Engine/Transmission (1998.5 - 2002) Most Recent Software Upgrade for ECM

[Archive]

Just had the local Dodge dealer install the most recent software upgrade for the ISB as described in the last issue of TDR. Do any of you have any feedback regarding results after the upgrade such as mileage, power, noise, etc. ??

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98QC,2500SLT,24 Valve Diesel,5sp,3. 55 anti-spin differential,4- wheel anti-lock brakes, Tow Pkg,Snugtop.

 

[Archive]

I supposedly had the ECM flashed about a month ago, but the dealer didn't put a sticker on the ECM or hood above the radiator shroud. I'm taking the truck into another dealer on Monday to check the ECM and to get a sticker. I noticed that the power from 1500-3000 is much smoother. No kick at around 2000 in 4th. My fuel mileage seems to have gone down but I haven't made an unloaded highway trip yet, so I'll wait and see. My 0-60 time is 13. 43. I'm happy with the truck. Hope this helps.

John

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1999 Flame Red Dodge 3500 QC 5 spd 4:10 Rammin' and runnin' the roads

 

[Archive]

Hi guys, I had the flash done, the power went up some but the mileage dropped from 18 to 14, and now it smokes more. My 98 ISB had lots more power and no smoke, that was before the EPA mandated flash (which I didn't have done). Wish I still had the 98. Lou

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99,2500,QC,6speed,3. 54 LSD

 

[Archive]

I had the TSB done also and I don't seem to be getting anything higher then 16 around town and a lot of smoke, power seems to be up some.

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99'24v ISB QC SB 4x4 SLT LARAMIE BD Brake BD AutoLoc

 

[Archive]

I had the 18-11-99 flash done on my '98. 5 Ram several months ago after having had the #800 recall (NOX) flash performed late last year. My Ram seems to have a little more power in the midrange with no more smoke than I had before the flash.

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'98. 5 2500 ISB QC 4x4 (black) Sport LWB, 3. 54 LSD, auto.

 

[Archive]

Had mine done about 2000 miles ago. Milage is up 2 MPG and seems to run better.

 

[Archive]

Had mine done about a month ago. Didn't notice a big difference in power. Did seem to make it run quieter.

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99 White Dodge auto 4. 10 long cab,nerf bars, mud flaps

 

[Archive]

I had the reflash done to my 99 QC 3500 $x4 5sp 3. 55 about 1000 miles ago and I can tell no difference. The mpg seems slightly worse but not enough miles yet to really tell.

 

[Archive]

Had mine done about a month ago. Very happy with the results. Went on a 3400mi vacation pulling my trailer and the truck pulled great. Only had to down shift maby twice and that was on long grades. Fuel mileage is the same as before, empty 18-19mpg loaded 11-14mpg. 14 at 55mph and 11 at 70mph. And NO smoke.

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"The Shadow" 1999 Dodge 2500 QC 5spd 3. 55lsd, Short Bed, Sport, Black / Tan Interior, Trailer tow package, Camper package, Infinity sound, Bed liner, 5th wheel hitch.

 

[Archive]

Had the 18-011-99 flash done 2 months ago. Mileage has gone up (19. 4 from 17. 1) and startup and operation are less noisy. Power band is now smooth (no bump at 2000 rpm) and power overall is better. Some of the increase is more miles 6500 which was the same with my 12V as miles passed. No change in smoke. So why all these varying reports, huh?

John H. '99 Sport, QC SB 5 spd. GV/OD

 

[Archive]

AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!

You guys sure make it hard to decide wether or not to get the flash! My truck has been pulling to the right and I've been debating wether or not to go to the dealer and submit myself to the nox recall(is this still in effect??) and the 18-11-99 flash or just pay a local outfit to check my alignment. Oh well, one more night without sleep isn't gonna hurt anything.

dm

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98. 5 24v std cab dually, k&n filter, removed silencer ring, 3. 54:1, 5spd, "Yugo" guard on the front
Fear the Highly Educated Hillbilly

 

[Archive]

I cant make up my mind as well about the recent program upgrade. I never had the 800 or 801 recall done either, was afraid it would take away some power. The results seem to vary so much on the program upgrade its scary. It would be nice to have a little less engine noise when first starting it up and it sounds like that has been the case in several who have had it done. Has anyone noticed any difference in the shift points of the auto trans after the reprogram? Mine at times seems to stay in OD even when the RPM's get down to near 1,000.

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'98. 5 Forest Green 2500HD, QC, LB, Cummins ISB, Auto Trans, SLT, Aux. Rear
Suspension, Trailer Tow package, 4. 10 w/ LSD, HD Transfer Case, Keyless
entry, Camel Leather, ICI Stainless steel Nerf Bars, Bed rail caps, fender
trims and rocker panels, Twin Firestik Firefly antennas & Cobra 29LTD
Classic CB.

Junction City, Oregon

 

[ArmandoCantu]

'00 4x4, Quad cab, short bed. ATS intake elbow, K&N filter element, Flex-a-lite elec. fans, new front-end components w/Dynatrac ree-wheel hubs, '06 wheels w/Goodyear 35's, 3/54 gears, ATS Stage II trans w/5-star convertor, Autometer gauges, FASS 95 system.



I live in Texas, outside Houston, and my county doesn't require a tail pipe sniff. I have not had the recall updates on my truck. I did install a Hyertech program and am totally satisfied. HP is up, so is torque. To the point I drive it on Stage 3 program all the time. Truck runs great and tows great also with awesome fuel mileage. It's really fun to drive, cheap on fuel and keeps up with most of the performance trucks and cars on the highway. Only change I'd make is to go back to 33 tires. Towing @ 60 mph, the engine RPM is only about 1400. Seems to lug but the engine seems fine.

 

[dcoffman]

I had mine reflashed Wednesday 12/ 22/2010 and it seems the same to me. I did mine because the batteries where disconnected and the program I have defaulted back to stock. I wanted to get it back to stock before I put in another program.

 

[John - K5AWO]

I get nervous when anyone wants to start flashing my ECM. I lucked into a HP ECM (high performance) on eBay and tried it out. Love the difference in how the truck performs compared to the stock ECM.

So, now I have two ECMs. IF my truck ever gets near a factory dealer, the original ECM will be what is in the truck. I am not going to allow any update flashes on my truck.

Sure, I would love to have twice the mpg that I get now (11-13) but at the expense of worse performance?

Having a 2nd ECM gives me both worlds, can try out their flash and go back to my HP version if it don't work.

 

[Vaughn MacKenzie]

The recalls mentioned in this thread were for '98. 5 models only as far as I recall. But there's been quite a few updates since the 24V came out.

 

[Ncostello]

Does any company out there specialize in re-flashes on the ISB ECM? IE: The owner can decide how they want the ECM to perform? If you have a dealer flash done and you find you don't like it at all... what are your options? Un-re-flash it? Or take it back to original programming somehow?

 

[bromano676]

how would this differ from the smarty software. smarty stock is supposed to be the latest and greatest software. right?

 

[Midnite]

Did you guys realize you're posting on an 11 year old thread?

 

[Ncostello]

I'm looking to buy an 11 year old truck. Besides... my question is timeless.