August 2010 Archives

In the spring of 2009, General Motors released the Global Diagnostic System (GDS) as a new generation of scan tool. The design of the new tool was based on using the power and flexibility of a personal computer (PC) with the Multiple Diagnostic Interface (MDI) tool as an interface module. This step forward in diagnostic tools puts all of the technicians tools on the same PC -- TIS2WEB, SI and GDS. 

Over the past year, there have been several improvements to the functionality of GDS; however, due to unforeseen authoring limitations and user performance issues, there is still room for improvement. Later this year, an updated version of the application, labeled as GDS 2, will be released. The new version will run faster, update easier, and offer several enhanced features.

While GDS 2 will be a new application featuring more efficient strategies and flow, it will not require a change to the recommended hardware guidelines (currently available at www.gmdesolutions.com for U.S. dealers or GM GlobalConnect for Canadian dealers). It's critical to have the proper hardware to run the application in order to achieve the best performance. In addition, the new application will be easy to use, keeping the training requirements to a minimum.

Look for more news and details about GDS 2 coming soon.

- Thanks to Matt Singer

New electrical labor operation numbers have been established for Customer Concern Not Duplicated (CCND) transactions in the service department. The labor operation numbers for CCND N9995 -Electrical and R9995 - Accessories have been eliminated and replaced with labor operation numbers that cover more specific parts of the electronic systems in today's vehicles. 

The CCND transaction must include the following information in the Global Warranty Management (GWM) System (Fig. 3):

·       Complaint Code - 4-character code indicating the complaint

·       Complaint Description - text field to describe customer's complaint, be as detailed and specific as possible

·       Cause Code - 4-character code indicating the cause of failure

·       Cause Description - text field to describe the cause of failure and reason for repair, include any DTCs if applicable

·       Correction Description - text field to describe the correction for the failure, include what was done when trying to duplicate the CCND condition

The latest technician poll on the Service Information forums website asks technicians about their preferred method for diagnosing the location of a small exhaust leak (when a DTC is set) when other methods (visual or by sound) have failed to pinpoint the location. (Fig. 4)

The MDI or Techline PC may lock up during SPS sequential programming on some 2009-2011 Escalade Hybrid, Sierra Hybrid, Silverado Hybrid and 2008-2011 Tahoe Hybrid and Yukon Hybrid models (RPO HP2).

If the MDI or Techline PC locks up during programming, record the last module that was programmed successfully and the module that locked up during programming. A summary screen will usually display the modules that were programmed successfully and the modules that were not. 

When performing SPS sequential programming, seven modules are being checked for updated calibrations in the following sequence: EBCM, MCMA, MCMB, HCP, ECM, TCM and BECM. If the calibration is already current, the TIS screen will indicate that the module was "skipped." 

Contact the Techline Customer Support Center at 1-800-828-6860 (French: 1-800-503-3222) for additional programming assistance. 

In order to prevent a lock up condition or failed SPS programming it is important to maintain battery voltage between 12.5v to 14.5v when performing any programming events. It may take up to 45 minutes to complete the programming. During programming, the auto headlamps should be left in the off position. The 12v battery also can be drained in as little as 20 minutes if the key is in the On position when not in Autostop. Please review PIT4580A for more Hybrid information. Only use an approved Midtronics 165-PSC charger to maintain proper battery voltage during programming. 

Best results are obtained by having the MDI connected directly to the PC or notebook computer using an Ethernet or USB cable. If there is a wireless router, the terminal needs to be within range specified by Techline. It is not recommended to use the wireless MDI option. Also ensure that there is no interference from other devices. Please review PIT4889A for more programming information.

- Thanks to Paul Radzwilowicz

If the antenna mast has broken off of the roof-mounted antenna base on 2010 SRX, Equinox or Terrain models, leaving the stud in the antenna base, replace only the antenna mast. 

The antenna mounting base should not be replaced if the antenna mast is broken. The broken antenna mast stud can be easily removed from the antenna base by using needle-nose pliers or a flat blade screwdriver to walk the broken stud out of the antenna base. (Fig. 5)

(Fig. 5)

- Thanks to Gordon Baillod

An intermittent no crank or a dead battery condition may occur on some 2010 Camaros. In some rare instances, the engine may stall or various electrical components may turn off. Low voltage DTCs or loss of communication DTCs may be stored in various modules. 

Inspect the battery cable connections in the Underhood Battery Cable Junction Block located near the left front strut tower and at the Underhood Bussed Electrical Center (UBEC) for a poor connection. (Fig. 6) There may be signs of arcing on the terminal ends or excessive voltage drop across the connection.

