[Crash68]

At this point they are claiming that only a tuner can change the VIN and that the use of a tuner permanently damaged the emissions system as evidenced by the CEL U02A2 - "Lost Communication with Reductant Quality Module". Therefore, the restriction. They won't remove the restriction because of having the wrong VIN on the ECU at the previous visit regardless of if I have the stock ECU at a later visit.

Sounds like a real DB dealership, might be a good idea to warn others about them.
I find it a bit of BS that they say a loss of comm with the Reductant Quality module equates to the emissions system is permanently damaged, comm loss to modules can happen if the vehicle loses battery power when it's disconnected.

 

[tjkoen01]

Unfortunately, I wasn't aware of that fact about the VIN flash by dealer until they informed me of it at the end. At this point they are claiming that only a tuner can change the VIN and that the use of a tuner permanently damaged the emissions system as evidenced by the CEL U02A2 - "Lost Communication with Reductant Quality Module". Therefore, the restriction. They won't remove the restriction because of having the wrong VIN on the ECU at the previous visit regardless of if I have the stock ECU at a later visit. I even offered to pay for new ECU from them and for them to flash it..no dice.

That is BS. Hopefully FCA will help get this straightened out. Dealers have knowingly or unknowingly flashed over tuned ECU’s with no issue. They should be able to check the software installed and verify it is stock.


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[Kazimodo]

in his case , loss of communication because he put in a ECM from 2016 or newer ,
his truck is 2014 or 2015 , and there is no DEF quality sensor in the DEF tank for the first 2 years of ECO production .
communication loss for sure ..

 

[RAM259]

He says he has the stock ecu. I would put it back in and try another dealer. I would talk around and find a dealer willing to work with you first. Or buy a new truck.


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[neato_2001]

He says he has the stock ecu. I would put it back in and try another dealer. I would talk around and find a dealer willing to work with you first. Or buy a new truck.


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It is restricted in a way such that no FCA dealer is allowed to touch it. Apparently, it's not that they wouldn't want to help, but that the restriction prevents them from doing so. I called another and they said there is nothing they can do. Even FCA itself says only the dealer can remove the restriction. Basically, they seem to have put a block on it as though the truck is stolen, using the changed VIN to the ECU as the excuse.

 

[RAM259]

Then see if they will take it on trade for a new one. Put the original back in and get it running. You should have never taken it in after you saw codes from putting in a newer ecu to your older truck. Get it running and get rid of it. What other choices do you have.


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[neato_2001]

Then see if they will take it on trade for a new one. Put the original back in and get it running. You should have never taken it in after you saw codes from putting in a newer ecu to your older truck. Get it running and get rid of it. What other choices do you have.


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I thought about trading it in. But, if I do I certainly wouldn't do it at that dealership. No way I would give them any more of my money. I'm concerned also that whatever they did is going to show up on my CARFAX if I go to take it to any other dealer. My guess is that it will. So, at this point, if the they don't choose to make it right and the settlement lawyers can't get it fixed, I would probably just drive it long enough that it won't matter anymore because it will be essentially worthless. Then, sell it to some high schooler for cheap. Only becomes a problem if it develops any mechanical issues.

 

[Kazimodo]

you are GDE tuned , Vern got 2 consecutive engines over 300,000 miles on GDE tunes ,
how long would that take you ? maybe that high schooler buyer is not born yet ....

 

[gtsav2006]

I think the big problem here is that folks assume that the dealer service departments can correct any issue that exists with their truck. The bottomline is performing this procedure can put the truck in a state for which FCA never intended. My guess is the technician/service manager that @neato_2001 is dealing with is probably a little bit pompous and assumes that if they can't figure out what you did, then there MUST be fowl play involved.

Service departments at least USED TO be able to change the VIN on a used ECM using the older Chrysler J2534 software. Maybe this capability was removed from WiTech; I haven't seen it in action so I do not know, but here are other 3rd party tools with software, such as Snap-On, that does the same thing as AlfaOBD. Even the Chrysler J2534 software would only change the "Current VIN" though.

BUT, the other thing is we don't know how the Chrysler tools respond to firmware on the ECM not matching the make/model and having to different VIN values. The OBD tuner tools mate based off of the "original VIN" I believe. The OEM tools may or may not do the same thing. I know folks have reported getting the AEM update with a donor ECM, but it's possible the model year was a close enough match not to matter. (And 2014-2015 have the same firmware.)

If WiTech does use the current VIN to perform firmware updates, then I would also suspect their would be safeguards in place if the delta between the new and existing firmware are too different. Does FCA allow the technician for fully override anything? Maybe, maybe not... This would be somewhat equivalent to trying to flash "Revision 1" bios software to a "Revision 0" motherboard. At some point, the user (or in the case of our trucks, the service manager) to accept responsibility.

