How to remove/re-flash an unknown tune

[grnson]

Hi everyone,

So I have an 03 lb7 I've been looking at the various tuners since I bought my truck, but come to find out it has a small tune on it that needs to be removed first.

Is there any easy way to accomplish this. My local shop with a GM Tech 2 said that depending on what tuner is installed that it might be cheaper and easier to replace the computer?!

Thanks

[blksmok]

:welcome:

It all depends on whether the ECM is locked or not. Some tuners lock the ECM. Once it's locked you'll need the original programer or unlock code (depending on what was used to program it) to unlock it.

If it's not locked, then it can be easily switched.

[x Madmax Diesel]

GMs just trying to get money. Pretty sure only TTS locks it so you cant reprogram over. EFILive locked tunes should only lock you from reading the tune, but still allow programming. You really don't need to remove it first anyway, just a good practice

[OTHRGRL]

GMs just trying to get money. Pretty sure only TTS locks it so you cant reprogram over. EFILive locked tunes should only lock you from reading the tune, but still allow programming. You really don't need to remove it first anyway, just a good practice

EFI Live locked tunes on LB7 can't be written over. Many programmers check for and download your stock tune and save it onto the handheld, most will recognize a tune that's not stock and not allow you to download it and proceed with tuning.

All that said GM is probably trying to get money out of you - they could easily hook up and try to flash over whatever tune is in the truck and would instantly know if the ECM was locked or not.

[grnson]

So, I stopped by the shop and had him hook up his Tech II, its locked by the unknown tuner. Judging by the other extras on the truck I have a feeling it might have been a Banks tuner, but I'm not positive. Does this mean I'm out of luck? or is there some method determining what system was used to tune.

The truck runs fine as it sits now, but I've been considering moving to EFI Live in the near future.

[blksmok]

So, I stopped by the shop and had him hook up his Tech II, its locked by the unknown tuner. Judging by the other extras on the truck I have a feeling it might have been a Banks tuner, but I'm not positive. Does this mean I'm out of luck? or is there some method determining what system was used to tune.

The truck runs fine as it sits now, but I've been considering moving to EFI Live in the near future.

Banks doesn't tune the ECM, it is considered one of the "liar box" type systems where, once installed (plugged in), it intercepts signals coming from the engine going to the computer, then "lies" to the engine computer to make it react in certain ways that add more power.

Once it's removed (unplugged) there is no trace of it. Likewise, even when it's installed you could still talk to/program the ECM.

[ripmf666]

With a Tech2 should be able to do a factory full flast to stop tune and you just loose the tune that was there and it will be unlocked with stock tunning.

[Mike]

Have you thought about contacting Guy Tripp?

[hotfeet12]

Just had this problem with my 05 lly, bought an Edge evolution CS went to install it and read "need to uninstall previous tune or contact Edge coustomer support" So I do and they put the stock program in my Evo over the computer and BOOM it flashed my ecu ti stock. Then installed there tune. thats an option. Just another great thing from EDGE, and Tech/customer support is by far the best I have ever delt with.:)

[grnson]

Have you thought about contacting Guy Tripp?


I'm not sure who that is.

I guess I'm going to take it to the shop and have them re-flash the computer. I'll let everyone know what happens, hopefully no issues and smooth sailing!


Thanks again for the help!

[MadMaxx61]

Guy Tripp (AKA Trippin on most forums) is SoCalDiesel

[OTHRGRL]

Had an 01 LB7 the other day that had a locked ECM. The guy had ust bought it and was trying to load on a Hypertech tuner onto it, but it couldn't find a VIN and therefore wouldn't allow him to tune it. It wouldn't let me read the tune with EFI Live but I could see that it was locked with a custom key and that there was no VIN loaded to the ECM. I was able to full flash a stock tune over top of the locked tune, then was able to program his VIN onto the ECM - then the Hypertech was able to tune it.