I'm still messing around doing my re-install of an airdog system (since Sept)  I printed out the directions to have them with me in the carport.  When sipping on a cup of coffee, I noticed  under "trouble shooting" section  Airdog says...

 

"It is important that your ECM re-flashings are up to date. Contact your local dealer for the most recent re-flash".

 

I've never had a re-flash, I never been to the dealer since I owned it in 2005.  Had a FASS pump put in late 2006 and a new water pump and T-stat put in couple years ago. 

 

Is this a re-flash a CYA type statement or should I take this seriously? If so, is this re-flash a dealer item or what?

 

Thanks

Edited February 6, 20178 yr by 015point9

Not sure why it would matter one way or another.  

15 minutes ago, Me78569 said:

Not sure why it would matter one way or another.  

 

Thanks...my gut feeling is...if its not broken don't fix it.  Here is Airdog's  "trouble shooting" guide that led me to the question.

 

http://www.pureflowairdog.com/troubleshooting.php#dodge-pump

 

Hard Starts with Dodge 1998.5-2002 w/VP44 Injection Pump

• Did the truck start good before the PureFlow® product was installed?

• Has your injection pump seen more than 100,000 miles? Have you injection pump tested at your Dodge dealership or authorized shop.

• Before the PureFlow® product was installed, were you seeing symptoms of a dying lift pump? What were the pressures you were seeing? Below 10 psi will damage a VP44.

• Do the hard starts occur more often when warm conditions are present? If you experienced any of the above problems. Start the vehicle immediately after entering the key into the ignition. Do not wait for the wait to start light to go out.

It is important that your ECM re-flashings are up to date. Contact your local dealer for the most recent re-flash.

 

 

12 hours ago, 015point9 said:

Is this a re-flash a CYA type statement or should I take this seriously? If so, is this re-flash a dealer item or what?

 

Yep, purty much.

Reflash is erasing the software in a computer module and reinstalling  the most up-to-date software. Any computer in our trucks can be updated, if there is one.  I've flashed both the pcm and Cummins ecu in my truck. Looking at the service bulletin I don't recall anything to do with fuel. 

I know early flashes would run the lift pump for 5 seconds on key on, later flashes had just a blip to the lift pump.

 

I would assume this is what airsoft is getting at.  To much fuel pressure on crank can overly advance the injection pump for start.  As long as your system is primed you shouldn't need really any inlet pressure to start the truck.

 

I am assuming this is why the flash changed.

Not sure what year your truck is but when I installed my AD, airsoft to some, 6 years ago there was no mention of a reflash of the ECM. Can't figure out what good that would do. 

I am finding nothing on dealerconnect for any flash improvements regarding these trucks. The only thing that we already know about is the Hi-idle tsb.

found this...

1) flash for pcm

SYMPTOM/CONDITION: A change has been made to the PCM software to improve the durability of the transmission internal friction components when certain Drive-Reverse-Drive shift maneuvers are made which are associated with, but not limited to, snow plowing activities.

2) flash for ecu..

There may be a condition of low power or slow acceleration when towing or when hauling a heavy load. This software change, to the Cummins CM551 diesel engine controller, will increase engine torque

 

3)flash for pcm...

SYMPTOM/CONDITION:

flash for pcm

Some customers may complain that their vehicle speed control system may be too busy or drift more than 2 mph below or above the initial vehicle set speed. Vehicle load and road / terrain conditions may impact this issue.

The new PCM software improves the speed control system sensitivity so that the vehicle speed remains closer to its set speed with fewer engine rpm oscillations.

 

AD wants the flash simply for the run time of the lift pump before starting. I would assume they want just the short "blip" of the lift pump rather than the 5 second run. Starting at 15-20psi can cause hard starts. 

6 hours ago, TFaoro said:

AD wants the flash simply for the run time of the lift pump before starting. I would assume they want just the short "blip" of the lift pump rather than the 5 second run. Starting at 15-20psi can cause hard starts. 

I had that happen to me, played around with priming my fuel pump one day and after 30 second run tried starting and had no luck, just cranks. Had to let it sit for few minutes and then it fired up.

1 hour ago, Dieselfuture said:

I had that happen to me, played around with priming my fuel pump one day and after 30 second run tried starting and had no luck, just cranks. Had to let it sit for few minutes and then it fired up.

Were you seeing any fuel pressure during that 30 seconds?

12 hours ago, dripley said:

Were you seeing any fuel pressure during that 30 seconds?

It's been few years, but yes I believe so. Definitely remember pump buzzing like it was pumping fuel. 

22 hours ago, tbo1450 said:

found this...

1) flash for pcm

SYMPTOM/CONDITION: A change has been made to the PCM software to improve the durability of the transmission internal friction components when certain Drive-Reverse-Drive shift maneuvers are made which are associated with, but not limited to, snow plowing activities.

2) flash for ecu..

There may be a condition of low power or slow acceleration when towing or when hauling a heavy load. This software change, to the Cummins CM551 diesel engine controller, will increase engine torque

 

3)flash for pcm...

SYMPTOM/CONDITION:

flash for pcm

Some customers may complain that their vehicle speed control system may be too busy or drift more than 2 mph below or above the initial vehicle set speed. Vehicle load and road / terrain conditions may impact this issue.

The new PCM software improves the speed control system sensitivity so that the vehicle speed remains closer to its set speed with fewer engine rpm oscillations.

 

 

Is there a flash # associated with this? If there is I'll dig it up.

7 hours ago, jlbayes said:

 

Is there a flash # associated with this? If there is I'll dig it up.

I'll look when I get back to work. I forget exactly what year truck I was looking at. I just was searching for tsb's for gen 2 Cummins.  What year is ur truck? I can get more specific with the updates. If u know ur software part numbers I can run them and see if there is an update for ur computers, and exactly what the update does. 

I was checking the range of 2nd gens on dealerconnect.