Engine/Transmission (1998.5 - 2002) caTCHER ecm (Marco's aka MAD)

[tcourse]

Advanced Diesel Technology

http://www.smokindiesel.com/



Go here.



TC

 

[KatDiesel]

Got it taken care of. I knew what their website was as I have dealt with Andy only in the past. Doug replied to my email already, just didn't want to miss out on the offer!!!!!!!



Thanks

 

[Big P]

Originally posted by Bob Wagner

you just need to be creative I am on the prowl

I got two on the way!

 

[KatDiesel]

Recently thought of a couple of questions Marco.



1)Those trucks with the "high idle" program enabled... ... . does your new ECM have this feature incorporated, or will it not even be there? This won't be a problem for me since my truck has a garage to call home now, but might be a shocker for others if suddenly its not working.



2)Those trucks that suffer from defueling (when drag racing... staging and ecspecially 1-2 shift) , will this eliminate the need to buy such products as the RAD from BD... ... ... ..... ???



Just a few questions that came to mind if you don't mind answering them.

 

[Bob Wagner]

Originally posted by Big P

I got two on the way!

very nice



my report should be soon

 

[rubberneck]

Another question about compatability of ECMs for the different trucks. I know you said any ECM will work with any truck. But I have a question that I don't think has been asked. My truck has the electronic cruise control which is totally controlled through the ECM right?? The earlier ISB trucks still had a mechanical system correct? Im sure the ECM played a role in controlling them somehow also, but i dont know enough about either system. Basically I just want to make sure if i send you an early ECM for reprograming, I will still have cruise control. I know it sounds kind of wimpy, but i do a lot of freeway driving and i dont know if i could live without cruise.

 

[darkhorse]

I've been watching E-Bay & I just saw an ECM from a '99 sell for $305. 00

 

[tcourse]

I've been watching E-Bay & I just saw an ECM from a '99 sell for $305. 00

I'm thinking there are people who are impatient and don't realize how many dead trucks are out there with ECM's to be had.

I'm sure if one is patient they will find one at a good price.



TC

 

[RADdodge]

ECM Availability

I was wondering if it might be possible to find a source of unprogramed chips. I doubt if Dodge makes them, they just buy them from a supplier and program them. Are these ECM's used on any other vehicles? Since they are going to be re-programed, who cares. Any chance someone out there would have a lead on a vendor who could supply some? I'm sure at least some of us here would like to keep their original ECM intact.

 

[tcourse]

After driving a caTCHER equipped truck, I have no problem using my original for a core.

 

[RADdodge]

I believe you! But what I'm a little nervous about is if I "had" to restore my truck to stock for some nasty reason :{ , that I wouldn't be paying Dodge $1500 for the "privilege. " I guess I'm just paranoid by nature.

 

[tcourse]

Originally posted by RADdodge

I believe you! But what I'm a little nervous about is if I "had" to restore my truck to stock for some nasty reason :{ , that I wouldn't be paying Dodge $1500 for the "privilege. " I guess I'm just paranoid by nature.

Understandable.



I'm deep enought into my truck (and it's paid for) that I don't anticipate selling it anytime in the forseeable future so I just consider this another upgrade.



TC

 

[John - K5AWO]

Originally posted by RADdodge

I believe you! But what I'm a little nervous about is if I "had" to restore my truck to stock for some nasty reason :{ , that I wouldn't be paying Dodge $1500 for the "privilege. " I guess I'm just paranoid by nature.

Why "worry". If you don't have any after market add-ons attached to the ECM, it will just be a stock ECM from the outside. You can't help it that the truck happens to be "stronger". That should be a plus, not a negative.

 

[Marco]

if I "had" to restore my truck to stock for some nasty reason

That's not a big problem. Just get the ECM flashed by a DC dealer. They can flash the ECM... Voilà back to stock.



Well sounds simple but I have to tell you more.

( I'll try to keep it simple)



The DC software system works in this way. For a given engine/year there are several software's for the ECM. Let's say version 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15 and so on. All those can be replaced with ONE software, let's say 20, but NOT vice versa. That means that the DC system does not allow software 20 to be replaced by SW 10.



