Uninstalling the Recent recall?

[BStoecker]

Is it possible for a tech to uninstall the latest "safety" recall? Without my knowledge or permission, the dealership reprogrammed my computer with the safety alarm feature that makes the horn blow if you do one of several different things. While backing my 40' trailer into the driveway across 2 lanes of traffic this weekend, I opened my door to make sure that I wasn't backing into the tree beside the driveway. I do this every time instead of sitting there adjusting my mirrors so that I can see while stopping traffic. Now, when I do this, the horn starts blowing like my car alarm has been set off. Needless to say I am NOT happy with this latest "feature" provided by DCX. Instead of actually fixing the problem, they just reprogram your computer with another idiot alarm. Then I set it off again at the grocery store when I popped the door open to make sure I was within the lines in the parking lot. The alarm goes off, scaring the crap out of me, and bringing me and the truck to the attention of everyone walking near me. I set it off again in the driveway last night. With the seatbelt fastened and the truck in Park, I popped the door to make sure I hadn't backed over a cable lying in my driveway. This is just annoying at best and I want rid of it. I guess what pisses me off the most is that the dealer just installed this without ever even mentioning it to me. I would have never allowed them to install it. Now I am going to have to fight with them to get it removed.



My question is this: Can the tech reinstall a non-current version of the software? I had the reflash for the white smoke done over a year ago. I want to go back to this software version and avoid the "idiot alarm" feature. Is this even possible?

 

[mgoncalves]

My question is this: Can the tech reinstall a non-current version of the software? I had the reflash for the white smoke done over a year ago. I want to go back to this software version and avoid the "idiot alarm" feature. Is this even possible?

I think they can only flash the latest revision.

 

[BStoecker]

I just spoke to the service advisor and they are willing to reprogram my computer. They are calling DCX to find out if they can do it and to figure out how to do it.

 

[mgoncalves]

That's great of your dealer to try and fix their screw up. Let us know how it turns out.

 

[barleysoda]

I was told by my service department that it was a safety recall and that I had no choice in the matter. If I ever took my truck in for service that they would flash it with this recall.

I had to get the truck flashed for another reason and they did the recall flash as well.

 

[Edgemann55]

Thats total bull,my local dealer Carson Dodge asks the customer when they bring the truck in if they want it done. It does not have to be done and once done per the service advisor can not be reversed.

In fact they think it is a stupid fix and advise against it unless you feel the need to have it. If I leave the truck when its running I put on the parking brake.

Also in 25,000 miles have not had the truck jump out of park. If this is real happening to our trucks they (Dodge) should come out with a real fix.

 

[PGreenleaf]

If you got it and dont want it ,and cant get rid of it, you can buy a extention for your seatbelt, plug it in and bingo, no more horn blowing and flashing lights.

 

[BStoecker]

Yeah, basically DCX is telling the service advisor that they will not allow them to undo this recall. I called the dealership general manager and *****ed to him that I knew the recall was out there, did the research, did NOT want it, and the service writer installed it without my knowledge or consent. Now it sounds like I am stuck with a truck that has been altered without my permission and a worthless corporation that refuses to fix the problem. This recall is bull**** to start with. It is the same problem that DCX has had with these transmission since at least the '93 model year. Instead of FIXING the problem, they just add more idiot proofing and alarms. It doesn't matter if the seat belt is buckled or not. Mine still goes off. I was backing in my driveway and opened the door with the transmission in Park with my seatbelt still hooked up. The horn went off. This is absolute bull****. Too bad neither GM nor Ford makes a better alternative. I would be trading it in. DCX doesn't understand or care that I have over $130,000 worth of DCX/Jeep vehicles sitting in my driveway. This may be the last.

 

[Turbo1Ton]

If you are still on somewhat good terms with the GM and the service advisor maybe you can work it out to replace the ECM with one that hasn't been flashed? I don't know if that would work or not, just a thought.



It sucks that they did it without your consent. I would be ****** off too.



Jeff

 

[BStoecker]

Unfortunately the Service advisor and I are not on friendly terms. He's a younger guy with a huge chip on his shoulder. The actual tech is a friend of mine, but he has to get the software flash from DCX before he can install it from what I understand.

