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

[Mr. C]

Well I've still not seen the high idle that's supposed to be rattling around in my ECU. Just wondering how cold it "really" needs to be to engage, the spec sheet the service tech printed for me after he installed the flash says 32 degrees,but I'm wondering if it really needs to be a little colder to make the ECU start shivering. Those of you fortunate ones to see the infamous fast idle work----what's the warmest outside temp that got you to the promised land?????

 

[stephen bolger]

My fast idle works now after going to two different dealerships the last one enabed the program right. Fast idle works at 1'c and the three cylinder thing works at -15'c. So far but this one in two days.

 

[juicedcummins]

I've seen mine work at +2C and couldn't believe it. As far as the 3cyl thing it doesn't seem to work and we are exp some cold temps. {-30C}

If I plug it in it doesn't work at all. That is a P--s off.

A friend of mine had his high-output done and the 3cyl works but not the high idle.

This program has a few bugs in it yet or else the engineers that designed it didn't have a clue.

 

[Scrappy]

fast idle option w/ a manual

Yes it is available with the manual, I just had mine done a month ago. It works great here in Alaska, but it makes the truck sound funny when it is operational

 

[Scrappy]

fast idle operation

I don't know why they charged you for the re-flash. Itis a Tsb and they are not supposed to charge for doing it, at least they didn't charge me when I had mine done. I have a friend that works as a mechanic at a DC dealership and I'll ask him if I am correct on this

 

[ftb87]

Ok, its been 3 months and several trips to dealer. The last time I talked to the diesel mechanic personally and told him directly it didn't work.



He was being smart with me testing my knowledge of the diesel engine (Thanks to TDR..... I knowledgeable!!!). He finally relented and called DC directly. After he got off the phone... . he said their is another new program to get this function to work. They called me yesterday and said they received the new program and they flashed my computer.



Last night I let truck sit out (low 15 degrees). Started truck and went back in the house to get some coffee. Came back out... and low and behold its now working:--).



An FYI you might want to have your dealership call DC to get updated program.



And again THANKS TDR!!!! .



Frank

 

[Weidner]

CONFUSED DEALERS IN MINNESOTA

I HAVE BEEN TO ONE DEALER IN WITH NO LUCK FOR THE FAST IDLE/ 3 CYL UPDATE. I HAVE AN APPT. AT BELZERS DODGE NEXT WEEK. HAS ANYONE IN MINNESOTA HAD THIS DONE? I WANT TO KNOW WHICH DEALER I SHOULD VISIT.

 

[WestTN]

Wish I could get it!

Since I am wintering in Florida, I went to the local Okeechobee, Florida dealer and requested this fast idle option activated. After two fouled up attempts the service manager says it can't be done. I told him about calling the STAR techline for assistance. He absolutely refused to do that. His position is that he has worked on these trucks for years and knows what can be done and what cannot.



Oh, yes, this is a FIVE STAR DEALER. Boy, they don't have a clue what 'service' means!

 

[barmstrong]

Re: aaaaahhhhh ... but here's the fly in the ointment so to speak ...

Originally posted by Mopar-muscle

it's all fine and good , except for one tiny exception ...



NOTE: ANY TYPE OF AFTERMARKET IDLE SPEED KICKER THAT ACTIVATES THE APPS WILL DISABLE

THIS FEATURE.



Use of the 110V block heater will not allow the feature to function after an overnight soak. If the vehicle is left idling, without

use of the block heater, 1200 rpm operation will begin when the intake temperature drops below O°C (32°F) and coolant is

less than 60°C (140°F).



oh well , back to my solenoid with a toggle switch idea ...

I'm a new member to TDR and waiting delivery of a 2002 3500 4x4 Cummins, semi retired line haul and hd construction driver we always used idle enhancers on our rigs not only for warm up but to maintain a good oil flow. please let me know what type or where to purchase the solenoid u use on your cummins. Thanks BOB. .

 

[barmstrong]

high idler

Originally posted by Double 6

Mpoland,

I have the Practical Solutions High Idler and it works great, just start truck and after your oil pressure comes up, dial it up to around 1500 RPM , go in drink another cup of coffee, come back out turn off High Idler and leave for work.

No wasting of my precious time and money at the dealer.

I highly reccomend it to anybody frustrated with hassling with your dealer.



Disclaimer: I am not associated with Practical Solutions in anyway, just a satisfied customer.

Thanks for the info and please let me know a web site or send info on the Practical Solutions,, Thanks BOB

 

[MN Cummins Lvr]

Weidner,



I had the reflash done at Delano Dodge in Delano and it works great. Email me if you have any questions or need contact info.



After looking at trucks at Belzer's, I will never set foot in there door again. :-{} Hope you have better luck with them then I did in the past.



Paul

 

[barryg41]

PS High Idler

Bob, Here's the info on Pratical Solutions products.



Web Site:



Pratical Solutions

 

[Newf Limo]

1 degree in Tahoe this past week and you guessed it. . . The truck did nothing! Not even three cylinder idle. Trip number 4 coming up I'm bound to get my seventy bucks worth!

 

[HTRDHLR]

I was thinking of using a throttle stop solonoid like they used to use on gasser carbs. just set it to the desired idle and use a switch to hold it there

 

[liftedlpg]

Mine worked this morning on a 2001 auto. It was about 15 degrees. Fast idle worked , but didn't hear change in the sound of engine. After my reflash and lift pump at 40k ,asked mechanic about enable feature and the only thing we found was 3 cyl warm-up was disabled so we enabled it. Cool mechanic, didn't say nothing about any mods. and didn't charge a dime

 

[stephen bolger]

work great. even at -4 C in canada

 

[Ray Torresdal]

question

Mine worked for the first time this weekend! It wasn't cold enough for the 3 cyl operation, but the high idle worked.



Question: Why doesn't it work when the vehicle has been plugged in? The temp gauge doesn't come off the peg for several miles, even after being plugged in, so I don't think it is up to 140 degrees, let alone 160. I know my outside air temp shows warmer until I've driven a mile and gotten airflow past the sensor, is the same thing killing the fast idle feature?



Thanks for all the information, guys!



Ray

 

[WestTN]

temps

It doesn't work when plugged in because the engine is above 32 degrees.

 

[Ray Torresdal]

engine temp

Dennis, The TSB states intake manifold temp must be at or below 32 deg. F. Should I assume that the intake must get that warm from heat transfer from the block?? The coolant temp isn't 140, and as I think about it, isn't it supposed to be the air intake temperature? I don't know how much heat the turbo adds at idle, and then is lost through the intercooler? Just trying to get a better understanding of when I should expect this to work -



Thanks!



ray

 

[Shelby Griggs]

Ray,



I agree that it should work if the OAT is below 32° F AND the water temperature is below 140°. In my experience this is not the case. I suspect that the OAT sensor (which I am lead to believe is under the drivers side battery) must be picking up enough heat from the block to defeat this feature. I have noticed the same thing with solar warming . I suspect if real cold, it would still work even when plugged in, or at least it should based on the stated inputs and their critical limits.



It is also supposed to work if the OAT drops below 32° AND the water temperature drops below 140°. I assume in an extended idle situation in cold weather. This is the feature that I thought might actually be good for me, because of the way I use my truck in my business.



So far it has only worked on a stone cold startup where I was not plugged in.



Shelby