 

[gtsav2006]

I had a stock ECU that kept having brief random CEL's. I found this guide and found an ECU on ebay that was listed as 2014. Turned out to be from 2016. Seller, says too bad because it's considered a compatible part.

Doesn't this vaguely sound like the issue where the connector near a door panel or something gets loose? Anyone? Bueller?

Apologies for the vagueness, but I know I've read of a couple folks with the issue where random gremlins would appear and there's a connector somewhere that was loose.

 

[Kazimodo]

Keith , do you mean one of those 2 connectors , or do we have another known connector coming apart .
..
first one above left tibia of driver inside the cab ,
and second one under truck .
..

 

[gtsav2006]

Keith , do you mean one of those 2 connectors , or do we have another known connector coming apart .

No, apologies for the confusion. I'm not aware of anything new. Those are probably the ones. I just recall something about a loose connector causing intermittent issues. Again, sorry... just didn't have the time to check on the history.

 

[joeblue83]

If i have a 2016 gde ecu can i put it in my 2019 with the alpa obd? I see i have to change both vin and injector numbers. Wondering about anything else?

 

[Bounty Hunter]

If i have a 2016 gde ecu can i put it in my 2019 with the alpa obd? I see i have to change both vin and injector numbers. Wondering about anything else?

You should be good. You'll need the security bypass in order to use AlfaOBD or any other OBD port device.

Or put the ECM into a pre-'18 ECO and change the VIN and injector codes, then swap it into your '19.

 

[03ac]

Would anyone know if i got a salvaged ECU that was the same year of the my current truck '15 but had different axle ratios 3:55 vs 3:92, then found out the ECU had a installed GDE Pre-Hot tune on it will there be issues after converting the VIN and Injector codes? Any help with this would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!

 

[Helidriver]

Would anyone know if i got a salvaged ECU that was the same year of the my current truck '15 but had different axle ratios 3:55 vs 3:92, then found out the ECU had a installed GDE Pre-Hot tune on it will there be issues after converting the VIN and Injector codes? Any help with this would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!

The cruise control will be inoperative while in tow/haul mode.

 

[03ac]

Ok, thanks for that knowledge, i have read that there is a setting within AlphaOBD that you can change the rear ratio. Will that change mitigate the Cruise control issue? thanks!

 

[gtsav2006]

Ok, thanks for that knowledge, i have read that there is a setting within AlphaOBD that you can change the rear ratio. Will that change mitigate the Cruise control issue? thanks!

No, you cannot change the axle ratio value within the ECM with AlfaOBD, only the BCM. I also fairly certain I have tested incorrect axle ratio ECM's and the cruise control worked in tow/haul mode. @Helidriver, was that a first hand experience? The one report that I recall on an issue on was that while in tow/haul mode and towing a load, someone stated that the transmission downshifted and rev'ed the engine abnormally. I haven't been able to duplicate this behavior either, but I don't have anything of significant weight to tow.

I am also curious at how you have knowledge that the salvage ECM is a GDE tune. Most people reference the lower cruise control set point, but other tuners change this as well.

 

[Helidriver]

No, you cannot change the axle ratio value within the ECM with AlfaOBD, only the BCM. I also fairly certain I have tested incorrect axle ratio ECM's and the cruise control worked in tow/haul mode. @Helidriver, was that a first hand experience? The one report that I recall on an issue on was that while in tow/haul mode and towing a load, someone stated that the transmission downshifted and rev'ed the engine abnormally. I haven't been able to duplicate this behavior either, but I don't have anything of significant weight to tow.

I am also curious at how you have knowledge that the salvage ECM is a GDE tune. Most people reference the lower cruise control set point, but other tuners change this as well.

I have not, just repeating what I remember reading.

 

[GDE]

No, you cannot change the axle ratio value within the ECM with AlfaOBD, only the BCM. I also fairly certain I have tested incorrect axle ratio ECM's and the cruise control worked in tow/haul mode. @Helidriver, was that a first hand experience? The one report that I recall on an issue on was that while in tow/haul mode and towing a load, someone stated that the transmission downshifted and rev'ed the engine abnormally. I haven't been able to duplicate this behavior either, but I don't have anything of significant weight to tow.

I am also curious at how you have knowledge that the salvage ECM is a GDE tune. Most people reference the lower cruise control set point, but other tuners change this as well.

What other tuners change cruise control on this application? Most likely they are lifting our tune. I would like to find out who...