20NA203

Bulletin No.:
Service Bulletin
Date:
20-NA-203
January, 2021
INFORMATION
Subject:
Brand:
Chevrolet
GMC
Information on Manual Regeneration Displayed on Drivers Information Center (DIC)
Model:
Model Year:
from
to
Silverado
2018
2018
Silverado 2500/3500
2019
2021
Sierra
2018
2018
Sierra 2500/3500
2019
2021
VIN:
from
to
Engine:
Transmission:
L5P
Involved Region or Country
North America, Middle East, Israel, Palestine
Condition
Some customers may comment that messages on the Drivers Information Center (DIC)
are related to manual regeneration operation.
Additional Options (RPOs)
Manual regeneration (FPF)
Emergency vehicle calibration (ANM)
Cause
This condition may be caused by a vehicle with a DPF, requiring periodic regenerations.
– Due to the usage requirements of some fleet vehicles and emergency vehicles, it may
be difficult for the vehicle to perform an automatic regeneration.
Correction
The use of the Manual Regeneration function when prompted or on a regular basis will
reduce the chance of a vehicle having regeneration issues. This communication
describes how this function works.
Copyright 2021 General Motors LLC. All Rights Reserved.
Page 2
January, 2021
Information
met for running the regeneration, the vehicle will start
the process. If this regeneration is interrupted or the
vehicle is turned off, on the next key cycle, the vehicle
will try to continue the regeneration once conditions
again become right. This will continue until the
regeneration is complete.
• Third Level - Message
Messages Displayed on DIC
•
Bulletin No.: 20-NA-203
First Level - Message
5654544
At approximately 90% soot load in the DPF, one of the
messages in the graphic above will be displayed on
the DIC.
These messages indicate that Manual Regeneration is
available. No action is required; however, the operator
may choose to perform a manual regeneration. See
performing a manual regeneration below. If the
message is dismissed and the vehicle has not
performed a regeneration, this message will appear
again on the next key on cycle.
• Second Level - No Message
If the manual regeneration option was not performed
and the soot level climbs to 100%. there will be no
additional DIC message. However, the vehicle will try to
start an automatic regeneration. Once all conditions are
5654545
If the soot level climbs to a level near 110 - 115% in the
DPF while the vehicle is moving and the vehicle is still
not able to start an automatic regeneration, the
message in the graphic above will display.
If the message is displayed, continue driving safely at a
steady speed as close to the posted speed limit as
possible until the message turns off. This can take up to
30 minutes.
Bulletin No.: 20-NA-203
January, 2021
Page 3
If the soot level climbs to a level near 130% in the DPF
while the vehicle is moving and the vehicle is still not
able to start a regeneration, the message in the graphic
above is displayed.
If the vehicle is placed into park, the above message
will not change and there will not be an opportunity to
perform a manual regeneration. The vehicle must be
driven to initiate an automatic regeneration. Continue
driving safely at a steady speed as close to the posted
speed limit as possible, until the message turns off.
This can take up to 30 minutes.
• Fifth Level - Message
When the soot level in the DPF reaches about 140%,
the vehicle will no longer attempt to perform a
regeneration. The vehicle is put into reduced power and
the SES light is illuminated to give the driver as much
mileage as possible until the filter is completely
plugged. If the vehicle is driven in reduced power long
enough, the filter can become so plugged that the
engine will not be able to run anymore.
Requirements for Performing a Manual
Regeneration:
5654544
If the vehicle is shifted to park, one of the messages in
the graphic above will appear.
These messages indicate that Manual Regeneration is
available.
⇒ Refer to Performing a Manual Regeneration below.
• Fourth Level - Message
5654703
Warning: During DPF self-cleaning or during
extended idling in P (Park), the exhaust system and
exhaust gases are very hot. Things that burn could
touch hot exhaust parts under the vehicle and
ignite. You or others could be burned. Do not park,
or idle for an extended period of time, near or over
papers, leaves, dry grass, or other things that can
burn. Keep the exhaust area clear of material that
could ignite or burn.
Caution: Extended idle should be avoided because
the DPF system is not capable of self cleaning at idle.
During extended idle operation, monitor the instrument
cluster telltale lights and Driver Information Center for
messages and take appropriate indicated action.
Continued idling with the warning light/message on
could cause irreversible damage to the DPF requiring
repair and possible replacement that might not be
covered by the vehicle warranty.
Before starting the manual regeneration, make sure all
of the following safety conditions are met:
• The vehicle is parked on level ground, away from
any flammable materials.
• The vehicle is parked outdoors, away from any
walls or buildings.
• The vehicle is at least 3 m (10 ft) from any
obstructions or materials that may combust
or melt.
• The shift lever is in P (Park).
