Westers and sound! For GM-Tech

biochemist · March 21, 2005

Hi GM-Tech...I have a couple questions for you: 1) will adding a Westers tune void my warranty and 2) notice that when I accelerate in the morning (cold esp) I can sometimes here a noise in the back (I guess) sounds like a squawk or maybe leaf springs flexing (the noise usually occurs in pairs like maybe the springs are flexing, rubbing against each other, then springing back...like..ehhh owww, real quick, not real loud either, only last during a quick take off, like something is flexed for a quick second). I suppose you can consider it a slight clunk or maybe the sound when the brakes have been sitting a while and they sort of make a sticking noise when released...not really sure but it is not real loud anyway...Funny thing is it only does this after sitting all night (or long periods of time) and when it is colder....and...only the first couple minutes of driving, first few take offs. It only happens if I accelerate from a stop and give it some gas...sounds like the TSB people talk about witht he slip/stick condition that a number of you have posted recently, but my truck is not listed on that, even the newest one I have seen...do you have another to post me, or maybe just the latest you have? I do not feel this noise per se, it is not jerky, so it may not even be in the drivetrain to begin with, that I can feel anyway, but that TSB is not felt either, right? It is just a noise,...but a couple minutes later, I can take off fast or whatever and I hear nothing. I took her by a dealer this morning, said normal, just things expanding afer being cold all night and sitting still and settling, matter of fact by the time I left the lot, it was not doing it any longer (live about 1/2 mile away)...what do you think, no big deal right? I think it is the springs flexing until they settle since I do not notice any differenc in the way she drives...I just wanted to know what you think about these two items, thanks, later,

GM-Tech · March 22, 2005

Not sure about the westers. I see everyone talking about it, but as we don't do these sort of modifications at the dealership and I personally don't do them to my truck, I really know little about them.

If this is just a software change, be careful. If you go into a dealer with a driveability concern and dont' say anything about the Westers and they decide to update the PCM with the latest calibration, what happens to your Westers?

If you had a driveability problem and came in and said "don't update my PCM because I've had a modified calibration installed" we would tell you that we would go no further until you restored it to stock configuration. Some people say they keep their original PCM and put it back in if they have to take their truck in for warranty service.

Could we tell just by looking at the calibration ID's that are in the PCM that you've changed it. I really don't know. Haven't had a known one to look at.

The slip/stick yoke problem affects a wide variety of vehicles. Even if yours is not in a TSB, it could still be affected. I have not seen one that was temperature sensitive or occur only under the conditions you described.

biochemist · March 22, 2005

Not sure about the westers. I see everyone talking about it, but as we don't do these sort of modifications at the dealership and I personally don't do them to my truck, I really know little about them.

If this is just a software change, be careful. If you go into a dealer with a driveability concern and dont' say anything about the Westers and they decide to update the PCM with the latest calibration, what happens to your Westers?

If you had a driveability problem and came in and said "don't update my PCM because I've had a modified calibration installed" we would tell you that we would go no further until you restored it to stock configuration. Some people say they keep their original PCM and put it back in if they have to take their truck in for warranty service.

Could we tell just by looking at the calibration ID's that are in the PCM that you've changed it. I really don't know. Haven't had a known one to look at.

The slip/stick yoke problem affects a wide variety of vehicles. Even if yours is not in a TSB, it could still be affected. I have not seen one that was temperature sensitive or occur only under the conditions you described.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Yes it is just software, I see your point...I wondered about taking her in and what they would do...but even if they write over it, Westers will reflash for shipping charge...not a big deal, but I will have to think about it, as you say, you can even keep a stock chip around for warranty work...just pop it in the morning of . On the yoke issue, I think it is the springs back there...it is a muffled sound and only happens in the morning a couple times, just a couple quick muffled clunks I guess, really sounds like something rubbing like sticky brakes, whatever no big deal, just wondered if you had heard of it...I do not think it is in the driveline, does not jerk or hesitate, real smooth even though there is a sound...I assume the condition you are used to seeing is constant no matter temp, or how long someone has been driving...it happens all the time..., but I assumed you would think it is not a big deal. The slip/stick condition never hurts anything anyway...right? Thanks for the help, good info as usual, I will think harder on the tune, later,

GM-Tech · March 22, 2005

you can even keep a stock chip around for warranty work...

There is no "chip". You'd have to keep a spare computer around. I was under the impression that when you get this Wester's thing, you're actually buying a complete PCM (computer) with their programming. I suppose you could send them your PCM and they program it, but you'd be without wheels until you got it back.

The slip/stick yoke problem is just an annoyance. It's not always constant, as in 100% of the time, but it is not dependent on temperature.

biochemist · March 22, 2005

you can even keep a stock chip around for warranty work...

There is no "chip". You'd have to keep a spare computer around. I was under the impression that when you get this Wester's thing, you're actually buying a complete PCM (computer) with their programming. I suppose you could send them your PCM and they program it, but you'd be without wheels until you got it back.

The slip/stick yoke problem is just an annoyance. It's not always constant, as in 100% of the time, but it is not dependent on temperature.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

OK, I am not sure, you are probably right though..what I meant by chip was actually the CPU...I thought it was plug and play...5 minutes or less to swap...I will make a call about it I think this is something I want to do ...thanks for the info on the slip/stick issue also...this may sound like what I hear but I think it is just sitting all night and has to settle in for the day, kind of like flexing over speed bumps and the weather stripping creaks for the first time in the morning, might even be the brakes until the film is worn off from sitting all night...same type of deal, only in the morning...not a big deal at all it just sounds like that TSB you posted a few days ago, wanted to see what you thought...no biggie...thanks man, keep up the good work, later,

Butch 02 Denali · March 22, 2005

FYI guys....Wester's reflashes the PCM with all current GM updates before he loads his custom tuning. He ships you the custom loaded PCM, and you swap it with your stock one and ship the stock one back to him, or pay a core charge and keep it. If the dealer ever did do an update in the future, you call Wester's and he ships another PCM directly to you absolutly free. When you get it (about 3 days) you swap it and sand the old one back. You are NEVER without use of your vehicle! The new one will have the newer updates in it. This is a lifetime service. The dealers Tec2 cannot see anything but completly stock programming, there is no signature and no sign of any custom tuning. I have tested this myself at my dealer, I even told them it was in there after they told me it was all up to date and all ok. They looked again and still could find no sign of it. Many have done this, not just me!

BTW, the technican that did the check for me, after he drove my truck, now has a Wester's tune in his truck too!

biochemist · March 22, 2005

FYI guys....Wester's reflashes the PCM with all current GM updates before he loads his custom tuning. He ships you the custom loaded PCM, and you swap it with your stock one and ship the stock one back to him, or pay a core charge and keep it. If the dealer ever did do an update in the future, you call Wester's and he ships another PCM directly to you absolutly free. When you get it (about 3 days) you swap it and sand the old one back. You are NEVER without use of your vehicle! The new one will have the newer updates in it. This is a lifetime service. The dealers Tec2 cannot see anything but completly stock programming, there is no signature and no sign of any custom tuning. I have tested this myself at my dealer, I even told them it was in there after they told me it was all up to date and all ok. They looked again and still could find no sign of it. Many have done this, not just me!
BTW, the technican that did the check for me, after he drove my truck, now has a Wester's tune in his truck too!

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Thanks Butch...I will seriously consider this with all the great things people are saying ...any recommendations on options for the tune? Let me know, later,