[Bob86ZZ4]

I searched but only found a 1 year old thread. I just bought a 2021 Blazer 2LT with the 3.6 engine. I really want to disable the AFM on it. I guess I'm not trying to start a discussion on the pros and cons of doing this. I know a company called "Range" makes a device that plugs into the OBD-II port and prevents the AFM from functioning. I couldn't find one on their website for my vehicle. So I sent them a message asking about it and they replied that they don't have one for my car. I replied asking them to hurry up and produce one. In the mean time, anyone around here use a device to disable AFM? I think I found somewhere where someone claimed they are using the Range device and it works on our Blazers?

 

[Bob86ZZ4]

I found a guy on Facebook that has one of these on his 2019 3.6 Blazer and says he's had it working fine for a few months. I'd prefer to find someone using it on a 2021 before purchase. But if I can't find anyone I guess I'll order it and try it: https://www.amazon.com/Active-Management-Disable-Disabler-Vehicle/dp/B07TTRC3MM

 

[SleeperSS]

Push the button...

 

[Bob86ZZ4]

Push the button...

Yours has a button to disable AFM?!

 

[gunnybusa]

Push the button...

i think the OP is referring to V4 vs V6 operation and not the auto stop start feature.

 

[Bob86ZZ4]

i think the OP is referring to V4 vs V6 operation and not the auto stop start feature.

Exactly gunnybusa. I think SleeperSS might have gotten confused and thought I was talking about the Auto stop/start feature? I certainly know I can push the button to disable that. AFM is quite different than that. Here's the manual description for AFM:

 

[gunnybusa]

Exactly gunnybusa. I think SleeperSS might have gotten confused and thought I was talking about the Auto stop/start feature? I certainly know I can push the button to disable that. AFM is quite different than that. Here's the manual description for AFM: View attachment 1635

I've had it on many Chevy's going back to 07. Why do you want to turn it off? I think the "sport" disables it.

 

[Bob86ZZ4]

My good friend had it on his Silverado. His engine developed a serious knock at about 90k miles and the dealer said he needed a new engine. Another good friend of mine is about the most intelligent mechanic/builder/tuner for GM you could ever find. He took the truck into his shop and said the issue is something failed in the DOD. DOD is displacement on demand. The same thing basically as AFM. He knew exactly what failed but I just know it failed. He said Chevy won't admit there is a problem with the system and they won't rebuild the engine to eliminate it. He did a DOD delete on it. It required quite a bit of engine work. New camshaft, lifters, and a bunch of other parts. As well as computer programming. The truck has been running great for a few years now. The owner still has it and lives 3 doors away from me. He's very glad that my guy managed to save his engine and eliminate DOD. He says the truck drives better and gets at least the same MPG as before the delete. My guy says any DOD or AFM system "sucks." He hates them and says they are problems. I just got this car and don't want it to have problems in several years from the crappy AFM system. I'm not terribly concerned with getting 1 mpg better mileage. There are AFM supporters that blame any failures of the system on bad maintenance. That may be true. But my neighbor had bought his Silverado new and claims he followed the severe service schedule for oil changes. And he doesn't operate the truck severely, almost never tows anything. Sometimes he tows a 2 place snowmobile trailer, that's it. I have not been able to find anyone that says disabling AFM causes problems. I really trust my engine guy that says it "sucks." I have this 2010 Equinox with the 2.4 engine that is committing suicide. From what I have read that 2.4 is terrible (it doesn't have AFM but the engine problems are so bad Chevy settled a class action lawsuit and rebuilt tons of engines, unfortunately mine is past the time limits for that repair). I'm selling this Equinox for a serious loss. So, I'm not real trusting of Chevrolet in all matters. I'm still a Chevy guy and bought this Blazer. But I want to disable the AFM before it screws up my engine.

 

[Bob86ZZ4]

Okay, I got that GTMotor disabler that I put the Amazon link to above. I've had it in for a couple of weeks. Seems to work great. No switching to V4 mode. It also disables the auto start/stop feature. There is no setting for either of these features. You plug the device in to the OBD-II port (when the key is off) and that's it. Car won't disable cylinders. Car won't shut off when stopped. I'm happy.

 

[jkayfish03]

Thank you for posting the information on the GTMotor disabler. I have a 2022 RS I will be trying this on. I have modified the exhaust for a little better sound. It was a muffler delete along with adding a Magnaflow resonator to knock down the drone. Sounds great I just don't need the V4 mode kicking in around town. Bonus if Stop/Start is disabled as well.

 

[EdH]

So, just to be clear, this adapter plugs into the OBD port under the dash below the steering wheel? It will be sticking out down there and can possibly get kicked? I understand the benefit of having it but was just wondering about the logistics of the adapter and whether is it subjected to being kneed. I have a 2022 also and those come with the button to disengage the stop/start feature, so that's no big deal. But, having it never kick into V4 would be nice.

 

[EdH]

Never mind, I have looked at some of the pictures others have posted on Amazon and now I see what it looks like. I may get this, too.

 

[TanyaMarie88]

My husband had bought something for his Silverado a few years ago that disabled the switch into 4 cylinder mode because he didn’t like how it sounded with the exhaust. It worked fine until I had our daughter and we had a 4 day stay in the hospital - when he went to start his truck the adapter had completed drained the battery.