(Fig. 6)

 

Clean the terminals as required and reinstall the fastener. (Fig. 7)

 

Beginning with the 2011 model year, several changes are being made to the terminology used to identify common transfer case components. These changes were made to provide names that are more consistent across different models and with the names used in the parts catalog. 

The new transfer case component terms are used on the scan tool and in the Service Information for DTCs, data displays and output controls. 

The table below provides some previously used transfer case component names and the new names. Component terms used in parameter and device control titles on the Tech 2 may be abbreviated or may use acronyms in order to comply with character restrictions for the display screen.

- Thanks to Morgan Chemello

The air conditioning may be inoperative on some 2008-2010 Cobalt, G5, and 2008-2011 HHR models equipped with RPO C60 or C67. Diagnosis may reveal that the A/C compressor will not engage and there are no DTCs stored. 

In addition, scan tool ECM data may indicate No for the A/C Request and A/C Relay Command. The A/ C Pressure Sensor value is 0 psi. This condition may be caused by an incorrect BCM Setup during a previous repair. 

Attempt to enable the A/C option in the BCM. If the option is not listed, replace the BCM. 

When setting up the BCM, be sure that all correct vehicle options are selected. Some of the options only appear during the initial BCM Setup procedure.

- Thanks to Ernest Haller

2010 Silverado and Sierra Crew Cab and Extended Cab models may exhibit excessive road noise from the rear of the cab. The noise may sound as if it is coming from the left or right rear cab and is similar to a door that is ajar, but all doors will be completely closed. 

The excessive road noise may be entering the cab through a void in the body filler in the C-pillar or through the rear panel insulator. For additional information about these road noise conditions, refer to Bulletin #10-08-58-001A. 

Inspect the inner baffle/foam within the C-pillar for any voids in the body filler. (Fig. 8) If a void is found in the body filler, fill it with the seam sealer listed in the bulletin to eliminate the air flow escape concern.

(Fig. 8)

If the noise is determined to be due to the insulator, a revised insulator is available (part number 20983473) that is designed to significantly reduce the noise. 

Before making any repairs, it can be determined which insulator is on the vehicle by looking under the rear seat on the right or left side. If the body color of the rear inner panel below the insulator is visible, the insulator is the original design, which is trimmed straight across the bottom. (Fig. 9) The revised insulator is extended at the bottom of both ends. (Fig. 10)

(Fig. 9)

(Fig. 10)

Follow the appropriate Service Information repair instructions to replace the insulator. 

TIP: The revised insulator will significantly reduce road noise from the rear cab area; however, it will not help with wind noise or tire noise caused by on/off road-style tires.

- Thanks to James Will

Field Product Reports play a key role in product quality and customer satisfaction, and submitting a report with digital photographs can often better illustrate an issue or provide additional details. Photographs can help in identifying how to correct items such as misrouted wiring, misaligned components or paint blemishes. 

Refer to Bulletin #02-00-89-002J for details on how to submit a Field Product Report. Reports with digital photos should be e-mailed to electronicproductreport@gm.com. The product report form is available through GlobalConnect on the Service Workbench, under Service Forms. (In Canada, refer to Bulletin #10-00-89-006 and e-mail reports to pir.reports@gm.com.) 

When including digital photographs with a Field Product Report, the images should be in a .jpg format. The maximum allowable total size for the e-mailed report is 5 MB. E-mails larger than 5 MB will be returned as undeliverable. 

Bulletin #07-00-89-036C has useful tips on how to properly take a digital photograph that will include as much detail as possible. After all, a photo that is blurry, out of focus or too dark to see clearly will not provide much help in understanding the issue. 

Most digital cameras can easily produce very detailed images. Here are a few tips on getting the best shot on a vehicle in a shop environment.

Wide Angles and Close-Ups 

Take a variety of images at different distances. A shot from a farther distance provides a wide-angle reference that shows the location on the vehicle, while the close-up photos provide more details. 

Any photo taken closer than about 2 ft. will often be blurry unless using the Macro focus on the camera. This setting is usually shown as a flower, a magnifying glass, a magnifying glass over a flower, or the word MACRO on most cameras.

Hold Steady 

Even small movements will blur the photo. If available, use a tripod or a stationary surface. Bracing yourself against a wall or other sturdy object may also help. 

A photographer's trick to keep the camera steady, especially if working in low light conditions that require the camera shutter to stay open longer to capture the image, is to use the timer setting on the camera. With the camera securely positioned, set the timer on the camera and then take your hand away. The photo will be taken automatically a few seconds later.

