To be certain, you should:
* Consult your owner's manual: This is the most reliable source for the location of your specific vehicle's ECM.
* Look for a large, rectangular black box: ECMs are usually fairly large and easily identifiable. Many have labels or markings indicating they are the ECM.
* Check online forums: Search for "1996 Chevy 2500 ECM location" in a truck-specific forum. Someone else with the same model and engine likely has a photo or detailed description.
Be aware that accessing the ECM may require removing some surrounding components. Take care not to damage any wires or connections when searching for it.