ALERT! Beware, DC may flash YOUR rig and you not know it!

[Dave B]

I'm posting this somewhat prematurely, as I should take some time to find out exactly (if possible) what was done, but here goes:

My buddy took his rig into the Dodge dealer down in Hayward, CA for the 09-03-00 (I think that's the number) TSB to fix a leaky oil fill cap and a leaky valve cover gasket. Well, he gets the truck back, and over time, the truck has lost its power--it is GONE, as is the MILEAGE. He calls the dealership and asks if they did something to the computer. He is told yes, they DID reflash his computer with a program to reduce emissions, but that his problem was "winterized fuel".

My buddy goes to a Cummins shop and tells the service manager about what the dealership said; the service manager replies "bull---- its NOT winterized fuel, let us look at it. . " In very short time, Cummins checked EVERYTHING, intercooler clamps, fuel filter, etc etc etc and determined that the IDIOTS at the dealership stuck some sort of outdated emissions reflash into his rig. Cummins reflashed it, and now it works fine.

Just another example of the stupidity of some of the dealerships, and the CRAP they pull on us.

I will email my buddy and find out the bad flash number, and see if there is a flash number for what they put back in there (maybe its on the radiator cowling like the 18-11-99 is on the 99s... ?).

FWIW

p. s. I believe Cummins did a "no charge" for my friend.

 

[mikel]

Nobody seems to get this so I'll say it again...

ANY TIME YOU TAKE YOUR TRUCK TO DC THEY WILL REFLASH THE COMPUTER WITHOUT ASKING!.

Been there, done that. Threatened the health of the tech over it. Bottom line is the plug that is used to access the computer on my truck now lives in the top drawer of my tool box. I'll put it back if *I* want the computer screwed with.

Mike

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'99 QC 2500 SLT Driftwood 2wd SB 24v Auto 3. 55 LSD
ISSPRO boost and pyrometer, Autometer 3 gauge replacement pillar, Walker 24168, DTT VB
'00 Durango SLT 360, 3. 55, Patriot Blue
-- email address removed --
Howdy Agg's!

 

[Mopar-muscle]

mikel , interesting , which plug is it and how did you remake any connections ? i'm assuming its the 3 prong data link plug under the hood ?

 

[John Berger]

Interesting idea with the plug. I had to get my clock spring replaced last week and I had the opportunity to talk to the service people. Without directly admitting it, they acknowledged that some trucks have come away with poorer mileage and some have better mileage. As I understood it these were trucks that were not in for re-flashing of the ECM. Just where is that plug... #ad


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1999 Dodge Ram 3500 Quad Cab 2wd; 5 spd; 4:10 LSD rear; Mag-Hytec differential cover; US Gear EGT and Boost gauges. Amsoil foam air filter and synthetics from nose to tail.
Cummins Power, don't leave home without it

 

[roadranger]

Hey mikel- Sounds like a GREAT idea to keep
DC techs out of where they don't belong #ad


So where is this plug to be found, and how did you remove it?? Inquiring minds want to know...

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Deezul Doug-2001. 5 ETH/DEE,QC 4x4,3. 54 anti,
Tow/Camper,Westin SS Step Bars,relocated breather.

Tow #1 - 6x12 Interstate inclosed cargo trailer.
GVW 7500
Tow #2 - Starcraft camper trailer
GVW 4500

2001 Volvo S80T twin turbo

 

[Todd T]

maybe we should make a sticker;

"Warning Dealers trust void if removed"

and put them on our plugs for the dealers to see.

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Todd,
2001 Q-cab SB 4x4 5spd 3. 55's, A pillar Boost/EGT,Jardines 4" turboback kit,custom built aluminum airbox W/K&N-RE0860 through the cowl, and more to come...

 

[Amianthus]

I think it is the plug that is under the dash. Am I right? I think the data link is only for the ECM for Cummins software. But these are just guesses.

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'99 2500 ISB QC SLT (No Leather!), 4x4, 5sp w/McLeod, 4:10, BD-II, PE, PE-EZ, 4"exh. , Pac-Brake, A-Pillar gauge pod w/boost and pyro, Line-X, V-1, lights, siren, lic. plt. frame says "Diesel Fumes Make Me Horny!", and much more goofy stuff.

 

[MATT MAN]

My neighbor with a PSD just had this happen to him as well, and it fried his chip. Not a happy camper at this point. He was told it is mandatory order from Ford, no matter what the truck goes in for, they reflash the PCM. It doesn't seem like they should have the right to do this. I think Mike has the right idea, deny them the port to begin with.

 

[joel]

It you need the 8001 emissions recall, the dealer is technically supposed to do it the next time you come in for service. Good ones will heed your instructions and NOT do it. I went almost 2 years listening to people having the problems post flash, then watched the fix for it come out and finally get generally good comments before I took mine in and said OK, go ahead and flash it with both. They did and as far as I can tell, there's no difference.

