[terryjm1]

I searched for discussion on this topic and found none, hence a new thread.

If I bought a spare ECU and flashed it with a tune, could I swap it in for the original one and then swap the original back in if I need warranty coverage?

Found this on eBay: https://www.ebay.com/itm/NEW-OEM-GM-ENGINE-CONTROL-MODULE-ECM-PCM-E98-2-8-DURAMAX-COLORADO-CANYON-17/253327074809?ssPageName=STRK:MEBIDX:IT&_trksid=p2055119.m1438.l2649


Thanks in advance!

 

[Rockcrawlerdude]

No

 

[Burgess159]

Why couldn't it work? Would the dealer know that wasn't the original ECM ?

 

[Rockcrawlerdude]

The mileage and engine hours would be a giveaway. I would also imagine there would be some other breadcrumbs left.

 

[Pergrem]

In most modern vehicles the ecu have timers now. If the time doesn’t match the mileage they will know the ecu has been tampered with.

 

[chuckatkins]

So how does it work if you need to legitimately replace your ecu? Or do a battery cable disconnect that wipes the ecu?

 

[Haminstead]

So how does it work if you need to legitimately replace your ecu? Or do a battery cable disconnect that wipes the ecu?

If you leave the new tune on the ECU
they will see it is not GM.
Even if you reflash the stock tune
there is a permanent history.
In the GM repair manual they show procedures for a mechanic to download the history from the ECM to make sure there there have not been any unapproved changes. They can’t tell
what happen but it is the basis for disallowing warranty claims. This snapshot MUST be submitted to GM for warranty to be approved.
The EPA made it mandatory that Diesel engine ECUs show a history which cannot be erased.

 

[chuckatkins]

If you leave the new tune on the ECU
they will see it is not GM.
Even if you reflash the stock tune
there is a permanent history.
In the GM repair manual they show procedures for a mechanic to download the history from the ECM to make sure there there have not been any unapproved changes. They can’t tell
what happen but it is the basis for disallowing warranty claims. This snapshot MUST be submitted to GM for warranty to be approved.
The EPA made it mandatory that Diesel engine ECUs show a history which cannot be erased.

Yeah, I get how they can see if the ECU has had a tune applied. But if you replace the ecu, tune it, use it for a while, and then before taking it in you reinstall the factory ecu that has never been tuned...

Sure there's an ethical issue at play here and you might be lying to the dealer if asked, which it's own problem. I'm not saying anyone should do it btw, best case they void your warranty, worst case it's criminal fraud.

From a technical and mechanical standpoint though, would just reinstalling the original never-tuned ecu work and even be detectable?

 

[Haminstead]

Yeah, I get how they can see if the ECU has had a tune applied. But if you replace the ecu, tune it, use it for a while, and then before taking it in you reinstall the factory ecu that has never been tuned...

Sure there's an ethical issue at play here and you might be lying to the dealer if asked, which it's own problem. I'm not saying anyone should do it btw, best case they void your warranty, worst case it's criminal fraud.

From a technical and mechanical standpoint though, would just reinstalling the original never-tuned ecu work and even be detectable?

Someone answered that awhile ago under another topic.......said mileage log engine hours would not match. I am assuming that GM had thought about the issue. I don’t think it’s worth the risk of none warranty $$$$$$$$ repairs. Even though I have not had any problems at 52,900 problems. It appears that there are all kinds of Gremlins lurking in the emissions system