Error (-12) Truck may already hav performance tune on it!!!

[EricHansen]

1. - Predator U7193
2. - V. 9r07
3. - 2003 Chevy Avalanche Z71 (5.3L), On-star and SAT Radio

Hello,

I purchased this 03' Avalanche back in January. As far as I know it was completely stock with 20k miles on it, 32k now (yeah baby!). I did a lot of research and wound up buying a used U7193 Predator off eBay (see version above) and seller assured he had returned his factory tune, which I believe as the Predator shows "Factory tune installed" or something similar, under the Tune History section. How can I tell if my Predator has been returned to the factory tune? Is what I wrote above mean it was correctly restored?

When I try to drop the performance tune on my truck I get a "Can not backup factory tune (-12)" Error. "this may mean you already have a performance tune installed"! It try's twice, fails and gives me the previously described error.

I am not currently in front of the Predator as I tried this over the weekend and this was as best I could repeat the events and errors from memory. I'm pretty sure they are accurate.

I read up a bit and saw that someone suggested to another guy to pull the fuse on the radio, sat radio and On-star. then make sure you have a really good charge on the battery and try again. I thought I would post here and ask to see if it's worth going through that trouble based on what I have already written.

If need be I can call into tech-sup while in front of truck/predator/with needed fuse removed or provide exact detailed errors. Sorry for the lengthy post. Thanks in advance for any help.

Please advise.
Eric....

[mikel]

May want to get it into a dealer for a reflash.

[EricHansen]

Just to confirm. Based on what I posted above you feel the unit needs to be reflashed? Why would this be? Does it mean the unit is still locked to another vehicle? I was under the impression that as long as you returned the factory tune, you could then tune another vehicle as long as it was supported by the model Predator you have.
Is there a charge for the re-flash being that the unit is so new, under a year old? It has the latest version on it, V. 9r07.

Or do you mean my truck's ECM needs a re-flash?

[mikel]

No, not the unit, the PCM in your truck needs to be flashed.

[EricHansen]

Can you elaborate? Is this because there is a performance tune on there already or is there something wrong with my PCM? Is there a way to use the Predator to see if the truck is performance tuned vs. stock?

BTW, thanks for your help and quick responses.

Eric....

[06MonteSS]

because there's a tune on it already, and/or there's something wrong with it..

so take it to a dealer, and have them reflash your PCM with the stock GM programming, and it'll be like it was when it was brand new off the lot...

THEN try your predator...

[EricHansen]

Can the stock settings be verified using the Predator?

[06MonteSS]

no... cuz you can't even get it to communicate with the PCM to begin with...

[EricHansen]

Really! I get real time stats off the Predator while the engine is running, RPM's, ect.... Doesn't that mean I am communicating with the PCM? Or is that info reported solely and directly to the Predator from the various sensors off the engine?

I get VIN info from the truck on the Predator and my truck runs. I would say that I am communicating to the PCM unless you disagree.
Is this "Shot Gun" troubleshooting?

[mikel]

He means it simply cant save the backup, so there is no way to look at it to see if it is truly stock.

[06MonteSS]

correct... ^ ^ ^ ^ ^... it can't read/communicate with the pcm to save the tune file to begin with, so there's no way to check anything with the predator as far as the tune goes...

[EricHansen]

So this has nothing to do with removing fuses from the SAT radio, etc, to provide peak power during programming?

Do you encounter this issue often? How certain do you feel that reflashing the PCM will resolve my issue?

Again, I want to thank you for your help here.

[mikel]

No, nothing to do with fuses, the pred does not like what it read from your PCM and thus will not save it, and even tells you why.

[fiero429]

I have the same unit cannot program my truck 2004 GMC Sierra Denali without take the fuses out.

[EricHansen]

mikel - I see your point

fiero429 - Can you tell me what error you get if you do not remove the fuses when dropping the performance tune onto your vehicle?