Engine/Transmission (1998.5 - 2002) Problems After Comp Hot Upgrade

[DLausche]

I bit on the $50 Edge Comp hot upgrade special they were doing a few weeks back. Got the Comp back in the mail last week from Edge. Looks like it is the same unit with just a new/updated sticker on it. Sticker says "... HOT... ". Can't recall exactly the rev # and truck is at home. I think it said 10. 8.



Anyways, ever since I put it back in it has been giving me problems - mostly in the morning. It's almost like it has a temp sensor in it and it won't come on in the cold. Drove it for 15 miles yesterday morning and then stopped and pulled the fuse for the Comp. Replaced the fuse and then it lit up and worked fine. Not sure if temp had anything to do with it but the truck cab had warmed up at that point in time. One time I started the truck and only the far rightmost LED was on and all buttons were non-responsive. It sure looks like it is the came Comp I sent to Edge but the old one never gave me any troubles like this. I'm not sure if the hot upgrade is to blame or if I just happened to develop wiring harness problems while the thing was out being upgraded.



-Deon

 

[KCraft]

call edge and send it back. i bought my comp off ebay and it didn't work at all. called edge they told me to send it to them. it cost me nothing. they repaired it and sent it back within days. EDGE has great customer care!!!!

 

[Allnew2Me]

The new version is indeed 10. 8. I had mine updated a while ago and it had been fine except for one issue that happened a few weeks ago. It was cold and it came on but the buttons were not responding. I turned off the truck and restarted and it has been fine since. There have been some cold issues with the Comp in the past as well as some low power issues in the Version 8 software. Some version 8 boxes would have more power on the 4 setting than on the 5 setting. Some were no doubt due to lack of fueling on certain trucks, I had that issue also, but it was cured with the version 10. 8 reflash, done for free by Edge. Call them, they are great to work with.

 

[DLausche]

Yea, I called Edge and explained the problem to them. I agree - they are great to work with. They've fixed my Comp in the past even though it was well out of the warranty period. The tech guy said the number one thing to check is the ground connection. He said to wire the ground to the battery. I don't like that idea but I can try it temporarily at least to see if it cures the issue. I asked him about temperature and he said that the temp should not really make any difference. I'll check the ground out tonight and post an update with results tonight or tomorrow...

 

[Gary - K7GLD]

I have had no cold weather issues with my older ver. 7 Comp -so sorta hate to let it out of my sight - but what are the claimed advantages of the "hot" upgrade?

 

[DLausche]

... what are the claimed advantages of the "hot" upgrade?

I did ask the difference when I called to inquire and place my order. He said the defuel point in the normal comp (or ECM?) was ~2800 rpm. With the "hot" Drag Comp the defuel point is moved up to ~3300 rpm or so. Not a huge advantage for me and I never was terribly interested until they dropped the price down to just 50 bucks last month. At that price I figured I might as well bite and get the upgrade.

 

[Pat@BD]

When the module freezes up usually a cycle of the key will fix it. But I have seen a few of them where it doesnt. Edge will fix you up as their customer service is great.

 

[Gary - K7GLD]

I did ask the difference when I called to inquire and place my order. He said the defuel point in the normal comp (or ECM?) was ~2800 rpm. With the "hot" Drag Comp the defuel point is moved up to ~3300 rpm or so. Not a huge advantage for me and I never was terribly interested until they dropped the price down to just 50 bucks last month. At that price I figured I might as well bite and get the upgrade.

Thanks for the info - I assume from your comment that the upgrade being called "hot" is what started out as the "Drag Comp" some guys were buying a year or so ago - or perhaps only has some of the features, like the increased defueling RPM you mention?



I checked Edge's website, but didn't find any upgrade info...

 

[Pat@BD]

Thanks for the info - I assume from your comment that the upgrade being called "hot" is what started out as the "Drag Comp" some guys were buying a year or so ago - or perhaps only has some of the features, like the increased defueling RPM you mention?



I checked Edge's website, but didn't find any upgrade info...

They are the same. They origionally called it the drag version as most guys were using it in that application.

 

[DLausche]

Good news. I am almost positive I've figured this out and fixed it. Like the Edge technician said, it would likely be a ground connection problem. I checked the ground wire by the injection pump. I cut the crimp-on terminal end off and the wire looked quite corroded. This was likely a marginal electrical connection. Anyways, I extended the wire with a 6" pigtail and a new ring type terminal connection and connected the ground to one of the intake cover bolts. All connections soldered together this time around. Comp has been working fine for the past two days. I haven't driven it enough yet to determine if this might have also solved the surging issue that I have had for a long time.



Anyways, if your comp is not working or not turning on correctly, then the first thing to check is the engine ground connection - the ground by the injection pump tap wire. I am not going to use crimp-on connections any more since they always seem to eventually fail and cause headache.



