I just completed a HPCM2 and BECM reprogram on my '11 Volt as the workflow has changed slightly and there were a few nuances I thought I would add some notes about. My notes are in all caps and parentheses. I hope these help others avoid spending unnecessary time fighting with JAVA while sweating in a parking lot and pointlessly constricted to a hot spot when high speed internet would be much better!!
INSTRUCTIONS
YOU MAY WANT TO PERFORM MOST OF THE COMPUTER WORK IN A COMFORTABLE SPACE WITH HIGH SPEED INTERNET. IN MY EXPERIENCE THE NANO DID NOT NEED TO BE CONNECTED TO THE CAR UNTIL UPDATING THE J2534.
The VCX Nano (GM version) was a bit tricky to get working with GM SPS, so I'll explain what I did below for anyone else who wants to avoid a dealer visit and has some computer skills.
I did this all on a Windows 7 64bit laptop(I USED 64 BIT WINDOWS 7 AS WELL. YOU SHOULD USE INTERNET EXPLORER 11 AND JAVA NEEDS TO BE 32 BIT. TO CHECK GO TO CONTROL PANEL, ALL CONTROL PANEL ITEMS AND LOOK AT JAVA. IF NOT SURE THAT ITS 32 BIT AND IF HAVING PROBLEMS LAUNCHING SPS UNINSTALL JAVA AND DOWNLOAD 32 BIT JAVA 8 UPDATE 45 FROM TIS, SEE POST #144 PAGE 15 OF THE THREAD TITLED VCX NANO FOR MORE DETAIL). I don't know if Windows 8/10 will work.
Before doing anything, make sure you have the latest Java installed from java.com. (
NO - THIS IS NO LONGER CORRECT. YOU MUST HAVE 32 BIT JAVA 8 UPDATE 45. DOWNLOAD FROM TIS SEE MY POST TITLED VCX NANO ON PAGE 15 POST #144 FOR MORE DETAILED INSTRUCTIONS. THE MOST UP TO DATE JAVA ((JAVA 8 UPDATE 223)) IS NOT CURRENTLY COMPATIBLE WITH SPS!!! THIS ONE SMALL DETAIL COST ME HOURS OF FRUSTRATION.)
And obviously either replace the bad sensor with a new one or WOTs sensor. Others have instructions on that, but it's not hard. Also verify with a multimeter that you have about 5v between the sensor leads (easy to do this while it's disconnected). This confirms there isn't a wiring issue.
The car will need to be in service mode to program it. Do this by holding the power button for about 10 seconds without putting your foot on the brake at any time. This turns on the 12V systems without actually starting the car. Oddly enough it doesn't even require the key! (UNLESS YOU HAVE HIGH SPEED INTERNET AND A COMFORTABLE GARAGE TO WORK IN DO NOT INVOLVE THE CAR UNTIL STEP #15. THE FIRST FOURTEEN STEPS ARE BEST TAKEN CARE OF WITH HIGH SPEED INTERNET AND DO NOT REQUIRE THE CAR)
1. Copy the contents of the DVD to a folder on your computer. It'll take a little bit because there is a VM with GDS2 included.
2. Run the Tech2Win AutoInstall (in the Tech2Win subfolder)
3. Run the VX Driver MDI program in the main folder.
4. Connect the VCX Nano. You should see a message in the task bar about the device driver being installed.
5. Got to Start -> All Programs -> VX Driver MDI -> VX Driver MDI. A program called All Scanner should come up and see the device. (I HAD TO RUN START->ALL PROGRAMS->VX MANAGER->VX MANAGER to get to all Scanner)
6. Click the Firmware button and install firmware update if your VCX is not up to date.
7. Click Diagnostic, Click Automotive, Click Passthru. Click Install to install the J2534 driver (took me a while to figure this out).
7a. Connect the VCX Nano to the car's OBD2 port. (I OMITTED THIS STEP AT THIS POINT)
8. Click J2534 App, click the URL for GM Tech Info System
9. Create an account on the AC Delco Technical Delivery System site.
10. Login and select Service and Programming Information
11. Subscribe to Service Programming Only. Two days is the cheapest option.(TWO DAYS NO LONGER AN OPTION. A TWO YEAR SUBSCRIPTION IS $40 FOR ONE VIN AND IS A GREAT DEAL!)
12. It should kick you back to the SPI page after subscribing, otherwise just re-login. Click the link to Access your subscription.
13. Click Service Programming System, then click Start SPS. You'll have to say yes/allow to a bunch of Java security prompts and click through some initial installs. (IF YOU HAVE ANY ISSUE LAUNCHING SPS AT THIS POINT REFER TO MY POST ON PAGE 15 POST #144 FROM THE THREAD TITLED VCX NANO)
14. If you get a message asking to install updated MDI software, hit skip. (IF NOT ALREADY CONNECTED TO YOUR PORTABLE DEVICE CONNECT THE NANO THEN CONNECT THE VCX NANO TO THE CARS OBDII PORT)
15. In the Select Diagnostic Tool screen, select J2534 VXDIAG. If you don't see it, there is some issue with the passthru driver install. (TIS WILL INFORM YOU OF THE REQUIRED UPDATE TO J2534 - YOU NEED TO DO THIS! FOLLOW THEIR INSTRUCTIONS)
16. Hit next a few times and tell it what kind of car you have and confirm the VIN.
17. Select (BATTERY ELECTRONIC CONTROL MODULE & HYBRID POWERTRAIN CONTROL MODULE 2. THESE TWO MODULES MUST BE UPDATED TOGETHER AND THE NEW SPS DOES NOT ALLOW FOR SEPARATE UPDATES. TAKE NOTE THAT THE BECM UPDATE WILL PAUSE AT 100% FOR 7-10 MINS, DO NOT CANCEL OR RESTART OR IT WILL BRICK THE MODULE!) Hybrid Powertrain Control Module 2 and hit next
18. Here you can select what software you want to install. Mine was actually out of date so I chose the updated code. If yours is up to date, you should be able to chose the same version and reinstall it. Though, the program will give an error that reinstalling the same code is not recommended.
19. Hit next and watch the progress bar for about 8 minutes while the code installs. (THEN ANOTHER 11 OR SO FOR THE BECM UPDATE AND BECM CONFIRMATION PROCESS. TOTAL PROCESS TOOK ME ABOUT 20 MINS)
20. Once the code is installed, hit the Clear DTCs button, and then cancel out of SPS.
21. Hit the power button to turn off the car, open the door to shutoff the radio. Wait 30 seconds.
22. Power the car back on and everything should be normal!
Thanks again to the original author!! There is no way I would have felt comfortable with this procedure without their detailed instructions. Hopefully the updated notes help save other time and effort and encourage more DIYers
