Range AFM Disabler Warranty Safe in 2016?

Ty_127 · July 21, 2016

Falconman515 Did you end up plugging the range in? Any Issues? Im in the same boat and want a clear answer on this. Brand new 2016 don't wanna void any warranties. Just straight piped it and it sounds amazing... until the V4 drone kicks in.

TxTruckMan · July 21, 2016

Just remove it before you go to the dealership and you will not have any issues. They can void your warranty if you have problems and you bring it in with the device plugged in. Is it right? Probably not. But it would be hard to fight.

Silvern Sentry · July 21, 2016

Should have just bought a 6.2 that would have been a real time saver. I don't get why anyone would want to disable this except 4wd launching at every stop. But to each their own.

While some may think removing it will hide it I can guarantee if I wrote GM software it would definitely be logging stuff like ratio of v4 usage etc and I think GM is at least as smart as that. The answer is yes it will void your warranty 100%.

Also just because you are not paying for OnStar (which personally I like you just have to use it enough but that diff topic) do not think all that data is still not being logged. All that monthly report does is query the onboard computer and retrieve the data. For example when I was tinkering with my lights I started truck with drivers headlamp disconnected on purpose on a random afternoon and on my next monthly report sure enough it suggested I get my driver light checked even though it was reinstalled and working perfectly 5 mins later.

*protip many insurance companies mine included give discount on comprehensive if your vehicle has the onstar security features and ability to disable the vehicle active. It's not big but does offset cost a tad, worth noting.

bgweed · July 21, 2016

I'm tempted to get a Range for my 2016 Sierra AT, but $200 is steep.

What would put me over the edge would be if the Range acted as a standard OBDII for non-AFM vehicles, and on AFM vehicles it could simultaneously act as the AFM disabler AND an OBDII device for use with Torque. That would be fantastic.

15_silverado · January 11, 2017

Does anyone know if the range AFM disable divise will work on a 2017 Silverado with the 5.3

They're website says up to 2015, but obviously it works for the 2016, so what about the 2017???

GMC_SD_Ult_16 · January 12, 2017

I'm tempted to get a Range for my 2016 Sierra AT, but $200 is steep.

What would put me over the edge would be if the Range acted as a standard OBDII for non-AFM vehicles, and on AFM vehicles it could simultaneously act as the AFM disabler AND an OBDII device for use with Torque. That would be fantastic.

I agree with this statement... I am using torque currently with a Bluetooth OBDII and would love if the Range could be a disabler for AFM at the same time.

Sent from my Note 5 using Tapatalk

Thomcat · January 12, 2017

Just remove it before you go to the dealership and you will not have any issues. They can void your warranty if you have problems and you bring it in with the device plugged in. Is it right? Probably not. But it would be hard to fight.

x2 Make sure it is not plugged in if you take it in for service.

Use it on my Avalanches.....and never had a problem when I brought it in for reprogramming of the extended remote system. Range does not change anything in the native programming evidenced by instant reversion to 4/8 operation as soon as it is removed.

sonerick · January 12, 2017

Does anyone know if the range AFM disable divise will work on a 2017 Silverado with the 5.3

They're website says up to 2015, but obviously it works for the 2016, so what about the 2017???

I've been using one on my 2017 5.3L with no issue.

AFM is a great idea in theory, but it just didn't seem to work well on my truck except when I was cruising on the highway. The worst was light throttle going up a long, gentle grade, trying to maintain a speed of 30-40 mph. The truck would get up to speed, hold it for a few seconds, then drop into v4 mode and decelerate a few mph's because of the reduced power. Then I'd have to push the throttle in more to get back up to speed, the transmission would downshift, and it would go into v8 mode. As soon as I was back up to speed, the transmission would upshift and the process would start all over again. At the same time this was happening, the transmission would get all confused and clunk and shudder.

With the Range AFM disable, it's nice not to feel the 8-4-8 transition anymore! I can now maintain my speed as needed, and the transmission has really smoothed out and feels less confused.

Maybe it's not for everyone, but it's been working great for me.

15_silverado · January 12, 2017

I've been using one on my 2017 5.3L with no issue.

Thanks, I can't stand this AFM anymore, I want it off, just wanted to confirm it works for a 2017.

Do you know what version yours is, is it the latest updated version?

Do you have any trouble with it draining the battery on your truck?

Thanks

sonerick · January 12, 2017

Thanks, I can't stand this AFM anymore, I want it off, just wanted to confirm it works for a 2017.

Do you know what version yours is, is it the latest updated version?

Do you have any trouble with it draining the battery on your truck?

Thanks

I'm not sure exactly what version it is, but I bought directly from Range last month so I assume it's their latest version.

