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

[waltk]

Originally posted by 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!

Newf, I wish I knew what to suggest... your dealer even spoke with a known-good-source... I can assure you that my truck (2001, early, ETH/DEE) just passed 3-cyl-operation test (finally cold-enough... . )... I wish you the best, but this process should not require more than two trips to the dealership... .



Walt K.

 

[Weidner]

SECOND DEALER FAILED.

Can this fast idle be enabled with an aftermarket scan tool of any kind? does any one know how the dealer enables this? Have any of you sat and watched them hook up and work their magic? Maybee I could bring my local dealer some step by step instructions.

 

[waltk]

Re: SECOND DEALER FAILED.

Originally posted by Weidner

Can this fast idle be enabled with an aftermarket scan tool of any kind? does any one know how the dealer enables this? Have any of you sat and watched them hook up and work their magic? Maybee I could bring my local dealer some step by step instructions.

Actually, Newf posted a fairly-good description of the steps the technician should perform... a page or two back... .



Walt K.

 

[andrewkoperdak]

Limo,

Did you have to pay for your reflash? I just had mine (02-07-02)done under the TSB at no cost. eek:

Originally posted by 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!

:

 

[Dave Fritz]

Except for a few brief checks of private messages I have been off the TDR site since back in December. A lot has transpired on this thread since then.



Here is what is causing some of the dealership problems:



In the DC computer system, TSB 18-019-01 only appears for the ETC engines (as a reflash to add the idle software and a procedure to enable it). In the DC computer system under the HO engine (ETH) the bulletin is not listed as being applicable - probably because the software is already built into the ECM and no reflash is necessary.



My dealership can't find a document that authorizes or details the procedure to enable the cold idle on the ETH engine, so they are reluctant to do it out of fear that DC may consider it to be an unauthorized modification and deny warranty coverage for a part failure - such as the injector pump or lift pump. Given that DC denies warranty coverage on the these expensive pumps for unauthorized modifications, dealerships may be correct in their concern and their reluctance to do it. The procedure works for the ETH, but dealers don't have anything to tell them that it does, or that the procedure is OK to do to ETH engines.



Also: Because the BULLETIN DOES NOT APPLY TO ETH ENGINES, dealerships are NOT reimbursed by DC for performing the idle enable on the ETH. If you have your truck serviced regularly at a dealership, and you have them enable the idle while the truck is there for other service, they may do it for free. If you do not have your truck serviced there, it is kind of unreasonable for you to expect the dealer to eat the cost of the technician's time and the use of the computer software - dealers have to pay DC for the software and computer hardware, and they have to pay the tech.



My dealer and I are tying to get some written documentation from DC to settle the issue. I'll let you know when we find something solid.



Dave And you though this thread was finally dead!

 

[Texas Diesel]

Originally posted by Dave Fritz





In the DC computer system under the HO engine (ETH) the bulletin is not listed as being applicable - probably because the software is already built into the ECM and no reflash is necessary.



My dealership can't find a document that authorizes or details the procedure to enable the cold idle on the ETH engine, so they are reluctant to do it out of fear that DC may consider it to be an unauthorized modification and deny warranty coverage for a part failure - such as the injector pump or lift pump. Given the way DC tries to weasel out of covering these expensive pumps, dealerships may be correct in their concern and their reluctance to do it. The procedure works for the ETH, but dealers don't have anything to tell them that it does, or that the procedure is OK to do to ETH engines.

In my case, the option was already there listed under "misc", or possibly came packaged with the oil pressure reflash. It would seem that if it is in the PCM and only needs to be enabled that it was OK to use. Key word there is "SEEM" Thanks for the info and keep up posted on what you find out. I would feel kinda dumb going back and asking them to turn it off :{ even though it works correctly.

 

[Dave Fritz]

OK! After Thompson Chrysler got some information from Star, I took my truck in this morning to have the idle enabled on my truck.



:{ First, DC Star says that the bulletin does not apply to the ETH engine. If you want the idle feature enabled, you have to pay for it.



