GM Volt Forum banner

GM 2013 Volt EBCM Discontinued and Unavailable

11K views 81 replies 22 participants last post by  pvmcorp  
#1 · (Edited)
My 2013 Volt, base model, was until today, the best car I've ever owned. Found out the EBCM was throwing the C012E and C12FE codes. There was never an ABS, SES or any other visible indication of a problem.
That said, this is how we ended up here.
All three motor mounts were replaced because we felt a thud when we moved from Park to Reverse or Drive, when touching the brake, or when taking your foot off the throttle in any mode. The mounts were all three indeed worn out. Very worn out.

However, that revealed a remaining issue. Just touching the brakes in any mode, the car would buck or it felt as if the ABS was trying to kick in. All the other thuds are gone.

The car showed the above mentioned codes. Tech says the EBCM is bad. Guess what? The part number 19435410 is discontinued as of May this year and not a single dealer in the US or Canada has one. I even called GM directly to confirm. They would not provide the manufacturer name.

So, GM has essentially turned my favorite car into a brick. I'm stuck with a great car that I can no longer drive. It has 130k miles, still gets nearly 40 miles of electric range when it's not hot outside (Florida) and is now undriveable.

I understand the 10 year rule for parts, but there's usually some stock available, and an avenue for aftermarket, but not in this case.

Thanks, GM.
I've been a brand loyal GM customer for over 40 years and probably 40 plus vehicles, and I feel completely betrayed.

Beware Volt buyers, and I suppose GM buyers in general. It appears there are many parts that are particular to the Volt that either have, or will be discontinued and you will be left with no where to run and no one to turn to. There are no after market avenues.

I am researching the possibly of having the module repaired, but I'm not holding out much hope for that.

Used is not an option, because once the EBCM is flashed with a VIN, it cannot be nulled and refreshed. Thanks again GM.

Any suggestions on a rebuild or a new part hiding on a shelf would be amazing.
 
#2 ·
There is no 10 year parts rule. The maker only has to provide repairs (or alternatively purchase the vehicle) within the warranty period. At over 10 years old, the traction battery could go at any time due to the calendar aging of the battery. New batteries are also not available. This was a low production volume, unique vehicle that doesn't have much parts commonality with other models. We wouldn't have this issue with a common, high volume model. It may be hard to hear, but it's time to let it go IMO.
 
#3 ·
I don't completely disagree with you, and I also understand the market conditions and low volume considerations, but to have ZERO stock on any part, less than two months after discontinuation is a bitter pill to swallow for me and anyone else who owns this vehicle but then is forced to just "let it go" because of one part.
Time to "let it go" is a bit trite, but I begrudgingly get it.
 
#12 ·
I don't completely disagree with you, and I also understand the market conditions and low volume considerations, but to have ZERO stock on any part, less than two months after discontinuation is a bitter pill to swallow for me and anyone else who owns this vehicle but then is forced to just "let it go" because of one part.
Time to "let it go" is a bit trite, but I begrudgingly get it.
I've just seen the writing on the wall for the past couple years, that's all. It doesn't mean I'm happy about it though. When I bought my Gen2, I estimated my risk would be lower with it being the second generation, but I knew it was still somewhat of a risk. I was wrong about the lower risk, and I may be in the same spot in 2-3 years. However at that point, I'll be well over 200k miles. For the best vehicle longevity (in years), a regular gas car is still the way.
 
  • Like
Reactions: wyolincoln_1102
#4 ·
Frustrating for sure.
Dealer techs likely don't know workarounds and GM isn't big on sharing.
-
Curious a non-VSS (Vehicle Security System) component like the EBCM is flashed with a VIN and the VIN is referenced to the component to work. Odd because its not security related, actual vehicle to vehicle component and option variation is small and GM would have to flash parts before shipping a replacement or a service tech would have to be able to flash a replacement part.
-
If you are servicing this component, you might learn who made it for GM when the case is opened. Most electronics manufacturers mark their circuits boards.
-
Very interested to know what your resolution is.
...and what other Gen1 and Gen2 components members have discovered to be VIN locked.
 
#7 ·
Frustrating for sure.
Dealer techs likely don't know workarounds and GM isn't big on sharing.
-
Curious a non-VSS (Vehicle Security System) component like the EBCM is flashed with a VIN and the VIN is referenced to the component to work. Odd because its not security related, actual vehicle to vehicle component and option variation is small and GM would have to flash parts before shipping a replacement or a service tech would have to be able to flash a replacement part.
-
If you are servicing this component, you might learn who made it for GM when the case is opened. Most electronics manufacturers mark their circuits boards.
-
Very interested to know what your resolution is.
...and what other Gen1 and Gen2 components members have discovered to be VIN locked.
I tried getting this information directly from GM and they told me they were legally unable to provide that information. I cannot see a manufacturer name on the external housing. Will research further.
 
#5 ·
My 2013 Volt, base model, was until today, the best car I've ever owned. Found out the EBCM was throwing the C012E and C12FE codes. There was never an ABS, SES or any other visible indication of a problem.
That said, this is how we ended up here.
All three motor mounts were replaced because we felt a thud when we moved from Park to Reverse or Drive, when touching the brake, or when taking your foot off the throttle in any mode. The mounts were all three indeed worn out. Very worn out.

