Engine/Transmission (1998.5 - 2002) Answer to "lack of high idle"

[TowPro]

After the correct software is installed in your ECM, the mechanic has to go into a section of the software to turn on the 3 cylender idle feature as its OFF by default.



I had mine done before I picked it up, but it never worked.

I went back to the dealer this morning, the Mechanic that did the work came over to talk to me. He was acting very defensive, "I reflashed that truck myself, there is no reason it should not work".



I asked him "did you go back in after you reflashed it to turn on the option, because it is turned off be default"? The look on his face told me he did not turn on the option, but he never said.



Anyway, the different guy working on the truck went in and turned on the high idle. When he was done I asked him "now lets go in and see if its still set to on". He went back into the software and sure enough, the option was off again. He said something about calling Star, so I said "try it again".



Again he turned the idle option on, and did what ever there screen was telling him to do to save the changes.



The 3rd time we went back in it had saved the change, as soon as it gets cold I will see if it really works.



They asked me "wonder why Dodge don't turn this on by default" I told him some guys here had said how the truck sounds "strange" when it kicks in, and I guess Dodge don't want new owners thinking there truck is about to blow up when they hear the 3 cylender action!

 

[TowPro]

its official, it works!



it was 32 deg out tonight, truck has not been run since Sunday.



Started it up, in around 1 minute it started to slowly climb to 1200 rpm. So I cleaned the snow off it and shut it back off.

 

[Wirenut]

Whats this 3 cylinder thing? Is it just a regular high idle, or is it special?

 

[lmills]

Mine goes in the shop next week for the power box distribution wire recall. I am planning to get them to turn on the high idel on my truck. Hopefully they are competent enough to do it. This will only be the second time it has been in the shop. The first time was the clockspring recall.

 

[TowPro]

the 3 cyl thing is when it gets real cold. I think below 16 deg, the computer will cause 3 cylenders to not fire. This means the remaining cylenders will have to work harder, which will cause more heat. Not sure if it alternates which 3 cylenders miss. Its not been that cold since I got the truck.





The other person who was getting the high idle turned on. Ask the tech to double check the change when he's done. Make sure it excepted the change, then tip him a couple bucks checking for you!

 

[Wirenut]

Thats cool

 

[pcarlson]

Towpro,



Glad it works for you!! So many have had thiss done and not worked for them, I wonder if they had the same tech as you??? Makes you wonder why so many flashes haven't worked.



The 3 cylinder operation really makes you look back and take another look. Sounds like she's coming apart. Pretty cool though to wathc the idle up and then kick into 3 cylinder ops.



I was lucky mine worked on the first flash. Only complaint would be the temps that are used to trigger both operations, I wish they would be alittle on the warmer side as it really has to be cold for either to work.

 

[TowPro]

Several people have posted it has to be very cold for it to work. Somebody said his high idle came on 10 deg below what the TSB said it should come on at.



Last night, it was 32 Deg on the inside temp gauge, and the high idle worked. Just like the TSB said.



Wonder if we are seeing the "intake air sensor" reading wrong on some trucks? THe ECU has software in it which turns on the high idle at a given input range from the IAT sensor. If the IAT is giving you a wrong signal, the idle will not come on when expected. Like of like "garbage in = garbage out



Looking back I remember several guys saying they replaced them and got better MPG. There was a long thread where people started switching there IAT sensors with positive results.



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Originally posted by pcarlson

Towpro,



I was lucky mine worked on the first flash. Only complaint would be the temps that are used to trigger both operations, I wish they would be alittle on the warmer side as it really has to be cold for either to work.

 

[MD500E]

Towpro, If you dont mind me asking, what dealer did you use. I would like to use a dealer that has done this before so I can avoid the blank stares that most dealers give me when I inquire about this feature!. Thanks



kevin

 

[TowPro]

D'ambrose in Dowiningtown. there in there new building just before 30 goes under the new bypass.



Talk to the New service manager (JR, the old service manager no longer works there). He should remember me having the problem. Just ask him to "go back in to the ECU with the OBD2 tool to be sure the change was excepted after there done".

Mine took 2 times before it saved the change.



The mechanic that did mine was one of there diesel guys, I don't know his name or where his work area is because they did mine when it was sitting on the alignment rack.



On a 98. 5 I think the reflash is covered under the 80K mile HD emissions warrantee. If you have to pay for the flash, the job pays 1/2 hour flat rate time. I have heard some dealers jacking up the price for a reflash after its out of warrantee. You could print out the TSB if you want, it shows the factory time right on the bottom.