Chicago / Illinois emission test w / Range device

[belair62]

I read a few long posts regarding the Range module and emission tests but it seemed most were in PA or NY. Does anyone in Illinois or Chicago have any info on whether pulling the Range prior to test will cause a fail ?

 

[Doubeleive]

I read a few long posts regarding the Range module and emission tests but it seemed most were in PA or NY. Does anyone in Illinois or Chicago have any info on whether pulling the Range prior to test will cause a fail ?

pretty easy to tell by removing it then checking for the "readiness" with a scanner.

 

[B-train]

Not sure, but whenever I take my yukon to the dealership and they plug in for diagnostics and vehicle data, they never tell me anything is different. But, not to say that can't be the case. If you are worried, just unplug it and drive it for a few days and let it adjust to you. But, a scanner would be best.

 

[Tonyv__]

All I know is that when I’m due again next month, I’m just gonna pull it a week before my appointment. Last year I failed then went back a week later with minimal driving and my systems were ready enough to be tested.

And just like @Doubeleive said a scanner will help you too

 

[Dustin Jackson]

The Range device keeps the emission monitors from setting so for emission testing you’ll want to unplug it a week before you get tested. Careful with that though, in my experience the AFM system doesn’t work well being disabled and then re-enabled

 

[j91z28d1]

I think having afm turned off in the tune would be the best. lt1swap.com doesit pretty cheap 50$ I believe. they don't do a tune, just switch off the afm.

or maybe find someone local with hptuners, buy them 2 credit to unlock and flash it disabled real quick

 

[belair62]

I think I am going to send mine out to LT1 when I get back to town. As long as that process allows all monitors to set thats probably the best bet. I have an old Actron that I will plug in and see what I get too. Is sending out the ECU as simple as it sounds ? Does anything get screwed up when you re-install ? Keys, fobs etc ? Thanks all.

 

[belair62]

The Range device keeps the emission monitors from setting so for emission testing you’ll want to unplug it a week before you get tested. Careful with that though, in my experience the AFM system doesn’t work well being disabled and then re-enabled

Dustin what issues did you see re-activating AFM ? I feel like i'm walking on eggshells with this AFM stuff

 

[Marky Dissod]

During the week when you disconnect the Range module to prepare for your emissions test, keep the fuel tank as close to half a tank as possible (between 3/4 & 1/4 is ok, between 3/8 & 5/8 is better).
The Charcoal Canister EVAP stuff is most likely to show ready that way.

As for avoiding V4 mode, if you're not going to go to the trouble to at least disable it in the tune - not as good as deleting the V4 mode physically, but disabling it still helps - then learn to use the shifter and your right foot in such a way as to avoid V4 mode as much as possible.

 

[iamdub]

I think I am going to send mine out to LT1 when I get back to town. As long as that process allows all monitors to set thats probably the best bet. I have an old Actron that I will plug in and see what I get too. Is sending out the ECU as simple as it sounds ? Does anything get screwed up when you re-install ? Keys, fobs etc ? Thanks all.

+1 for https://lt1swap.com/afm_delete.htm. They turn off AFM in the tune as if it's not even a factory option. Nothing else is affected, no readiness monitors kept unready, no dongle staying in the ALDL port, etc. They're in south Missouri, so shipping should only be a couple days.

AFAIK, no relearning of anything (keys, CKP, etc.) are necessary.

 

[gooffeyguy]

I have my AFM/DOD turned off with a Diablosport Intune device that flashes the ECM and doesn't need to be kept plugged in. I pass Missouri emissions with no problems every 2 years. No need to unplug anything a week beforehand.

Another thought on this is get a OBD splitter cable and keep the Range dongle plugged in tucked up under the dash while leaving a OBD port available under the dash. Like this one from BTDieselworks

OBD port splitter cable

High quality custom OBD port splitter cable 100% guaranteed to work with all aftermarket devices and OBD scan tools. Unlike most OBD splitter cables, our OBD splitter offers a clean install due to the fact that it replaces/bolts in place of your existing OBD port, allowing the secondary tap to...

www.btdieselworks.com

 

[Dustin Jackson]

Dustin what issues did you see re-activating AFM ? I feel like i'm walking on eggshells with this AFM stuff

@belair62 When I had to remove my Range AFM disabler to pass smog the motor developed some really strange lifter tapping that would come and go. After that I tuned AFM out for good and sold the Range AFM device.

