RPM

I don't know the answer to either of those questions. I have a recovery file for my Smarty.

I really doubt the dealership has a computer shop in the back. I would also wager someone other than Dodge rebuilds the ECU's they are selling. I may be delusional. I also find it interesting that Dodge sells you a non-programmed ECU and wants to charge you 300 something to program it. I had a guy at Cummins tell me they would sell one programmed out the door for 1260. There is about a 400 dollar discrepancy between Dodge and Cummins for the same part.

Who did you use? Any issues after they rebuilt it? I would like to get a new one but they can't be found. Dodge says they just sell re-man ECU's and Cummins tells me it's a Dodge part.

After that post I would be willing to let Ed try and rebuild it. I have not heard good reviews about the place in Florida. I am stuck between Innovei In Texas and Klein Bottle Computer in New York. Klein has good PayPal ratings and I could probably get my money back if need be. That may tip the scales in that direction. I should look at the BBB ratings for each place. I would like to talk to someone on the phone before I pay or send off my ECU. For as many ECU's as these people say the rebuild there are not many with experience on the forums.

The question I have is one better than the other? I have my original ECU and the one in the truck hasn't put me in limp mode yet so time isn't too much of an issue. Good to know. So at my current rate of a maximum of four reprogram cycles a year with the Smarty it should last 750 years + on a new ECU. Now to find a new ECU, or at least a lightly used ECU.

Yup, they built me a recovery file for the used ECU I bought a few years ago problem. I don't change the program a bunch. I change it to stock in the winter and a Catcher program in the summer. I just didn't know the PROM had a finite lifespan. It's almost like you are rolling the dice every time you change your tune.

Rats! Dodge told me all their ECU's are re-manufactured. I should have bought a new one when I could. That is my quandary, what are the differences between re-man ECU's? Is one really better than another? I doubt Dodge is rebuilding them. It would be nice to know who is doing it for them.

Thanks, I did not know the PROM had a finite life span. Would that stand for changing things with a Smarty? The problem is everyone will tell you they honor their warentee directly before they get your money. Afterward is another story. It would be nice to get some opinions from people who did business with these places. Someone on one of these forums has experience. I checked for AC noise, it is less than 0.1. Batteries are solid, checked the grounds etc. Where did you find a new one? I would love to find a new one but I think the search is futile. I was told I could get a new one for a 2002 and earlier from Cummins. I went over there and they looked at me like I was crazy. Dodge was absolutely no help at all. I almost had to hold a gun on the guy to give me a price.

For the second time in three years I believe my ECU is headed south. A few weeks ago the truck didn't want to start. I checked the grid heater and had more than the recommended resistance between the terminals. I had power to the relays with the wait to start light just no power coming out. Fusible links are good. Now the problem as I understand it is I have 12 volts to the relays with the wait to start light on. When the wait light goes out, I should have zero volts to the relays. I have seven. If I have more than zero it sould be the ECU according to the service manual. I now have IAT sensor voltage codes, fuel calibration error codes, etc. Now the million dollar question. I bought a used ECU the last time and blew in a program with the smarty. I would like something to last longer than a couple of years. I know people have said to stay away from a re-manfactored ECU. Dodge tells me they only sell a reman ECU's now, nothing new. They go for the tune of $1400.00 not programmed. I have heard ECU's going south after a short time from Dodge. What is the difference between a Dodge re-man and a $800.00 model from a company off the net? I know to stay away from a Cardone. Also, what about these companies like Klien Bottle Computer who give you a lifetime warentee if they rebuild your ECU? Anyone care to weigh in?

I also have an older Assassin pump. The thing has worked like a champ. It took a little work to purge all the hose debris after it was installed but once clean, the regulator works. I have only replaced the belt once. IMHO much better than an electric pump. I went through electric pumps like candy. I have never needed a second, back up electric pump.

It's the ECU I am told. I have yet to find one and see if I get my power back.

