ECM re-Flash

[Jonz]

Has anyone had the "Low power in OD" TSB 18-024-00 re-flash done? Did it help? Does it make a differance if you have the truck bombed?



Thanks for the input.



Troy

-- email address removed --

 

[tmacc]

Troy,

I have had the 18-024-00 re-flash and it helped alot. However, I have a slight hesitation or surging at 1700-1750 rpm in cool weather. The dealer tried the re-flash again and the simptoms(SP?) are still there. This is a minor anoyance, rather that something really agravating. When warm weather came, it went away, so I haven't had a chance to take it back to the dealer.

Bottom line is, it works as advertised. I was disappointed that it did not help the milage, but at least I can pass other cars on the highway when I'm going 60 mph and need to get around someone.

Tom

Sorry for the spelling. I was too lazy to look it up in the dictionary tonight.

 

[Jonz]

Just got the re-flash done today. Seems to have helped the bottom end a little bit. Something is differant but not sure what it is. All seems to be good so far.



Troy

 

[zman]

This particular TSB intrigues me somewhat. It appears that they have removed ONLY the ECM programing that cuts the power output between shifts. Do you guys that have had this done only notice a change in overdrive, or in all gears?



From TSB 18-024-00:

"The customer may complain of low engine power and/or poor performance. This engine condition may occur while the automatic transmission is being operated in its overdrive gear. This condition may be further aggravated if the customer is using the vehicle for towing purposes. The Engine Control Module (ECM) software, on a 2001 Ram Truck equipped with a 5. 9L-24V diesel engine, is designed to "torque manage" the power output of the engine. This is done to protect the automatic transmission components. The revised software calibration restores the power output and improves the vehicle performance in overdrive. "



Steve

 

[Jonz]

I have not towed yet so can't tell how everything has changed. But it seems to me that the 2000rpm and above power has decreased only slightly while the 1000rpm to 2000 have increased. I have not yet noticed anything related to shifting.



Troy

 

[tmacc]

My complaint was that the trans would not kick down when cruising at 60 mph when I wanted to pass someone. The re-flash took care of that problem. Didn't notice any difference in power.

 

[superdave]

had my stock 99 3500 "flashed" when in for minor wararanty work and it absolutely ruined my mpg. also did nothing for my power. . when i can maintain 2100 rpm i have an abundance of power and torque when towing... under that, a real dog... . empty i always have had plenty of power and speed... . the "flash" caused my mpg to go from 19. 9 to 16 or under empty... empty is usually the way i drive... . loade from 16. 8 to 12 or less..... i am very unhappy with the cummins and dc people... why dont they produce the max from an engine to begin with? why do you have to add junk to it for power? they tell me it is because the auto transmission is too weak for the potential power of the ingine??? gee... duh... ... do ya think they might make a better auto transmission in the first place. . ??? duh????

 

[EMDDIESEL]

So if when i bring my 01' in for this clock spring Recall if i tell them to Re flash for the : 18-024-00 "Low power in Overdrive" TSB it will be an improvement?. I am just scared of them reflashing something else and screwing up my truck. What should it tell them? Any help would be appreciated.

 

[Sky]

I am in the same boat, I would like to have it done but is it going to affect my current bombs at all???? Can anyone answer that?

 

[Shovelhead]

ECM Reflash?

OK Marco,

When will the new "Super ECM" be available that will replace the stocker?

 

[Jonz]

I feel that the upgrade was well worth it. I did not notice any lower milage. Everything I felt was an improvement.



No stalling when shifting into gear and better low end power.



I do believe however that your results will differ simply by where and how you drive.



Troy

 

[tmacc]

Superdave, What re-flash did the dealer preform? Was it 18-024-00? Just curious. It didn't effect my milage at all. Wasn't that great to begin with. 15MPG.

EMDDIESEL, Unless you got a problem, why re-flash? Or did you post some thing further up the thread that I didn't see? I definitely had a problem w/ the trans not kicking down and it took care of it.

 

[Jonz]

18-024-00 was the re-flash I had done. It fixed a problem were the truck would stall going into gear from reverse to drive and vise versa. Was especially bad when the weather go hotter. All is good now.



Troy

 

[EMDDIESEL]

My truck has decent power in overdrive, but i think it could be better. But at the same time, maybe it already is as good as it gets and i would be taking a risk having them mess with it. Cant decide. They said they dont have the clock spring in stock anyhow so my truck wont be going in quite yet. So i have time to decide.

 

[Jonz]

Clock Spring? What is that for?

 

[Wayne M]

I had the re-flash done. I had my cummins in because the TC kept locking and un-locking... would make the truck jerk at about 40 mph with OD off and at about 60 MPH with OD on. There was a TSB covering that problem and I had brought it in to see if the TSB would fix the problem. (Forget the number at the moment).



While it was in for the flash they flashed me with the under power in OD TSB at the same time. I was a little troubled that they did the flash, but I have no complaints about it now. It did seem to change the way the transmission shifts. It seems to shift into OD much later which gives stonger bottom end. The TC seems to lock-up a little later as well and gives me an awesome feeling of power thru the TC power curve.



Neither re-flash did anything to my gas mileage. I get about 14 to 16 unloaded in city and around 20 to 21 on the highway. I tend to have a heavy foot more times than not. When I first got the truck it had 18,000 miles on it. At that time I was a bit easier on the pedal and my mileage was better, but as I got use to the diesel and learned how to drive it, well, I like the power feeling more than the grandpa feeling! What can I say?