how / when is this done ?

[Game Over]

How often or when is programming or re-flashing a vehicle's Body Control Module (BCM) or Powertrain Control Module (PCM) done. Reason being is I want to know if it worth the trouble of switching back and forth between factory and aftermarket headunits when I take it to the dealer for the task to be done.

Should I just tell them that the fuse that powers the radio factory radio harness just needs to be pulled out ? Is it going to void my warranty If I did tell them about it but they still forgot to take the fuse out ? Just curious since they can always blame it on the aftremarket unit.

[Game Over]

How often or when is programming or re-flashing a vehicle's Body Control Module (BCM) or Powertrain Control Module (PCM) done. Reason being is I want to know if it worth the trouble of switching back and forth between factory and aftermarket headunits when I take it to the dealer for the task to be done.

Should I just tell them that the fuse that powers the radio factory radio harness just needs to be pulled out ? Is it going to void my warranty If I did tell them about it but they still forgot to take the fuse out ? Just curious since they can always blame it on the aftremarket unit.

[First Hummer]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by Game Over:
How often or when is programming or re-flashing a vehicle's Body Control Module (BCM) or Powertrain Control Module (PCM) done. Reason being is I want to know if it worth the trouble of switching back and forth between factory and aftermarket headunits when I take it to the dealer for the task to be done.

Should I just tell them that the fuse that powers the radio factory radio harness just needs to be pulled out ? Is it going to void my warranty If I did tell them about it but they still forgot to take the fuse out ? Just curious since they can always blame it on the aftremarket unit. </div></BLOCKQUOTE>

With the way Hummers are upgarded, I doubt this is new to them.I am sure they have dealt with aftermarket radios before,so this should be no suprise to them.If you tell them up front you replaced radio things should be ok.

[SledgeHummer]

Well I cant say about my H3, haven't had any mods done on it, but I can speak for my Chevy Blazer's dealer workshop (still is a GM dealer)

First you're right they tend to blame anything and everything on a simple cellphone plastic holder on your dashboard http://www.elcova.com/infopop/emoticons/icon_smile.gif . they once blamed the AC compressor failure on my K&N kit regardless if the K&N documentation says it doesn't void your warranty. which is ridiculous, one has nothing to do with the other.

Anyway, I too changed the programming on the PCM only, with a Hypertech Powerprogrammer III, and everytime I take it for service, I simply make sure it's noted on the service card that the chip is re-programmed.

If anything they are working on (fixing) is controlled by a module (PCM or BCM) they will ask you to come in and change it back because their equipment will not function on a re-programmed chip. it will give them an error message sometime on THEIR equipment.

Conclusion : if it's regular service, you dont have to change it back. if they are fixing something and need to access one of the Modules, you'll HAVE to change it back.

Whatever you do, don't make the mistake my friend did on his 2001 Jeep wrangler, he tried to "hide" the fact he re-programmed his chip, dealer tried to access it, got an error message, went ahead and changed the entire PCM module and CHARGED him for it (part & Labor) heheheheh. Always make sure you mentioned the programming issue on the vehicle service card while delivering your vehicle for service.

SledgeHummer

[f5fstop]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by SledgeHummer:
Well I cant say about my H3, haven't had any mods done on it, but I can speak for my Chevy Blazer's dealer workshop (still is a GM dealer)

First you're right they tend to blame anything and everything on a simple cellphone plastic holder on your dashboard http://www.elcova.com/infopop/emoticons/icon_smile.gif . they once blamed the AC compressor failure on my K&N kit regardless if the K&N documentation says it doesn't void your warranty. which is ridiculous, one has nothing to do with the other.

Anyway, I too changed the programming on the PCM only, with a Hypertech Powerprogrammer III, and everytime I take it for service, I simply make sure it's noted on the service card that the chip is re-programmed.

If anything they are working on (fixing) is controlled by a module (PCM or BCM) they will ask you to come in and change it back because their equipment will not function on a re-programmed chip. it will give them an error message sometime on THEIR equipment.

Conclusion : if it's regular service, you dont have to change it back. if they are fixing something and need to access one of the Modules, you'll HAVE to change it back.

Whatever you do, don't make the mistake my friend did on his 2001 Jeep wrangler, he tried to "hide" the fact he re-programmed his chip, dealer tried to access it, got an error message, went ahead and changed the entire PCM module and CHARGED him for it (part & Labor) heheheheh. Always make sure you mentioned the programming issue on the vehicle service card while delivering your vehicle for service.

