Reflash 18-037-04 white smoke on startup on wrong truck????

[pwr2tow]

White smoke on startup TSB 18-037-04 is for the following trucks.

Serial # 57130285 - 57246361

engine manufacture date of 12/10/2003 - 08/17/2004



My truck.

Serial # 57310544

engine manufacture date of 01/05/2005



My question is, is this reflash going to have any adverse effects. Did I loose anything in the 05 program when they reflashed my truck. There is no sticker on the radiator cowl and all the tech would tell me is he reflashed the truck for the white smoke on startup and fuel mileage flash. Is there another one for new trucks or did he reflash my truck with the wrong program. Thanks.



The reason my truck was at the dealership was to get a new injector pump put in under warranty.

 

[grfraz]

Relax, I think the tech is pulling your chain. The ECM will not except the flash if it is not needed, and I doudt the DRBIII will accept the download from DealerCONNECT if the vehicle does not require the flash.

 

[steved]

White smoke on startup TSB 18-037-04 is for the following trucks.

Serial # 57130285 - 57246361

engine manufacture date of 12/10/2003 - 08/17/2004



My truck.

Serial # 57310544

engine manufacture date of 01/05/2005



My question is, is this reflash going to have any adverse effects. Did I loose anything in the 05 program when they reflashed my truck. There is no sticker on the radiator cowl and all the tech would tell me is he reflashed the truck for the white smoke on startup and fuel mileage flash. Is there another one for new trucks or did he reflash my truck with the wrong program. Thanks.

I had this done to my 04. 5 and it did nothing but help... increased mileage, started easier...



I have read this just recently, but I don't know how true it is: This reflash actually increases the 600 trucks to 610 trucks... I heard this on another site... so I don't know how true it is...



steved

 

[pwr2tow]

Relax, I think the tech is pulling your chain. The ECM will not except the flash if it is not needed, and I doudt the DRBIII will accept the download from DealerCONNECT if the vehicle does not require the flash.

I hope your right. Can anyone else confirm or deny this. Thanks.

 

[RKerner]

I had this done to my 04. 5 and it did nothing but help... increased mileage, started easier...



I have read this just recently, but I don't know how true it is: This reflash actually increases the 600 trucks to 610 trucks... I heard this on another site... so I don't know how true it is...



steved

It might be wishful thinking to believe that it increased torque. Mine lost torque and gained hp while becoming 15% more optimistic on the overhead. There are several threads (and polls) on this TSB which should cover all the possible outcomes of the reflash. Thankfully, mine is getting better mileage lately in spite of the reflash.

 

[betterthanstock]

The EPA requires any reflash for any reason to bring all trucks to the latest revision of software available for that hardware (engine), even if it loses power or mileage. I know this to be true for commercial trucks, but I am not 100% for ours. (The idea is that as engines age, they will put pressure on manufacturers to write ever more restrictive software to curb pollution from existing vehicles. Rebuilt engines of certain years have to have a mandatory reflash. )

They cannot reflash a 555 with 610 software (different injectors/turbo/catalyst) but they can, and have to do the 600 with 610 software if the hardware is unchanged. (is it?)

 

[klenger]

pwr2tow: The reflash software was programed into your computer when your truck was built.

 

[Bekim]

No. The flash is THE LATEST ECM program that Dodge has whenever you get it done. Like a Windows update, you get the latest fixes. Why did they reflash it for 18-037-04 if it did not apply to your motor? Just curious. And by the way, they are required to sticker it under the hood if they do a flash at any time!

Cheers
Mike
###

White smoke on startup TSB 18-037-04 is for the following trucks.
Serial # 57130285 - 57246361
engine manufacture date of 12/10/2003 - 08/17/2004

My truck.
Serial # 57310544
engine manufacture date of 01/05/2005

My question is, is this reflash going to have any adverse effects. Did I loose anything in the 05 program when they reflashed my truck. There is no sticker on the radiator cowl and all the tech would tell me is he reflashed the truck for the white smoke on startup and fuel mileage flash. Is there another one for new trucks or did he reflash my truck with the wrong program. Thanks.

