Dodge Power Programmer III - Any thoughts?

[Crunch]

Just read an article on how people are trying to get the codes to their vehicles and how difficult it is. The article also discussed the availability of aftermarket diagnostic tools, and contained a few web links, one of which was to Hypertech.



http://www.wired.com/news/autotech/0,2554,63615,00.html?tw=wn_story_page_prev2

"Rachel Seymour, a college student from Portland, Oregon, has had her 2002 Kia Spectra serviced 12 times for a Check Engine light problem. Each time, she's forced to take it to a Kia dealership, where a technician hooks her car up to a computer, runs a battery of tests and charges her $120 to diagnose and repair the same problem: a loose gas cap. "



Seymour said she has no problem screwing a gas cap into place, and that the light has even come on while she's driving home from getting her car serviced. But the dealership has stubbornly stood by its computer diagnosis, saying the car's sensors are detecting a loose gas cap and triggering the Check Engine light -- a "consumer error" that is not covered under the car's warranty.



"There is really no time in my schedule for sitting around a car dealership listening to some fat guy in a clip-on tie tell me that the problem is my fault," she said. "Instead of explaining anything to me they just pull out a warranty sheet with a highlighted portion indicating that they don't cover Check Engine light problems. "



I followed the link and saw that with the Hypertech tool you can manipulate engine function without a box. Is this true, and if so why would anyone buy a box if they could simply program and restore settings directly? Does anyone know about the Dodge Power Programmer III, and if so what do they think of it? Here's a link to Hypertech's Dodge product:



http://www.hypertech-inc.com/cgi-bi...search&year=2003&make=Dodge&model=Trucks/SUVs



Here's what I'm guessing is their Dyno chart for the Cummins. The link on the Hypertech page didn't work, so I backtracked the link address till I got a directory listing of JPG's (interesting pics in there if you want to see them). I think I found the Dyno chart link here:



#ad




Only +66 on HP, but +174 on torque.

 

[bpenrod]

Does it cover the Common rail? looks like the part number is 97 to 01 which doesn't amtch the Dyno chart. Does it just do power programming or does it read codes as well?

 

[Crunch]

Originally posted by bpenrod

Does it cover the Common rail? looks like the part number is 97 to 01 which doesn't amtch the Dyno chart. Does it just do power programming or does it read codes as well?

The promo page (http://www.hypertech-inc.com/programmer.html) indicates that it can clear codes:



"Read and Clear DTC's "



As to whether it is available for our HPCR engines, the column on the right side of the page has this:



DODGE

1998 1/2-02 Dodge Truck and SUVs 5. 9L Cummins Diesel Part #50009



2002-03 Dodge Truck and SUVs with 5. 2L/5. 9L Part #50008



Strange that it lists a 5. 9 diesel and a "5. 9L " without designation. I wasn't aware that Dodge offered a 5. 9L engine that wasn't a diesel. Isn't the Hemi a 5. 7L or 5. 8L?



If it works on our trucks it would be a great package. The increase in HP isn't that much, but if it reads and clears codes and increases performance it might be a good deal if the price is right. I wonder how much I can make just going around and clearing codes for people? If the dealers are charging $120 to tell you that your gas cap isn't on tight I think I could undercut that price a bit... maybe to $50.



Here's the features list from the link I provided at the top:



FEATURES



(depending on year, make and model)



Hypertech Power Tuning



Tunes the engine for maximum power and performance, plus potential gas mileage improvements



Three-Stage Power Tuning



Special Three-Stage Tuning for Select Vehicles



Dual Fuel Tuning



Lets you choose optimized tuning for 87 octane or 93 octane fuel



Engine Rev Limiter



Extends the engine's RPM range for a wider power band



Cooling Fan On/Off Temperatures



Permits use of low-temperature thermostat for cooler, denser intake charge and lower engine operating temperature



Transmission Shift Points



Optimizes shift points by speed and RPM for maximum acceleration



Transmission Shift Firmness



Firmer full-throttle gear changes for faster acceleration



Top-Speed Limiter



Allows the vehicle's top speed to be matched to the speed rating of factory-approved high-performance tires



Speedometer/Odometer Correction



Automatically corrects speedometer and odometer readings for non-stock tire sizes and/or non-stock rear-end gear ratios (accurate odometer readings are required by law)



Read and Clear DTC's

**********************

This link is to the "Features Comparison Chart":



http://www.hypertech-inc.com/dodgefeaturechart.html

 

[sagebucks]

The 5. 2/5. 9 is for the gassers... 318 and 360 cubic inch.

 

[smithinc]

i had one of those PP III's on my 00 ford for 100,000 miles with no problems at all. good power and not too hot EGT's. on the ford the functions of the speedo and such were not operable.



gary

 

[Carlsummers]

My wife had an '03 PT Cruiser. In 3 months, it was in the shop 5 times for a check engine light. They said "gas cap", I said "I don't think so". Took them 3 months to decide to replace the "computer", as it was faulty. By that time, the wife hated that car so much she traded it the next day for a Dakota... . I think that's what she wanted to start with... ... Something to use as a diagnostic tool would be good.....

 

[DJaquez]

The Power Programmer lets you choose Hypertech's Power Tuning program for regular 87 octane or premium 93 octane gasoline. Both options improve performance without detonation. After the tuning program is selected, the Programmer automatically installs the program and allows you to access and reprogram the vehicle's computer to function properly with aftermarket components such as non-stock tire sizes and rear-end gear ratios.

I don't see that it works on Diesel. And it cost me $250 last time i put Gasoline in my tank to get it drained and purged .