'06 hard start flash

[JTryles]

My '06 occasionally (maybe one start in ten) takes a good 4-5 seconds to fire up. Cold or warm. Doesn't seems to run any different when it has the longer crank time. My truck was built in mid-December. Does anyone have a weblink to a copy of this TSB yet?

 

[Augie]

Tsb 18-003-06

I changed my Saturday appointment to today. My dealer was ready to upgrade my truck but did not have to becuse it was built 11-28-05. The door sticker only provides mo/yr of mfr. Your dealer can run a VIN report with your exact build date becuse the TSB is that specific. I have a copy of the TSB it says:



NOTE: This bulletin applies to Ram Trucks equipped with the 5. 9L Cummins 24-valve diesel engine (sales code ETH) built on or after June 9, 2005 through and including November 8, 2005 (MDH 0609XX and 1108XX).



SYMPTOMS/CONDITIONS:

The vehicle operator may experience extended engine crank time in cold ambient temperatures on vehicle equipped with manual transmissions.



This Flash also provides the following enhancements:

-Improved Automatic Transmission shifting

-Engine fan is activated if the coolant temperature sensor fails

-Enhanced battery charging



The rest of the bulletin is techincian info.

 

[DCarner]

Don't know if I want mine flashed, it's getting 18+ on the highway and shifting great. Might just leave it alone.

 

[JTryles]

NOTE: This bulletin applies to Ram Trucks equipped with the 5. 9L Cummins 24-valve diesel engine (sales code ETH) built on or after June 9, 2005 through and including November 8, 2005 (MDH 0609XX and 1108XX).



SYMPTOMS/CONDITIONS:

The vehicle operator may experience extended engine crank time in cold ambient temperatures on vehicle equipped with manual transmissions.

Well, mine was built well after that 11/08/05 date so it must just be the nature of the beast?

 

[TowPro]

By the looks of the numbers, it looks like Truck VINS. Mine is 1927XX. Does that mean they built 81900 trucks between 11/9 and my build date of 12/10? that is a lot of trucks

Well, mine was built well after that 11/08/05 date so it must just be the nature of the beast?

 

[sag2]

TowPro

Your looking at the last six of the VIN number. The flash is for trucks built between MDH (month, day, hour) periods. The MDH for your truck is on the door sticker.

 

[TowPro]

Thanks, now I understand. If my truck ever comes, it sounds like its already got the flash done since it is MDH 1210xx.

 

[JTryles]

Thanks, now I understand. If my truck ever comes, it sounds like its already got the flash done since it is MDH 1210xx.

Man TowPro, your truck was built darn near the same day as mine and I've had mine for a couple of weeks! My truck was shipped right out of Mexico direct to St. Louis though. I'm kind of glad I didn't use a local dealer here in Michigan or I'm sure I'd still be waiting like you are!



My '06 does have loooooong crank times though on occasion. If it does have the latest software, which it sounds like it does, then I'm wondering why mine still has the issue apparently???

 

[JEly]

Well just got back from dealer and my truck was in for the flash although my MDH number was 11 17 13 outside the June 9 through Nov 8 parameters.

When dealer put last 6 numbers in for vin it came up for my truck.



The truck shifts alot smoother now---shifts are not as hard and firm-----and my overhead mpg has gone up from 14. 5 to 16. 5 in town. I know you cant always trust the O/H but my truck is stock and seems like it is not as loud.



JIM

 

[TowPro]

That's the fix for bad MPG complaints. They only make the overhead console read higher

and my overhead mpg has gone up from 14. 5 to 16. 5 in town.

JIM

 

[JEly]

Now that I have had the reflash my hi idle is gone-----the one using the cruise control---so I have a appointment tomorrow with the dealer to see if the flash erased what they had done earlier.



Jim

 

[artie]

Hopefully the reflash still has the hi idle in it and the tech forgot to re-enable it. Most of the re-flash that have the hi idle in them do not have it enabled.

 

[BobWilliams1]

Does anyone have any mileage differences to report (good or bad). My truck is used for work, and it does the long cranking time/ white smoke thing about 4 or 5 times a day pretty consistently. Haven't had time to take it in yet, and I'm curious about any mpg differences.

 

[RMurano]

It took three tries, cranking the engine for about 20 seconds, to get my truck to start. Ambient temperature was around 45, so waited for grid heater to turn off. TSB18-003-06 was done two years ago. After the engine started, the engine light would not shut off. I checked the code and got P0111. Could anyone let me know what the code means? After running three times, the engine light went off on its own.



Thanks for your help.

 

[JohnsonJim]

Dealer won't do the flash on mine... truck built within window... says that the computer is not within the "date". Long cranks and lots of white blue tinged smoke... esp when cold. Now smokes when warm too... 65 degrees!



Here is the info on your code.



P0111 - intake air tempature sensor rationality