-Deon

 

[Gary - K7GLD]

Something to be aware of when relying upon various engine bolts for grounding points - especially for sensitive circuits:



https://www.turbodieselregister.com.../89040-electrical-grounding-finer-points.html

 

[Pat@BD]

Good news. I am almost positive I've figured this out and fixed it. Like the Edge technician said, it would likely be a ground connection problem. I checked the ground wire by the injection pump. I cut the crimp-on terminal end off and the wire looked quite corroded. This was likely a marginal electrical connection. Anyways, I extended the wire with a 6" pigtail and a new ring type terminal connection and connected the ground to one of the intake cover bolts. All connections soldered together this time around. Comp has been working fine for the past two days. I haven't driven it enough yet to determine if this might have also solved the surging issue that I have had for a long time.



Anyways, if your comp is not working or not turning on correctly, then the first thing to check is the engine ground connection - the ground by the injection pump tap wire. I am not going to use crimp-on connections any more since they always seem to eventually fail and cause headache.



-Deon

Good to hear it worked out for you. Thanks for the update.

 

[BILLVO]

I can tell you that edge still has issues with the Hot or drag comp cold weather issues. I have dealt with them for a couple of years on the phone many times tried many different ground and power point options and it all come down to a problem with the electronics not liking the cold weather. I have sent mine back several times and they sent me several different ones and to no avail. They have all done the same thing. If it actually does turn on it will not work as in add any power until the unit actually warms up and then you still need to do a key off on cycle to get it to work. And most times it needs a double key cycle at first start up to get it to turn on.



Seems to start at temps around and below 40 degrees F. In the summer it works flawlessly.



I finally told them to quit sending me comps until they actually figure out the long span of cold problems so they sent me a T-shirt and I just live with it.



Good to see they still haven't fixed it.



Do a search I have a couple threads about this issue here on the site.

 

[DLausche]

It Still Does it...

Well, I may have posted too soon I guess as I am still having problems. Gary, thanks for the info on fastener coatings and such. Very informative. After reading that I did go back and clean up the grounding bolt on the wire wheel. Definitely is a good ground now. Alas, this morning It did the same thing and did not turn on until I cycled the key and after driving for 15 miles or so (i. e. warmed up inside). I think I will call Edge and ask about it but after reading of others similar experience I am not holding out too much hope for it to be fixed. Grrr.

 

[BILLVO]

I think I will call Edge and ask about it but after reading of others similar experience I am not holding out too much hope for it to be fixed. Grrr.

Don't waste your time. They are masters of playing dumb about this issue even after having it for several years.



Can't dispute their customer service though they would keep sending you new ones until you finally realize there is no hope. That is the road I took. I can't tell you how many comps I tried from them and re re re re turns... ..... :{



Just something you will have to learn to live with.

 

[C4gan]

Wow... . I thought that I was the only one with this issue... . I have had the same issue with mine as well. I have sent mine back 3 or 4 times and they always say that it works fine when they test it. . they even sent me a new harness too. Still no fix. . I just leave mine on 3x5 and when it works, great. If not then I just wait til it decides to. I am gonna follow this thread an see how it turns out. .

 

[DLausche]

Called Edge...

Sounds like a pretty well known issue then. I did just call Edge. Their customer service is truly impeccable. Short or no wait time, nice to deal with on the phone. The technician indicated he did not know about this problem and indicated nothing in the Comp itself would be temperature sensitive. I told him it is like night/day difference between now and before I sent it in. The comp has worked 100% perfect for years prior to the upgrade and now it works 0% of the time when it is below about 40* or so. Cycling the key after cab warm up is the only way to get it to come on. I did indicate that other people on the TDR are saying the exact same issue and we are wondering what is up. He indicated to check the inline fuse connections and make sure they are tight and to call back if this does not remedy it. He documented the info in my case/file and said they would replace it if I continue to have problems with it. Again, excellent customer service and warranty policy that Edge has. I can think of very, very few companies that have impressed me as much as Edge has with the customer service and exchange policy.



So, in the interest of figuring this out, I am wondering if it would make sense to post a poll for Edge Drag Comps that do or do not work when the temp is below 40* or so. It is common in forums like this to hear only about the bad or failure side of products. I am really curious if there are (and how many) others out there that have the drag comp software that do NOT have problems in the cold. Or has there already been such a poll done here on the TDR? Thoughts?

 

[Allnew2Me]

The troubles with the Comp are not limited to the Drag version. Mine is not a drag and I had the low power issue that they fixed, and I just had one cold non-start that I had never had before. When I was using version 8 I never had the cold issue, only the power. After I updated to version 10 (to fix the power problem) I had the cold non-start although it has been a year since the update and the first cold trouble was a month ago.

 

[MRoberts]

I was having the same cold temp/no drag comp issue with the 8. 0 version. I sent mine back (great customer service!) and it came back with the 10 something version. By the way this was last spring and I have had no cold weather issues at all this year.

 

[BILLVO]

The technician indicated he did not know about this problem and indicated nothing in the Comp itself would be temperature sensitive. He documented the info in my case/file and said they would replace it if I continue to have problems with it.

WOW Talk about DEJAVU... ... ... I heard that exact scripted story every time I talked to them.



Customer service is great like stated many times above. To bad the tech side isn't too great. Thats the reason they will send out as many new comps as it takes to keep you happy to cover up the tech issues.