puzzled and feeling stupid.

**440dartgts** · 06-15-2023

ok thanks in advance for any redundant questions or simple information im being stupid and missing. mechanic of 25 years... but this is a whole new realm to me.

. trying the pcm hammer, obdLx and tuner pro route to try to turn off vats. previously sent it out to a reputable source to have evap, rear o2, knock sensors, and vats turned off,
everything but vats was turned off. I really dont want to send it out again.
this is where i hit the brick wall. Maybe one of you knowledgeable people can direct me to what i am doing wrong.
1. read computer... os ID 12593058
2. save bin....
3. open tuner pro. try to up load bin file... doesnt load on tuner pro to change vats.... not sure exactly if im doing something wrong...

what could i do differnt or upload to change the vats..

car info. 5.3 2003 out of a gmc yukon, th350, returnless system, drive by cable but otherwise stock.
is there a file i could download to re write on the computer? i cant seem to find anything...or else my lack of knowledge as to what to look for is hindering me from starting the car.

**440dartgts** · 06-15-2023

ok.....think im making progress.....i think i loaded a bin and a xdf file..... how do i confirm im editing the proper one? still slightly confused in this world of tuning

**MO LS Noobie** · 06-15-2023

Post the Bin and xdf and we can see if they are compatible. Then open in TunerPro and go to Security tab, should be near the top. Jeff

**440dartgts** · 06-15-2023

ok here goes nothing. i think mentally I'm understanding it correctly..... the bin file is what's on the computer....the xdf is the translator? just slightly puzzled how to edit the file i need to save to run in the car.... if im understanding it wrong i would love to learn what isnt processing in my thick noggin....

**steveo** · 06-15-2023

the bin file is what's on the computer....the xdf is the translator?

that's pretty much it

the bin is a bunch of crazy math, formulas, and tables and constants that would look like gibberish even to most computer nerds, that tells the ECM how to make the engine run.

the XDF (the definition file), you can think of it like a gibberish to english dictionary.

it tells tunerpro where the tables and numbers are in the bin, what they're called, and how to convert them to stuff like MPH and RPM and units that you can understand

you might have different XDF files for the same bin, one might be better than another, it might have better names for stuff, one might spit out a table in KPH instead of MPH, whatever.

you give tunerpro a bin and the xdf and then it gives you tools to edit stuff in the bin

if you edit a bin with the wrong XDF you'll end up changing random stuff instead of the real tables, but usually you can tell because the values it shows you look totally wrong.

**440dartgts** · 06-16-2023

awesome....so my thinking is ok...... so that mental stump is out of the way.... now once the bin is loaded and the xdf......thats where the instructions seem like french to me....pretty much all i need to do is get rid of vats then i can start driving this thing....now from the mechanic standpoint i know vats is on....looses pulse width....normal gm stuff..... but where im getting confused is the next step.....the editing out the vats.....

**MO LS Noobie** · 06-16-2023

Should be under "Security" tab

**MO LS Noobie** · 06-17-2023

Vehicle Systems/Theft/G1201 VATS---Currently set "0" class 2 Data, should be "2" NO VATS. I tried to change it and it wouldn't take, stayed at "0". Might be locked. Hopefully someone can help with that.

**440dartgts** · 06-20-2023

found the vats....was set to 2....set it to 1..... no change....i just want to understand the explanation of the data...... o/1 say signal sent....does that mean that its sending the ok signal or the theft signal....?

**MO LS Noobie** · 06-20-2023

Originally Posted by 440dartgts

found the vats....was set to 2....set it to 1..... no change....i just want to understand the explanation of the data...... o/1 say signal sent....does that mean that its sending the ok signal or the theft signal....?

Should be set to "2" NO VATS. If you pause, with your pointer over the parameter you are interested in, it will give you the definition of what that parametere does. Try different .xdf files for the same operating system. When I tried to set the VATS parameter, and then reopened it, it was still set to "0".

**Pulse_GTO** · 06-20-2023

I can't remember if when deleting VATS does the PCM need to be flashed calibration only or entire. Also does it need to be still powered for 30ish seconds after the flash to take the calibration? I know when changing VINs it requires the key to be turned off, but the PCM still needs to be connected to the power supply for 30 seconds to a minute.

**MO LS Noobie** · 06-21-2023

Originally Posted by Pulse_GTO

I can't remember if when deleting VATS does the PCM need to be flashed calibration only or entire. Also does it need to be still powered for 30ish seconds after the flash to take the calibration? I know when changing VINs it requires the key to be turned off, but the PCM still needs to be connected to the power supply for 30 seconds to a minute.

Just the calibration file not a full operating system flash. Afterwards, with all flashing events, the ignition source of voltage is turned off, but the 12 V supply needs to stay on. Leave it this way for 30 seconds and then turn ignition back on, and start car.