Engine warm up in cold climate?

[DHalbrooks]

Hello, I am a new member both to the site and to the diesel owning world. My question is since I live in Alaska and it is not uncommon for -50 below days, besides the front cover and the engine block heater, Tran and oil heater, battery blankets, my New 04. 5 quad cab has a dealer installed high idle. I can idle from the normal 800 RPM up to 1800 RPM. I know that in cold weather you have to worry about long idle times and the build up of carbon and unburned fuel. Question Finally, does the installation of the High idle take care of the problem? I can only assume that the Dodge engineers have put thier collective brains together and taken care of the problem. Any help and advice to ensure that my new diesel will last longer and continue to run great would be appreciated. Oo. Added- this high idle switch is located above the parking brake release and it is a button and has a knob for adjustment up or down, If I read the last replies it is not connectd into the cruise control, I don,t think?

 

[CAgnoli]

I had my dealer apply that TSB yesterday. Works great. Supposedly when you idle the truck at higher "operating" rpm's, the fuel burns more efficiently, and completely.



One note, my truck automatically idled up at start up on cold mornings to 1200RPM until the truck was warm, then idled back down. With the high idle feature on the Cruise CTRL it's user selectable. I'm using it for leaving the AC on in the summer as well.



C

 

[rbattelle]

I wish us 2003 owners could get this cruise-settable high idle.

 

[FPoitra]

I live in ND and cant wait to try it out. It took forever last winter to warm up the truck. I used a stick to the foot pedal which helped though.

 

[GCrowell]

CAgnoli



Am I missing something here? I didn't think the cruise control high idle TSB worked on the 04. 5 600. If it does, I want it on mine also.

George

 

[AlaskanCummins]

Hi guys! I too live in Alaska, but further south in the Anchorage area where the temps don't get soooo low.



I just recently purchased a new 04. 5 w/the six speed NV5600 transmission. I went back to my dealer a week later and expressed that I wanted the TSB performed on my truck where I can use the cruise control feature for high idle; but alas, it only applies to automatic transmission models.



So, tell me more about this high idle package that Gene's Chrysler in Fairbanks installed for you. I'd love to know if it's only a dealer thing, or if it's aftermarket and available.



I really enjoyed my AIC unit in my 96 Powerstroke, as I could choose 1300-2500 rpm range to assist her in warming up. Then again, it had an exhaust back-pressure valve that created a "load" on the engine to warm it up too.



Wayne

 

[DHalbrooks]

I purchased the 04. 5 that is an automatic so I have no Idea if the one from Genes will work for the auto. I can find out and get back to you later.

Originally posted by AlaskanCummins

Hi guys! I too live in Alaska, but further south in the Anchorage area where the temps don't get soooo low.



I just recently purchased a new 04. 5 w/the six speed NV5600 transmission. I went back to my dealer a week later and expressed that I wanted the TSB performed on my truck where I can use the cruise control feature for high idle; but alas, it only applies to automatic transmission models.



So, tell me more about this high idle package that Gene's Chrysler in Fairbanks installed for you. I'd love to know if it's only a dealer thing, or if it's aftermarket and available.



I really enjoyed my AIC unit in my 96 Powerstroke, as I could choose 1300-2500 rpm range to assist her in warming up. Then again, it had an exhaust back-pressure valve that created a "load" on the engine to warm it up too.



Wayne

 

[Tony T.]

Originally posted by rbattelle

I wish us 2003 owners could get this cruise-settable high idle.

Ryan, My thoughts excatly!

 

[RollOver_Pete]

When the temps drop, grab an extention cord and plug in yer block heater. It isn't all that hard to do now... . is it?

 

[DHalbrooks]

Originally posted by RollOver_Pete

When the temps drop, grab an extention cord and plug in yer block heater. It isn't all that hard to do now... . is it?

Apparently you don't realize what -50 below does to a vehicle. I have a block heater, oil pan heater, trany heater and battery blankets, and still warm up is a problem at 50 below. Always looking for a way to ensure Dodge CTD is taken care of. Take care of it, it'll take care of you.

 

[ScottBrown]

I live in Ak also The ECM will kick the high idle in when ever the temp is below 32 F or the engine temps are low. This came on my 03 from the factory, I have the 6 speed also. When the temps are sub zero even after you run and let the truck idle a few mins It kicks in and ramps the Rpms to 1000. Truck will start down to -25 without being plugged in. I would think the 04. 5 stick would be similar.