Second, according to Star the software is already in the ETH ECM, but the high idle is not needed because the ETH has valve timing, injection timing, and a cold weather idle fuel curve that keeps the engine warm enough to prevent valve sticking (the mian reason for the TSB being issued for the ETC engine). Conjecture on my part: The idle feature is not needed to prevent valve sticking, but it will help keep an idling ETH engine warmer.



This morning:

The technician had a lot of trouble getting his DRBIII scan tool to talk to my ECM. He tried another scan tool and repeatedly tried to turn on the 3 cylinder idle but the ECM would not accept the change. The tech then disconnected from my truck, removed the communication module from the DRB tool, dusted off the tool and module connectors and reinstalled the comm module. Then he took the DRB tool to the MDS2 shop computer and downloaded a reflash into the DRB tool for TSB 18-015-00 (Driveability Enhancements For Winter Fuel Use). Then he disconnected the DRB tool from the MDS2 shop computer, connected the DRB tool to my truck and punched through menus to get "check for updates". After about 4 minutes the DRB tool said "done". The tech then walked right to the 3 cylinder idle as outlined in the TSB and turned it on with no fuss.



The DRB tool now says that my truck has the 3 cyl idle enabled. Bring on the cold weather.



The problem that is causing frustration for ETH owners is that communication must be rock solid between the DRB tool and the ECM, or the idle enable will not take effect. I asked the tech if he had reflashed my ECM, and he said no - the purpose of checking for updates was to firmly connect the DRB tool to the ECM. After the communication had been well established, the ECM readily accepted the order to enable the idle.



The bottom line is that the ETH already has the 3 cylinder idle software in the ECM, and the idle can be enabled using the procedure from this TSB. Without the reflash procedure to get communication established between the ECM and the DRB tool, it may be difficult or impossible to get the ECM to accept the idle enable command from the DRB tool. If you can't get the idle enabled, try using the "check for updates" command to open communication.



Good luck! Dave

 

[Shelby Griggs]

Dave,



As always you have done your homework! Thanks for the report.



I have an ETH, and I had the TSB done for free last fall, and they installed a sticker under the hood indicating it was done. It also worked after the first trip to the shop.



One thing that I hope did not happen is that I now have the ETC code in my ECM. Don't really know, and unless that would be impossible, I doubt if the dealer would know either. Had I known what I now know based your your recent research, I doubt if I would have had it done. Very interesting that the ETH has licked the sticking valve problem with other enhancements.



Shelby

 

[rkressg]

I miss this thread

I have not seen this post in a long time. Being that I am getting 7"+ of snow tonight, I thought I would bring this up to the front.

I do have a question though, have there been any long-term problems with this reflash.

 

[David_VT]

Great example of team work...

This kind of thing is why I pay that membership fee.



While I have yet to get my high idle to function, I can read enough to know that someday it might actually function...



Of course if the new common rail mechanics have never seen a tired ole 24v engine like mine, who knows... ... .



Happy turkey day to all!

 

[jtisdale]

Mine works...

Kinda. It has worked the last two mornings. I did notice the temp was slightly below 20 F. I also noticed it raised my egts about 50 deg or so, all the way up to 225. It appears, if the outside temp is warmer than that, it wont work. After I drive it, and let it sit (4hours) in the same temp as when it engaged, it wont work either. My best guess is heat is still present near the battery sensor. I am thinking about getting a new battery sensor, to see if that will let it engage at a warmer temp (at least closer to the advertised 32deg. )



Now to answer RGilbert's question, I have had mine enabled since the end of March, but it has only been cold enough just recently for it to work. As far as the "reflash" (for lack of a better term) goes, I have not noticed anything different, but I cant really comment on any problems or the like from using it.



Dave, can you tell me since my high idle function works, is the 3 cylinder function also enabled? Or, is that yet another feature, separate from the high idle? TIA

 

[larryq]

Ok..... I've been watching this thread for a while... and I THINK I'm ready to grab my local dealer by the ears and say "FLASH THE DAMN THING"... .



