Results 1 to 13 of 13

Thread: Explain Each DTC State (GM)

  1. #1
    Potential Tuner
    Join Date
    Nov 2024
    Posts
    6

    Explain Each DTC State (GM)

    I can't find any detailed documentation for what VCM Editor is doing with the following settings, as selectable under the DTC table in GM ECUs.

    disabled
    misfire detest (mil blink)
    misfire detect (mil on x cycles)
    mil on (x cycles)
    mil on (after 5 seconds)
    mil off (stored fault)
    mil off (remove after x cycles)
    fault with service-tester
    misfire detect (mil, no blink)
    fuel supply system
    drivebility fault (non emiss.)
    drivebility fault (emiss.)
    mil on (after 5 seconds)

    From what I can find all of the above are setting masks in the ECU for the DTC only, and doing nothing else.

    I come from a Network engineering background, in any technical document next to each option is a technical description of what that is doing. Example "selecting "ramastat on" enables voltage output on the ramastat trigger wire, engaging the ramastat. Selecting "ramastat off" prevents this operation".

    HPT Documentation has this same type of explanation for only some of these options, but it does not cover all of them.
    https://www.hptuners.com/help/VCM-Ed..._dtc_lists.htm


    Can somebody explain what the below are?

    fault with service-tester

    fuel supply system

    drivebility fault (non emiss.)

    drivebility fault (emiss.)



    Thanks.

  2. #2
    bump, did you ever find anything on this?

  3. #3
    Tuning Addict
    Join Date
    Apr 2017
    Posts
    10,754
    Get the service manuals for whatever you are working on. GM speaks its own distinct language, do not expect the norms from any other technical field to apply universally. Some things do, but they design and build things for GM technicians to work on while using GM documentation.

    This is from a randomly-selected 2009, it does not apply to everything GM has ever made. They change styles and language frequently. The only info you should assume applies to the thing you are working on is that thing's specific documentation.
    Document ID_ 1800770.pdf
    Quote Originally Posted by SiriusC1024 View Post
    I think they're junkyard rebuilds.

  4. #4
    just to update the OP, if you select mil off (stored fault) it'll put whatever dtc that would emit the DTC light to just pending which, in my case in PA, is acceptable as long as no check engine light is on. for example, i have a p0420 catalyst efficiency low and switching it to "mil off (stored fault)" it allowed the emission readiness go from incomplete to complete after a few key cycles and driving steadily in the 50-70mp range as per GM driving cycle. i also switched other B1S2 codes to the mentioned selection and the O2 heated and such also switched to complete.

    edit-i had mentioned this was with a 06 saab aero auto 6-speed. in order for the obd readiness to read correctly i had to drive the gear selector in D and not in tiptronic for whatever reason. i tested it over a course of couple hundred miles of driving over the course of a few days of commuting to work.

  5. #5
    Tuning Addict
    Join Date
    Apr 2017
    Posts
    10,754
    And see, I've never even seen one that offered 'MIL Off (Stored Fault)' as an option. 'GM' doesn't mean every GM ever made even the rebadged imports with who-knows-what flavor of controller.
    Quote Originally Posted by SiriusC1024 View Post
    I think they're junkyard rebuilds.

  6. #6
    Quote Originally Posted by blindsquirrel View Post
    And see, I've never even seen one that offered 'MIL Off (Stored Fault)' as an option. 'GM' doesn't mean every GM ever made even the rebadged imports with who-knows-what flavor of controller.
    curious on what you see in your vehicle? what vvehicle make, model, and such do you have?

  7. #7
    Tuning Addict
    Join Date
    Apr 2017
    Posts
    10,754
    Gen 3 & 4 V8 stuff. DTC options are the same on all of them.

    2006 Trailblazer 1GNET16M466118580 5.3 LH6 4L60E 12603159-24235341.hpt
    Quote Originally Posted by SiriusC1024 View Post
    I think they're junkyard rebuilds.

  8. #8
    Quote Originally Posted by blindsquirrel View Post
    Gen 3 & 4 V8 stuff. DTC options are the same on all of them.

    2006 Trailblazer 1GNET16M466118580 5.3 LH6 4L60E 12603159-24235341.hpt
    looks similar to the general GM setup of the late 90s to early 2010s. for example, the wbodies like the L36/L67/L32, and trucks, and 4th gen fbodies (0411 OS) and such.

    the ecotecs like in the LNF also was different and similar to the Saab setup fwiw.

  9. #9
    Senior Tuner
    Join Date
    Nov 2017
    Posts
    2,624
    Quote Originally Posted by fst100 View Post
    looks similar to the general GM setup of the late 90s to early 2010s. for example, the wbodies like the L36/L67/L32, and trucks, and 4th gen fbodies (0411 OS) and such.

    the ecotecs like in the LNF also was different and similar to the Saab setup fwiw.
    E69 ecm in the LNF/Saab was its own thing and doesn't really relate much to anything else GM.

  10. #10
    i understand that, im agreeing with you, although the v6 saab ecu i believe is the ME9.6, but splitting hairs at this point

  11. #11
    Tuning Addict
    Join Date
    Apr 2017
    Posts
    10,754
    Those are Bosch units, not native GM right? Or at least some of them are.
    Quote Originally Posted by SiriusC1024 View Post
    I think they're junkyard rebuilds.

  12. #12
    i believe they're overseas, since saab is. body of the swedes with gm motorplant. arent the opel, holden and vauxhauls also similar?

  13. #13
    Senior Tuner
    Join Date
    Nov 2017
    Posts
    2,624
    Quote Originally Posted by blindsquirrel View Post
    Those are Bosch units, not native GM right? Or at least some of them are.
    Yes, Bosch units.