Engine/Transmission (1998.5 - 2002) Enabling High Idle and the Dealer

[BLandau]

I took my truck into the dealer to have an oil leak fixed under warranty. Since winter is right around the corner, I decided to have them enable the High Idle function as described in TSB 18-019-01http://dodgeram. info/tsb/2001/18-019-01.htm. The dealer called me yesterday to let me know that they will need the truck for a while longer. While on the phone, the Service Consultant hinted that they were not sure if they could enable the feature on my truck. After reviewing the TSB I found a note explaining that the TSB may not correlate with the HO (ETH) engine, but the High Idle function is still available. I have a feeling that I might have some trouble convincing a southern dealer to turn on the function.



Has anyone had problems getting the dealer to enable the high idle function with the HO (ETH) engine?



Brent

 

[BatMan01]

I am not in the south but I do have an HO and I had no problems having this done.

 

[RDWomack]

I don't have the HO engine, but I have had some experience with this mod. The 1st time it was done on my truck, they forgot to turn it on (default when installed is off???) When it went back, the "new" service tech had no idea what I was talking about and even said the mod didn't exist... . I had to bring the 1st repair invoice in to prove they had actually already done the work (obviously I don't go there anymore).



I was told this is only warranty work if you can show a "cold weather" drivability problem. I explained to them that I could not plug in at work and it was their warranty that would be covering a bad engine (idling a diesel to warm it up doesn't work).



I have found that the mod is very temperature sensitive. Ambient temperature seems to have little to do with it engaging. If my truck is parked less than 12 hours, even with outside temps in the low teens, it will not engage. Needs more time to cool that big block down... .



Temps in the high Sierras have been in the mid 20's so far, which is not cold enough to engage the mod. Last year, after I finally got the dealer to correct the on/off issue, I found I got a check engine light code when it engaged. Since I know of no way to engage it other than cold weather, will see what happens in the next few weeks... .

 

[mgoncalves]

It took all of two minutes to activate my cold high idle, but about half an hour arguing with the service manager that there was such a thing. I've found that the high idle doesn't come on if you plug in your truck, but works great otherwise.



I just got an adjustable high idler a month or so ago, and I like it much better.





Matt

 

[Agades]

I had a SO, 5spd

I had major problems with this

and as you can see I dont own it any more

It cost me major buckage $$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$



incompetent tech = wrecked truck

 

[BLandau]

Agades,



Can you explain what happened? Was your truck still under warranty? If this is a bad thing, then I would rather purchase an aftermarket kit. I have heard about dealers trashing the computer because they incorrectly flashed the chip. Is this what happened?



Thanks,



Brent

 

[Texas Diesel]

I haver an 01 HO, no problem getting the cold idle engine warming turned on and it works great. The feature was intended for SO engines, the HO's dont seem to have the same problem with valvestems sticking. This is why some people have problems getting the dealers to enable it, it is intended for SO engines, even so, it works great in the HO.



Cold idle engine software + exhaust brake = and the best thing is that the high idle will turn itself off as the engine warms



If you have 4 wheel disk brakes you have a late build 01 and already have the software installed, it just needs to be enabled ( in two places I think ).

 

[jgillott]

I stopped into my local dodge dealer last evening to pick up some parts so I asked them some questions on this topic. Keep in mind that the service managers are personal friends of mine so I tend to trust them to the end. They have been very good to me.



1) It is possible that some service departments are going to give you strange looks and claim that the flash doesn't exist. The flash upgrade came as a TSB and not a recall notice... . so essentially if they have not had anyone ask for it, it is possible that they have not come across it.



2) The dodge information system will not allow the service department to just search for the general flash upgrade for the truck. But, if you provide the vin# for your truck... . the computer will spit out all applicable updates for that truck. They entered my vin# and they found the update immediately. If your service department tells you that you have to prove that you operate in a cold climate... give them the vin# for your truck and I guarantee the update will be shown on their computer. If it is there, they have to do it. Just a word of caution though... if they are that reluctant to do the work for you that they would lie about the existence of the update... find another dealer. I don't want someone who can't be truthful with me to work on my truck.



3) They showed me the step by step instruction sheet that accompanies the TSB... and yes it can be completed in about 5 minutes or less. Essentially anyone who can follow instructions could install this flash correctly.



4) Any 98. 5 and up 24 valve cummins is able to be upgraded under the factory engine warranty. Since this is a factory update, the warranty should cover it. If the truck is out of warranty, your dealer should still install it at their standard service rate.



My truck will be going in next week to have the update done.



Hope this information helps





Justin

 

[BLandau]

Well, I just got my truck back from the dealer. The fixed the oil leak (under warranty), but would not enable the high idle feature. The dealer gave me several excuses:



1. Never heard of such a thing.

2. The TSB 18-019-01 or TSB 18-31-01 does not apply to my VIN number.

3. Diesel tech said that he has performed this TSB on several vehicles in the past only to have customers complain of power loss.