About a month after the lifter noise started i had a lifter failure and I attribute it to have AFM disabled for so long and then re-enabling it for smog. Went with a full AFM delete after that.

 

[mikez71]

Was always worried something like that could happen! In my case I disabled it (programmed) before scheduled oil change.. so I got dirty oil in my VLOM! Hopefully that won't cause issues being disabled.. Afraid they want to look for checksums.. no way I'm ever enabling AFM.

 

[Marky Dissod]

About a month after the lifter noise started i had a lifter failure, and I attribute it to have AFM disabled for so long and then re-enabling it for smog.
Went with a full AFM delete after that.

Why don't you attribute it to the fact that the V4 mode lifters (their hardware, as designed) are a liability that GM passed on to us?

That said, you deleted the V4 mode stuff. Congrats.

 

[Marky Dissod]

Was always worried something like that could happen! In my case I disabled it (programmed) before scheduled oil change.. so I got dirty oil in my VLOM!
Hopefully that won't cause issues being disabled. Afraid they want to look for checksums ... no way I'm ever enabling AFM.

Probably STILL a good idea to delete / replace the V4 mode hardware with V8 mode stuff.
A proper tune corrects the checksums.

 

[mikez71]

Probably STILL a good idea to delete / replace the V4 mode hardware with V8 mode stuff.
A proper tune corrects the checksums.

Definitely planning to delete it.. but probably not for a year or so..
Who can do proper tunes?

Seem to read about people reverting to stock tunes, can it pass with VLOM disconnected running stock tune?

 

[Marky Dissod]

To simply disable / turn off V4 mode, https://lt1swap.com/afm_delete.htm is a cost effective solution.
(Disable & delete are two different things damnit.)
I personally recommend pcmperformance.com for mail order ecm / tcm tuning; his reputation after 18 years is solid.
Still recommend physically deleting V4 mode hardware / installing V8 mode stuff.

However, you may get more bang for your buck finding a local tuner to personally make more specific tuning adjustments to your ecm / tcm on your vehicle in your driving environments.
Would not be surprised if there's a tuner within a hundred miles of you that you could meet.
(Filling out your vague location in your profile, & saying something about your vehicle in your signature, helps.)

 

[Dustin Jackson]

Why don't you attribute it to the fact that the V4 mode lifters (their hardware, as designed) are a liability that GM passed on to us?

That said, you deleted the V4 mode stuff. Congrats.

You're splitting hairs, nobody would disagree with your statement. My statement simply outlines conditions that I believe to put further strain on an already fragile system (AFM).

 

[Dustin Jackson]

Was always worried something like that could happen! In my case I disabled it (programmed) before scheduled oil change.. so I got dirty oil in my VLOM! Hopefully that won't cause issues being disabled.. Afraid they want to look for checksums.. no way I'm ever enabling AFM.

@MikesZ71 Personally I would run it as long as you are having no problems, unless your goal is to delete it before you have a lifter failure. Otherwise just educate yourself and prepare for the day that id does happen. When I had a lifter failure I scrambled a bit because I wasn't certain how to go about getting my Tahoe back on the road. I ended up doing the AFM delete ($1400ish with tools) myself in my driveway in the middle of July, that was last year and it still runs perfect.

Definitely planning to delete it.. but probably not for a year or so..
Who can do proper tunes?

Seem to read about people reverting to stock tunes, can it pass with VLOM disconnected running stock tune?

@mikez71 Once you have AFM tuned out you are already set to do the mechanical AFM delete, the VLOM plug just hangs there after you rebuild the motor with non AFM parts. @BlackBearPerf is a good tuning service if you don't want to DIY a tune.

 

[belair62]

Full delete with labor has to be pretty expensive . So much stuff to take off these things to get down to the cam. I would probably rather have a shop do it.