 

[nickleinonen]

open up the drivers door skin, find the wires feeding the switch in the door latch [pin 1 violet wire, pin 2 black w/violet tracer] and clip one of the wires. . the door switch is a normally open switch. if it never makes contact, it will never see the door open. you could get fancy and wire in a relay so it only has the wire clipped when the engine is running, so the alarm would still work when the truck is shut off [and you should use the parking brake anyways when parking with the engine running]



now it isn't nice that they did the flash without telling you, but it is a legal thing. there is no way to flash it out [maybe with a downloader programer???] so the above would get you around that problem. .



[i still have a hard time understanding why people backup with the door open]

 

[BStoecker]

To get my trailer into my driveway at the old house, I have to pull into the housing sub across the street and back across 2 lanes of traffic. If I sit there to adjust my mirrors to see the rear end of a 40' gooseneck, I will be stopping traffic longer than if I just pop the door open. Normally I just roll the window down, but even that takes longer than I want if traffic is a little busier. The one that makes me mad it just backing into a parking space. Even if I put the truck in park, take my foot off the brake, and open the door to make sure I am within the lines, the damn alarm goes off.

 

[Turbo1Ton]

I thought the alarm wasn't supposed to go off if the truck was in park? I mean isn't that the purpose of the alarm, to let you know when the truck ISN'T in park?



Jeff

 

[BStoecker]

I think it is set to go off if the truck is in park, the engine is running, the door is opened, and the parking brake is not set. Even though the seat belt was still latched.

 

[barleysoda]

I think it is set to go off if the truck is in park, the engine is running, the door is opened, and the parking brake is not set. Even though the seat belt was still latched.

Not true in my case. I never put the parking brake on in my driveway. Its flat... no encline. I have the idiot flash done and I can only get it to go off if I am NOT in park and open the door and then take my foot off the brake.

I really have to go out of my way to set this thing off so it hasnt bothered me yet. I cant think of anytime I am in my truck with the door open and not in park where I dont have my foot on the brake. Even when I am backing up and hanging out the door, I am idiling back with my foot riding the brake.

 

[JeepRig]

Same thing here. It was done without my approval. I meant to tell them NOT to do it and I forgot.

Does anyone know how to disable it without cutting the wires to my door switch? Is this the only way? I still want to have a dome light when the door opens.

 

[HLewallen]

I guess you could try to install an inconspicuous switch in the door instead of a relay. I was lucky - the dealer asked me if I wanted it done the last time I went in for service. Wait - I take that back - actually my friendly service advisor informed me of the recall and I told him not to do it. Then he got all huffy and said I would have to "sign for it not being done". And then he handed me a blank peice of paper and said to sign it. "Would you mind putting something on the paper so I know what I am signing?" And so he got more huffy . . .



Basically, I bet I will have to tell them not to do it every time I take my truck in, and the first time I forget to tell them . . . Honk! Honk! Honk!

 

[Foil Freak 1211]

Probably has something to do with liability. I wouldn't be surprised if the dealerships (from all manufactures) are instructed not to give owners the option of "accepting" a recall update.

 

[FDNYMOPARGUY]

I'm with Nickleinonon, build a bypass switch either through the door pin or the horn circuit.

How many other jerry rigs have we put on our trucks to make them better or fix a manufacturer oversight?

 

[RMalone]

I agree the dealers are going to do the "fix" because of liablitlity. To their credit, they didn't design or build the truck they only sell it and if DCX say you WILL do it, they don't have much choice unless they want to open themselves up to huge liabilities.



For me the real issue is DCX warning us that their design/workmanship is malfunctioning. DONT have the truck tell me that a known problem has occured, FIX the known problem!!! I am not that well versed on autos/trucks in general, but I know of NO other auto trannies that have an obtrusive alarm to tell the driver the vehicle isn't in park. Do they have one on the Liberty, Magnum, Grand Cherokee, etc, etc, etc??? How about the Hemi-Ram?, or since it's operator error (per DCX) are we to believe only Cummins-Ram drivers are stupid enough not to put the truck in park??



This whole issue makes me want to puke, thus far I have not used a dealer since I got the recall notice. In the event I need the dealer, I will demand, written on paper, an agreement NOT to reflash with this "fix" if they are unwilling the work will be done at a non-DCX location. DCX should be damn glad they have Cummins. How many of you would follow the Cummins to another brand of truck???