I haven't had any issues with it draining the battery, but I drive the truck daily. I would probably unplug it if I was not planning to use the truck for more than a couple days.

Jasadl · February 9, 2017

I was THINKING (emphasis added) about giving the range module a try with a switch (like this). AFM on my truck functions pretty well on the highways. Unfortunately, a large stretch of road on my way home from work has a speed limits of 25, 35, and 45mph with moderate traffic. Between coasting / speed changes, the [clunky] transmission being overly eager to get to the 6th gear, and the AFM going in and out, the truck just can't balance everything for a comfortable ride. I'm thinking (hoping) disabling the AFM will give a the TCM a chance to "adapt" and smooth out the hard shifts. Or at minimum, clean up some of the sloppiness on that road. If/when I get on the highway, I could use the switch to turn AFM back on. Can also use the switch to turn off the module at night and to avoid battery drain and possible (I have not idea if this is true) avoid any detection when OnStar does their diagnostic scan.

15_silverado · February 9, 2017

Yea, I've seen that switch, it may work for what you want to do; the only reason I say may work is, I'm not sure about turning it on/off during driving, that may screw things up. I remember one member posted his range device wasn't working when he plugged it in; the truck still went into V4 mode. He called range, the tech support told him to unplug the range, start the truck, turn off all accessories, radio, AC, ECT, turn off truck, plug in the range, turn key to on, turn key off, then start. He did this and reported that it fixed the problem and now was working fine. So that's why I say it may be a problem turning the range on/off during driving; but there's only one way to find out, and that switch is cheap, so you could give it a try and let us know.

If you don't let your truck sit for more than 2-3 days I wouldn't worry about the battery, it hasn't been an issue so far for me; my truck sits 2 days out of the week with no problems.

Also I will say I've been extremely happy with the range on my 2017 5.3L it's been the best money I've spent so far, absolutely no problems, it does exactly what it says it does; stays in V8 mode all the time. No trouble codes or messages, no OnStar emails, everything has been great. I wish I would have bought it sooner. I want a Diablo tuner but there not compatible with the 2017 yet so that's why I got the range. And I hate the V4 mode even on the highway, 90% of my commute is highway and my fuel economy has not changed at all even with being in V8 mode all the time.

F4Gary · February 9, 2017

Does no one call the manufacturer anymore to get answers? That's the first thing I would have done before asking a bunch of strangers on a message board.

I started using one on my '14 5.3 a couple of months ago with no problems other than I can't go 3 days without starting the truck or I'll have a dead battery. I might consider that OBD switch.

Cowpie · February 9, 2017

Even if a dealer was to look at AFM usage count, it really means nothing. What of those that live on more rural roads like I do, prefer to use manual mode on the trans most of the time, and as was the case with my 2013 1500, and rarely did the AFM thing all by itself? Or similarly, what of someone who uses their 1500 more as a work vehicle and it is loaded frequently and the situations it is in does not cause the cylinder shutdown thing? Now, I did use the range later on in the game, to keep AFM off all the time, but still what would be the thing the Dealer is looking for as a count of AFM usage? With no actual code change there is nothing that would imply anything had been done. The Range just sends a signal that the ECM recognizes as such to not engage AFM. The Range is nothing more than any other sensor that sends signals to the ECM.

Paranoia can be a terrible thing.

Thomcat · February 9, 2017

Well CRAP .... you guys are making me think twice about plugging this thing in!

I will not in any way use a tuner like some have suggested ... if this device may be able to be seen somehow then a tune will No Doubt be seen (and I know you can revert to factory but those leave lots of trails I have been told).

Seems some have had issues with codes running this lately.

I have a 75K full 100% factory warranty .... paid extra for no limitations on my 3 year 36 month and added the extended full coverage up to 75K for just under $2K more .... Sooo, with that kind of money been spent on a warranty I do not want to screw it over by using something like this.

I know damn well my service dept. guy will say "No you can't use that it will void your warranty" .... So I have been trying to get more from others here who have used it.

I used it on my 2011 Sierra for 3 years straight without a single issue, no code, no nothing with an extended warranty. Not sure what may have changed since then.

I read above that some guy had OnStar tell her had something plugged in he shouldn't have ... that's my worry ... that could cause problems I think.

Well crap ... my Range device is due back in the mail to me today and I'm not sure I want to plug this thing in now. Hmmmmm

Used the range on many vehicles without any problems related to reprogramming. No more effect on the ECU than an OBDII code grabber.

And of course it does not reprogram the ECU......a non-sequitur.....if the assertion is that it does reprogram the ECU to 8 only operation...... then what reprograms the ECU back to 4/8 once it is removed???????