Now, you can tell me how you want to call the CaTCHER.

If I call the CaTCHER 10, the dealer can reflash the ECM with SW 20. If I call the CaTCHER 20 the dealer can NOT reflash the ECM because the DC system says that the SW is already up to the latest version.



Do you want to allow the dealer to flash the ECM or not?

Just tell me.....



There could also be another solution to that problem.

Another stock ECM through Doug. Since we're planing to work on a core basis, there will always be stock ECM's...



Kat,



I use the latest DC softwares as a starting point for the CaTCHER.

The high idler should not be a problem. Same goes for the electronic Cruise control.



For the defuelling. The verdict is still out. In some trucks the CaTCHER cured that problem in others not. :-{}



I have to tell you more about the Cruise control.



With the CaTCHER the throttle becomes very sensible to the slightest variation in position. In turn that makes the Cruise control over react. To make you understand, with the stock software and cruise control set, I see boost variations of 0. 5-1Psi

when the cruise control adjusts the speed.

With the CaTCHER I've seen up to 6Psi...



It's not that the CC does not work but the continous up and downs of the boost makes me nervous and also kills mileage.

For me the Cruise Control with the CaTCHER is a no-no.

I guess one can't get everything... .



OK, keep the questions going, it's time consuming for me to answer them but in turn you know exactly what you get before you pay...



Marco

 

[PRyker]

I Confess... it was me...

Guys,



I confess, I am the guy who got that ECM off of eBay for $305. 00. Did not actually intend on spending near that much but it is a long story... Have to eat it now. Anyways, it is just money...



Talked to Doug this morning. He is getting the next few of them together and then will send them out. He said it only took a couple of weeks to get 'em back. I heard someone on here say eight weeks to get one.



What is the experience of others?



Thanks



Phil

 

[Marco]

Anyways, it is just money...

That's what I always say. It's just money...



I would not feel bad, if you turn us in your "spare" you've still "earned" 45 bucks... Oo.



Marco

 

[Marco]

MSG to Hohn!

Justin,

I've just Pm'ed you .

Your Mailbox is full... .

Time to delete some stuff..... :--)



Marco

 

[HoleshotHolset]

Things to ponder...

What if (for some reason) - the new CaTCHER reflash burned onto the EEPROM in the ECM suddenly has an issue?



Who pays for the tow to the nearest dealer to reflash the ECM back to stock? Marco? Doug? Consumer?



It seems like a lot of folks will be swapping out their ECM and not keeping a known good ECM 'behind the seat' in case something happens.



I'd hate to see someone stuck in the backwoods of Alaska with a truck that won't run.



Didn't the first test release of these ECM's have issues that left people on the side of the road?



Matt

 

[Gary - K7GLD]

MATT - all your above are EXCELLENT questions/concerns!



Which is EXACTLY why, as much as I respect Marco's expertise - *I* will gladly sit back and watch for a while to see how these mods work out over the longer haul - and for the early testers, seems a good idea to have a ready souuce of backup ECM available "just in case"...

 

[Chipstien]

Originally posted by Marco

I have to tell you more about the Cruise control.



With the CaTCHER the throttle becomes very sensible to the slightest variation in position. In turn that makes the Cruise control over react. To make you understand, with the stock software and cruise control set, I see boost variations of 0. 5-1Psi

when the cruise control adjusts the speed.

With the CaTCHER I've seen up to 6Psi...



It's not that the CC does not work but the continous up and downs of the boost makes me nervous and also kills mileage.

For me the Cruise Control with the CaTCHER is a no-no.

I guess one can't get everything... .



Marco

This is a easy fix. There is nothing wrong with the programming or the Cruise control. The reason this happens is the increased spool-up causes the CC to "over-react". The cure for this is to install a small needle valve in the vacuum line going to the CC servo. Then close it all the way and then open it just enough to allow vacuum. This just slows down the reaction time of the CC and causes it not to be so aggressive. My 01 with the factory Hy-35 and the Drag Comp did the exact same thing when it was on. Of course I just turned the box off when I wanted to use CC because at the time I did not know of this fix.