How to permanently turn off auto shutoff?

mvf969 · April 20, 2023

I installed the Auto Stop eliminator. It turns the feature off and allows you to turn it back on if you want. It basically makes the default position off instead on. It does require minor dash disassembly and plugs into the factory harness. The kit cost $99 and I had a local audio shop install it for $100. Since about 70% of driving is in town it totally transformed the driving experience.

repairman54 · April 20, 2023

I'm finally remembering to hit the off button in my '23. At least it has it. I've got the Range eliminator plug in unit in my '20 Traverse. Killed the AS in my '15 Malibu with a Trifecta tune. Totally useless function that increases wear and vehicle complexity IMO. Want to save fuel? Drive less and get the junk out of the ''trunk''.

Mike Duhaime · April 24, 2023

On 2/4/2023 at 1:15 PM, btntx said:

You're missing the point. ICE engines were not designed to work like this. It's not a golf cart. The constant stalling and restarting of the engine causes unnecessary wear on the drivetrain, not to mention its a huge safety issue. There have been several instances when I was trying to cross a busy street and almost got hit because the instant power was not available that would have been had the truck not stalled itself. This "feature" is simply an example of people who do not design cars (politicians) being allowed to impose baseless mandates for purely political reasons.

Exactly btntx! More damage here to components than fuel saved. It is a safety hazard in emergency situations. One starter, or flywheel, or battery costs more than any fuel savings...GM has to warranty those damaged parts. Environmentally, it's a fail.

GM should make the switch always OFF, unless we decide it's useful. A simple software change by GM is an easy fix. Don't put crap on our vehicles that we don't want!!

JCunningham · May 4, 2023

it doesn't save any fuel. it takes more fuel to restart then idle at a stop sign. You will pay more in early repair costs then you would save if it did work. I cant be leave they put it in my 22 1/2 3.0L and good god this truck got me 27.5mpg on my 80mile run today. auto stop was off. My Auto stop eliminator was supposed to come today. It didn't.

W4LWQ · September 26, 2023

The hardest wear on an engine is the starting of it. This can;t be good.

Grumpy Bear · September 26, 2023

IMHO it's garbage engineering. :idiot:

TrueBlue · October 1, 2023

I haven't tried it yet because I'm building muscle memory to always turn the button off after I start the truck and before I put it in gear, but on some vehicles AutoStopStart is disabled when towing, or when the windshield defogger button is pushed, or sometimes when a dummy plug is inserted into the trailer lights jack. Has anyone used any of these methods on their Chevy/Jimmy Silverado and found one or more of them to work?

W4LWQ · November 15, 2023

On 10/1/2023 at 1:29 PM, TrueBlue said:

I haven't tried it yet because I'm building muscle memory to always turn the button off after I start the truck and before I put it in gear, but on some vehicles AutoStopStart is disabled when towing, or when the windshield defogger button is pushed, or sometimes when a dummy plug is inserted into the trailer lights jack. Has anyone used any of these methods on their Chevy/Jimmy Silverado and found one or more of them to work?

I want to build a harness now, but I can't wrap my head around how or why it would affect the S/S. Any ideas?

redwngr · November 15, 2023

On 10/1/2023 at 1:29 PM, TrueBlue said:

I haven't tried it yet because I'm building muscle memory to always turn the button off after I start the truck and before I put it in gear, but on some vehicles AutoStopStart is disabled when towing, or when the windshield defogger button is pushed, or sometimes when a dummy plug is inserted into the trailer lights jack. Has anyone used any of these methods on their Chevy/Jimmy Silverado and found one or more of them to work?

List of things that prevent auto stop/start from 'stopping'.

Auto Engine Stop/Start

When the brakes are applied and the vehicle is at a complete stop, the engine may turn off.

When stopped, the tachometer displays AUTO STOP.

See Tachometer pg 114.

When the brake pedal is released or the accelerator pedal is pressed, the engine will restart.

To maintain vehicle performance, other conditions may cause the engine to automatically restart before the brake pedal is released.

Auto Stops may not occur and/or Auto Starts may occur because:
. The climate control settings require the engine to be running to cool or heat the vehicle interior.
. The vehicle battery needs to charge.
. The vehicle battery has recently been disconnected.
. Minimum vehicle speed has not been reached since the last Auto Stop.

. The accelerator pedal is pressed.
. The engine or transmission is not at the required operating temperature.
. The outside temperature is not in the required operating range.
. The vehicle is shifted out of D (Drive) to any gear other than P (Park).
. Certain driver modes have been selected.
See Driver Mode Control pg 242 and Four-Wheel Drive pg 233.
. The vehicle is on a steep hill or grade.
. The driver door has been opened or the driver seat belt has been unbuckled.
. The hood has been opened.
. The Auto Stop has reached the maximum allowed time.

