Engine/Transmission (1998.5 - 2002) Factory ECM has fast idle option in cold weather

[ANCIENT WOOD]

Clark, the last time I looked the 5 speed had a neutral so it will most likely work with a stick also.

 

[ROADWARRIOR]

What effect does shutting off three cylinders have on the motor? I thought that the fuel helped to lubricate the top of the cylinder.



Unfortunately, I believe that this software would effect my ECM rewrite, so I think that I will have to stick to the stick method.

 

[Dave Fritz]

Roadwarrior,



Killing three cylinders increases the load on the remaining cylinders, which now must power the pumping losses of the dead cylinders. By running the three firing cylinders harder, more engine heat is produced.



Dave

 

[Bad340fish]

Ancient Wood, lol I know it has Nuetral but the ECM has no way of detecting that. With the Auto it knows via the nuetral safety switch.

Clark

 

[JJMiller]

It seems to me that even the idiots at DC could find a way to make this work for a stick.



On a manual, if vehicle speed = 0mph and the engine is on, either it's in neutral or the clutch is disengaged (or both). Does the ECM read an input from the clutch interlock switch?



Just a thought.



--J

 

[ROADWARRIOR]

Dave,



I understand what you are saying about increasing the load on the three cylinders. But, I was under the impression that the fuel lubricates the top of your cylinder walls and compression rings. Please correct me if I am wrong. Also, what is the APPS.



Thanks, Dan

 

[Dave Fritz]

Roadwarrior,



APPS = accelerator pedal position sensor. This sensor uses a pair of microswitches to determine when the accelerator is in the idle position.



Ultimately, it is crankcase oil that lubes the cylinder on any piston engine. While it is true that the upper cylinder receives some lubrication from diesel fuel, the added lubrication contained in diesel fuel is a bonus that contributes to long life of diesel engines under heavy loads. Unburned diesel fuel will tend to wash oil from the cylinder wall and dilute the crankcase oil, so for longest diesel engine life it is important to get a good burn of the injected fuel.



A cold cylinder has a greater likelyhood of missfire or incomplete fuel burn. Cutting off fuel to some cylinders on the Cummins B at idle will not cause any measurable wear because the cylinder without fuel has no load. In general, a diesel engine is happiest when loaded and it is hard for a cylinder to maintain operating temperature when it is idling. By making 3 cylinders work harder, the fuel burns more completely in those cylinders and there is less risk of washdown.



FWIW: Gasoline scrubs lubrication from the cylinder walls, which is one of the reasons why gasoline engines tend to have short lives when they are operated continuously under heavy loads where the air/fuel mixture is usually rich.



Dave

 

[Amianthus]

Just as I thought.

Welp, I called the dealership yesterday morning, 7:30am, to confirm that they had the software to do the re-flash. She was busy and hadn't confirmed that they had it yet. So I waited. I called again at 11:00am. Still too busy. She hadn't looked for it yet. Now, I don't want to drive an hour out of my way, only to find out that they can't do the re-flash. So I waited. I called again at 2:00pm (my appointment is at 3:00pm). Parts guy is taking calls for service, says "Why wouldn't they have it?" He also says they probably have it and to just come in. So I did. Guess what?! They didn't have the software *gasp*. What a surprise. So I made the trip to Winona to get it done, for nothing. I shoulda known better. They've treated me pretty good in the past, but something told me that they wouldn't be ready for this one.

 

[DAWG-1]

I am set-up for Tuesday Sept. 11th at 9:00. I will be the second one the dealer has done, I hope they get it figured out on the first guys truck. . Sam

 

[LMautone]

will this be done under warranty for no charge.

 

[jcbrown]

Reflash TSB 18-019-01...

Scheduled for Monday, 10-Sep-2001. It is covered under engine warranty.

 

[Michael Hughes]

Does anyone know if this is a total reload of the ECM or just a seletive reload. I don't want to lose the power/MPG that I have.

 

[David_VT]

waiting for the pony express to arrive..

Bummer,

Seems the parts to the local dealer go common courier in these parts. They can't even begin to guess when the updated software will arrive... .



Hope it's worth the wait!



David

 

[Ray J]

Originally posted by LMautone

will this be done under warranty for no charge.

According to the wording of the TSB... its a warranty item.

 

[Ninearrow]

I have lots of questions. I'm really wanting to get this done, but want to make sure I don't create new problems.



Will the fact that 3 cyls will be shut down (no fueling) mean that the engine will idle on less fuel?



What kind of fuel consumption per hour do these engines use currently?



What if I have my exhaust brake (Pac) turned on? Will this make it idle differently as temp builds quicker, or will Pacbrake have to be turned off?





Please, all you pioneers who are getting this done, let us know how well it works.

 

[jcbrown]

Flash'n...

ECM was flashed today. Now some COLD weather to try it out? No charge, covered under warranty. Free truck wash included.

 

[David_VT]

Cold weather coming....

Out back tonight looking for military traffic in the sky. . Not one aircraft of any kind up there. Very very weird indeed.



(yes, I know why but at least it is a clear night for this hopefully once in a lifetime clear sky)



The air is cold and I know it won't be long before I can test that new software.

 

[MoparDave]

I just called my dealer about having this TSB done. Well I was told unless they can recreate the condition that they will not perform the tsb. I asked them what condition? Cold weather? I then spoke to the manager and he gave me an excuse the DC will charge it back to them if they can not recreate the concern. I then asked him if he read the TSB and understands it (I don’t think he liked that) he said that the DC rep will be in tomorrow and he is going to ask the rep. Guess where I will be tomorrow!!!

 

[juicedcummins]

ECM cold weather fast idle

YOU DA MAN DAVE!! IT's about flippen time chrysler or cummins got off their buts and gave us something as so very important as a fast idle. I have even gone as far as installing a horton fan and blocking of the radiator! I don't block of the air to air and leave a 10inch hole dead center of the fan. This worsks fine along with my wooden dowell set at 1200. The only problem is if i lean on er or push heavy snow. Then i have to pull out the cardboard. Up here in CAN it is not uncommon to see-30for days and even -40+windchill. This would be a great add-on for my remote start early morning warm up! It is about time!







1999 QUAD-cab 4inch exhaust ,bd rv box ,bd injectors,bd valvebody,bd boost fooler,pro-lock converter,horton fan,k+n,a pillar gauges. 75000miles 34psi boost no problems done up from new.

 

[DFormstone]

Does this work with a 5 spd?

This looks like an upgrade worth having will it work in a 5 spd or is it limited to autos?