMs we quote an exchange unit programmed for your engine.

  4. 4

    Back to you

    Cat 70-pin: 3 to 5 days on the bench. Everything else: 15 to 30 days. Plus 1-3 days return shipping. Rush 24-48hr (+$245).

Start a repair → Read the FAQ

Featured ECMs

View all ECMs →

Shop by engine

Cummins ISX Cummins ISM Cummins ISB Cummins ISC Cummins Celect Cummins Celect Plus Cummins ISX15 Cat C15 Cat 3406E Cat C13 Cat C12 Cat 3126 Cat C7 Detroit DD15 Detroit DD13 Detroit Series 60

Services

ECM Exchange

Every exchange unit gets tested on the bench and programmed to your truck before it ships. Send your core back within 90 days to recover your deposit.

Shop Exchange

ECM Repair

Send us your ECM for diagnosis and repair. Cat 70-pin: $525 sale price, done in 3 to 5 days, and if we can't fix it you get a full refund. Other makes: $350 bench fee that includes the diagnostic report and credits toward the fix, 15 to 30 days right now.

Request Repair

Programming Transfer & Flash Recovery

On an exchange unit from us, your settings carry over from your old ECM at no charge. Want the exact calibration copied over as it is? It's free on Cat 70-pin exchange units and Detroit exchange units. On other ECMs it's $350. We also recover Cummins and Cat ECMs after a failed flash.

Ask a question

How a diesel ECM exchange works

A diesel ECM exchange means you buy a tested, remanufactured module off our shelf and send your failed one back as the core. No waiting on a repair, no dealer backorder, no $4,500 new-module quote.

  1. 1

    Pick your unit

    Search by part number, ECM number or engine. Every listing shows the arrangements and engine serial ranges it fits.

  2. 2

    We program it to your engine

    Programmed to your engine serial and bench-tested before it ships. Units marked In Stock ship the same day on orders in by 3 PM Central. Everything else is built to order; ask and we give you a real ship date.

  3. 3

    Send the core back

    Install the exchange unit, then ship your old ECM back within 90 days to recover the core deposit.

  4. 4

    Two-year warranty

    Every exchange unit is covered for two years. If yours is repairable instead, the repair lane costs less; we will tell you which is the better deal.

Exchange units by make: Cummins ECM exchange · Caterpillar ECM exchange · Detroit ECM exchange

Browse exchange ECMs → Repair mine instead

Why Northland

We Keep Your Tune

We clone ECMs and preserve what we can of your existing tune through repair or exchange. Tell us up front you want it saved and we'll do our best to keep it intact.

Independent USA Shop

Not a dealer, not a remanufacturer chain. One Minnesota shop with deep bench experience and the freedom to take the oddball jobs the chains won't touch.

In diesel since 2012

ECM-focused as an independent shop since 2018. Cummins, Cat, and Detroit are our core lines.

Verified Google reviews

What truck owners & shops say

★★★★★
"Mike does great work and sent my repaired ECM back to me right away. Saved me thousands of dollars vs. using the dealer. Would recommend to anyone that needs prompt repair."
Michael B. via Google
★★★★★
"From ECMs and harnesses to straight-out cutting counter bores in-frame for us. Great shop — and a great person to have in your pocket."
Mega24v via Google
★★★★★
"Highly recommend these guys! Fast turnaround — I had my ECM back and repaired by the next day. Will definitely do more business in the near future."
Javon Z. via Google
★★★★★
"Michael is a diesel guru. He made my rig scream and had it done when he said, for the price we agreed to. I'd highly recommend him."
Glenn S. via Google
★★★★★
"Mike is highly knowledgeable in all areas of diesel repair — from mechanical work to advanced electrical diagnostics. You can count on him to get the job done right."
David F. via Google
★★★★★
"Mike is a very professional and skilled mechanic. I highly recommend him for any of your needs."
Justin N. via Google

Read more reviews & leave your own →

Who works on your ECM

I'm Michael — I own Northland ECM. For years it was just me in front of every unit that came through this shop. I came up in diesel out of school in 2012, and in 2018 I went out on my own focused on ECMs because the parts-counter answer ("we'll order you a new one for $4,500 and you'll wait three weeks") wasn't an answer for the truck owners and small fleets I knew. So I learned the units, built the test gear, and started saving people that money. The work grew, and now there's a team at the bench with me — and we're building it bigger. What doesn't change as we grow: every ECM that comes in goes in front of a real expert.

  • In diesel since 2012, ECM-focused since 2018 — Cummins, Cat, and Detroit are our core lines
  • Tools built in-house — bench testers, programming rigs, our own diagnostic software
  • Independent shop, not a rebuild chain — owner-led, a hands-on team, your ECM on our bench
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Email us about a problem unit.

It comes straight to our inbox. A diesel tech reads it and answers, usually the same business day. Tell us the engine and what it's doing, and we'll let you know whether we can help.

Email us [email protected]

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