As I understand it is possible to update (flash?) the PCM with more recent software updates. Is there a way to find out if a more recent version has been released for the 2001 LS1 A4? Is there a listing? Do we know what these updates affect and how?

Is this data held in some type of Ram or micro-drive?

 

Go here .....

http://service.gm.com/index_en-US.html

Select TIS

Select Vehicle Calibration Information

Enter your VIN

You can now view all of the "updates" that apply to your car. Some may have already been applied (such as the 04006 recall update has probably been applied) others may not.

ALL of the updates you see listed will be applied if you have the dealer re-flash the PCM.

The way it works is this .... the technician (tech) hooks a Tech2 to your car and specifies that he wants to re-flash the PCM. The Tech2 reads and stores your VIN. The tech then disconnects from your car and connects the Tech2 to a PC that has special software that supports the Tech2 and is connected to TIS. The PC tells TIS your VIN and asks for a reflash. The TIS then looks up info about your car (it knows if you have an automatic or a manual tranny, for example) including all updates for your car. Once TIS has assembled the correct software it downloads it to the PC, which then downloads it to the Tech2. The tech then connects the Tech2 to your car and ALL the correct software is loaded to your PCM.

If you do this, I would not worry about ever doing it again ... the chances that GM will add a "fix" for a C5 problem in the future are about the same as the chance that John Edwards will win the nomination in Denver ..... notgonnahappen.com .... (with thanks to http://www.autoextremist.com )

 

Any chance this could screw something up? Cummins has the same capability for their diesels, and a few years ago folks were going in for service on their RVs and the dealer "flashed" the module and the engine was then derated to the new, lower HP rating. I don't want to take that chance, even tho the car is bone stock.

 

Some folks who have bought their Corvette used are concerned that the PCM may have been "altered" by a previous owner, and they want the car "stock". Having the dealer re-flash the PCM is the quickest and easiest way to do this.

While a re-flash could certainly de-rate an engine I haven't seen or heard of that happening with a Corvette. If you go to that page I posted above and plug in your VIN you will see that there are only a handful of "changes" since the car left the factory, and are basically for things like altering the sensitivity of the fuel sender algorithm (reduces the chance of a FALSE "Low Fuel" warning) or applying the column lock recall. Basically that "Operating System" is what was loaded to the car at the factory. All the rest are "fixes", most (or all) of which should have been applied by your dealer at various times.

I believe most dealers charge about $100.00 for a PCM re-flash. Unless you have a good reason to do it .... there is no need to "waste" the money.

 

Can the dealer pdate my PCM with RTT (Real Time Tuning) that was installed on some 2000s and some without.

That would be the only update I would want

 

The dealer could "turn on" RTD (Real Time Damping) by using a Tech2 to alter the RPO list in the Body Control Module (BCM). The PCM knows nothing about RTD ....

However .....

That's not all you would need .... you need the RTD shocks, the RTD controller, the suspension position sensors, the RTD switch on the console, and all the wiring for the system. You could get the F55 upgrade kit which would get you the shocks and controller for about $3,000 ... the wiring, suspension position sensors, and console switch would all have to be added on .... I'm gonna estimate at list price you'd be looking at $5,000 just in parts to install RTD on a car that didn't have it from the factory.

It would be a better deal to sell your car and buy one with the F45 (RTD) suspension, or get a 2003 or 2004 with the newer F55 (MSRC) system.

 

Awesome!

Just wish they listed the dates that the various update were posted. That way I would know that if updates had been posted after my last visit to the Dealership that my car would be missing those. Oh well.

 

RTT not RTD

Real time tuning not real time damping

 

I had the firmware updates put into the '99 that I had to solve issues with the fuel indicator as well as other problems. The on-board computers are runing software that is stored in the firmware and just like any computer program that you get updates for, the car's computers need their fixes too. If the dealer programs in the correct updates, then there should be no issue for the car itself.

 

Real time tuning is part of HP Tuners software and allows you to tune certain things while the car is running.

 

There a little more to it than just hooking up the tech 2 tool after connecting to the PC and getting the update.

You need tool J-42336 , its a box with a dial, a switch and two star connectors coming out of it.
Remove pass foot panel and will see the two connectors to the left of the module, one has 8 or 9 wires, they other has 4. They have a cover on them, remove.
Star connector #1 goes to the one with 8 or 9 wires, #2 star to the one with 4 wires. Set the switch to #1 and put the dial on 'B'. Now you can go ahead with the tech two.

 

I pulled the update list and have about 20, with several of them replacing multiple other updates. So, I guess I need to talk to my dealer and see what's what. Just don't want to mess up a great running car! Thanks to all!

Dennis

 

That would be me.:o Now for the good news, the CLB got here today! I'm installing it early Sunday morning. The Vette is our Sunday go to breakfast car, and wifey drives while I . Thanks again for all your help.