Can I disable Smart Trak??? Also 4L70E in 4L60E equipped vehicle???

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RyanA

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Apr 15, 2014
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In the process of doing the frame and trans/transfer case/differentials from a 2008 Trailblazer. Will be using 2004 Buick Rainier harnesses throughout the vehicle. The Bravada and Rainier both have the Smart Trak style AWD (have the motor on the side of the transfer case) but the TBSS transfer case does not. My question is, once this swap is done, can I go to the dealer and have them turn off that portion so I don't get an error message on the DIC?

Next question. Donor trans is a 2008 TBSS 4L70E. I pulled pinouts from the 2004 and the 2008 and it appears they are the same with the exception of the TBSS trans having the turbine speed sensor. No worries there since it will just do nothing. I have read that supposedly GM removed the 3-2 downshift solenoid around 2008 due to DBW and torque management. From what I can see, unless the wiring diagram I pulled is wrong, the 2008 TBSS still has this. Are there any issues known to run this trans using a 2004 PCM?
 
The TBSS does not contain an actual transfer case. That is actually part of a different style of AWD system, I believe it's a Torsen or something like that.
 
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I figure it's very similar to what was in my older Bravadas and my Typhoon. No electronic controls required. Differences on the actual case don't worry me; I'm interested in whether or not the dealer can disable the warning on the dash since I'll no longer be using the electronically controlled TCase.

Pretty sure that any box that transfers power to multiple axles is called a transfer case; no matter if it's Torsen, viscous, or mechanically/electronically shifted. I think it's just a matter of having a 4wd transfer case or an AWD transfer case. I think the newer Bravadas and Rainier have the annoying combination (worst of both worlds...) of both.
 
RyanA said:
I figure it's very similar to what was in my older Bravadas and my Typhoon. No electronic controls required. Differences on the actual case don't worry me; I'm interested in whether or not the dealer can disable the warning on the dash since I'll no longer be using the electronically controlled TCase.

Pretty sure that any box that transfers power to multiple axles is called a transfer case; no matter if it's Torsen, viscous, or mechanically/electronically shifted. I think it's just a matter of having a 4wd transfer case or an AWD transfer case. I think the newer Bravadas and Rainier have the annoying combination (worst of both worlds...) of both.
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Except with "true" AWD systems, in which case it's a center differential. I'm pretty interested in this modification, a center differential I feel is a superior option to the NVG 126 transfer case.

Since you'll be replacing the 126 with a mechanical option, and of course there is no disconnect on that TBSS setup up front, I wonder if you could just remove the TCCM completely, you should be okay. The TBSS's PCM should have no reason to try speaking to a TCCM that I don't believe exists in its setup. Unless, of course, the cluster also attempts to speak to the TCCM, but as far as I'm aware the PCM generally speaks to it on start-up and will have the appropriate lights turn on (like Service 4x4) if it's found unresponsive.
 
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Makes sense. Obviously, the only issue I would have is an annoyance on the cluster. I know a guy that can reflash clusters so maybe he can solve that issue if it actually arises. I'll take the TCCM out of the picture and that will hopefully solve my cluster warning I'm afraid I'd have.

From the research I've done, looks like the 4L70E should be no issue either. Looks like the 2008 TBSS still uses the 3-2 downshift solenoid (I had read they got rid of it around 2008, not sure if that's even true).
 
Hey, if it is just an annoying light on the cluster but everything else works fine you cold always just bust out the bulb :tongue:
 
Sparky said:
Hey, if it is just an annoying light on the cluster but everything else works fine you cold always just bust out the bulb :tongue:
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Or use black electrical tape...
 
I hate tape on my cluster. Annoys me.
 
If it's just a light, that would be one thing. Unfortunately, I think it will actually clog up the DIC... We will just have to wait and see. If it ends up being a problem, I'll figure out how to take care of it at that point.
 
Oh yeah, forgot you have the fancy cluster.
 
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SERVICE SMARTTRAK. You'd have to hit the arrow every time. Flashing it out might work. But again, I wonder if DIC does a wellness check directly, or monitors for a wellness check of the TCCM in the first place?
 
Not sure. Forgot I know a guy about 70 miles away that can do cluster reflashes. I know he can change what the DIC says for certain things but I'm not sure if he can disable the service smarttrak. Will give him a call and see if he can help if it does end up showing up once it's all together and driving. Probably going to have him put the VIN into a different navigation unit since mine has all of the buttons worn off and it appears the screen is intermittent.

That said, anyone have a factory nav unit they'd like to part with? Needs to be compatible with 2004 Buick Rainier Bose/Nav system...
 
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