Reflash it or not? What's the deal?

[Walker]

What seems to be the problem with dealers trying to get the same results from the same 18-003-06 reflash TSB's for every truck? Some people are getting "better" or "great" results in hard starts, mileage, shifting, etc. while others say that they got "no results" from from hard starts, and either "no gain" or "lost" mileage after reflashing; and have had to have it done multiple times.



What variables are keeping the programs from "taking" properly the first time, and/or making an improvement in all these functions? Is it programmer error?



I'm thinking I'd like to get mine reflashed simply for the potential mileage gains I've been hearing about (I'm getting around 15 avg. mostly highway/some mixed). The better shift points as well would be a bonus. But, I haven't had any real hard start problems. My truck was built in August 05 which is before the TSB date for 06's I believe.



I really don't like to take my truck to the dealer for anything, but I'd hate to miss out on a performance gain if it's already covered with a TSB.

 

[Walker]

Back To The Top

 

[MChildress]

They reflashed my neighbors 05 when he took it in for an oil change. I was backing down the boat ramp last weekend and had opened the door to see the empty boat trailer around the dually fenders and almost fell out of the truck when the horn started honking. I bet this new horn idea really wakes up the camp ground while hooking up the trailers. My truck does'nt have this and I would disconnect it if it did.

 

[Elsbury]

Hi Walker!

My 06 was built in June of 05. It's not a Mega but is a 4x4. I live in Socal and did not have a hard start problem until the temps dropped into the high thirties at nite. My fuel mileage was the worst of any Dodge truck I've owned

(4 to date) My 04 hemi got better mileage than my cummins. I was seeing 8. 5-9. 0 around town and about 13. 5 on the hwy. I saw just over 15 once drivin her at 50, but almost became roadkill so figured I better do some complaining to Dodge. Now i bought this truck to tow with and was not expecting compact car mileage, but even the guys i work with who own dodges' with the cummins told me something had to be wrong. I had mine reflashed last week and it seems to have made a big difference in my rig.

I think the reason some people don't see the major change is possibly not enough miles on their trucks at the reflash time. Mine has 9300 part of which was towing a 31' Alfa sun. I also think you have to find a dealer who's got a great computer tech so he can make your truck talk to DC's mainframe and understands what the fixes are for your problems.

 

[2Gen3Gen]

I didnt think that the 06 needed the reflash??? Are you talking about the white smoke/mileage flash?

 

[Elsbury]

Hard cold start, poor mileage, funky overhead reading... ... ... aw heck I've got the number here somewhere. I'll post it when i find it

 

[Elsbury]

Tsb 18-003-06

 

[MRaynor]

Would this possibly apply to the 05 too?

Tsb 18-003-06

 

[CDegner]

Not according to the dates specified in the TSB.



Carl

 

[mlewis73]

AVOID THIS FLASH if you love anything having to do with LOW END TORQUE and EASY ACCELERATION without having run the engine past 2000 RPM. I had the flash done for a temp sensor CEL code on my truck and am hoping Dodge can remove it and return me back to the previous state. Empty and towing power is way down from stock. Mileage is up 1 mpg. I'll take the worse mileage and better power.

 

[rattlbox]

i would not let them reflash mine... i like it just the way it is i can live with some little quirks... but once they reflash it i dont think they can change it back... just my 2 cents

 

[CLWilliams]

Reflash started hard start with mine. I was having some white smoke on first start up in the morning and they reflashed it for that. Never had long crank or hard start until the reflash... ... ... . ???????

 

[JDubien]

My truck was flashed for hard start/ long cranking and it fixed it for a short time, maybe a couple months. Then it would do it very seldom and now its back to doing it once a day or more but unpredictable. Is this because of the dual mass flywheel or just bad programming or what? Its embarassing to own a new truck and see people stare when it doesn't start right up.

 

[CLWilliams]

I don't know if it's the cold weather, but it took 3 times to start mine today. Only once, but it sure is embarassing for such a big, powerful, NEW truck !!!

 

[Whiskey]

Go here it will explain it!

http://dodgeram.info/tsb/2006/18-003-06.htm



whiskey

 

[JDubien]

Whiskey,

Went to the link... what does this have to do with the rear door locks as written under diagnosis? Did anyone else have problems with thier rear door locks and get this flash to fix it?

I have already had this flash performed for hard starts in warm or cold temperatures and currently have the same symptoms as before the flash. That is what makes no sense to me.

 

[s.kelly]

Skip Kelly

I had the dealer re-flash about a month ago and --- walla ---!!!

The hard starts went away and the mileage is up--about 1 1/2 better towing and about 4mpg better combined town/hiway. Don't buy your fuel filters from Dodge though, unless you want to pay $46 bucks! Geno's Garage in the TDR is the place. Two fuel filters; 3 oil filters plus shipping to my door, and all for about $52 bucks! That's what I'm talkin' about!

 

[VTomasso]

My $.02

Hi All,



Just had the reflash done on mine for the temp sensor problem, and now she runs a little differently. Changes are...



1. Less aggressive boost under light throttle below 2,000 rpm. Seems a little easier to control power, especially on snow and ice.



2. Application of half throttle in 3rd or 4th gear used to make a nice "onramp smokescreen" of black smoke. This is now gone. :{



3. Idle is slightly smoother.



4. Zero smoke on cold starts, even at 0*F. Used to get a little white puff.



5. Too soon to tell on mileage. I'll report back any changes.

 

[Walker]

After contemplating, I decided to go ahead with the flash purely on hopes of the mileage increase. I had no hard starts for the most part, but I didn't really like the transmission shifting that much. Had bad white smoke and rough idle only a couple of times.



Results were/are:

1. transmission shifts are much better. Didn't know what to expect from this part of the flash, but now notice shifting was worse than I thought. Hunts between 2 and 3 at slow speeds sometimes though.



2. Starting is still the same. Pretty decent and consistent. A little longer on hot starts and really cold starts (low 20's).



3. Low end is a little weaker. And I do notice much less smoke on full throttle passes at highway speeds. Less pop than before but just by a little.



4. As for the mileage. Crap. It just changed the over head to read 2. 5 over when it was . 5 under before.



All in all, I guess I'm pleased the most with the transmission shifting. Other than that, it was a waste. I keep telling myself that it is okay since this was the latest and therefore best new software program. Even though they say you can never go back to the old programs.



This just gives me the Smarty/TST bug a little more since these will make short notice of anything in the stock power range.

 

[CLWilliams]

My truck was flashed for hard start/ long cranking and it fixed it for a short time, maybe a couple months. Then it would do it very seldom and now its back to doing it once a day or more but unpredictable. Is this because of the dual mass flywheel or just bad programming or what? Its embarassing to own a new truck and see people stare when it doesn't start right up.

Dude I am with you. I am really starting to get embarassed with the long crank. I hate when you expect it to start and it doesn't and then you try again instead of cranking it for 8 seconds straight. Either way... ... . it sucks for a new truck!!!#@$%!