Range AFM module issue???

[ReaperHWK]

I installed the range ra007 a month back, this is the one that piggy backs into the ECM module. Installed on 2026 RST with the 6.2.

Worked good. Now I have a pending SW update. So I read I need to remove the module before I load it. So I go ahead and remove the module and return to stock. Went smooth.

Start truck and the updates are grayed out and it disappeared; before I removed range it would ask me every 5 min to install it. Says “contact dealer” if issue persists.

Drove the car for a day with the range removed still no updates. Also, the start/stop is still eliminated and won’t come back??? Something. Weird going on.

Right now I have the battery unplugged, I’ll leave it like that for an hour and try again.

Anyone else have any range issues?

 

[ReaperHWK]

After disconnecting the battery and starting it up it all works normally now…….

 

[Tonyv__]

Only thing I noticed with my range device was when unplugged, I could not pass an emission test immediately after. I had to put a couple hundred miles on it to reset all the computers. (State inspection).

I was going to suggest something like that but it seems you figured it out.

 

[ReaperHWK]

anyone else notice any other issues with the range? Like any features slower or anything? Just curious as this module does do something with the messages between the truck and the ECM and by design it would cause some signal delays.

I could swear without the range the lane assist is more responsive but it could be placebo effect.

 

[jerry455]

I have had the Range module on my 2021 Suburban for about a year and everything seems to work the same as before except Start/Stop and DFM. I am happy with it.

 

[KMeloney]

I've got the Carbyte in my '23 for a couple weeks now, and after 6 or so attempts at trying to install the OTA update that was being pushed to me last week, I thought I'd try unplugging the Carbyte to see if it was the culprit. The next attempt to install the software worked. So, it's either a huge coincidence, or the Carbyte, too, interferes with OTA updates loading.

 

[mkcotton]

I have had a number of updates since installing the RT on both my 2023 Sierra & 2024 Yukon... My process, get notified that there is an update, park the vehicle, disconnect the battery and remove the RT (this wipes the volatile ECU memory, that requires constant power). This means I need to drive the truck for roughly a day to allow the update to download again (with the RT removed). Perform the update, once complete reverse the process by disconnecting the battery and reinstalling the RT. It is a bit of a PITA, but I neglected this process once and needed dealership involvement. Note: I spoke to a RT tech and they agreed that this was the safest process, although they say they have performed many updates with no issues. Calling for a tow sucks, so I'll stick with my process... doing it this way has been successful to date.

 

[sohanrd]

I installed the range ra007 a month back, this is the one that piggy backs into the ECM module. Installed on 2026 RST with the 6.2.

Worked good. Now I have a pending SW update. So I read I need to remove the module before I load it. So I go ahead and remove the module and return to stock. Went smooth.

Start truck and the updates are grayed out and it disappeared; before I removed range it would ask me every 5 min to install it. Says “contact dealer” if issue persists.

Drove the car for a day with the range removed still no updates. Also, the start/stop is still eliminated and won’t come back??? Something. Weird going on.

Right now I have the battery unplugged, I’ll leave it like that for an hour and try again.

Anyone else have any range issues?

This is very similar to what happened to me.

Day 1 morning: Update showed up, ready to install
evening: remove the battery, RA007, re connected the battery - Update disaapeared

Day2 morning: Update was still missing, drove the car about 50 miles to work/school stuff. start/stop activated as usual.
evening: Nothing changed, no update yet.

Day3 morning: Update appeared again
afternoon: Installed the update and the Ra007 after. Everything seems working fine so far.

 

[ReaperHWK]

I’m going to put the range back in tomorrow. Everything loaded up good now without it plugged in.

It’s just a PITA doing the R&R of this thing since it’s in the wheel well; in the dead of winter I’d probably skip an update for months.

Remember I’m talking about a 2026 so the module plugs into the ECM not the port below the dash. Looks like this

It plugs inline with a ECM harness and somehow changes the command for the AFM and the start/stop. Not sure how it does it but I’m not totally convinced being right in the ECU it doesn’t cause any other undesired effects yet. This one is pretty new.

 

[Marky Dissod]

The Range module plugs inline with a ECM harness, and somehow changes the command for the AFM and the start/stop.

The Range module tells the ecm one or more little white lies about one or more engine sensor outputs.
(If the lies were big enough, drivability would be noticeably altered.)
The ecm determines that one or more conditions are not quite right to allow Half@$$, so it doesn't.
Cylinder Confusion is prevented much the same way - the module lies to the ecm, the ecm believes the lie, which prevents Cylinder Confusion from operating
(except maybe in Vzero mode?)

Not sure how it does it, but I’m not totally convinced being right in the ECU doesn’t cause any other undesired effects yet.

There is already one undesired effect - you need to unplug it to allow updates / go to the dealership / get an emissions test.

 

[jerry455]

The Range is installed on the ECM, the Carbyte plugs into the ALDL. I have seen things plugged into the ALDL cause problems also. Ask a dealer tech, they see it a lot.

 

[Marky Dissod]

The Range is installed on the ECM, the Carbyte plugs into the ALDL.

Effectively, this is a distinction without a functional difference.
They both tell the ecm one or more lies to prevent Engine Half@$$ or Cylinder Confusion - forgot they also temporarily disable A.S.S., they both prevent updates ...

I have seen things plugged into the ALDL cause problems also. Ask a dealer tech, they see it a lot.

and you don't want a dealership to notice them either.

 

[Sgt1411]

Not sure if its related but my Updates were grayed out and wouldn't load because battery charge was below 70%, after battery brought up to 90% the Updates were no longer grayed out and downloaded fine.

 

[fondupot]

Zero issues with my Range RA007 on my 2021 since installing in November 2024. I've only removed it once to log some data. But never had any issues. I have updates turned off tho, and I doubt my 2021 will receive many software updates anyways.

 

[ReaperHWK]

Well these issues aren’t big enough for me to stop using it. Going to plug it back in.

 

[lost1wing]

I let the Over the air update happen without removing the Range module. No notice of any thing odd. I also popped into the dealership for a cosmetic warranty job. They plugged into the OBD port to verify the vin with the warranty claim ( no errors this way). No issues with the Range module still installed.

 

[jerry455]

When I had the PICO test, the new download would not load. I was told, by the service manager, that the Range module blocked it. He said several techs at their dealer had the same devices on their trucks and the dealer was quite familiar with them. He said to remove it before coming in next time or doing a down load.

 

[Sgt1411]

That's weird because I just got my truck back from the dealership and I forgot to remove it. They did a download for RSE issues and no comments or feedback from the technician about having the Range module installed.

 

[KMeloney]

I’m going to put the range back in tomorrow. Everything loaded up good now without it plugged in.

It’s just a PITA doing the R&R of this thing since it’s in the wheel well; in the dead of winter I’d probably skip an update for months.

Remember I’m talking about a 2026 so the module plugs into the ECM not the port below the dash. Looks like this

View attachment 481628


It plugs inline with a ECM harness and somehow changes the command for the AFM and the start/stop. Not sure how it does it but I’m not totally convinced being right in the ECU it doesn’t cause any other undesired effects yet. This one is pretty new.

The uninstall/reinstall process for this is the only reason (of course it's a big reason) I don't have the Range module.

 

[ReaperHWK]

The uninstall/reinstall process for this is the only reason (of course it's a big reason) I don't have the Range module.

Since I did it already I was able to remove it without removing the fender liner by feel because I know the connectors. I may also be able to install by just reaching behind the liner. If so it would make the R&R time reasonable.

The first time you do this you def need to remove the liner and see what’s going on though.