2004 Cummins ECM ????

[Rosco]

I was reading another thread regarding the the Jake Brake for the 48re and I came across a interesting post from TDR's Robert Patton. He stated in his post that the 2004's will use a Cummins ECM to control the engine as opposed to the 2003's Dodge ECM. After reading this I came up with a couple questions.



1. If I am not mistaken from info I have read here, the 2003 could not be easily diagnosed by a regular diesel shop because they would need special equipment to work with the Dodge ECM. Does this mean the 2004 will be like the 2nd gen's where a good diesel/Cummins shop could do engine work since it has the Cummins ECM?



2. I wonder if you can purchase a high idle switch like the big rigs and then program the Cummins ECM to accept it. This way on a warm day you could still have high idle if needed.

 

[rbattelle]

I believe the '03s still come with a Cummins engine computer attached to the block, but it's a Dodge PCM that governs inputs/outputs. The '03s still have the Cummins 3-pin ECM connector for connection to diagnostic tools (such as Quickcheck II).

 

[MYamamoto]

High Idle

Hopefully this post works, since this is my first time running around in here. I am not sure about your first question but as for the second one, I have done some checking around and they have a TSB about the high idle feature. Since you have an 04' you can most likely have the TSB Flash done and get the high idle activated. I tried to have it done on my truck but it will not work on the 03's. TSB 18-004-04 You can look up more info by searching for "High Idle" or the TSB number posts. Hope this helps and you can get the idle feature turned on.

 

[crabjoe]

I took my truck in for the recall and also had them reflash mine for the high idle feature.



All I can say is that the feature is AWESOME! With the feature, I don't need to plug it in any longer as I can now get the engine warm. Dodge should have had this feature activated at the factory!

 

[ttreibel]

My 03 seems to have it after it's last flash maybe I got some 04 code... ... . mileage is up too.....

 

[David Oxland]

Hi there Crabjoe,

any charge for the reflash?

David

 

[crabjoe]

I think they can charge you if you just say you want the flash for the feature.



I told them that I can't get any heat during cold mornings if I just let it idle even when it bumps itself to 1000 rpms and it takes a good 10 to 15 miles of driving sometimes for just warm air. I also told them I was researching the problem and was told there was a new flash to fix the issue.



So with a copy of the TSB and recall in hand I took the truck in. They did the recall and the tech said that the TSB didn't apply to me. I called BS on the tech and the service writer pulled up all TSB by my VIN and bang the TSB was there so they did the reflash.



Bottom line is that you have to complain about poor cab heat or slow engine warmup when it's cold out to get the reflash at no cost. And being your up there in Canada, I don't see how they charge you if the TSB applies.



BTW, the TSB # is: 18-004-04 under the Vehicle Performance Group.

 

[MYamamoto]

ttreibel

Is your truck actually working with the high idle feature?? To use it you turn on the cruise control and then hit the set button to activate it then you can raise or lower the engine speed using the accel or coast buttons. I was told that it was not available on my truck. All the trucks have a high idle feature that kicks in when the temp is below 32*F and the coolant temp is low. But that is a different feature from the manual high idle feature.

 

[Pawpaw]

Originally posted by crabjoe

I think they can charge you if you just say you want the flash for the feature.

Maybe they CAN, but my dealer DIDN'T.



I just told him I was aware of the TSB and I will sometimes drive the truck "up north", so I will need the feature.



So far, I am very pleased with the Rockwall Dodge service department.

 

[Moterhead]

Originally posted by MYamamoto

ttreibel

Is your truck actually working with the high idle feature?? To use it you turn on the cruise control and then hit the set button to activate it then you can raise or lower the engine speed using the accel or coast buttons. I was told that it was not available on my truck. All the trucks have a high idle feature that kicks in when the temp is below 32*F and the coolant temp is low. But that is a different feature from the manual high idle feature.

You don't say what year your truck is and you don't have a signature loaded into your profile yet. If it's an '03, that's right, it's not available. It's an '04 only. Probably because of the change in PCM from Dodge to Cummins. I've gotta take my '04 in for the C44 recall. Talked to the service rep about the high idle TSB. He told me I'd have to DEMONSTRATE the need for it before they could do it. My response was "How can I demonstrate a lack of cab heat when we are in KEY WEST?". He agreed that it was unlikely that I could do so. When I take it in for the recall, I'll just tell service that I had the truck up north in Michigan visiting my grandkids & had the problem. Hopefully they will take my work for it.

 

[rbattelle]

Originally posted by Moterhead

Probably because of the change in PCM from Dodge to Cummins.

Someone educate me on this. As I understand it, the PCM is like the "master computer", which controls the ECM, transmission module, transfer-case module, ABS module, airbag module, body module, etc. It seemed logical to me that this component should be a Dodge unit, since it's controlling all those Dodge components. But is it true that Cummins provided the PCM for '04? Or do I have the role of the PCM all wrong?

 

[Moterhead]

Or perhaps I should have said "ECM" rather than "PCM"??? Heck, I don't know! I just know that I read that some kind of "CM" got changed from Dodge to Cummins for '04.

 

[rbattelle]

Originally posted by Moterhead

Or perhaps I should have said "ECM" rather than "PCM"??? Heck, I don't know! I just know that I read that some kind of "CM" got changed from Dodge to Cummins for '04.

Hmmm... well I know the ECM is a Cummins part (technically it's called a CM845 engine controlller) on the '03 trucks. I've verified this by checking the unit itself, which has a Cummins P/N and S/N on it, and also by checking the powertrain diagnostics manual.

 

[artie]

rbattele,

Starting with '04 the PCM which controlls the automatic transmission when paired with a diesel engine was removed, a newer ECM from Cummins (model CM848) now runs both the engine and automatic transmission.

 

[Moterhead]

That clarifies things immensely.

Thanks