But beig a dealer... I can count on them being DENSE!!!!



Can I please have the TSB. . or the referance document to show them...



From what I've been reading the flash also includes a Power upgrade????



I need to know EXACTLY what to ask for... and EXACTLY where they can find info on it!



I have a 1998. 4 24 Valve w/ auto



Thanks!!!!!

 

[Dave Fritz]

The weather related TSB's:



Cold Idle Engine WarmingTSB 18-019-01



Performance Enhancement For Severe Cold Weather Environments (for AT equipped trucks) TSB 18-014-01



Driveability Enhancements For Winter Fuel and For Hard Starts TSB 18-015-00 Rev. A



Some other bulletins - not weather related:



Low Engine Power When The Automatic Transmission Is In Overdrive TSB 18-024-00



Slow acceleration or lack of power while towing or hauling a load (98-99) TSB 18-11-99



Engine Knock or Rattle Sound When Climbing a Long Grade and Towing a Heavy Trailer TSB 09-008-02



Happy Thanksgiving to all! Dave

 

[WTBurke]

I was in Butte Montana and Idaho Falls ID. last week during Thankgivings w/family Temps in the mornings were 25 and 18 F. I had my Dealer enable this about six months ago but,this was first test

The overhead control indicated 30 F in the read-out.



I saw no high idle and certainly no 3cyl drop-out



William

 

[Gunhill]

Originally posted by WTBurke

... Temps in the mornings were 25 and 18 F. I had my Dealer enable this about six months ago but,this was first test

The overhead control indicated 30 F in the read-out.



I saw no high idle and certainly no 3cyl drop-out



William

WTBurke, I'm driving an '02 with HO. My high idle feature finally kicked in this morning at 16F. I recently cut a small dowel-rod to wedge between the seat frame and fuel pedal. Kind of tacky but it's a cheap soln. to warming the cab on 20F+ mornings. Hope this gives you an idea of when yours may kick in.

My two cents.

 

[Ray Torresdal]

Temps

On my '01, both the high idle and 3-cylinder operation work, but you need to wait for it to get cold! I wouldn't expect my 3-cylinder operation to work until it gets under 10 - and that is with truck sitting outside. I typically plug mine in, so neither work in the morning, but both work if left unplugged at work, and it gets cold enough.



Ray

 

[Michael Hughes]

How long after you start the truck does it go in to the fast idle?

 

[Amianthus]

Mine worked for the first time the other night at 3:15 am. I forgot to plug it in and got a fire call in the middle of the night. After I raced to the station, I parked the truck and it was idling down. After about 30 seconds she started to ramp up. Kinda scared me. I thought something was wrong (been my luck lately). However, it did shut down after a minute of fast idle. BTW, the overhead temp indicator read 24*. So it has to be cold to have it work. And don't plug it in (if you want it to work).

I'll probably freak out when the 3 cyl thingy works.

 

[Gunhill]

Mine probably started reving up after about 60-90 seconds. I noticed there was a little different noise coming from under the hood immediately after it started. Pump?...computer?

 

[jtisdale]

I noticed the same...

Originally posted by Gunhill

Mine probably started reving up after about 60-90 seconds. I noticed there was a little different noise coming from under the hood immediately after it started. Pump?...computer?

I timed mine between start and engagement. It seems to be about 60 sec. every time. I might imagine this may vary a little between trucks and conditions.

Gunhill- I also noticed it sounds subtly "different" when you first start it. The idle seems somewhat smoother and quieter between start and engagement.

As I had reported ealier, mine would only engage below 20F. Since then, I have cleaned the IAT, and now it readily engages below 30F.

Still no 3cyl. operation unless it was this morning. My wife took the truck and she did say it was idling "kinda fast and sounding really weird". It was about 8-10F, so I would imagine conditions were close to being right.

I think its a good program to start with, but it needs a few things changed. Just my . 02 clams.