ACDelco TDS - Programming GM Modules?

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AdmiralYoda

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Anyone have experience using GM's ACDelco TDS (Technical Delivery System) and their Service Programming System (SPS2)? Now that I'm out of warranty I'm thinking about getting all the modules in my 2021 GMC Canyon programmed with the latest and greatest. I've got a couple annoying glitches in the infotainment system and the DIC and I wouldn't mind getting the latest transmission/engine programming.

Option 1 - Take the truck to the dealer and let them do it. They have been awfully vague on how long it will take. Probably at least a couple hours but it could be a whole day, it really depends on which modules are in need of updates and how long it takes.

Option 2 - Get a subscription to ACDelco TDS ($45/year) to get access to the latest files and buy a cheapo J2534 OBDII programming device ($100-150) and do it all myself.

Is doing it myself straightforward enough or do I need a PhD from GM? Anyone have experience with this?
 
I have no experience with the GM side, but I know on the Ford side of things it can take a long time. Especially with FDRS and trying to do it during the week, a simple module update can take 8+ hours and could brick a module very easily.
 
I wouldn't bother unless you had to have a module or modules replaced. You could have worse glitches after an update, unless you know an update is a proven fix for the specific issues.
 
Timmastertech said:
A large part of the work that I do is programming. It is never advisable to update a control module just because.
Click to expand...
We just did a recall update on a Mach E on a mobile service. Everything went fantastic until it was over and the headlights wouldn't turn on. Somehow the LED module for one of the headlamps got bricked and couldn't be recovered. It killed both headlights which meant it couldn't be driven in the rain as in California you must have headlights on in the rain. At least parts made something on the RO for once, well we will once the backordered module comes in.
 
I do quite a bit of TDS/SPS programming.....It specifically states in SI to never reprogram a existing module unless instructed to.
Some modules will require further "set-up" using GDS2.

A J-box would need a compatible wrapper to work with TDS/SPS/GDS, Not that I pay attention past the J-box I use.
 
clinebarger said:
You have to select a compatible J-2534, It says installing this & that wrapper while updating.
Click to expand...
Each OEM’s software will only work with certain J-Boxes. As long as you use a compatible one, the rest is generally a non issue.

I don’t think I’ve ever seen the wrapper before, but it has been a long time since I have flashed a GM product.
 
Power supply is going to be his main issue. That’s the $$$ part and could make or break a flash.

IMG_2618.webp
 
Glad this came up. I may be faced with programming a 4wd or transfer case module for a '19 Canyon (apparently these fail with some regularity?) but was going to ask similar questions.

I'm willing to buy whatever is necessary, but honestly I'd be most worried about my connection as I'm only on cellular data.

For this reason alone maybe I should punt it if I come to believe the module is faulty?
 
Wow, thank you everyone for the comments! It sounds like its a bit over my head at the moment. I have a 50A charger but I'd rather not brick some modules.

The real driver behind this thought was the Infotainment screen. It tends to reset every now and then while using Android Auto causing the steering wheel audio controls to stop working for a period of time and sometimes the Drivers Information Center goes black while this is happening.

There are a couple TSB's that are ongoing for the Infotainment so I thought it would be handy to update the programming to see if it improves, and while I'm at it update everything else.

I think I'll hold off on this for now. Thanks for the insight!
 
D60 said:
Glad this came up. I may be faced with programming a 4wd or transfer case module for a '19 Canyon (apparently these fail with some regularity?) but was going to ask similar questions.

I'm willing to buy whatever is necessary, but honestly I'd be most worried about my connection as I'm only on cellular data.

For this reason alone maybe I should punt it if I come to believe the module is faulty?
Click to expand...
In my one post when I said to avoid programming Ford stuff m-f, its because every dealer in the country is bogging down the IDS and FDRS servers. When we do programming on a Saturday when there are substantially less techs working, it seems to go a lot faster.
 
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bdcardinal said:
In my one post when I said to avoid programming Ford stuff m-f, its because every dealer in the country is bogging down the IDS and FDRS servers. When we do programming on a Saturday when there are substantially less techs working, it seems to go a lot faster.
Click to expand...
Yeah I was thinking after hours after reading that. That's also what got me worried -- not sure I could say I'd have a reliable data connection for hours.

Maybe I need Starlink.... :D
 
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D60 said:
Yeah I was thinking after hours after reading that. That's also what got me worried -- not sure I could say I'd have a reliable data connection for hours.

Maybe I need Starlink.... :D
Click to expand...
We have Starlink and it's been the best internet we have ever had. We live out in the country so internet service and providers are not very good. It will be two years in September that we have had it. No regrets at all.
 
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