How to use VXDIAG VCX Nano for GM on 2013 Silverado
OBD2eshop.com will offer you a customer test report of VXDIAG GM in this post.
Device: VXDIAG VCX Nano for GM
Function: program a used GM Navigation radio
Car model: 2013 Silverado
I purchased the VCX NANO for GM from OBD2eshop.com in order to program a used GM Navigation radio. The donor radio came from a 2012 Tahoe & I was installing it in my 2013 Silverado. Since it came from a different vehicle with a different VIN, the radio displayed “LOCKED” because the VIN programmed in the donor radio did not match the VIN in the BCM of my truck. Also, the speaker options, backup camera, rear entertainment options, etc were different on my truck & the radio needed to be programmed for my truck’s specific setup. Following is a description of the device, software & how I used it.
The device itself is a good replica of the GM Bosch MDI2 Interface & J2534 Programmer. This is the device that GM uses to interface with their modern vehicles but is backwards compatible to older vehicles. It has the ability to connect to the various modules inside the vehicle (door switch, BCM, ECM, RADIO, remote key entry, & more), read module information, reset fields, & program the module if used with an AC Delco Service & Programming Subscription (SPS).
Also included in the box is a CD with replica GM software; Tech2Win, GDS2, GM MDI Manager, & VCX Manager. The Tech2Win is an emulator for the old GM Tech2 handheld device that was in use from the mid 90’s up until about 2013. It can run standalone by itself. Global Diagnostics 2 (GDS2) replaces the Tech2 & is what dealerships use for troubleshooting today. GDS2 is a subscription service, but here t is packaged into a virtual machine that the seller has created, allowing GDS2 to run without buying a subscription from AC Delco. I don’t think the GM MDI Manager is used, but the VCX Manager has to be open for the other software to work correctly. I think it provideis the interface to trick the software into working with cloned hardware. All of the software is cloned GM stuff & has been altered to allow it to run the MDI clone.
Not included on the CD is the ability to do any programming of new or used modules. To program, you have to get a subscription from AC Delco TDS which allows you download & flash the programming calibration files. The subscription you’re looking for is a Service & Programming Subscription (SPS). I paid $40 for 24 month access, but it only allows programming of 1 specific vehicle, and is $40 per each vehicle you wish to program. The programming is done through a Java based app, & I ended up turning off every security feature under the Java control panel to get it to run. Using the programming Java app, I was able to update the used radio to match my truck’s specific RPO codes. However, the radio was still locked since the VIN in the radio didn’t match the truck.
Here is where I got stumped for a bit. GM released a bulletin in 2008 (#PIT4007D) that basically said to use a Tech2 to invoke the built in VIN relearn command on radios that had been programmed but still had the old VIN. The only catch was that no matter what radio you were trying to reset, you had to select the options on your Tech2 for a 2006 Chevrolet Monte Carlo LTZ to invoke the relearn VIN command. I tried with the included Tech2Win software but the command was not there, it was as if it had been removed. On a hunch, I searched for an older version of Tech2Win, downloaded it, and the relearn VIN option was there! It worked, I was able to remove the old VIN allowing the radio to marry to the new VIN. The included version was NAO V33.004 but the older version that allowed for VIN reset was NAO V30.004. I suspect GM purposely removed the VIN relearn command from the updated versions of Tech2Win to force you to go to the dealer for special VCI programming that’s only available after calling the GM Techline for dealers.
SUMMARY
I have left out a lot of steps that were necessary to get the software running correctly. I would recommend you only install it on an old computer that has no personal information, considering how all of the software provided is cloned software that instructs you to disable any firewalls\antivirus. However, once you get the software installed & running correctly, it’s an excellent device for diagnostics, maintenance & programming.
2013 Chevy Volt P1E00 P0AFA Fault Diagnosis with VXDIAG VCX NANO GM
Have a 2013 Chevy Volt in Reduced Propulsion Power state with P1E00 and P0AFA codes. These codes can not be cleared through an OBD2 reader (or even GDS2) but require dealer level reprogramming of the HPCM2 module.
