Need a tool to reset fuel composition on 2013 Silverado

[rockinacummins]

Any recommendations on a tool that can reset the fuel composition on my 2013 Silverado 2500HD flexfuel? Current issue is a service engine light with rich codes on both banks. When the weather is cooler, it stumbles on startup after a long crank.

Using my BlueDriver tool, I found that the fuel alcohol content is showing 40-60%. I have never ran more than 10% ethanol in the truck, most often only run 100% gasoline.

Further research showed that there was an ECM update to try to correct this common issue, but I have no idea if this truck ever got the update since I’ve only had it about a year. So I’d like to get a tool so I can reset the fuel composition.

Tech 2 clones seem to have been the popular choice, but it looks like 2013 was the last year for their relevance. I’m also skeptical of buying the Chinese Tech 2 clones that seem to be all over the internet.

I thought the Innova 5610 would meet my needs, but luckily I saw a post on a forum that said they cannot reset fuel composition. So that defeats the purpose.

What tool would work for me that I can reasonably afford? I’m thinking in the $400 area.

 

[Walkers]

I have the same truck and just went through this. Basically your 2 front O2 sensors are shot. Go on Rock auto and get 2 of the Denso upstream sensors (denso is the oem part). That should fix your issue. Other things that problems in this arena are ehaust manifold and headpipe leaks, intake manifold leaks, MAF sensor issues, air intake tube leaks.

 

[charbar]

I personally couldn't tell you if any of these ones will or not but a couple to consider and do a little research on would be the ThinkDiag2 or one of the Mongoose cables.

If you know anyone that has a J2534 pass-thru tool you can use the Tech2 emulator or GDS from the ACDelcoTDS website. You would be able to check the current ECM calibration as well to see if it has had the update.

I'm not familiar with any of the cheaper priced scan tools so I'm not much help but you could also try contacting someone at AESWave.com and ask them if they have a cheaper one that will do the reset.

Or if it is something you don't see yourself using much it might be cheaper just to run to a dealer or good independent shop and have them do it.

 

[Walkers]

I personally couldn't tell you if any of these ones will or not but a couple to consider and do a little research on would be the ThinkDiag2 or one of the Mongoose cables.

If you know anyone that has a J2534 pass-thru tool you can use the Tech2 emulator or GDS from the ACDelcoTDS website. You would be able to check the current ECM calibration as well to see if it has had the update.

I'm not familiar with any of the cheaper priced scan tools so I'm not much help but you could also try contacting someone at AESWave.com and ask them if they have a cheaper one that will do the reset.

Or if it is something you don't see yourself using much it might be cheaper just to run to a dealer or good independent shop and have them do it.

There is no alcohol percent reset on a 2500, just on the 1500.

 

[2ndGearRubber]

For a $400 budget, paying a diag charge for them to clear the adaptives may be the cheapest.

 

[rockinacummins]

I have the same truck and just went through this. Basically your 2 front O2 sensors are shot. Go on Rock auto and get 2 of the Denso upstream sensors (denso is the oem part). That should fix your issue. Other things that problems in this arena are ehaust manifold and headpipe leaks, intake manifold leaks, MAF sensor issues, air intake tube leaks.

That would be an easy fix, how did you reset the fuel composition?

 

[rockinacummins]

For a $400 budget, paying a diag charge for them to clear the adaptives may be the cheapest.

I agree, depending on the cost and how many times I have to have it done before I can get the underlying issue fixed.

 

[rockinacummins]

I have the same truck and just went through this. Basically your 2 front O2 sensors are shot. Go on Rock auto and get 2 of the Denso upstream sensors (denso is the oem part). That should fix your issue. Other things that problems in this arena are ehaust manifold and headpipe leaks, intake manifold leaks, MAF sensor issues, air intake tube leaks.

I also just had the intake manifold gaskets replaced and have done as much checking and diagnosing as I can on the MAF system. No discernible intake leaks and all the sensors seem to be within range.

 

[Walkers]

That would be an easy fix, how did you reset the fuel composition?