Focus 

Most digital cameras focus on the center of the image when the shutter button is pressed half-way down. To photograph something that is not dead center, point the camera at that item, and press the shutter button half-way down. Re-frame the picture while continuing to hold the shutter button, and then finish by pressing the shutter all the way down to take the photo.

Lighting 

Poor lighting can result in poor quality photos, with or without using the camera's flash feature. Sometimes a photo will be better with the flash on, and sometimes it may wash out the picture. The only way to know is to try one photo each way. 

If the subject is in a dark area, the camera needs to keep the shutter open longer, making it difficult to hold the camera steady long enough for a sharp image. Using a flash may help, but if the camera cannot properly focus in the dark prior to the flash going off, the image may be blurry. (Fig. 11)

(Fig. 11)

At the same time, a close-up shot in dim lighting while using the camera flash may wash out the image. (Fig. 12) If the flash is washing out the picture, try backing away from the subject and then zooming in to get a closer image. The farther away from the subject, the more spread out the light from the flash will be.

(Fig. 12)

If the camera's flash is providing too much light, the solution may be to use an external light source. Fluorescent shop lights work well in providing extra light. Place the light out of the camera's view (such as behind and to the side of the camera) (Fig. 13), otherwise, the camera will try to compensate for the brightness of the light by making the entire image darker.

(Fig. 13)

If it is too dark to take a photo indoors without using the flash feature or an external light source isn't available, try taking the vehicle or part outside. Cloudy days are great for taking pictures; there's a lot of light but not much glare. 

To view a video with more digital photography tips, check out the June 2010 Emerging Issues seminar available on www.gmtraining.com.

- Thanks to Jim Trudeau

When servicing the right-hand (RH) temperature actuator or mode HVAC actuator on the 2005-2011 Corvette, it is necessary to roll back the instrument panel for access to the actuators. (Fig. 14) Because rolling back the instrument panel is a very labor intensive procedure, it is recommended to replace all four HVAC actuators when diagnostics lead to replacing the RH temperature actuator or mode HVAC actuator.

(Fig. 14)

TIP: After installation, the actuators must be recalibrated. Refer to the actuator recalibration procedure in the Service Information.

- Thanks to Jeremy Richardson

Owners of a 2010 Camaro with the 6.2L V8 engine (RPO LS3) and 6-speed manual transmission (RPO M10) may experience an intermittent clutch pedal condition where the clutch pedal sticks to the floor or stays low during hard acceleration from a stop or during a shift. 

This condition may only be noticed when using Launch Control, which is a form of traction control that optimizes wheelspin while launching the vehicle. Launch Control is activated when the vehicle is at a standstill while in Competitive Mode. To turn on Competitive Mode, press the StabiliTrak/Traction Control button twice quickly. 

TIP: To use Launch Control properly, the accelerator pedal should be pressed to the floor with the clutch engaged. Engine RPM will be limited to a predetermined level. The clutch pedal should be released quickly while the accelerator pedal is pressed to the floor, providing controlled wheelspin and acceleration. 

The sticking clutch pedal condition may be the result of the clutch pedal being released too slowly while using Launch Control, which will allow the clutch to slip. This condition can overheat the clutch and deform the pressure plate. 

When using Launch Control, the clutch pedal should be released quickly to avoid overheating the clutch. A failure of this nature is generally caused by improper customer use and would not be covered by the new vehicle warranty.

- Thanks to Brian Starkel

The headlamp reminder/warning chime may be inoperative and the headlamps and parking lamps may turn off when the key is turned to the Off position on some 2007-2010 Vibe and Aveo (Wave in Canada) models. These conditions may have been first noticed after an Instrument Panel (I/P) fuse block replacement. 

The headlamp reminder/warning chime feature was eliminated on these models on November 17, 2006. 

Vehicles built before November 17, 2006 have the headlamp reminder/warning chime. However, if the I/P fuse block is replaced for any reason, the headlamp reminder/warning chime feature will be eliminated. 

The operation of the headlamp switch for vehicles that have had the I/P fuse block replaced and vehicles built after November 17, 2006 features:

·       Key On: Both headlamps and parking lamps function

·       Key Accessory: Only the parking lamps function

·       Key Off, Key in the ignition cylinder: Only the parking lamps function, ignition warning (beeping) active

·       Key Off, Key out of the ignition cylinder: Parking lamps and headlamps do not function

- Thanks to Ernest Haller

10210.08D - Emerging Issues

August 12, 2010

To view Emerging Issues seminars:

Log in to www.gmtraining.com, select Service Know-How/TECHAssist from the menu, select Emerging Issues, and then Searchable Streaming Video to choose the current Emerging Issues seminar or past programs.