High Idler

[gitchesum]

What is the scoop on a high idler for a 3rd Gen truck? I know on the 2nd Gens have a TSB for cold weather. But is there a way to set a high idle without having the cold weather?



If so, who makes it?

 

[rbattelle]

BD Power makes one. But check out this.

 

[thejeepdude]

If you have an '04 or newer, it comes with the high-idler logic built in. You just have to have the dealer enable it with the DRB tool. You can then adjust the idle with the cruise control buttons. This only works on the auto's though. There is a TSB for this, so some dealers have been doing that for free. Obviously there's no proof that it will still work in the 05's, but I am going to have my dealer check it out the day my truck is delivered. I'll let you know what happens once I know for sure.

 

[CBrittan]

High Idle

What a coincidence. Just today I made an appointment with my dealer to set up the high idle. He knows little about it, and his Cummins Tech was off today.



But I read from the above post the high idle is only available for auto transmissions. Is this so? If so, does anybody know why?

 

[thejeepdude]

But I read from the above post the high idle is only available for auto transmissions. Is this so? If so, does anybody know why?

I believe it's a safety issue. With the auto, it knows when you're putting it in gear and it will kill the high idle automatically. On the manual, I don't think it knows whether it's in gear or not, and they don't want someone accidentally putting it in gear while it's devoloping 500+ ftlb of torque at high idle. Personally, I think that's stupid since you could run into someone just as easy putting it in gear at low idle, but in our sue happy society they hav to protect us from ourselves. At least that's the explanation I heard. . if someone else knows a better reason, speak up

 

[RichSax]

Anybody know what the tsb is for the high idle?? I looked in the tsb section and didn't see it.

 

[CAgnoli]

"Poor Cab Heat"

I had the dealer apply the TSB that corrected a "Poor Cab Heat" condition. I can't find the TSB on my desk, but the dealer was able to find it with that description. Works great. I use it every day when I leave the truck idling for the Air Conditioning while I am in stores and what not.

 

[Alaskaskiff]

High Idle

I think there is a difference in the cruise control activation between a manual and an auto in the 3G trucks. I was looking in the service manual for my truck and noticed that the auto still has some servo type control, but the manual has absolutely no discussion about the control, and leads you to believe that the control is entirely within the ECM. They made a point of differentiating between the transmission choice when discussing the cruise control



From the 04 Dodge Factory Service Manual



"

5. 9L Diesel Engine With Manual Trans.



Vacuum is not used for any part of the speed con-trol

system if equipped with a diesel engine and a

manual transmission.



5. 9L Diesel Engines With Automatic Trans.



If equipped with a diesel powered engine and an

automatic transmission, an electric vacuum pump

and vacuum lines are used to supply vacuum to the

speed control servo. A vacuum reservoir is not used. "

 

[CBrittan]

High Idle

Alright. It does make sense that the standard transmission might be excluded from the high idle for the reasons explained above, but what if I was using my Ram for a tow truck and needed high idle for the power takeoff? I doubt I would have an auto trans in a tow truck. Or for that matter, there might be other uses for the power takeoff such as generating power via inverter etc...

 

[CAgnoli]

Alright. It does make sense that the standard transmission might be excluded from the high idle for the reasons explained above, but what if I was using my Ram for a tow truck and needed high idle for the power takeoff? I doubt I would have an auto trans in a tow truck. Or for that matter, there might be other uses for the power takeoff such as generating power via inverter etc...

I agree completely, and I believe that the standard transmission truck's are capable of it. Lets not forget that the trucks are "drive by wire". There is no throttle cable, the ECM feeds fuel to the truck as I understand it. That is why the truck automatically idles up to 1200RPM in temperatures below I think 20 or 30 degrees. (I've walked away from my truck on a cold morning, only to witness the truck idle up and after a few minutes, idle back down)



I think that if you have a standard transmission truck, you should be able to have the ECM programmed with the high idle feature, for the PTO or Cylinder Washdown benefits.



HOWEVER: I think that the legal eagles at DC may prevent the technicians from implementing this change, so as not be liable if the truck were to slip into gear when Idling 1500RPM, and drive over personal property, or worse, a small child.



Just my 2 Cents.

 

[CBrittan]

I will keep my appointment for next Friday cause I have a coolant leak to deal with, and will ask for the high idle program, and see what happens. Sometimes being ignorant about things can be beneficial. We will see!

 

[CBrittan]

High Idle

Kept my appointment today as sked, and with my dealer's Cummins tech, searched for a way to do the 'high idle' on a 2004. 5 standard transmission. In his opinion there is no way to engage the high idle on this engine transmission combo.



There might be a way for auto trans, but he points out the 'Poor Cab Heat fix' TSB which uses the high idle should not be used in a 2004. 5 auto trans Cummins combo as it is programmed for a 2003 and he predicts this could cause havoc in the 2004. 5.



So there does not appear to be a way to program 'high idle' for 2004. 5 6 speed standards.



If you have installed the 'high idle' in your 2004. 5 Cummins with the 6 speed standard and it works on the cruise control, tell us how!

 

[TCDiesel]

www.dieselservices.com / $350. 00 later . The install is simple,No it dose not work off the cruise but it is auto-start friendly,and can ramp up idle from the remote.

 

[rbattelle]

You acutally managed to install this on a 3rd gen? I thought it was only for 2nd gen trucks. Can you post a little more detail about the install?

 

[oilrunner]

I have a 2004 HO, with auto trans and a optional high idle installed by the local Dodge dealer here in Fairbanks, Alaska.

The factory high idle isn't enough, and will only idle up to approximately 1000 RPM. I have an after market high idle installed that can be set above 1500 RPM, not that I would ever set it that high. I usually keep it set to 1200 RPM after the truck has warmed up some. It works great, just turn the adjustment knob to the desired RPM setting and push the button to engage or disengage the high idler.

You can also release the high idle by momentarily tapping the brake pedal, at which time normal idle takes over.

It is made by a company from Canada, and IMO is one of the best and most reliable high idlers on the market.

It is the only one that is used in our extreme climent with temps down to -50 degrees in the winter.

 

[bpenrod]

tman,

IS there a brand name on your high idler or is it branded by Dodge? Would be interested if it is available aftermarket or knew how to order it through the dealer.

 

[oilrunner]

Hey guys, been real busy lately. I will contact my dealer to find out brand name of the high engine idle controller that was installed on my rig, and will post tomorrow.

 

[motortoylvr]

Tsb #

TSB # for the 3rd gen trucks that already have it sleeping in the ECM is: 18-004-04

 

[rbattelle]

Hey guys, been real busy lately. I will contact my dealer to find out brand name of the high engine idle controller that was installed on my rig, and will post tomorrow.

I'd also like to know what brand it is...

 

[TCDiesel]

The only one I have ever heard of or seen is like the one I have,I don"t know the manufacturer, couple of sites have them . Go to www.dieselservices.com