STOCK TUNE

[TBGreen40]

I know this question has been asked a million time so don't kill me, but can the dealership tell if you have tuned and re-tuned to stock when you take it in?

[Mr_Draco]

The ECM has a flash counter. Every time you tune, retune, or revert back to the stock tune you increase the counter. If that counter does not coincide with the number GM has, then yes they will be able to tell.

It should also be said that they only check the tune for major repairs or replacements involving the engine or drive train.

Also, personally with a cam installed I would not be willing to risk running the stock tune. You could very well cause more damage then what you originally had when you take the car in.

[The Stig]

Originally Posted by TBGreen40

I know this question has been asked a million time so don't kill me, but can the dealership tell if you have tuned and re-tuned to stock when you take it in?

yes.

/thread


If you tune your car, GM can tell. Doesn't matter if you flash it back to stock. If you tune your car even just one time - your warranty is gone

[TBGreen40]

Originally Posted by Mr_Draco

The ECM has a flash counter. Every time you tune, retune, or revert back to the stock tune you increase the counter. If that counter does not coincide with the number GM has, then yes they will be able to tell.

It should also be said that they only check the tune for major repairs or replacements involving the engine or drive train.

Also, personally with a cam installed I would not be willing to risk running the stock tune. You could very well cause more damage then what you originally had when you take the car in.

Oky dok. Since oil changes will not provoke them to check the the flash counter, I will not worry. If the motor grenades, I'm not taking it to GM anyway. I just don't want them giving me shit if a blinker goes out or the radio has problems.

[VanquisherSS]

Originally Posted by TBGreen40

Oky dok. Since oil changes will not provoke them to check the the flash counter, I will not worry. If the motor grenades, I'm not taking it to GM anyway. I just don't want them giving me shit if a blinker goes out or the radio has problems.

They will not void your bumper to bumper warranty. Tuning voids your engine/powertrain warranty. Tuning your car has nothing to do with the stereo breaking or the window motor failing, etc. They'd have to prove it did and I'd like to see them try and prove that one.

[TBGreen40]

Originally Posted by VanquisherSS

They will not void your bumper to bumper warranty. Tuning voids your engine/powertrain warranty. Tuning your car has nothing to do with the stereo breaking or the window motor failing, etc. They'd have to prove it did and I'd like to see them try and prove that one.

Can't they make a case that tuning can affect other electronic signals, resulting in bad lights, or anything electrical, etc etc?

I knew I was on my own with the engine though.

[VanquisherSS]

Originally Posted by TBGreen40

Can't they make a case that tuning can affect other electronic signals, resulting in bad lights, or anything electrical, etc etc?

I knew I was on my own with the engine though.

Well i highly doubt they are going to check for a tune when performing work that isn't related to the engine/drivetrain. And I don't think they would do that I have had plenty of warranty related work done and I'm tuned. I wouldn't worry about it.

[TBGreen40]

Originally Posted by VanquisherSS

Well i highly doubt they are going to check for a tune when performing work that isn't related to the engine/drivetrain. And I don't think they would do that I have had plenty of warranty related work done and I'm tuned. I wouldn't worry about it.

Thanks!

[Mr_Draco]

Originally Posted by TBGreen40

Can't they make a case that tuning can affect other electronic signals, resulting in bad lights, or anything electrical, etc etc?

I knew I was on my own with the engine though.

Tuning? No.

Electrical only be an issue if you purchased something electrical (lights, motors, etc) and to power them you tapped them to an existing wire. Now if you was to have any problems with whatever that wire went to from factory, they could claim that your mod put an excessive load on that item which caused it to fail.

[AiRDawG]

Good point on tuning only voiding the powertrain warranty. So, in that same vein, what about my air conditioner not blowing cold after getting tuned? It seems that it's just a case of re-flashing the Body Control Module, but how do you think this would fall in regard to bumper-to-bumper or powertrain warranties?

[Mr_Draco]

Originally Posted by AiRDawG

Good point on tuning only voiding the powertrain warranty. So, in that same vein, what about my air conditioner not blowing cold after getting tuned? It seems that it's just a case of re-flashing the Body Control Module, but how do you think this would fall in regard to bumper-to-bumper or powertrain warranties?