 

[abledog]

I'm not sure it's worth it for the two weeks of winter here in central TX.

Terry :-laf

 

[CAgnoli]

GCrowell,

The TSB doesn't specify 2004. 5 trucks, just 2003, 2004 "and later". I know you said you had an upcoming appointment, did your dealer install it?



TonyT and Ryan, I think your 2003 trucks CAN have it set. It's an ECM flash, and then enabling. from what I read on the TSB, it concerns 2003, 2004 and up trucks. The difference I see, is that the 2004 and up has the feature in the code, and you simply need to have the dealer enable it, and the 2003 trucks need the new FLASH for it to show up.



Hope this helps. I use this feature every day here in NY using the air conditioning.



(Only thing that's goofy, is if you just came from a highway trip, and the cruise was set for say 70MPH, you have to turn the cruise off, and then back on when the truck is in Park to activate the feature. )

 

[David Oxland]

Just as a ref I would go to Cummins and bounce your question off of them. There's a lot of local lore and myth about long idling; and it wouldn't hurt to hear their opinon. You can publish it for all to read.

David

 

[DF5152]

rencently spent about 2 hours stuck in traffic at a local bridge because of an accident truck idled the whole time so would that be bad. go ahead and let it idle. if u can do it and raise the rpm it will keep the oil pressure up higher and in the colder weather will burn the fuel better because of more heat just remember to take it for a good run in the cold weather to help eliminate the deposites... . just my 2 cents

 

[Tony T.]

I'm not sure it's worth it for the two weeks of winter here in central TX.

Terry :-laf

Works with the ac also! an if it's free an can be done on the 03 under warranty I want it, just for the fact it's there.

 

[Pawpaw]

The TSB doesn't specify 2004. 5 trucks, just 2003, 2004 "and later". I know you said you had an upcoming appointment, did your dealer install it?



TonyT and Ryan, I think your 2003 trucks CAN have it set. It's an ECM flash, and then enabling. from what I read on the TSB, it concerns 2003, 2004 and up trucks. The difference I see, is that the 2004 and up has the feature in the code, and you simply need to have the dealer enable it, and the 2003 trucks need the new FLASH for it to show up.



Hope this helps. I use this feature every day here in NY using the air conditioning.



(Only thing that's goofy, is if you just came from a highway trip, and the cruise was set for say 70MPH, you have to turn the cruise off, and then back on when the truck is in Park to activate the feature. )

Here is the TSB: http://www.portjeff.net/df5152/tsb_1800404.htm



It says it's only for 2004 trucks. It also lists engines with a serial number of "**57130284** or earlier".



I've read on here that the 2003 trucks have an ECM and a PCM. In 2004, they eliminated the PCM and went with a Cummins ECM only and that is what allows this feature to exist.



Again, I'm only repeating what I've read here.



What you say about having to turn the cruise off and then back on is curious. I don't have to do that on my '04. I just hit the "set" button and it does it's thing. If I don't shut off the truck, I can get back on the highway and hit the "resume" button and it still remembers the last setting.

 

[CAgnoli]

I'll have to try it again. I may have been a little fuzzy.



All I know is I'm very glad I have the feature, as it is used daily now.



My new complaint, that the truck will let you lock the keys in it, with the engine running. You can't cycle the electronic locks, but my elbow hit the manual lock on the way out of the truck the other day, and well... ... let's just say I ended up leaving my truck running at 1250 RPM for 40 minutes, in a parking area, while I was shuttled home for my spare key



That wasn't very good for overall fuel mileage

 

[BrentKaiser]

I am also a new Dodge CTD owner, and purchased my truck from the same dealer that DHalbrooks (Hi Dave) did. I am scheduled for an installation of the high idle on Monday, so I will ask the dealer exactly what it is and how it works. I do know that it has a knob that you can control how high the RPM's are, and also it can be turned on with the dealer installed premiun auto start. I will try and get a name and model of the high idle for you all. And as a first time CTD owner, I absolutely love my truck.

 

[Eric Lee]

I live in Michigan and for the past many years our winters have been pretty mild so warm up is not that big an issue. What I would worry about is something I learned when I put my Suncoast upgrades in the trans, is that the auto trans from the factory (on my '01) does not charge the T/C in park. My mechanic ussually installs a different 'plunger' in the valve body when he reworks any 48** trans. It alters the flow and charges the T/C in park so the trans is not warming up half full. - Eric