The ethanol percentage is just calculated from O2 voltage, the lower the voltage the higher the amount of ethanol. Therefore, when your O2 sensors get old and start producing less voltage then your ethanol percentage goes up. Just replace the sensors and the voltage goes back to normal and so does the ethanol.

 

[dscheidt]

I believe this truck doesn't have a fuel alcohol sensor, but uses data from the fuel trims, the o2 sensors, and probably knock sensors, to derive the percentage. Of course, if those sensors are hosed, or there's a vacuum or exhaust leak that is screwing with them, or the static timing is wrong, it won't get this right. the ecu update changes the program on how it detects alcohol vs other things that mess w/ fuel trim, because the original code was ****. It should relearn properly when you repair the problem, but it may take a long time.

The other thing that's involved in the calculations are the fuel tank sensors, and your fueling behavior. the computer detects the addition of gasoline, pays attention to how much fuel was added as a percentage of what was there, and then watches for changes in the o2/fuel trim readings to decide how much alcohol was in the fuel you added. If the fuel gauge doesn't work, or you add fuel in frequent small amounts it will also get confused, because it doesn't register the fueling event. (this was a real problem for some rental car fleets, people topped off with a couple gallons of high alcohol fuel (it's cheaper...) just before returning the car, which could swing the tank percentage around a lot.)

if you parts cannon the o2 sensors, do it on as an empty a tank as you can manage, and fill up with as low alcohol fuel as you can after.

 

[rockinacummins]

Denso O2 sensors ordered from RockAuto. We’ll see how we do!

 

[Newell33]

I went through the exact same scenario with my 2013 GMC, and I also own a BlueDriver. My issue was caused by a bad mass airflow sensor which resulted in the skewed alcohol content. I replaced the sensor and then had a local shop reset the alcohol content back to 10% with their Snap-on scan tool. Everything's been great since. You should be able to gather some data from mass airflow sensor from the "Live" option on your BlueDriver to help ensure that's not part of your problem.

 

[AA/FC]

The OTOFIX D1 Lite (which runs Autel software) can reset fuel composition on a 2006 GMC 1500.... so I assume it should be able to do it on your 2013. It's currently $359 on Amazon and worth every penny, in my opinion.

The video should start at the 14:38 mark. If not, fast forward to 14.38

 

[CGarage]

Why not this? Doesn’t it offer a lot of the functionality and bi-directional controls that are needed?

autoenginuity - OBD2 ScanTool

AutoEnginuity's® OBD2 ScanTool is a professional Windows® PC diagnostics ScanTool for all OBDII (OBD2) and EOBD IV+ compliant vehicles.

www.autoenginuity.com

 

[AA/FC]

Why not this? Doesn’t it offer a lot of the functionality and bi-directional controls that are needed?

autoenginuity - OBD2 ScanTool

AutoEnginuity's® OBD2 ScanTool is a professional Windows® PC diagnostics ScanTool for all OBDII (OBD2) and EOBD IV+ compliant vehicles.

www.autoenginuity.com

By the time you buy the basic Autoenginuity PC based scan tool software and OBD2 cable for $269.95, then buy the "GM enhanced" software package for an additional $229.95 to get the "fuel composition reset" function that the OP is looking for, it will be $500 bucks to get the job done. The OTOFIX (Autel) device posted above will do the job for $359 bucks, and that already INCLUDES the "enhanced" software.... and NOT just for one manufacturer. The OTOFIX (Autel) scan tool doesn't require that you pay extra fees for every different make of vehicle that you may be working on. Also, the Autoenginuity software runs on a PC computer or laptaop that you must suply seperatly. The scan tool above is cheaper to begin with and it comes with it's own hardware. (android tablet) And lastly, I have used the Autoenginuity software back in the mid 2000's and it was very clunky back then..... and the screenshots that I've seen of it today look exactly like it did almost 20 years ago. It just looks antiquated to me, nowadays.

The OTOFIX D1 Lite MIGHT just be the best value in the entire scan tool market right now. Especially at it's current price.... and two years of free Autel software updates.

 

[rockinacummins]

New O2 sensors installed last week. Service engine light persisted for a couple of days even after clearing each day. Finally remained off after several days. Completed a 1300 mile trip this weekend with a decent load. No engine light and no stumble upon startup even at 55 degrees. The alcohol content still reads high (49% at last check) but it looks to be trending downward. Walkers, you may have solved my issue. Much appreciated!

