TSB 18-037-04 First Impression

[Alan Reagan]

Had my 05 reflashed this morning with the 18-037-04 TSB. First impression is pretty darn good. That slight pinging during mild acceleration is almost completely gone. Must have done a little timing change. With the diesel, I'm sure it will never disappear.



Acceleration is smoother and faster. I'm taking a trip to Jacksonville and that will give me a chance to check interstate mileage at 70.



I had doubts about having it done but now I'm glad I did. My engine serial number was in the middle of the range. The mechanic said that I now have the 610 "fer sure".

 

[mlavigne]

What was the build date on yours? I am getting a little pinging on mine under hard acceleration but I am not sure if it needs the TSB done. Any way to tell?

 

[Alan Reagan]

My build date was 07/04. The TSB made a difference in that pinging. I guess that is the pilot injection. I just got back from a run down the highway where I could open it up a little. I can tell a difference. It seemed to be very smooth acceleration to 70 mph. I am pleasantly surprised. Now I'll have to see if the computer is more accurate on MPG. I'll be traveling about 600 miles starting tomorrow and that should be a good test. I'm at 970 on the odometer so this will complete the initial breakin.

 

[mikepvg]

My immpressions after that TSB was done:



Overhead is now optimistic by 0. 3 mpg (was pessimistic by 0. 7 mpg) this comparison is hand calculated by completely topping off (yes it takes about 10 minutes at the pump to do this... . )



1) Nasty smoke still appears on cold soak starts.

2) Nasty rough idle & stumbling still exists on cold soak starts & after getting hot (at least a 30 minute drive @ 60 plus)

3) Now have a knock below 1500 upon acceleration (this is NOT the normal

diesel combustion knock)

4) Fuel mileage is about the same. If I drive like I like, that = about 11 mpg! If I drive like a faq & do NOT exceed 60 mph on the hwy (which is quite dangerous these days... but had to experiment) I can get almost 17 mpg.



Not so good really... . my 94' got 17mpg TOWING & over slightly over 20mpg empty. Should have stuck to the 12v's.....



Dealer is an A-hole & have not had a chance this new truck back in to be checked for probable defective injector (s).

 

[Apence]

Mikepvg

Sounds just about exactly the same as my story, guess theres more than a few of us.

 

[vagabond]

Soooo does that mean with the flash my 04. 5 now has 610?



Thanks, Tommie

 

[KevinO]

I had the reflash done on my 04. 5 build date jan 04 and the mileage (hand calculated) is up a good 3 mpg. I haven't been able to check for smoke i had a ton on cold start before the reflash. I drive 75-80 on the highway. Can't wait to put the TST back on to see if i can get a little more mpg from it.

 

[RKerner]

Don't think so...

Soooo does that mean with the flash my 04. 5 now has 610?



Thanks, Tommie

Before and after dyno sheet:



TSB18-037-04/18-007-04 Dyno results

 

[vagabond]

Thank you I was just up in Alexandria,MN. Have family there and Bemedji.



Thanks, Tommie

 

[Alan Reagan]

Tommie, I believe you do have a 610 now. But I'm not sure. Seems as thought the 05s are already 610s but it probably depended on the build date and ECM Flash. Since the reflash requires them to erase and then reprogram with the new code, and it is good for the 325 hp engine (mine) then I would assume that it probably is the 610 flash.



Looking at those Ricks Dyno sheets from the above post, I'm confused. HP went up and torque went down. That means RPMs had to go up.

 

[CoastyAV8R]

If you guys are still having the smoke at start up and pinging, I would wonder whether or not you really got the re-flash. They are suppose to put a sticker on the PCM with the latest reflash number on it, I would take a peek and see...

My truck still runs the same as it did before the reflash but the mileage did go up about 2mpg.

 

[rashwor]

I am doubting some of you actually got the flash as well. If another dealer is an option, give that a try.

 

[moel]

i did get the high idle feature - i no i did not have it before(i tried to use it), it is possible that they downloaded another tsb, but service manager assured me standard procedure for the tech is to install latest tsb applicable to my truck's vin #

 

[GoodTGo]

Finally Fixed

After 4 trips to the shop, it is finally running like it should. Before reflash could not have asked for a stronger truck, just wanted a little more mpg. Was gettin 16. 4mpg before reflash, 15. 2 after. Also did not have the power of a V8 running on 4. Complained to everyone. Finally told them to buy it back. Was referred to another dealer. Low and behold, now it is fixed.

Original dealer forgot to re-engage the Pinion Factor. You would think when my truck was there 3 times they could have figured it out. Overhead and hand calculation is only . 2 off. Hand figured now is 17. 52 with cruise set on 70. When I bump it up to my normal driving which is 75-80, drops to 16. 1. Running 90 brings it down to 13. Had to back off!!! Ordered Juice w/Attitude this morning!!!!!!!!!!!! Oo.



BTW Mikepvg----Sorry to disappoint you, but I do not drive 60 so move over!

 

[stew130]

"Pinion Factor"????????

 

[DCornelius]

Tommie, I believe you do have a 610 now. But I'm not sure. Seems as thought the 05s are already 610s but it probably depended on the build date and ECM Flash. Since the reflash requires them to erase and then reprogram with the new code, and it is good for the 325 hp engine (mine) then I would assume that it probably is the 610 flash.

Can anyone confirm this?



BTW I had mine done last week. I know that my overhead mileage is up by about 2 mpg, but I don't b'lieve it. I look forward to filling up to see what the true tale is. Ah but it's raining outside, so I pulled the Durango out of the stable for today's duties.



I haven't noticed any difference in power. The flash didn't get rid of the white smokescreen when it's really cold outside, so I don't know if the flash really does a whole lot. I have looked under the hood, but I can't find a sticker showing that the flash was performed. Where are they supposed to apply it?

 

[moel]

After 4 trips to the shop, it is finally running like it should. Before reflash could not have asked for a stronger truck, just wanted a little more mpg. Was gettin 16. 4mpg before reflash, 15. 2 after. Also did not have the power of a V8 running on 4. Complained to everyone. Finally told them to buy it back. Was referred to another dealer. Low and behold, now it is fixed.

Original dealer forgot to re-engage the Pinion Factor. You would think when my truck was there 3 times they could have figured it out. Overhead and hand calculation is only . 2 off. Hand figured now is 17. 52 with cruise set on 70. When I bump it up to my normal driving which is 75-80, drops to 16. 1. Running 90 brings it down to 13. Had to back off!!! Ordered Juice w/Attitude this morning!!!!!!!!!!!! Oo.



BTW Mikepvg----Sorry to disappoint you, but I do not drive 60 so move over!

how do they re-engage - so i can get my dealer to do likewise!!!!!! Oo.

 

[KevinO]

On the radiator support is where they put a sticker that says what reflash they did, date and tech's number. The first time i supposed to get the 007 flash there was nothing on there.

 

[mikepvg]

Hey GoodTgo. Don't worry... . it was just a test. Did you know that this truck has a top speed governer? It reaches between 105 & 110 and cuts out until the speed drops. Thats where I like to drive... course the mpg goes way down!



What is this re-engage the pinion thing?

 

[GoodTGo]

From what I was told, the Pinion Factor is what tells the ECM how fast the back tires are turning. I just know they fixed it.