Chevy Silverado Computer acts as a third eye to the car. With that in mind, it’s vital to learn how to reset computer on Chevy Silverado. Remember, all modern cars have at least one computer installed. If you don’t know what the vehicle’s network does, here’s the answer. They protect your car’s engine by tracking its emissions.
What is Vehicle Computer?
Vehicle computer simply refers to the network system in the car. As said earlier, the work of the computer is to monitor and control the emissions from the engine. Many sensors connect to the automotive computer, helping it to function properly. These are oxygen, air & engine temperature, air pressure, knock and throttle position sensors.
Automotive Computer Benefits
Here are some of the advantages of getting a car computer in your truck.
Safety Systems
Today, many cars have standard safety systems installed. These devices have evolved over the years, reducing the death rate from accidents. Your car computer controls and activates these safety systems, offering drivers extra protection. Some include airbags, backup cameras, and stability control.
Auto Braking Systems (ABS)
Your ABS swings to action if you fail to respond to an emergency braking situation. It prevents crash and reduces its severity when it happens. The automotive computer allows the ABS to take over and brake where the driver is too slow to act.
Better and Safer Driving
The car computer helps in preventing road accidents. While it’s advisable to stop the vehicle to respond to calls or text messages; many don’t, endangering lives. With a vehicle computer installed, you can make or receive calls without accessing your phone. Simply give voice commands and the rest is history.
Back Camera
Have you ever encountered difficulty while trying to reverse? Having a car PC with rear-view cameras allows you to do that with ease. It displays the rear image on the screen, so you don’t need to look back. The vehicle PC also increases your safety as it offers you a better view of the area.
Avoid Traffic
Everyone hates to spend long hours in traffic. If you’ve had that horrible experience, it’s in the past now, thanks to the ECU. Of course, a car computer can save you from traffic. It shows you the best route alternatives and warns against roads with a heavy log jam.
Comfort and Convenience
Car computers have contributed immensely to making lives more comfortable on the road. Today, we talk about driverless or keyless cars. Features like auto seats, cruise, and audio controls would not be possible without vehicle computers.
What are the parts of an Automotive Computer System?
There are three main parts in the Chevy Silverado computer; sensors, actuators, and control module.
- Sensors – They generate and modify the electrical signals whenever a change occurs.
- Control Module – Controls output units using the information received from sensors.
- Actuators – These are mechanical devices that perform specific functions when energized.
Why should I reset my Engine Control Module (ECU)?
You can make several changes to your car if you know how to reset the network. After the reset, you will discover that your car is different; still on the positive side. But, your car model determines what changes you might see.
Your car’s ECU needs a reset whenever you make any significant changes like CAI, cutbacks, injectors, and much more. Many might experience lower fuel consumption after resetting the car’s computer. Like we said earlier, the result is dependent on your vehicle’s model.
Here is a step by step process on how to reset the computer on Chevy Silverado. Meanwhile, you need some important tools.
Tools Needed
- OBO II Car Code Reader
- Pen and paper
How to Reset Computer on Chevy Silverado – Simple Guide
You already know how important the automotive computer is to your car. Many believe this process is hard, but that’s not true if you follow our guide.
Step One – Place the ignition key
Insert the key, and switch the engine on or off.
Step Two – Locate the Diagnostic Link Connector (DLC)
The second step to resetting the Computer on your Chevy Silverado is to find the DLC. Check the dashboard at the driver’s side.
Step Three – Insert a Code Reader into the DLC
After locating the Diagnostic Link Connector, plug in the vehicle’s code reader into the DLC. The code reader takes power from your car and turns it on automatically.
Step Four – Navigate using the Code Reader Arrows
The arrows double as navigation keys, allowing you to manage the menu. But before you move any further, tap the read codes.
Step Five – Be Mindful of the Code that Pops
The code is pretty essential for resetting the computer. So, store it on a gadget or write on a paper for future reference.
Step Six – Clearing the Code
Once you’ve noted the code, go through the menu, and tap the clear codes option.
Step Seven – Final Stage: Restarting the engine
Start your car to know if the engine lights are working as expected. You can easily reset your truck’s computer with the steps above.
Final Word on Resetting Computer on Chevy Silverado
A car computer makes roads safer and driving easier. Monitoring the engine emissions helps you to know the right time to carry out specific maintenance, preventing unexpected car failure. However, some people still find it hard to set their car computer.
Currently, almost all cars come with a computer installed. The car control module receives signals from sensors, processes, and implement them. Now, you have learned what a car computer is, its benefits, and how to reset. We hope you’ll have a field day whenever you want to reset computer on your Chevy Silverado.
FAQs on Chevy Silverado Computer Reset
Making the right buying is easy if you have the right information. Of course, a lot of questions come to mind when buying or resetting your Chevy Silverado’s sensor controller. We’ve got the matter at hand.
Let’s consider some important questions on automotive computer reset.
1. Is an automotive computer necessary for my Chevy Silverado?
Every car needs a computer for doors or window unlocks, engine emission monitoring, airbag activation, etc. Without the Chevy Silverado computer, your vehicle can’t work smoothly.
2. What is the role of the engine’s computer?
The car’s engine computer gets signals from sensors and monitors the basic functions. It makes sure that your car performs at its best capacity.
3. How does the vehicle engine computer work?
Your car model determines the type of computer it needs. More sophisticated car designs with complicated functions would have extra sensors. These cars have more wiring, extra safety and comfort features, etc.
4. Can automotive computers go bad?
Of course, yes; it can develop fault over time.
5. How long before a vehicle computer becomes faulty?
This question doesn’t have a specific answer because many things contribute to it going bad. Sometimes, it could take a year or two depending on the car’s model before it develops a significant fault.
6. When is the best time to reset the Chevy Silverado computer?
Always check your engine light. If the light stays on after the repair, that means there’s an issue with the computer. It also suggests the error code is still in the computer memory; hence, the need for a reset.