 

[AA/FC]

New O2 sensors installed last week. Service engine light persisted for a couple of days even after clearing each day. Finally remained off after several days. Completed a 1300 mile trip this weekend with a decent load. No engine light and no stumble upon startup even at 55 degrees. The alcohol content still reads high (49% at last check) but it looks to be trending downward. Walkers, you may have solved my issue. Much appreciated!

This is a known problem with GM vehicles that do not have an alcohol sensor. Those vehicles basically use an algorithm to calculate the alcohol percentage in your fuel instead of just using a sensor to accurately measure it. Things like short fills, short drive cycles, and leaving the engine running while filling the gas tank will throw this algorithm off and it will calculate the percentage incorrectly. This CAN happen on GM vehicles that have NO other mechanical problems. Don't automatically assume there is a problem with certain parts, like 02 sensors, that caused this condition. Once the computer in the vehicle becomes completely confused the only real way to fix this issue is to use a scan tool and simply reset it back to 0%.... And if I'm not mistaken, it actually resets back to 3% to be exact.

I tried running 100% straight gasoline (0% ethanol) in my truck for several tank fills to see if I could fool it back in the other direction and it still didn't correct itself until I finally reset the computer with a scan tool.

Don't waste your money on more parts until you either get a scan tool to reset this yourself, or have someone reset it for you. There is a reason why GM wrote the option of resetting the "fuel/alcohol composition" in the computer of these vehicles..... Vehicles that DO have an alcohol sensor usually DO NOT have the option to reset fuel/alcohol composition. (because they don't need it) Like i said, it's a very well known problem with an easy scan tool fix. (no parts required.... usually)

And on a side note.... if you had a scan tool you would be able to watch live data and see if your upstream 02 sensors were indeed dead or not. I'm willing to bet there was nothing wrong with your front 02 sensors.

49% alcohol content is absolutely insane. Are you able to see your live data fuel trim numbers? I bet they are pegged out of range..... and it's amazing that the check engine light is not on. Even 20+ percent of alcohol content is enough to turn the light on.

 

[rockinacummins]

This is a known problem with GM vehicles that do not have an alcohol sensor. Those vehicles basically use an algorithm to calculate the alcohol percentage in your fuel instead of just using a sensor to accurately measure it. Things like short fills, short drive cycles, and leaving the engine running while filling the gas tank will throw this algorithm off and it will calculate the percentage incorrectly. This CAN happen on GM vehicles that have NO other mechanical problems. Don't automatically assume there is a problem with certain parts, like 02 sensors, that caused this condition. Once the computer in the vehicle becomes completely confused the only real way to fix this issue is to use a scan tool and simply reset it back to 0%.... And if I'm not mistaken, it actually resets back to 3% to be exact.

I tried running 100% straight gasoline (0% ethanol) in my truck for several tank fills to see if I could fool it back in the other direction and it still didn't correct itself until I finally reset the computer with a scan tool.

Don't waste your money on more parts until you either get a scan tool to reset this yourself, or have someone reset it for you. There is a reason why GM wrote the option of resetting the "fuel/alcohol composition" in the computer of these vehicles..... Vehicles that DO have an alcohol sensor usually DO NOT have the option to reset fuel/alcohol composition. (because they don't need it) Like i said, it's a very well known problem with an easy scan tool fix. (no parts required.... usually)

And on a side note.... if you had a scan tool you would be able to watch live data and see if your upstream 02 sensors were indeed dead or not. I'm willing to bet there was nothing wrong with your front 02 sensors.

49% alcohol content is absolutely insane. Are you able to see your live data fuel trim numbers? I bet they are pegged out of range..... and it's amazing that the check engine light is not on. Even 20+ percent of alcohol content is enough to turn the light on.

Yes, long term fuel trims are bouncing between between 10 and -10 most of the time, occasionally between 14 and -14. O2 sensor voltages are within range and reacting normally. Alcohol percentage is down from 65%. I did get a check engine light today which pulled up several codes.