Sometimes I forget to shut it off and sometimes I let it run so I can play with it. (Most trips it's not going to kick-in for the first few stops anyway because one of the restrictions in the list that prevent stops.)

Playing with it I've found that it is also possible to release the brake pedal enough to cause a re-start without the vehicle moving.

TrueBlue · November 17, 2023

On 11/15/2023 at 3:40 PM, redwngr said:

List of things that prevent auto stop/start from 'stopping'.

Auto Engine Stop/Start

When the brakes are applied and the vehicle is at a complete stop, the engine may turn off.

When stopped, the tachometer displays AUTO STOP.

See Tachometer pg 114.

When the brake pedal is released or the accelerator pedal is pressed, the engine will restart.

To maintain vehicle performance, other conditions may cause the engine to automatically restart before the brake pedal is released.

Auto Stops may not occur and/or Auto Starts may occur because:
. The climate control settings require the engine to be running to cool or heat the vehicle interior.
. The vehicle battery needs to charge.
. The vehicle battery has recently been disconnected.
. Minimum vehicle speed has not been reached since the last Auto Stop.

. The accelerator pedal is pressed.
. The engine or transmission is not at the required operating temperature.
. The outside temperature is not in the required operating range.
. The vehicle is shifted out of D (Drive) to any gear other than P (Park).
. Certain driver modes have been selected.
See Driver Mode Control pg 242 and Four-Wheel Drive pg 233.
. The vehicle is on a steep hill or grade.
. The driver door has been opened or the driver seat belt has been unbuckled.
. The hood has been opened.
. The Auto Stop has reached the maximum allowed time.

Sometimes I forget to shut it off and sometimes I let it run so I can play with it. (Most trips it's not going to kick-in for the first few stops anyway because one of the restrictions in the list that prevent stops.)

Playing with it I've found that it is also possible to release the brake pedal enough to cause a re-start without the vehicle moving.

Thanks. I'm getting pretty good now with remembering to turn it off on the center stack before it has a chance to kick in.

On 11/15/2023 at 2:17 PM, W4LWQ said:

I want to build a harness now, but I can't wrap my head around how or why it would affect the S/S. Any ideas?

In addition to what redwngr listed above, the manaul also states (Page 230 on mine): If equipped, the Stop/Start system will become unavailable when Tow/Haul Mode is active.
I don't know if the system will be disabled if a pigtail is attached to the plug or not. In order to know for sure, a dummy connector could be used, but also it would have to be under a condition which does not exist in redwngr's list above, and the truck is not in Tow/Haul mode. I don't think I'm going to try it, for several reasons; I don't want to leave the cap up on the trailer plug housing, I don't want to drive around with a dummy plug attached, and I've gotten pretty good at remembering to turn off the switch manually now. One of the differences between our trucks and other vehicles I've had with stop/start is that the others had this switch down by the driver's knee, and for me at least, out of sight meant out of mind, until the stupid system stopped the engine. Also, I'm hoping that Range will eventually come out with a disabler.

redwngr · November 18, 2023

6 hours ago, TrueBlue said:

Thanks. I'm getting pretty good now with remembering to turn it off on the center stack before it has a chance to kick in.

In addition to what redwngr listed above, the manaul also states (Page 230 on mine): If equipped, the Stop/Start system will become unavailable when Tow/Haul Mode is active.

Good catch -- I didn't even read this list.

I do know that in at least some earlier year manuals the T/H thing was in the list.

In the list I copied (2023 sierra) they aren't clear that Manual mode also makes it unavailable.

JCunningham · November 18, 2023

if you dont want it on id recommend just getting the Auto Stop Eliminator. its a easy install. everything just pops apart.

TrueBlue · November 18, 2023

11 hours ago, redwngr said:

Good catch -- I didn't even read this list.

I do know that in at least some earlier year manuals the T/H thing was in the list.

In the list I copied (2023 sierra) they aren't clear that Manual mode also makes it unavailable.

Wait! You mean because I drive around in L9 all the time that the Stop/Start won't activate? That would be a nice touch!

10 hours ago, JCunningham said:

if you dont want it on id recommend just getting the Auto Stop Eliminator. its a easy install. everything just pops apart.

I don't like pulling plastic interior pieces apart. Don't know if it's bad technique or something else but I've found that after I put things back together as often as not I end up with squeaks and rattles. I'm really hoping that Range will bring something to market soon.