I don't know what to believe after digesting the tech's comments along with the replies that everyone has respectfully submitted. At this point, I have decided not to push the issue at the dealer. I hate talking with the service people. I always feel like I am coming across as a "know it all". The dealer will try to feed me a line of bull that prompts me to take issue. I guess most customers don't have a clue about how their vehicle works.



Maybe I will look into an aftermarket high idle kit as Matt has noted.



Brent

 

[jgillott]

Brent,

Don't give up on all dealers. They are not all like that. You would hate to have to travel to find a good one, but you may have to. But if you are ever in the area, I can hook you up with mine... thy are really good.



I've also been thinking, as you have been, that an aftermarket idle control might be a good idea. The factory flash program is in Chrysler's words "Not compatible with an aftermarket idle control module". Before I have the flash done, I will kick around the Ideal of an aftermarket one. It would be nice to have a high idle option beyond the parameters that Chrysler provides.



Justin

 

[Agades]

Originally posted by BLandau

Agades,



Can you explain what happened? Was your truck still under warranty? If this is a bad thing, then I would rather purchase an aftermarket kit. I have heard about dealers trashing the computer because they incorrectly flashed the chip. Is this what happened?



Thanks,



Brent

what I do know is

instead of just enabling the feature like he should have

he(the tech) reflashed the computer, twice



ever since, the truck had a very noticeable stumble

and at first set codes 0500 and 0253



I had a cummins dealer reflash it again and got rid of the code setting but stumble still there (always stumbled at 58-59 mph)



spent a lot of lute replacing sensors, computers (except ECM), pump (VP-44), injectors, fuel lines, moving wires, cleaning connections, running with computers hooked up to read sensors



basically replaced everything but the ECM and engine



all this took place before my truck had 20,000 miles on it



I was down to two options

1 - trade it off

or

2 - mechanical conversion



either option was the same price

so

I got rid of the piece of *^&*^



yes , the truck was under warranty, but,

WHAT GOOD IS WARRANTY IF THE COMPANY WHO HOLDS THE WARRANY CANT FIX ANYTHING... ... ... . ?



all I know is

if your truck runs good now

dont let anyone near that computer

buy an aftermarket high idler



and



if you can afford it

get rid of the VP-44 and get a mechanical or a common rail



I had the nicest truck in town till I wanted it to warm up better... ... ... .



now I have a truck that handles great, runs great... ...

but cost me deerly (money,lost sleep,arguments with wife,blah blah)

 

[pcarlson]

My dealer flashed 18-014-01 to compensate for the fuel up here and it also enables high idle. I have had zero problems with this flash and no performance/mpg difference. The high idle works like a charm. After sitting out in the cold for 12 hours at work in the winter this seems to help warm her up a little quicker. No complaints, may just have to find another dealer. Maybe someone local could PM you with a recommendation for a dealer. Good luck.

 

[Jack in Alaska]

I have the after market adjustable to 1500 rpm's and it works great.

 

[RPainter]

high idler

Where did you buy your aftermarket idler from?

Randy

Originally posted by mgoncalves

It took all of two minutes to activate my cold high idle, but about half an hour arguing with the service manager that there was such a thing. I've found that the high idle doesn't come on if you plug in your truck, but works great otherwise.



I just got an adjustable high idler a month or so ago, and I like it much better.





Matt

 

[mgoncalves]

I got it used from a fellow member that upgraded to an 03. It is the practical solutions high idler available from genos.





Matt

 

[RPainter]

high idler

Thanks for the reply. I looked on genos garage web site and couldn't find it so emailed them. Do you remember the cost?

Thanks

Randy

Originally posted by mgoncalves

I got it used from a fellow member that upgraded to an 03. It is the practical solutions high idler available from genos.





Matt

 

[DDT]

Is a high idler enough for winter or is a exhast brake better???

 

[DDT]

Is a high idler enough for winter or is a exhast brake needed???

 

[BLandau]

Depending on where you plan to operate your truck will define what "enough" is. Since the dealer refused to enable the warm up feature, I have started to investigate the following components for winter operation.



1. Cold front

2. Aftermarket High Idler

3. Exhaust Brake



I will probably obtain all of these items over the next couple of years.



When I travel to my parents house in Illinois, it can get pretty cold. Although it does not get too cold living in Tennessee, it can take forever to get the engine temp up to a suitable level.



I will probably purchase the cold front and high idler first since they cost less than the e-brake.

 

[Duluth Diesel]

Dealer was ignorant about the existance of this TSB, took a good deal of convincing and 2 days. In the end, they ackowledged that they were idiots and the performed the TSB.



Works great on my H. O. 6 speed. I use it along with a cold front. Will not work if truck has been plugged in.



Dealerships can be extremely frustrating, and they aren't used to customers who know more than they do. Good luck.