Of course, if they're just flashing TSBs without you complaining, they're just doing "warranty work" to bill DC and increase their revenue! I'd call DC regional service and complaing about it if it wasn't a mandatory procedure. Remember, if it's a NTSB mandatory recall, you really have no "official" complaint.

 

[RobG]

I can't help but wonder if this was done to my truck when I had it in at Lithia recently for the headlight switch replacement.

When I got it back, the thing was an absolute SLUG. It was also the same time my EZ died, so I had to drive it for a week in stock tune. I found it odd that the thing flat out would NOT accelerate above 70 mph on flat ground with my camper loaded. My mileage also took another dive... down to 9. 9 mpg even after the 3% speedo correction I added in.

My new EZ is on and it feels peppy again, but I still remember that mine dynoed a pathetic 195 hp at the wheels when I first got the truck, so it was already down 25-50 hp over the typical ETH.

Which Cummins shop did your friend go to? The one also in Hayward/Union City? I'd like to go by and have them check my computer too...

Rob


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2001. 5 RAM 3500 QC 4x4 ETH/DEE Silver/Agate 4. 10 USGear OD, Rickson 19. 5 Wheels, Edge EZ, SPA Guages, Psychotty, Firestone Airbags, Hellwig Rear Swaybar, Torklift Superhitch & Camper Tiedowns, Mag-Hytec Diff Cover, DD 4" Exhaust, US Gear Exhaust Brake, etc.

[This message has been edited by RobG (edited 04-04-2001). ]

 

[mikel]

Hey guys,

The plug you want is the one under the dash. Right after it happened I was so mad that I just took a pair of wire cutters and clipped each wire individually so as not to short anything out. I then removed the plug and stuck it in my toolbox.

Since then I have thought about it and realized that there *MIGHT* be a legitimate reason to have the computer reflashed (Only if I decide to, though) so I went to a local computer supply store and bought the male and female halves of some plug that is commonly used on computers. I believe it was a printer connection, but it could have been something else it's been a while. All you really need is the two halves of any plug that has enough pins to match the # of wires that go to the factory plug. Then wire one half of the plug to the truck, and the other half to the dealer access plug that you just removed. Now you have a truck that the dealer cannot flash unless you provide them with your "adapter".

One note, be extremely careful about getting the wires connected properly across the plug if you choose to do this. It is very feasible that a wiring mismatch could result in a destroyed computer and/or damaged hardware that the dealer owns. I don't imagine that either would be cheap...

Repeat after me "I am my own warranty station..... "


Later,
Mike

 

[Pete Peterson]

The data link connector is at the edge of the dash. Page 8E-12 second paragraph. Its a 16 way data link connector with links to theDiagnostic reout box(DRB) or the Mopar Diagnostic system(MDS) and with the Powertrain Control Module(PCM)... ... ... Pete

 

[Dave B]

My friend's rig is a late 2000. I checked everywhere, Fritz' page, EPA, etc etc and I can find ZERO that applies emissions or performance wise to the 2000 model year, except for a problem that has something to do with hard starting. This is why he's so PO'd... . according to Cummins (and a what little research we can do here and on the other sites, e. g. Fritz' site) there is nothing that pertains to his truck that the dealer should have done. I am going out on a limb and guessing they hit him with the old emissions flash for the 98. 5s... I'll find out tonite and let yall know.

Rob G: no, he is from the NW and had it done on a trip home.

 

[TowPro]

This is true, at least until your warrantee runs out, then (if your lucky) they want 1/2 hour to do any reprograms!

1/2 hour is the factory flat rate time.

Originally posted by mikel:
Nobody seems to get this so I'll say it again...

ANY TIME YOU TAKE YOUR TRUCK TO DC THEY WILL REFLASH THE COMPUTER WITHOUT ASKING!.

Been there, done that. Threatened the health of the tech over it. Bottom line is the plug that is used to access the computer on my truck now lives in the top drawer of my tool box. I'll put it back if *I* want the computer screwed with.

Mike

 

[icarus33]

I'm sure the connection is indeed the one under the dash which allows the tech to communicate with the JTEC or PCM of the truck. I had to be very specific yesterday when I requested that the 18-02-99 flash be done for my torque converter lockup problem. I wanted that update and that update only. Everything worked out fine.

icarus

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'98. 5, 2500, 4x4, LB, QC, AUTO, 3. 54 rear, Snugtop, Rhinoliner, ISB, non Cummins enhanced ECM, DDIIIa injectors, Transgo Diesel shift kit, KJones TC, Autometer boost, transmission temp, digital pyro, Mag-Hytec diff/transmission cvrs. , Redline lubed.