Setting up the VXDIAG VCX Nano GM GDS2 on a Windows 10 Pro laptop wasn’t bad but not straight forward either. The VXDIAG program on the USB stick that’s included was corrupted. Downloaded the latest version from the obd2eshop.com website and successfully installed GDS2. GDS2 allowed me to see the problem that one of the 96 battery cells was lower than the others (hence the P0AFA code).
To fix the P0AFA problem requires running SDS2 (a subscription from ACDelcoTDS.com is available for $40 for 24 months for one VIN). To run SPS2 requires installing ACDelco’s TechLine Connect (TLC). TLC is a monster (comes with the subscription). Make sure you have Windows 10 Pro and at least 8GB. TLC is the way dealers run GDS2, TECH2Win and SPS2. After two weeks of crashes inside TLC trying to run SPS2 I was finally able to reprogram the HPCM2 and bring my Volt back to life.
Bottom line it was a challenge getting things setup but the VCX Nano worked at a fraction of the cost. You could buy an official Bosch EL-52100-AM (GmToolsAndEquipment.com) for $790 but you’ll have to buy a subscription from AcDelco to run GDS2 or TECHWin. You’ll also still need a decent laptop.
I’ve been through this Reduced Propulsion Power issue before while under warranty. It took four times being towed into the dealer for them to finally decide it was a bad battery module which they replaced. Now the Volt is out of warranty and I’m on my own with dealing with this issue. I’ll probably be using VCX Nano often and so I had incentive to overcome the installation issues and get it to work.
Vheicle: 2011 Sierra Duramax 142k km
Symptom:
“Poor quality DEF” message out of nowhere.
Attempt 1:
First I tried topping up/diluting existing DEF and going for a 30 min hwy drive.
I ordered a Tech 2 equivalent diagnostic tool online to monitor NOx sensors (VXDIAG VCX Nano GM).
Asked the local dealer how much to re/re the DEF tank…3.5 hours!
Attempt 2:
Got home, took out the tank, drained it (there’s no ball valve, just a plastic flap) and reinstalled tank in an hour.
Put in 1 jug (2.5) gallons new fluid. Originally no codes or CEL, just the DEF light and the “see owners manual now warning” Started up and had P20EE (failed NOx sensor) and a P207F (poor reductant fluid quality) codes which wouldn’t clear with my tuner.
Went for a 25 min drive, def light cleared, both codes cleared with tuner (Edge CTS diesel) all good.
In my case I figured it was the actual fluid because I only drive a couple thousand miles a year in this unit hauling my 5th wheel which isn’t near enough to cycle through a tank of DEF annually. I’d definitely recommend actually draining/changing the fluid before replacing sensors or injector.
So quick, easy and cheap.
I bought a Chinese clone Tech 2/GDS2 MDI for $115. I can sub to GM’s TDS for SPS programming for $40 per VIN at 2 years. As a Tech2 clone w/CANDI module and GDS 2 software (what our cars use) it works great. Have set it up on Win7 32bit laptop. Tech2 works fine, but our cars don’t use it.
As far as i know GM doesn’t check what hardware/software you are running. I can use the hardware you purchase and subscribe to the SPS, but there is no way to get it ‘free’, as everything is held on GM’s servers.
GDS2 allows me to test and monitor every module on the car. I have a window issue and it allows me to roll up/down my windows from the laptop. Other things I have played with are holding specific RPM while checking sensors. I mean you can do anything – activate wipers, squirt washer fluid for enjoyment, reset steering angle, relearn HVAC blend doors, relearn and adapts for TCM on auto trans, activate ABS module for bleeding – anything with a module can be remotely activated and tested via the GDS2. Anything a $4000 Snap On handheld can do the GDS2 software can also do. It’s powerful stuff – Especially for $115 and time to set it up.
Overall I suggest doing as much research as possible for what your needs are as there is a lot to learn here. I bought the VXDIAG VCX Nano because it best suited my needs and was inexpensive, but there is a bit of a headache to the setup. Some others are easier to set up and look like official GM badged units (MDI/MDI2) but cost more. Take your time if you decide to get into this and research as much as possible. Just remember that its not only the ability to program modules, but you also get a full diagnostic setup for any GM vehicle that supports Tech2 and GDS2.