Road Relay 4 Info Please

[Mundgyver]

I have ordered a Road Relay 4 for my 2001. Do any of you have one installed and if so how do you like it???

 

[JohnE]

Installed them on an order that used Cummins C8. 3 G+ engines, which is basically an ISC converted to natural gas fueling.



The Road Relay system plugs into the data bus and allows you to display reading much as using a Pro-Link or Insite on a laptop. Nice features and you even have built in security lock-out.

2 drawbacks.

It is not cheap

It does NOT give you the single most important reading, EGT.



PM me with your email address. I have a copy of the user's manual in MS Word format.

 

[BT]

I have been trying to order a RR4 for my 2001 for months. Everyone I talked to said they were not available, and that you have to order a 2000 model year part number and have the software and software adjustments for fuel consumption errors loaded for the 2001. What part number did you order, and was it specifically listed for the 2001???

 

[Mundgyver]

The part # I ordered was 400594. I just got off the phone with Cummins Northwest. You can talk with either Jerry or Lane. The unit should just plug in. I have not picked mine up yet. Looking forward to getting it in. The idea of being able to lock the engine completely down from starting is one big reason I'm getting this. .



Cummins Northwest, Inc.

Parts Distribution Center

3919 North Ballast

Portland, OR 97217



Local 503-289-8989

Fax 503-240-5565



-Wally-Oo.

 

[BT]

I've got real bad news for you. I could write a book about the crap I've been through with Cummins to try and get the straight story on this damn thing - every time I talk to someone at national or northwest I get a different story - but I was told that the security lockout feature was definitely NOT enabled for Dodge applications. Apparently Dodge did not want Cummins to enable the security lockout, because it would cut into their sales of security systems. Go figure.



Also, the part number you listed is not for the 2001, it is the number for the 2000 model year - although it doesn't make too much difference. The RR4 is a "black box" and must be programmed for the application. The software for the 2000 model year provided inaccurate data for the 2001 and above model years, because Dodge changed the ECM after 2000. They have completed a software fix to correct the fueling inaccuracies that were occurring on 2001 vehicles running the 2000 year software. But I still don't know if they fixed the cumulative mileage problem or the temperature problem - both readings were bogus with the earlier software.



Mike Van Winkle at Northwest was one of the key guys in the know about the software fixes, so I would suggest confirming with him.



Also, I see you are running an EZ box, which also plugs into the ECM. I've read in other threads that the fueling parameters are not valid when running the box, so you might want to ask Mike about that as well. Also I'm not sure how both the RR4 and the EZ would plug into the same connection.



Please let me know what you find out, I am considering getting one as well. However the total confusion on Cummins' part doesn't give me a warm feeling of confidence, especially when it's gonna cost approx. $900.

 

[Mundgyver]

Interesting. My understanding is that this thing plugs in under the dash to the diagnostic port. I guess when I go to pick it up, we will install it and if it does not work, then I keep my money and they keep their box. My understanding was that the programing has been worked out. If not then we will find out. I was told that the anti-theft system will lock down the engine. I will let you know what happens. Looks like I'm going to be the lab-rat for everyone, hu!!

 

[BatMan01]

RR4 & 2001/2002

I have had one installed off and on for over a year. As stated above there are server issues/problems with the Dodge application. I have been working with Cummins forf almost a year trying to get this thing to do what I paid for it to do. I will give you the Readers Digest version. Cummins asked for the box back three times for firmware updates. When I got the box back the last time I was told that this would be the last time because Cummins was dropping the Dodge application of the RR4. They stated that there were to many compatibility issues with the DC ECM. Heres what I am left with. Most of the fuel related readings are fixed. Total cummulative milage reading has been removed. Temp readings above 204 seem to be fixed ( I have not been able to verify this yet). There are a couple of older post that give more detail on these problems and the history. If you are purchasing this for a 2001 or a 2002 make sure that you have the lastest firmware release (late spring early summer 2001). If you are using a fueling box like the COMP, you will have to use a Y connector. Because of this your readings for all fuel measurments will be skewed. Your boost readings will be accurate up to about 18psi when the boost module in the Comp restricts the readings to 20psi for the ECM.

Do the research before you buy. There are some really nice features but you have to decide if those features are worth the cost. The other thing to remember is that Cummins will not update the firmware anymore. This means that if DC makes comes out with another ECM update it may affect the RR4's ability to get accurate readings and we are stuck with a nice conversation piece. If you want more information email me at -- email address removed --.

 

[Mundgyver]

This is turning out to be a very interesting discussion. I'm not out any money yet and I now have a whole lot more questions that have to be answered before I write a check out to anybody. If anybody has more info send it to me at -- email address removed --



Looks like I will have to get into the letter writing mode to DC and Cummins with some very pointed questions and see what floats up.



I wonder if there is anyway to just run with Cummins's software and eliminate the DC side of the equation



Anybody doing or trying this?? Inquiring minds need to know. Thanks for all the information.



-Wally-

 

[BatMan01]

Mundgyver

I asked the same question about running the Cummins software instead of the DC software. It apprears that there is more to it than just the software. Call Cummins and they can give you the skinny on this.