However, that revealed a remaining issue. Just touching the brakes in any mode, the car would buck or it felt as if the ABS was trying to kick in. All the other thuds are gone.

The car showed the above mentioned codes. Tech says the EBCM is bad. Guess what? The part number 19435410 is discontinued as of May this year and not a single dealer in the US or Canada has one. I even called GM directly to confirm. They would not provide the manufacturer name.

So, GM has essentially turned my favorite car into a brick. I'm stuck with a great car that I can no longer drive. It has 130k miles, still gets nearly 40 miles of electric range when it's not hot outside (Florida) and is now undriveable.

I understand the 10 year rule for parts, but there's usually some stock available, and an avenue for aftermarket, but not in this case.

Thanks, GM.
I've been a brand loyal GM customer for over 40 years and probably 40 plus vehicles, and I feel completely betrayed.

Beware Volt buyers, and I suppose GM buyers in general. It appears there are many parts that are particular to the Volt that either have, or will be discontinued and you will be left with no where to run and no one to turn to. There are no after market avenues.

I am researching the possibly of having the module repaired, but I'm not holding out much hope for that.

Used is not an option, because once the EBCM is flashed with a VIN, it cannot be nulled and refreshed. Thanks again GM.

Any suggestions on a rebuild or a new part hiding on a shelf would be amazing.
I did a quick Google
If this is the part you are looking for the site says they have 5.

 
#6 ·
I did a quick Google
If this is the part you are looking for the site says they have 5.

[/QUOTE
I did a quick Google
If this is the part you are looking for the site says they have 5.

I did a quick Google
If this is the part you are looking for the site says they have 5.

Already called them. They have zero. I've spent hours calling dozens of online e sources who say they have them, but they do not. Thanks for trying.
 
#16 ·
Does that controller process/direct the regenerative braking current, too?
Or just process signals from the brake pedal, and zero speed sensor on each spindle, to control friction braking, and ABS function?

I take it the GM Parts Giant site blindly says they have parts available when they don't, also?
 
#23 ·
For what it's worth, here's a screen shot of all three part numbers. All discontinued and all unavailable.
Image


As an aside, the brake valve assembly seems to be functioning just fine without the EBCM. Push through mode is working great for now. It's drivable, and actually not bad in conjunction with regen.
I tried a panic stop, and while a bit difficult (pedal travel and pressure), was still able to stop quickly.

Still hunting for a new part hiding on a shelf somewhere in the universe.

FYI, for a different thread, for those hunting for the drive battery.

 
#24 ·
#26 ·
wyolincoln_1102 thanks for sharing your progress. Frustrating regarding sourcing a rebuild option.
I have been trying to discover more on the VIN flash programing requirement on components. Still early days.
I have confirmed that many of the components do need to be flashed. It appears that many independent garages (vs the dealer route) have the scan and program tools.
I have yet to get a definitive answer to what exactly is being flashed (ie., VIN) and if used components, like an ebcm, can be flashed to work in another vehicle.
 
#27 · (Edited)
When I spoke with GM directly, they said the EBCM was a "write once" component.
Local shop here said it can't even be nulled out once it's written to. I suppose one should not make a mistake when programming, eh?

Since it's not security related, makes you wonder why. Seems a bit greedy and short sighted to manufacture one off parts like that. Shakes my life long loyalty to GM products for sure.
 
#28 ·
Assuming a used module with a VIN mismatch was installed - - would it fail to work or merely throw an error code and warning light? If it functioned OK it would buy some time to further investigate the possibility of flashing the VIN or reapiring the original. Might br worth a try . . . .
 
#29 ·
The used EBCM wouldn't function anyway because you wouldn't be able to get through the programming and relearning stages. Somewhere on this forum, someone tried programming a used part without success, but their valve assembly was bad, not the EBCM. They never could get past the programming steps until they reinstalled their original EBCM.

I see where you were going, though. Good idea.
 
#37 ·
The used EBCM wouldn't function anyway because you wouldn't be able to get through the programming and relearning stages. Somewhere on this forum, someone tried programming a used part without success, but their valve assembly was bad, not the EBCM. They never could get past the programming steps until they reinstalled their original EBCM.

I see where you were going, though. Good idea.
Were you able to fix your EBCM?

After reading your thread last month, I reached out to someone who reprograms GM modules.
My request:
"Hi. A 2013 Chevy Volt needs a new EBCM, per dealer. P/N discontinued, a new replacement can't be found. Thinking about re-VINing a used one. Can you help?"
His reply:
"Yes I can help"
"Some responses on thatt forum are incorrect, ebcm does have security on it and is part of the immobilizer system."

Let me know if you need his contact.
 
#30 · (Edited)
Assuming the vin is encoded only on the memory chip in the module, perhaps using an electronics company which has surface mount board design services can desolder it and swap it to your junkyard module find?

If we can document where this data is stored on each module, it’s worth a try. Hopefully they don’t have any more encryption/etc in place.