SledgeHummer </div></BLOCKQUOTE>

Commonality of reprogramming the BCM or PCM is dependant upon the vehicle. As for a radio, I would not switch out the head unit, I would just tell them about the fuse, and you should remove it when taking it in for service.
As for reprogramming a computer with an aftermarket program, it depends on the vehicle and program. My vettes have all been reprogrammed, and the Tech 2 will write to them with a new GM program without notice. Everytime there was a factory reprogram for my Vette, I would just grab a Tech 2 at work, and do the program myself, then re-install my "special" program. In some cases, I had to have my "special" program tweaked for the new GM program.
If a tech took a look at the program parameters you installed, he/she would notice a difference; however, if a vehicle comes in for a re-flash, he will just re-flash the computer and not even look at the parameters.

Personally, I would never tell a service advisor that I had a PCM reprogrammed. One example would be I reprogram to change the shift pressures and scheduling on an auto trans, and the trans requires repair. They might be able to safely say the changes in the pressure and shift schedules destroyed the trans. Not saying GM would win in court or with the BBB, but why put yourself through the hassle.

[SledgeHummer]

As F5 coorectlyy pointed out, it depends on the make and model. Hypertech for example has an anti-piracy mechanism whereby it "locks" the flash chip after it re-programs it. on some models, you can read chip parameters but you no longer write, on other models, you can no longer read or write if GM uses their equipment. it also locks the unit itself (re-programmer) in the sense you can no longer use it on another vehicle unless you revert back to OEM settings on the first vehicle.

Dont know much about Corvettes and their re-programming procedures all I know is the 97 models had serious transmission problems.

SledgeHummer.

[First Hummer]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by f5fstop:
<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by SledgeHummer:
Well I cant say about my H3, haven't had any mods done on it, but I can speak for my Chevy Blazer's dealer workshop (still is a GM dealer)

First you're right they tend to blame anything and everything on a simple cellphone plastic holder on your dashboard http://www.elcova.com/infopop/emoticons/icon_smile.gif . they once blamed the AC compressor failure on my K&N kit regardless if the K&N documentation says it doesn't void your warranty. which is ridiculous, one has nothing to do with the other.

Anyway, I too changed the programming on the PCM only, with a Hypertech Powerprogrammer III, and everytime I take it for service, I simply make sure it's noted on the service card that the chip is re-programmed.

If anything they are working on (fixing) is controlled by a module (PCM or BCM) they will ask you to come in and change it back because their equipment will not function on a re-programmed chip. it will give them an error message sometime on THEIR equipment.

Conclusion : if it's regular service, you dont have to change it back. if they are fixing something and need to access one of the Modules, you'll HAVE to change it back.

Whatever you do, don't make the mistake my friend did on his 2001 Jeep wrangler, he tried to "hide" the fact he re-programmed his chip, dealer tried to access it, got an error message, went ahead and changed the entire PCM module and CHARGED him for it (part & Labor) heheheheh. Always make sure you mentioned the programming issue on the vehicle service card while delivering your vehicle for service.

SledgeHummer </div></BLOCKQUOTE>

Commonality of reprogramming the BCM or PCM is dependant upon the vehicle. As for a radio, I would not switch out the head unit, I would just tell them about the fuse, and you should remove it when taking it in for service.
As for reprogramming a computer with an aftermarket program, it depends on the vehicle and program. My vettes have all been reprogrammed, and the Tech 2 will write to them with a new GM program without notice. Everytime there was a factory reprogram for my Vette, I would just grab a Tech 2 at work, and do the program myself, then re-install my "special" program. In some cases, I had to have my "special" program tweaked for the new GM program.
If a tech took a look at the program parameters you installed, he/she would notice a difference; however, if a vehicle comes in for a re-flash, he will just re-flash the computer and not even look at the parameters.

Personally, I would never tell a service advisor that I had a PCM reprogrammed. One example would be I reprogram to change the shift pressures and scheduling on an auto trans, and the trans requires repair. They might be able to safely say the changes in the pressure and shift schedules destroyed the trans. Not saying GM would win in court or with the BBB, but why put yourself through the hassle. </div></BLOCKQUOTE>

Hey F5 ,so even for just an oil change should I remove the fuse for the radio.