Ya, I PM'd him and he said he got it off eBay, and it is still working well. I got mine back from AutoZone and it was in a Cardone box. The seal was still intact so they must have got some fault through the plug before they took it apart. I am going to see if I can get one around the first of the year from Cardone, once they "Restock." I have been thinking about it, I have now idea how long the VP, or APPS have been in my truck. So if I pay to change the VP, APPS, ECU, over the next few months, I can P-Pump the truck and not have to worry about all the electronics that go bad. So pig headed determination here I come. I have made up my mind to P-Pump it this summer. All I need is for something to die if I am out of state with the camper.

My string of luck continues.... I got a call today from AutoZone. They say my ECU is beyond repair. Really makes me wonder what they could have fixed, as the truck didn't really run all that bad. I did not have gauge malfunctions or any codes beyond the reported two. Anyway, I am faced with finding one from "Another source" or paying Dodge $1800.00 for a new one. Personally I think $1800.00 is about four times what this part is worth. In today day and age your smart phone has roughly the computing power that took us to the moon. The ECU in this truck I am sure could be replaced with what equals about a $200.00 tablet.This whole thing is really making me wonder if my truck will ever run right again.

Yes, the guy at AutoZone was clueless. The ECU was $243 and some change. I had to take mine out and send it off supposedly it will be back on the 21st. (Just in time for the world to end ) They said it will be refurbishedand guaranteed for a year . Again, it is supposedly a drop in part when I get it back. The questionnaireI had to complete was nothing less than an inquisition. If my sons car wasn't eating a hole in my wallet I probably would have bough a new one but I just can't swing it at this moment. I figured I would go with AutoZone because it was cheap and if it goes out they are pretty much nationwide so I can cram it up someone's hoo haa if it goes out on the road. Plus if it gets me by for a year, my son's car will be done (hopefully) and I will be in a better state financially.

Anyone............

If you really want a catch can you can buy one from Summit Racing. They have some really cheap ones that look just like the can you get in the $200.00 kit version they sell for our trucks, just plastic. I did a Summit catch can and some vinyl hose from Home Depot for well under $50.00 and I just clean the breather and empty it every time I change the oil.

Onboard air would be the way to go. I have to fill mine. Maybe one of these days I will look for a deal on a compressor and a tank.

Thanks. I have been looking at buying one, maybe I will wait until the new model comes out.

Is there any consensus on what is better, a Scan Gauge II or the Ultra Gauge?

Yup, tell me about it.:cry:Anyone know who "VDP" is? Any experience with an AutoZone ECU?

+1 on the airbags. You can always reduce the air in the bags when you are not towing you can't change the ride once you put springs in.

The guy at AutoZone tells me they send it out to a place called VDP. He couldn't tell me what VDP stands for, and if I Google "VDP ECU" I come up with nothing.I am in it now no matter who is really doing it. The truck is parked, the batteries are pulled and on maintainers. At least I can take it back to the parts store if it craps out again. The thing that is killing me is, I converted my son's '83 Landcruiser to a 350 over the summer. He didn't check the oil and spun a bearing. We are a three car family that will have to get by on one for three weeks.

It took the dealership the better part of the day but they told me the MAP circuit in the ECU is bad. I went by AutoZone and sent in my ECU to be rebuilt. According to AutoZone I will get the ECU back on the 21st. They warrantee the ECU for a year and it was $246.00. Hopefully after three weeks without the truck I will be back up to speed.

Hmmm, I have had Yok's on my truck for the last three years and have had quite the opposite experience. I have decent traction in rain, snow, ice, and dirt. I will need a new set in the spring. I do not think they wore quite as long as the last set of Michelin's I had, but for the price difference, I cannot complain. I will replace my tires with another set of Yok's

My drivability is no different just not breaking any land speed records. My fuel mileage is great I must say, but no way will it pull anything. I made an appointment with the stealership for Friday. When I made the appointment I told the service manager my concern about the tech reading the codes and not looking further. He guaranteed they will properly diagnose the truck. I guess I will believe it when I see it.