 

[EdH]

There is a lot of information and videos on YouTube about this module. Most all of the info points to the 5.3 Chevy motor, and much is about used trucks. Many have said that it doesn't drain the battery and there are a couple of vids showing that some have left it plugged in for over a week and allowed the vehicle to sit with no drain. Most reviews I have read, and I've read many, state that it works well. Will there be exceptions? Of course. Not all vehicles using this will have the same mechanical history, so you can expect some variance in opinion depending on one's personal experience.

What I'm seeing is most users are getting it for their vehicles that have mileage already on them and fear that they will run into the dreaded lifter issue on the 5.3 engine that Chevy has decided to f'up with the AFM system. There are many horror stories on this, so read up. My question is, do you really need this module if you're changing your oil every 3 to 5k miles and have no issues, to begin with? I have a 2022 Blazer RS V6 that I bought back in January. I am 700 miles away from my first oil change. I will change the oil out every 5000 miles with full synthetic and keep the regular service intervals on this rig as long as I own it. Do I really need this module (rhetorical)? I cannot feel the vehicle transition from 6 to 4, so I have no complaints... yet. The 2022 comes with the button on the dash to disable the stop/start function, so that's not a complaint I have. I've heard that, if you keep your oil changed regularly and maintain the vehicle properly, you shouldn't run into this lifter issue. I have also heard that those that have modified their exhaust systems use the module because they can hear the difference between the 6 to 4 transition in that exhaust note. That's understandable.

So, is this module actually for a more used motor rather than a brand-new engine? I'm wavering back and forth on purchasing this. I would love to hear more feedback from those that have had it for a while. So, I will keep checking back and forth on these forums to see what information I can glean. And, there is absolutely no info yet on YouTube pointing to people doing this to their Blazers. Lots of info on the 5.3 Chevy Silverado.

 

[Tip Of The Spear]

Thank you for posting the information on the GTMotor disabler. I have a 2022 RS I will be trying this on. I have modified the exhaust for a little better sound. It was a muffler delete along with adding a Magnaflow resonator to knock down the drone. Sounds great I just don't need the V4 mode kicking in around town. Bonus if Stop/Start is disabled as well.

I was wondering how you're liking the AFM disabler you purchased. I have a 2022 also and I'm considering this unit. Can you give us an update?

 

[Tip Of The Spear]

I thought I would go ahead and post my opinion on the AFM disabler module considering I received mine today, have plugged it in, and tested it. There are two disablers mentioned here on these forums, so I will share my experience with the one I purchased.

The two disablers are "RANGE" and "GTMOTOR AFM DISABLE DEVICE RA003". After much reviewing, I went with the GTMOTOR version. Range will cost you $230.95. The GTMOTOR will cost you $115.00. They both do the same thing.

NOTE:
I called Range a couple of days ago and spoke to one of their team members about the new Blazers. This includes all year models from 2019 to 2023. I was told that their AFM Disabler has not been officially tested in the new Blazers and they would not guarantee that it would function properly. Although there may be some here, in these forums, that have the Range on their new Blazers, Range Technolgy Corporation is saying that they do not warranty or stand behind this module if it is in your Blazer and malfunctions. If you have a Range in your Blazer, then you are a beta tester. The GTMOTOR brand has been tested in the Blazers, and this is the bigger reason I went with GTMOTOR.

I got mine in the mail today and installed it per the instructions. Mine recommends disconnecting the battery first before installation... I did. I wanted to follow the instructions so I didn't have any adverse reactions that would taint my review. You may very well plug it in without disconnecting the battery and have no issues, but I wanted to follow the instructions in the box. After plugging the device into my OBD II port, I reconnected the battery. The blue lights flashed on the module and then it held with a steady blue light as the instructions said it would. I took my Blazer out for a 7-mile drive to see if it held in V6 mode... it did. It never oscillated back and forth from V6 to V4. The product is doing exactly what it said it would do. The vehicle is experiencing no adverse effects and it does seem to have a bit more pep in the throttle. Could just be the placebo effect, but it seems to be there. Nothing bad has happened, but I just plugged it in, so I will report back if I have anything else to say about this.

I went with the less expensive product simply because, all things being equal, why would I spend more? I'll see if this module holds up over time and lasts. Time will tell. As for now, I'm glad I got this, if for no other reason, but peace of mind. However, I know it is doing something physical and I'm hoping that will continue to bring positive results down the line as it relates to fewer engine issues due to GMs absolutely stupid AFM system that has an obvious negative impact on the motors that have the AFM system on them. I wasn't having any issues before I purchased this, but I believe this module, whatever version/brand you buy, will have a positive effect on our motors.

 

[EAlexander]

Thank you for posting the information on the GTMotor disabler. I have a 2022 RS I will be trying this on. I have modified the exhaust for a little better sound. It was a muffler delete along with adding a Magnaflow resonator to knock down the drone. Sounds great I just don't need the V4 mode kicking in around town. Bonus if Stop/Start is disabled as well.

I have one from when I leased a 2019. Blazer. If you want it let me know.

 

[Vicdip]

I am interested in this disabler. How much?

 

[EAlexander]

I am interested in this disabler. How much?

Send me a message with your info I will send it out to you. Make sure it works and then we will talk price. Donr worry it will be right.