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

[mikel]

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

You get errors?

That should not happen.

[jwdemon]

"shows "Factory tune installed" or something similar"

Is this the "Factory HP tune" or the "Original backup"?

[fiero429]

Just tune not installed

[hodge9386]

do u have ur stock radio or is it aftermarket

[EricHansen]

I have the factory radio with a GM Sirius conversion kit. I also have the On-Star option for which I have no active subscription for however it's still power on during normal operation.

I have seen posts where it's recommended all these items be disabled. This may not be related to my particular issue.

Comments?

[jwdemon]

Eric, Check your Predator for the last tune written. Don't guess! If it shows "Factory HP tune" then it is still married to the previous vehicle. It must show "Original backup".

[mikel]

It is not married.

Im not sure why there is so much discussion here, I do know what I am talking about, and the Predator believes the truck is tuned, period.

[06MonteSS]

yeah... has nothing to do with the predator being locked at all... it's not locked... there's non-GM original programming done to that truck already... which is exactly what the error message stated...

need to go get the pcm reflashed by the dealer to the original stock GM programming...

if it was locked, a completely different message would have come up - such as "...not licensed for use on this vechicle..."

[EricHansen]

This is not the first time I have been accused of beating a topic to death. Better to have more understanding than less is my opinion.

Thanks guys. Your knowledge and help here are greatly appreciated.

Can't wait to see the faces the dealer's is going to make when I ask for the re-flash! Trucks no longer under warranty and they don't normally do work for free. Any clue what they might charge for this?

My last post. I promise!

[06MonteSS]

depends on what their shop rate is.... would vary by dealer/shop...

I know my dealer/shop I go to here in CT, their shop rate is $100/hour... so if it was me and my car, I'd figure on payin' $50...

[mikel]

wow, thats steep.
$80-85/hr seems to be the norm...

[hodge9386]

the chevy dealer charged me $100 flat to flash mine, even though it wasnt the prop, ended up being the aftermarket radio no letting the the predator and ecm talk and i had to take the radio out every time i wanted to tune it so i just rewired it. and i got the same code. i would try unpluging the radio and then try it, it could save u $, just pop off ur dash take out a couple of screws and unplug it

[CANUCKPREDATOR]

Hodge, the error message tells of the problem. It ain't the stereo. His truck has an aftermarket tune already installed.

[neonhomer]

Okay people... let's put this to bed once and for all. Mike L is one of Diablosport's top guys. He knows what the hell he is talking about. It has nothing to do with a factory radio, or an aftermarket radio, or anything like that. The tool is telling you EXACTLY what is wrong. There is a non-GM firmware loaded into the PCM, and the Predator knows this, and refuses to try to access the firmware to keep from doing any damage to the PCM or firmware. The Predator knows this...

A "non-silent" data bus failure (like the radio keeping the bus active) will either fail during a read or write process. This is entirely different than the failure to begin reading in the first place.

The tool will still read data points, as the PCM is still putting out OBD-II standard data, so the tool can read this. Because the tool reads these points does not mean it will access the firmware. These two processes are different.

Remove the cover from the PCM, and see if there are any NON-GM labels on it. An aftermarket mail in tuning company may have put a decal on the PCM to identify their work.

If not, try this. Go to the dealer, and tell them you have a reason to believe the firmware on the PCM has been modified before you purchased the vehicle. Tell them you want the PCM re flashed under the 70,000 mile emissions control warranty. IIRC, Federal Law prohibits the sale of a vehicle by a licensed dealer if ANY of the Emissions Control system has been modified in any way. The PCM is part of the Emissions Control system.

If they ask you how you know the PCM has been modified, tell them you took the vehicle to a independent mechanic to diagnose a problem, and they were unable to read the PCM. You could also tell them you took the vehicle to another dealer and they told you they couldn't read the PCM. (Preferably name an out of state dealer.)

The moral - Don't doubt the knowledge of Mike L, Johan, or any of the Diablo staff. They know what the hell they are talking about. They make the damn product, after all...