Powertrain Control Module Engine Reprogramming With Sps?
Safety Car
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 4,933
Likes: 30
From: San Rafael CA
Maybe if you can point us to where you found the line ...."PCM reprogramming with SPS" ...... someone can better answer your question.
I believe GM uses SPS to stand for "Service Programming System" ... a way for the Tech2 to load program data to your PCM ... it is not a "tuning" tool ... it is a way, for example, to set up a replacement PCM to control your particular car.
I believe GM uses SPS to stand for "Service Programming System" ... a way for the Tech2 to load program data to your PCM ... it is not a "tuning" tool ... it is a way, for example, to set up a replacement PCM to control your particular car.
Thread Starter
Safety Car
Joined: Jul 2001
Posts: 4,524
Likes: 0
From: Sacramento CA
Maybe if you can point us to where you found the line ...."PCM reprogramming with SPS" ...... someone can better answer your question.
I believe GM uses SPS to stand for "Service Programming System" ... a way for the Tech2 to load program data to your PCM ... it is not a "tuning" tool ... it is a way, for example, to set up a replacement PCM to control your particular car.
I believe GM uses SPS to stand for "Service Programming System" ... a way for the Tech2 to load program data to your PCM ... it is not a "tuning" tool ... it is a way, for example, to set up a replacement PCM to control your particular car.
I got dealer service info for my car and this was listed there.
12/09/2003 265043 # J6354 - POWERTRAIN CONTROL MODULE ENGINE REPROGRAMMING WITH SPS 25756 miles
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 7,370
Likes: 8
From: Slave to the evil empire
Cruise-In V Veteran
St. Jude Donor '04
Black Z06 guessed it right, SPS stands for Service Programming System and reprogramming PCM with SPS means they used the Tech 2 to reload the PCM with the latest program.
I just sold my Tech 2 with SPS software the other day on Ebay, now I feel naked
I just sold my Tech 2 with SPS software the other day on Ebay, now I feel naked
Thread Starter
Safety Car
Joined: Jul 2001
Posts: 4,524
Likes: 0
From: Sacramento CA
Are there different tech SPS levels?
Safety Car
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 4,933
Likes: 30
From: San Rafael CA
Let me, in a VERY simplified manner, explain how this stuff works .... maybe that will better answer your question.
GM provides a service called TIS (Technical Information System). EVERY vehicle made by GM is cataloged in the TIS database by its VIN. TIS knows what options were on the vehicle when it left the factory, what software was loaded in the PCM, and even knows if the software that was originally loaded has since been "updated" with better software. For example, it knows if your Corvette is an automatic or a manual transmission, and knows if there have been "changes" to the software (like a Windows Service Pack) that should apply.
So your car has a "bad" PCM .... the dealer installs a new PCM, but at this point it is a computer with no operating system or applications .... it is just a "dumb" box.
The Service Technician (dude) inputs your VIN into his Tech2 and hooks the Tech2 to a PC that is loaded with software that allows the PC and Tech2 to talk to each other AND allows the PC to talk to TIS. The PC now asks TIS for the correct software for your car, and TIS downloads the "correct" software based on the VIN .... the software matches that your car has, say, an automatic, has the correct software for recalls such as the "column lock" recall, etc.
Once the correct software has been sent by TIS to the PC, the PC loads the software for the PCM to the Tech2. The dude then unhooks the Tech2 from the PC and plugs it into the data port on your car and uploads the correct software to your PCM. You now have a PCM that is a fully functioning computer to control your Powertrain.
SPS is simply the software that allows the Tech2 and the PC to perform the function of getting the correct software for your car and load it from the Tech2 into your car.
The "version" of SPS is immaterial .... it is the software sent by TIS that is important. It's kinda like this .... you can download software for, say, your cellphone from the internet. The version of software for your phone is important, and for your car it is TIS that determines the "version" downloaded. What version of Windows you are using is immaterial (obviously within certain limits) when moving a new piece of software to your cell phone, just as what version of SPS is immaterial to the software being loaded to your PCM.
GM provides a service called TIS (Technical Information System). EVERY vehicle made by GM is cataloged in the TIS database by its VIN. TIS knows what options were on the vehicle when it left the factory, what software was loaded in the PCM, and even knows if the software that was originally loaded has since been "updated" with better software. For example, it knows if your Corvette is an automatic or a manual transmission, and knows if there have been "changes" to the software (like a Windows Service Pack) that should apply.
So your car has a "bad" PCM .... the dealer installs a new PCM, but at this point it is a computer with no operating system or applications .... it is just a "dumb" box.
The Service Technician (dude) inputs your VIN into his Tech2 and hooks the Tech2 to a PC that is loaded with software that allows the PC and Tech2 to talk to each other AND allows the PC to talk to TIS. The PC now asks TIS for the correct software for your car, and TIS downloads the "correct" software based on the VIN .... the software matches that your car has, say, an automatic, has the correct software for recalls such as the "column lock" recall, etc.
Once the correct software has been sent by TIS to the PC, the PC loads the software for the PCM to the Tech2. The dude then unhooks the Tech2 from the PC and plugs it into the data port on your car and uploads the correct software to your PCM. You now have a PCM that is a fully functioning computer to control your Powertrain.
SPS is simply the software that allows the Tech2 and the PC to perform the function of getting the correct software for your car and load it from the Tech2 into your car.
The "version" of SPS is immaterial .... it is the software sent by TIS that is important. It's kinda like this .... you can download software for, say, your cellphone from the internet. The version of software for your phone is important, and for your car it is TIS that determines the "version" downloaded. What version of Windows you are using is immaterial (obviously within certain limits) when moving a new piece of software to your cell phone, just as what version of SPS is immaterial to the software being loaded to your PCM.
Last edited by BlackZ06; Mar 6, 2008 at 06:57 PM.
