Does the ECM have to be in the car to be programmed ?

Question

I hate to be the stupid guy in the room but I can t find an answer to my question. The plan is to buy a used ECM ( junk yard pick ) because I don't have $1060 to buy a new one right now. Can I take the ECM to the dealer and have it programmed w/ out the car .. or does it have to be installed in the car when its programmed?  I'm trying to avoid having the car towed to the dealer. If i could just take the ECM to the dealer have it programmed then bring it home and plug that F-Bomb in to the car ... that would be awesome.  ~~ ANY AND ALL HELP IS APPRECIATED ~~

Answer 1

It has to the he vehicle, during the reprogram it looks for the ABS system, and there they communicate, same with the TCM this is during the reprogram, There are some shop that do mobile ECM reprogram, Plus when it is in the vehicle you can confirm that the problem is resolved