 

[barleysoda]

No. The flash is THE LATEST ECM program that Dodge has whenever you get it done. Like a Windows update, you get the latest fixes. Why did they reflash it for 18-037-04 if it did not apply to your motor? Just curious. And by the way, they are required to sticker it under the hood if they do a flash at any time!



Cheers

Mike

###

I have horrible gas mileage. the overhead always reads around 13 and its 13 when I hand calc. it. This is a combination of freeway/city driving and always empty, no towing.



Where under the hood would I find this sticker to see if my 04. 5 has ever had this flash? I am the second owner so I dont know if its been done.



Will it be an argument with the service department to get it done or are they usually happy to do it? I have all the warrantys, 8/80 plus bought extended to cover everything else so I assume its a free flash.

 

[pwr2tow]

barleysoda, all you have to do is take it into the dealer and complain about terrible fuel mileage and they will do it for free. The sticker should be on the radiator cowl.



Klenger, I know my truck already had the update in it when built. My question is did I loose anything in my ECM when they reflashed it with earlier software than what was in my truck when it was built?

 

[pwr2tow]

I will edit my first post, it should include.



The reason my truck was at the dealership was to get a new injector pump put in under warranty.

 

[nickleinonen]

I have read this just recently, but I don't know how true it is: This reflash actually increases the 600 trucks to 610 trucks... I heard this on another site... so I don't know how true it is...

so the thicker marker gets used on the dyno then :-laf:-laf

 

[steved]

so the thicker marker gets used on the dyno then :-laf:-laf

I love when you guys do this right here... flame the messenger . I read this at dodgeforums.com... and for the 600 to 610 thing it would make sense if the 610 has tighter emissions. Sorry I thought about sharing this information, I won't do it again.



And as to knowing if you have the reflash or not, mine is a 1"x3" white sticker on the core support... the writing has worn off now, so they would need to check the electronic records dodge has to know... might simply ask them if they can look your VIN up and see what has been done to date...



steved

 

[grfraz]

When you go to the dealership for warranty work (TSB or what have you) the technicians will plug your vehicle into the DRBIII and their shop computer, and the computer will look at your ECM and determine if a flash is out there for your truck. I stood right next to the technician while he tried to flash my truck with this same TSB. The shop computer did not see/determine the need for any flashes, based on my VIN and/or communicating with my ECM and therefore would not allow the flash.

This may not be the only way to flash our trucks but this is the way that this dealership says that they do it, "to ensure that the correct info gets tranfered" is what I was told.



Please, as I know you will, correct me if I am wrong.



So again I say;

Relax, I think the tech is pulling your chain. The ECM will not except the flash if it is not needed, and I doudt the DRBIII will accept the download from DealerCONNECT if the vehicle does not require the flash.

It is a computer, have you ever tried to install an earlier version of a program onto your hard drive? The computer recognizes this is an earlier version, that is inferior, and warns of this.

 

[pwr2tow]

grfraz,

Forgive me if you thought I thought you didn't know what you were talking about. What you say makes perfect sense.



This dealership is the one that messed up my warranty on my 99 so it kind of leaves me a little paranoid when they say they did something that even I know should not have been done. Before anyone says take it to a different dealer, well, I have 5 dealerships within 100 miles of me and this is the best out of all of them.

 

[barleysoda]

barleysoda, all you have to do is take it into the dealer and complain about terrible fuel mileage and they will do it for free. The sticker should be on the radiator cowl.



Klenger, I know my truck already had the update in it when built. My question is did I loose anything in my ECM when they reflashed it with earlier software than what was in my truck when it was built?

thank you, I will do that.

 

[Bekim]

Any dealer can bring up the service record on your vehicle. Most forums have members who work at dealerships that can run the service record for you. Are there any here?... . Anyone... . Anyone????

Mike

 

[grfraz]

pwr2tow,



I did not think that at all. But thanks anyway.

I am fortunate enough to have 5 good dealerships in my area.

 

[barleysoda]

I just had this flash done today. Only time will tell if the mileage improves but I do know that the overhead sure thinks its improved. It was usually on 13. 5-14 on average. On the way home it was on 22!

I will hand calc it on the next fill up.

 

[pwr2tow]

Good to hear you got it done with no hassle.