Dealership question for auto repair

[Crunchy]

Anyone know if a Ford service department can flash an ECM on a Ram 2500.  My rear parksense sensors stopped working and I would like to get them fixed.  I would take it to the local Dodge service department but my diesel has a couple of "mods" that if the dealer updates the ECM will cause me problems.  I get the Chrysler mailings requesting me to bring my truck in for the ECM update, but that isn't going to happen.  Thinking maybe take the truck to a Ford service department to repair the parking sensors if I am confident they cannot update the ECM. 

thanks
Crunchy

[jackelope]

Negative.

The right thing for any dealership to do if the pcm was modified aka tuned is to not touch it. It will more than likely put the truck into limp mode.

As much  as I hate to admit it, we did that one time not knowing the pcm was tuned. Truck had zero throttle. It would idle but that’s it. Had to have it towed to a diesel performance shop and fortunately they were able to recover the tune that was in the truck and get it running again.

I’ll add that I don’t know why anyone would have to do anything to the pcm to fix your backup sensors.

[EnglishSetter]

Negative.

The right thing for any dealership to do if the pcm was modified aka tuned is to not touch it. It will more than likely put the truck into limp mode.

As much  as I hate to admit it, we did that one time not knowing the pcm was tuned. Truck had zero throttle. It would idle but that’s it. Had to have it towed to a diesel performance shop and fortunately they were able to recover the tune that was in the truck and get it running again.

I’ll add that I don’t know why anyone would have to do anything to the pcm to fix your backup sensors.

He does state Chrysler has an update for the ECM.  Not that the ECM would be flashed to correct the parking sensor issue.

Then again, the computer operates a lot of things.  My old company truck's infotainment ran through the computer. 

I'd prolly speak to the service manager at Dodge and ask if the reflash could be avoided.  Or avoid dealers altogether.

[jackelope]

Negative.

The right thing for any dealership to do if the pcm was modified aka tuned is to not touch it. It will more than likely put the truck into limp mode.

As much  as I hate to admit it, we did that one time not knowing the pcm was tuned. Truck had zero throttle. It would idle but that’s it. Had to have it towed to a diesel performance shop and fortunately they were able to recover the tune that was in the truck and get it running again.

I’ll add that I don’t know why anyone would have to do anything to the pcm to fix your backup sensors.

He does state Chrysler has an update for the ECM.  Not that the ECM would be flashed to correct the parking sensor issue.

Then again, the computer operates a lot of things.  My old company truck's infotainment ran through the computer. 

I'd prolly speak to the service manager at Dodge and ask if the reflash could be avoided.  Or avoid dealers altogether.

There are probably 15 “computers” in the truck unless it’s 25 years old, but since it has backup sensors I’m assuming it’s a newer truck. Park sensors would be run through a body control module. When he says “ECM” I’m assuming he’s referring to what is mostly now referred to as a PCM AKA powertrain control module.
Nothing would be done to modify the body control module that has to do with performance, tuning etc. and nothing would run through the PCM that would control the park sensors.
You’re calling the setup in your company truck an infotainment system. That’s a Ford term so maybe it was a Ford. That system runs through an audio control module if it was a Ford.

[jackelope]

My point I guess is that you should be able to get your backup sensors fixed without messing with your tune.

[EnglishSetter]

Negative.

The right thing for any dealership to do if the pcm was modified aka tuned is to not touch it. It will more than likely put the truck into limp mode.

As much  as I hate to admit it, we did that one time not knowing the pcm was tuned. Truck had zero throttle. It would idle but that’s it. Had to have it towed to a diesel performance shop and fortunately they were able to recover the tune that was in the truck and get it running again.

I’ll add that I don’t know why anyone would have to do anything to the pcm to fix your backup sensors.

He does state Chrysler has an update for the ECM.  Not that the ECM would be flashed to correct the parking sensor issue.

Then again, the computer operates a lot of things.  My old company truck's infotainment ran through the computer. 

I'd prolly speak to the service manager at Dodge and ask if the reflash could be avoided.  Or avoid dealers altogether.

There are probably 15 “computers” in the truck unless it’s 25 years old, but since it has backup sensors I’m assuming it’s a newer truck. Park sensors would be run through a body control module. When he says “ECM” I’m assuming he’s referring to what is mostly now referred to as a PCM AKA powertrain control module.
Nothing would be done to modify the body control module that has to do with performance, tuning etc. and nothing would run through the PCM that would control the park sensors.
You’re calling the setup in your company truck an infotainment system. That’s a Ford term so maybe it was a Ford. That system runs through an audio control module if it was a Ford.

Well it was a Chevy (1/2T Silverado).  I don't even recall what the issue was.  I think a black screen  The "fix" was a flash.  Do they reflash modules?  I've had one replaced in my C6.  Infotainment was meant generically.  The screen provided both entertainment and vehicle data.

But back to OP's concern:  That if the vehicle was brought to Dodge that the PCM/ECM would be reflashed as policy vs specific repair.  The service manager should be able to answer that.  They know a lot of trucks get "tuned".

[jackelope]

Gotcha. Yeah. Individual modules get updated all the time. I’m not sure why anyone would have any sort of policy about updating modules for no reason. We don’t. I’ll take tuned vehicles in without issue. Just won’t mess with anything that involved the PCM.

Not sure if it makes a difference, but I am a Ford dealership service manager.  Been in the dealership business for 25 years.

[jackelope]

Crunchy-
Is the update they’re telling you about intended to fix your backup sensors? Sounds like maybe it’s a recall if you’re getting communications from Chrysler about doing it.

[Crunchy]

Crunchy-
Is the update they’re telling you about intended to fix your backup sensors? Sounds like maybe it’s a recall if you’re getting communications from Chrysler about doing it.

no its an emmisions type update

[Crunchy]

My point I guess is that you should be able to get your backup sensors fixed without messing with your tune.

yes but I don't know if I can trust the Chrysler service dept to NOT update anything with the ECM period.  No matter how many times I tell them. 

[jackelope]

My point I guess is that you should be able to get your backup sensors fixed without messing with your tune.

yes but I don't know if I can trust the Chrysler service dept to NOT update anything with the ECM period.  No matter how many times I tell them.

Gotcha. Well. They’d be doing work for free in that case. The safeguard there in my experience and opinion is that no flat rate technician I’ve ever met is going to willingly do a job that they’re not going to get paid for, regardless of how small it is.  And the tech won’t get paid to do it unless the service advisor tells him to do it. And unless the service advisor likes working for free, he’s not going to tell his techs to do something he can’t collect $$ for, regardless of if it’s coming from the customer or the manufacturer.

[Crunchy]

My point I guess is that you should be able to get your backup sensors fixed without messing with your tune.

yes but I don't know if I can trust the Chrysler service dept to NOT update anything with the ECM period.  No matter how many times I tell them.

Gotcha. Well. They’d be doing work for free in that case. The safeguard there in my experience and opinion is that no flat rate technician I’ve ever met is going to willingly do a job that they’re not going to get paid for, regardless of how small it is.  And the tech won’t get paid to do it unless the service advisor tells him to do it. And unless the service advisor likes working for free, he’s not going to tell his techs to do something he can’t collect $$ for, regardless of if it’s coming from the customer or the manufacturer.

Well in that case maybe I will give the Chrysler dealership a try.  Its close, and if it's a common issue they would have the experience and parts handy.  Was thinking the ECM recall is free to me, but the dealership is charging someone else.

[jackelope]

The recall would be free to you. Chrysler pays the dealership to do it, dealership pays the tech. Should be easy enough to tell them to not do it.