If I'm not mistaken this falls under your bumper to bumper.

[JANNETTYRACING]

Originally Posted by TBGreen40

I know this question has been asked a million time so don't kill me, but can the dealership tell if you have tuned and re-tuned to stock when you take it in?

Yes and the cam might give you away also

[LonghornLove]

:bangdesk:

HAHA J/K. everyone was a newbie at one point!

They won't check for something minor, anything big (engine, transmission, etc...) they will.

I'm convinced my local dealership would be too stupid to know anything about it.
They can't even tighten cats to the exhaust or put the plastic trim on the dash on better.(it was falling off, went to dealer to get it fixed, month later fail off). I'll stop there bc the list goes on and on.

With that said, I do remember hearing someone say someone from GM comes and checks the car for major repairs



WELCOME!

[TBGreen40]

Originally Posted by JANNETTYRACING

Yes and the cam might give you away also

Right! Hahaha nice one. The reason I asked was because I could return to stock(cam and everything) if something came up.

[GEN-IV]

Always put tin-foil on the shark fin when tuning or OnStar will rat you out.......

[Higgs Boson]

You can put a stock cam in but they can tell the bolts were turned and/or replaced. When you take a car away from factory configuration, they can tell.

Whether or not they care or will do something about it is another discussion. In the case of a warranty engine or transmission replacement, yes, they will most likely question the integrity of your request. Where that leads is dependent on the specific people involved. Not everyone makes the same exact decisions.

[twmotox]

Could you buy an extra ecu. One for tuning and the original to keep a stock tune when needed?

[Higgs Boson]

Originally Posted by TWMOTOX

Could you buy an extra ecu. One for tuning and the original to keep a stock tune when needed?

nope, unfortunately that will also not work.

[Rhyder]

Originally Posted by VanquisherSS

They will not void your bumper to bumper warranty. Tuning voids your engine/powertrain warranty. Tuning your car has nothing to do with the stereo breaking or the window motor failing, etc. They'd have to prove it did and I'd like to see them try and prove that one.

um they voided on a error for the air bags on my friends camaro, they said with "foreign" software, the tune, on the computer, who knows what it will do to it causing voltages to be wrong etc, and thatswhat it monitors with is voltages on air bags at least per GM.

I keep telling everyone its GM's biggest scam, if tunes alone damaged engines noone would cover it under warranties, and most outside or extended do, and they are making money just as much or more than GM on warranties.

is it really surprising that GM would expand the stupidity?

[Rhyder]

Originally Posted by TWMOTOX

Could you buy an extra ecu. One for tuning and the original to keep a stock tune when needed?

My understanding is it is illegal to replace the ECU without going through all kinds of crap, it appears it has your VIN and everything so you cant just replace it, least so Im informed

[Mr_Draco]

Originally Posted by Rhyder

My understanding is it is illegal to replace the ECU without going through all kinds of crap, it appears it has your VIN and everything so you cant just replace it, least so Im informed

It's not illegal. The issue is like you said, you can't just swap the ECU with another car because they are vin locked nor can you buy a new ECU without sending your old ECU in to GM. Even if you are able to acquire a new ECU, it is still almost impossible to swap ECUs for warranty work due to other issues.

[Chrisco22]

this sucks.

[Chrisco22]

good looks homie. any chance?

[CGT]

Originally Posted by Mr_Draco

It's not illegal. The issue is like you said, you can't just swap the ECU with another car because they are vin locked nor can you buy a new ECU without sending your old ECU in to GM. Even if you are able to acquire a new ECU, it is still almost impossible to swap ECUs for warranty work due to other issues.

Why could you not have and program a new PCM? Keep your original a virgin. Getting ready to do just that.

[The Stig]

Originally Posted by CGT

Why could you not have and program a new PCM? Keep your original a virgin. Getting ready to do just that.

Because it doesn't work. Mileage (as well as other information) is stored in numerous locations on the ECM and BCM. So if/when they compare the two and see that your BCM has 2,000 more miles than your ECM they'll start asking questions.