Here is a reply I received from Range today



Leandra (Range Technology Support)
Jul 18, 11:52 AM MDT
Thank you for contacting Range Technology.
We simply suggest removing the module from the OBD2 port when you are planning on not driving the car for longer than 3-4 days. Any aftermarket automobile accessory will draw on a vehicles battery when not in use, including a Range module.
Our current firmware has the least amount of battery draw during use and while the car is inactive. The actual battery draw of a Range module during use is 10 mA, while not in use it is 3 mA.
Range considers the ultimate on/off switch to be simply removing the module. We have no plans to introduce a power switch, as this was considered in the early development stages to be too risky for the electronic components being exposed to the environment.
As far as the Check Engine Light goes, we have had a few reports of 17's showing CELs but those have been typically with older firmware versions. The biggest factors to consider are that our modules never cause any damage and even worst case scenario, the errors ALWAYS clear and do not store. As long as you make sure you have the most updated version of the firmware, you shouldn't be having any issues with CELs. Our most current version is 8.2.
If you have any other questions or concerns, please call or email us directly. We are happy to help and answer any questions you may have or to clear up any information found on forums.
Thank you,
Leandra
Range Technology | AFM Solutions for GM Cars, Trucks & SUVs

 

I spoke to Diablo today; there Rep said it is a Range just rebadged. I spoke to Range also and they stated problems are related to not having the lasted version.
that's exactly what I was told when I called today; I placed an order and will LIGHT UP these boards if what I was told is not true!

 

Agreed, I have 2 betas from Range, one just received last week, and they both have the problem.

 

I don't know how many times I have to say it, but I had a Range with the latest firmware 8.2R , i returned it last week, it caused CEL.
So do what you want, but dems the facts Jack

 

That's not true either, again, I have a 2017 GS and a Range with the 8.2R latest firmware, and it caused CELs.


I sound like a broken record.

 

One of the potential issues with the Range module is a version that works OK today without creating a CEL may experience issues if there is a software update to your car. I recall when researching Range when I got the first CEL in my 2016 that a series of issues showed up several years earlier after an update flash to vehicles caused Range modules to start triggering a CEL.

I started using my Range module the last few days for the first time in about a year. Its first CEL occurred about 4 months after I bought it followed by a second one a month later. Today I forgot to shut the Range off when I stopped for fuel and it triggered a CEL at startup (cleared by shutting off the car and Range and then turning the Range module back on after the car started). I remember when I took the car in for an oil change last December right before putting it up for the winter it got a couple of update flashes and I have a feeling that makes my version of the Range 8.1 more subject to setting CELs than it was prior to the last flash. I haven't bothered to update it yet since the updates seem to not be working and now I realize that even if the next version works OK it might not if any new software flashes for the C7 are installed. It could be a coincidence but the first time it had an opportunity to experience a fault at startup it did and I expect that came about courtesy of the software updates installed in my Z06 last December.

For now I will probably build a start delay circuit and also hope that no new Corvette software updates create an issue beyond the existing one with communications errors that occur at startup.

 

Thunder seems to have point on this. He has jumped through all the hoops and I will wait and hear from him. It looks like the problems seem to be with the 17 GS for some reason. Maybe GM has changed the software for 17

 

The email messages I have from Range on the betas indicate that the 17's are the issue. Not sure about 18's, but 17's for sure. Also not sure if it is specific models. Quoting from a July 10th email from them when they said they were shipping me the newest beta;

"We are continuing our testing with the "finicky" 2017 vehicles (in particular the Corvette's and Camaro's)."

 

That's cool, i told them if they get it fixed, I'll buy another one. I have a feeling that the Diablo will be sent back if it truly is just a rebadged Range.

 

If the "delay circuit" really works and resolves all issues, why wouldn't Range adopt this expense. Not only could they roll some of the expense onto the customer, but think about all the returned units, massive bad publicity and lost sales they have now. Maybe they already did the math and determined the Corvette and Camaro crowd isn't worth it...who knows.

 

In for some good news I hope.

 

 

I don't know which version I'm using on my 2017 GS, but I purchased it directly from Range in January of this year and I've never had a CEL .
I have an on/off switch in my center storage console and if it ever acts up, I can just turn the unit on "hot" and that should remedy the problem.

 

The fact that you are using an on / off switch is probably why you are not having issues. It should work out of the box without the switch and not have issues. Try leaving it on all the time and see what happens?

 

before the switch, it was always plugged in to the OBD2 port and never got at CEL.
Mine's not a daily driver and I probably used it for a few hundred miles directly plugged in.
Hope Range gets the newest version right for all of my fellow '17ers.

This is how I have my switch installed with double-sided tape.

 

really nice installation, looks great
what are you going to do when you need to take the car to a dealer for service?
don't you need to remove it?
just askin, I thought they'd give us a "black mark" for something like this

 

I took it in for TC shudder in March and I simply unplugged the extension at the OBD2 port and hid the wire under the leg bolster.
Car had the triple flush procedure done and they didn't notice anything.
I would have raised hell if they had told me about the switch in the center console as there is no reason for them to look in there for anything.

 

I'm just kinda paranoid
It's the reason I've hesitated doing a more permanent installation
Did that take an extra long cable? I have one but I don't think it's long enough to do what you've done

edit:now I see the extension cables on amazon

 

Here's the status on the Diablosport Sprint s1000 and i'm sorry to say it had problems as well. While it did shut off AFM, after about 30 minutes plugged directly into the obd2 port and about 5 restarts it threw a CEL and locked the car in 4th gear until i removed it and restarted.

Tech support was very understanding of the problem and issued an RMA without hesitation. they handled the situation like pros.

Sorry for the bad news. Hopefully there's a solution soon.

 

Was hoping for better news..