• The fuel tank is at least one-eighth full.
• All fluids are at the proper level.
• No diagnostic trouble codes have been set, and
the malfunction indicator lamp is not on.
• The engine coolant temperature is above 71 °C
(160 °F).
Page 4
January, 2021
Bulletin No.: 20-NA-203
Note: If your truck is equipped with RPO PTO see
www.gmupfitter.com Bulletin 120 for additional detail.
After making sure all the safety conditions have been
met, press the trip odometer reset stem or √ on the
steering wheel control for at least one second to select
‘Start’ on the DIC.
Performing a Manual Regeneration:
5654712
When shifting to park, scroll through the DIC pages to
find the Exhaust Cleaning menu. Depending on
whether the vehicle has a base or up level cluster, it
may be under the Settings menu. The DIC will display a
reference to refer to the Owners Manual as shown in
the graphic above.
5654593
If the vehicle is being driven and the message in the
graphic above is displayed, the operator may choose to
stop the vehicle to perform a manual regeneration.
⇒ Please be sure to note and locate the vehicle in
accordance with the warning and safety conditions
listed above.
5654762
Bulletin No.: 20-NA-203
January, 2021
Page 5
After making sure all the safety conditions have been
met, press the trip odometer reset stem or the
Check-Mark on the steering wheel control for at least
one second to select Start on the DIC. The DIC will
display in the graphic above.
Follow the instructions in the DIC messages. Select
Yes or Accept to acknowledge that all the safety
conditions have been met and to activate regeneration.
If the DIC returns to the previous screen, then one or
more of the necessary operating conditions has not
been met. If you cannot determine which condition has
not been met, refer to www.gmupfitter.com to contact
the GM Upfitter Integration Group for assistance.
5654694
When manual regeneration begins, the engine speed
increases, the engine cooling fan sound increases and
the message in the graphic above will be display.
Warning: Do not leave the vehicle unattended
during the Manual Regeneration.
5654697
If all requirements for the manual regeneration are met,
the DIC will display to Press and Hold Exhaust Brake
Switch to Begin as shown in the graphic above.
Hold the exhaust brake switch on the center stack
below the climate controls for more than three seconds,
and then release it, to begin the regeneration process.
If the EXHAUST BRAKE ON message displays, then
the switch was released too soon. Press it again to turn
off the exhaust brake, then try again when the DIC
message prompts.
Cleaning could take up to 30 minutes. Upon
completion, the engine will return to normal idle, but
exhaust components will remain hot for several
minutes. Do not move the vehicle until the exhaust has
had time to cool. Manual regeneration can be canceled
at any time by pressing the brake pedal or turning the
engine off. Unusual noises may be heard if
regeneration is interrupted.
Page 6
January, 2021
5654688
For vehicles equipped with FPF and NOT ANM, the
message in the graphic above will be display when the
regeneration process is finished.
The message will remain when cleaning is not
necessary.
Bulletin No.: 20-NA-203
5654666
For vehicles equipped with FPF AND ANM, the
message in the graphic above will be display.
If a manual regen was just performed, the presence of
this message is not an indication that the vehicle needs
another regeneration. The DPF is clean. This is
displayed because manual regeneration can only be
initiated if the above message is displayed. Since a
vehicle with ANM is permitted to perform a regeneration
at any soot level in the DPF, once the regeneration is
complete, the above message needs to be displayed.
Provided that the engine idled up, the exhaust sound
changed and/or there was a different smell from the
exhaust, be assured that there is a very low soot level
in the DPF when this message reappears.
It may be useful to develop a schedule to perform a
manual regeneration at a certain interval to reduce the
possibility of having a regeneration issue while the
vehicle is in use. If the vehicle is used in roughly the
same conditions each day, it may be useful to use the
table below to collect data to be able to develop an
interval for performing manual regenerations. Record
the information below whenever the First level
message (90% soot load) is displayed.
Bulletin No.: 20-NA-203
Date
January, 2021
Mileage
Total Engine Hours
Page 7
Comments on the drive (Extra idle time, Drove
on long trip, …)
Parts Information
No parts are required for this repair.
Version
2
Modified
Released October 07, 2020
Revised January 05, 2021 - Added 2021 to Model Year.
GM bulletins are intended for use by professional technicians, NOT a "do-it-yourselfer". They are written to inform these
technicians of conditions that may occur on some vehicles, or to provide information that could assist in the proper
service of a vehicle. Properly trained technicians have the equipment, tools, safety instructions, and know-how to do a
job properly and safely. If a condition is described, DO NOT assume that the bulletin applies to your vehicle, or that your
vehicle will have that condition. See your GM dealer for information on whether your vehicle may benefit from the
information.
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