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Warranty Admin. - Labor Operation Assignments for All Control Module Reprogramming

Subject:Labor Operation Assignments For All Control Module Reprogramming

Models:2003 and Prior Passenger Cars and Trucks
2003 Chevrolet Kodiak C4500-C8500 Series Models
2003 GMC TopKick C4500-C8500 Series Models
2003 HUMMER H2



This bulletin is being updated to revise the model years and include additional information. Please discard Corporate Bulletin Number 02-06-04-057D (Section 06 -- Engine/Propulsion System).


Important: For 2003 and prior vehicle repairs covered by warranty, and 2004 and future vehicles, refer to Corporate Bulletin Number 06-08-47-001 for Control Module Diagnostics information.

General Motors is requesting your assistance to assure warranty claims for control module reprogramming use the labor operation that most accurately reflects the module that is being programmed. The reason for this is that we use warranty information to make decisions on which components require engineering changes to assure customer needs are being met.

In many cases, the person assigning the labor operations may not be aware of which module is being programmed. When this occurs, the customer complaint portion of the repair order can be used as a reference. For example: If the customer complaint was "Transfer case won't shift out of 2wd", labor code N8521 should be used if control module re-programming occurred. Likewise, if the customer complaint was "RKE won't unlock passenger door, labor code N8520 should be used if control module re-programming occurred.

For those vehicles that do NOT have a Transmission Control Module (TCM) and the Powertrain Control Module (PCM) is being reprogrammed to address only an automatic transmission concern, then use the TCM labor operation K5364.

Vehicles with a transfer case, which are reprogrammed for a transfer case concern, should use N8521.

For C4500-C8500 series vehicles, when reprogramming an ABS controller, key fob, or other component that would not be categorized as an Engine Control Module concern, use the Body Control Module labor operation N4808.

Some modules may need to be disconnected or have power interrupted before they will "wake-up" and communicate data. This may be due to several factors, including a programming event on another module. This disconnect and reconnect operation should not be charged as a connection issue using any N6600 series labor code. Select the "closest to" or most appropriate labor operation for that module. For example, if the HVAC module will not respond after reprogramming the Transfer Case Control Module, then the additional time should be charged to Transfer Case Control Module.

The following labor operation numbers should be used when performing a Service Programming System (SPS) procedure to reprogram the following control modules for any vehicle where a module is not replaced.

Important: 

   • Control module replacement labor operations include programming time as appropriate.
   • Reprogramming a control module with the same calibration is not considered a valid repair.
   • Customer preference personalization is not considered a reprogramming event and should not be submitted using these labor operations. (For example, resetting PTO calibration on C4500-C8500 series vehicles to match requirements of an aftermarket installed PTO unit.)

Reprogramming:

Labor Operation Number

Labor Time

Powertrain Control Module Engine Reprogramming with SPS

J6354

Use current published time

Body Control Module Reprogramming with SPS

N4808

0.4 hr

ADD: 0.0-0.3 hr diagnosis

Transmission Control Module Transmission Reprogramming with SPS

K5364

0.4 hr

ADD: 0.0-0.3 hr diagnosis

Transfer Case Module Reprogramming with SPS

K4121*

0.4 hr

ADD: 0.0-0.3 hr diagnosis

HVAC Control Head Module or Assembly Reprogramming with SPS

D4707*

0.4 hr

ADD: 0.0-0.3 hr diagnosis

Module and/or Switch, Door - Reprogram with SPS

N8520*

0.6 hr

Instrument Panel Cluster Reprogramming with SPS

N4199

0.4 hr

ADD: 0.0-0.3 hr diagnosis

*These labor operations DO NOT apply to C4500-C8500 series vehicles.

These labor operations cover the most frequent reprogramming events.

Important: These reprogramming labor operations should only be used when referenced in the following situations:

   • A diagnostic procedure
   • A service bulletin
   • Replacing existing software with a newer version to address a customer concern

There are also other electrical procedures that are not associated with a module part replacement and are also not considered reprogramming. The following table provides examples of these procedures and the appropriate handling from a warranty perspective.

Procedure

Description

Warranty Policy

Set-Up

A procedure that configures a Control Module to vehicle-specific content, operating location, etc. This is also known as "bit flipping" or "option configuration". This is done one time as part of a Control Module replacement procedure.

Labor times are included in the Control Module replacement procedure. Additional time for setup or reprogramming is not applicable.

Learn

A procedure that stores operating ranges, component identifiers, etc. of components or systems. This is also known as "initializing". This is done one time as part of a component or control module replacement or in some instances after a battery disconnect.

Labor times for component or control module replacement and battery disconnect are included in the procedures. Additional time is not applicable.

Programming

A procedure for loading the operational software or calibration files of a newly installed control module.

Labor times for module programming are included in replacement procedures. Additional programming time is not applicable.

Reprogramming

A procedure to update a module with new software or calibration files. This is a labor-only procedure performed using the Service Programming System (SPS) application.

SPS reprogramming labor operations are specifically released as required for the modules and vehicles that have service software/calibration files released in TIS2000. Diagnostic time is applicable if listed in the Labor Time Guide.

CD Software Update

Some entertainment systems may require a software update that is performed through a special data CD release. This type of software update is infrequent and is communicated via a Technical Bulletin.

Appropriate labor operations and labor times will be included in the Technical Bulletin.

Personalization

Setting a system configuration that is a customer preference and described in the vehicle owner manual. Examples include door locking preferences, memory seat, radio presets, compass calibration, etc.

Customer vehicle Personalization is not considered a warranty repair.

Maintenance

Procedures that are performed as part of maintenance procedures such as Oil Life Reset and Tire Pressure Monitor relearn after tire rotation.

Maintenance procedures are not considered warranty repairs.

Accessory Configuration

Some GM Accessory installations require SPS reprogramming or set-up procedures.

Procedures associated with the installation of an Accessory are not covered as warranty repairs.

Diagnostics

As part of service diagnostic procedures, technicians may re-set Diagnostic Trouble Codes (DTCs) or pull fuses or disconnect connectors to reset software in control modules.

Diagnostics are covered as an add condition in the labor operation that is used to repair the vehicle.

Customer Concern Not Duplicated (CCND)

When a customer complaint cannot be verified by the service technician after duplicating the conditions described by the customer. This may include checking for DTCs and performing system or circuit verification procedures.

The appropriate CCND labor operation should be used. See list below. Comments describing the customer concern should be included with all instances of a CCND labor operation submission. These labor operations may not be used in conjunction with another labor operation for the same customer concern.