Computer flash upgrade, good bad?

[DucatiBoy]

I took my 300C in for the 6000 mile service today. The weather stripping around the driver door was ripped, and to have them CHECK the moon roof.

I have notices some surging at speed, the auto wiper sensitivity and I think I noticed the temp sticking a couple times as well. FROM my understanding the flash upgrade is the fix for all 3 of these. I have the oldest flash on my car 2/25/04 date.

The dealer warned me not to flash the computer just cause there was something new out there. And said to not "make up" problems just to get the flash upgrade. Because many times, upgrading the flash on the car will break other things. But if I was really noticing things they can take a look. Of course, if I thought it was really going to break something, I would deal with those issues.

No one has had a problem with the flash UPDATE have they? I figured this was a fairly easy and problem free update.

The dealer said that one of the updates for the trucks would rob power FROM the truck and people asked for updates cause they were out and then when they got it back the truck was much slower and complained, but they can't flash the car back to older versions. So it's a one way trip so to speak.

[KintlaLake]

I'm no certified tech, DucatiBoy, but to my nose your dealer's explanation doesn't pass The Smell Test.

Maybe someone out there knows -- what incentive, if any, do dealers have to avoid logging warranty service? Curious.

[DucatiBoy]

I haven't picked it up yet, but the dealer called and said:

Temp sticking, Flashed the temp module

Wiper issues: flashed the wiper module

MDS fell, hesitation at at speed: flached the car's computer

So maybe it was done.

The dealer was definately in the if it aint broke don't touch it mode. I think they might have gotten complaints after a flash upgrade and are now not gung ho about doing them.

[C4me]

My dealer, a 5 Star and more, has said the same thing. If it ain't well and truely broke, DON'T FIX IT!! He can reflash the trans, but the main confuser is best left alone unless there are serious issues. This service mgr has been 100% so far and I'm happy with everything so I'll stay with my 2/25/04 program. The main reason I post this is that the smell test, in this case, may not be needed. :wink:

[KintlaLake]

...the smell test, in this case, may not be needed. :wink:

:wink:

[Mikeyjohn]

I've never heard such garbage in my life!!! If you have a problem, like wipers coming on when you hit the turn signal, temp out of wack or other minor or major things then get your computer flashed to the 3.61 program, you will also see a surge in power. I am only talking about the hemi, not the other engines. If you get back talk FROM your dealer then run don't walk to another dealer and get it done. The only reason that these dealers try to put you off is that they are too lazy or stupid and I was told by my DC 5*, is that they want the older build cars re-flashed to eliminate these little problems.
I had mine done in November and have had no problems since and I have a 300C.

[BrilliantBlackHemi]

What's the surge in power about? This is the first I've heard of this.

[DucatiBoy]

I know it's been talked about before. I was doing some searching for some old posts where I (and others) talked about this.

It's something that Dodge/Chrysler knows about, it's an issue with the 2/25/04 software in the car. If you are easy on the gas and try to drive it steady, you can feel it kicking in and out of the 4 cyl mode. It's a little surge when it kicks INTO 8 cyl mode. Most people who ride with me would never feel it. Cause it feels more like my foot did something with the gas. But I know my foot didn't do anything. So it must be the car.

In the dealer's list of problems and fixes, if the customer complains of this, it's a software upgrade to the latest to (try to) fix it.

[DucatiBoy]

OK, I picked up my car this morning and I did get a flash upgrade for the computer to the 3.61.

The only problem is that the oil can display on the hidden menu... see here:

http://dodgemagnum.net/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?t=2027&postdays=0&postorder=asc&star t=10

I have the oil pressure, and the 0 and 70 on the bar graph.... but everything else, the horizontal bar graph and the picture of the oil can is a jumble of letters and or numbers. It's really weird, it looks like it's working, but the images aren't in there and it's just displaying garbage.

It does seem to be working, but I fear what else might be messed up in this flash update. I don't know if anyone else had their car flashed who have noticed this....

[KintlaLake]

OK, I picked up my car this morning and I did get a flash upgrade for the computer to the 3.61. ... I have the oil pressure, and the 0 and 70 on the bar graph.... but everything else, the horizontal bar graph and the picture of the oil can is a jumble of letters and or numbers. It's really weird, it looks like it's working, but the images aren't in there and it's just displaying garbage.

DucatiBoy, see the posts later in the Easter Eggs thread:

http://www.dodgemagnum.net/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?p=32619&highlight=#32619

You need a new cluster. :roll: Piece of cake. :wink:

[BrilliantBlackHemi]

What about waiting for 3.62?

[C4me]

Mikeyjohn - please don't think that I'm sticking up for a dealer that won't reflash when there are issues!! I'm just saying that my dealer, that I trust, said that others gremlins can pop up if you are doing a reflash JUST to get the newest program. Therefore I said "if it ain't well and truely broke, don't fix it". A slew-o-problems fits INTO the broke category for sure!

[Mikeyjohn]

Mikeyjohn - please don't think that I'm sticking up for a dealer that won't reflash when there are issues!! I'm just saying that my dealer, that I trust, said that others gremlins can pop up if you are doing a reflash JUST to get the newest program. Therefore I said "if it ain't well and truely broke, don't fix it". A slew-o-problems fits INTO the broke category for sure!

Sorry C4me, but I don't think your dealer is doing you any favours. If you were to go on the 300C forum you will find that lots of people have had their cars flashed with no problems, and fixed a few of those gremlins. The only problem that I found is that a couple had to have new clusters? installed but this was going to be a recall in any event on a very few cars, and it has something to do with the information that you get when you hit the music note and the map icon on the steering wheel. I never had this problem with my car and it runs like a dream. If you are HAVING any problems then get it flashed and you will see what I mean.

[C4me]

OK, I think I figured this out. I'm kinda slow so it takes me awhile! :oops:

I do NOT have ANY issues with my car. None. Zero. Nada. Nyet. Therefore he said don't do it just because. I never had the pull, trans leak, low power, nutin'. I had inquired only because of the oil pressure symbol in the newer software. He said he would do it, but said, and I agreed, that all is well so I'm not gonna mess with it right now.

If I had issues, I'd not let him, or any other SM, talk me out of a potential fix.

[Mikeyjohn]

OK, I think I figured this out. I'm kinda slow so it takes me awhile! :oops:

I do NOT have ANY issues with my car. None. Zero. Nada. Nyet. Therefore he said don't do it just because. I never had the pull, trans leak, low power, nutin'. I had inquired only because of the oil pressure symbol in the newer software. He said he would do it, but said, and I agreed, that all is well so I'm not gonna mess with it right now.

If I had issues, I'd not let him, or any other SM, talk me out of a potential fix.

Great, now we understand each other. I hope you never have a problem with this car and to you and everyone else reading this post, please have a Very Happy New Year!!!! :D

[MikeEast]

Not to add any fuel to any fires or anything, but in my experience with firmware based 'stuff', whether that 'stuff' is any modern piece of computer hardware or something making glass bottles out of hot red stuff, keeping your firmware up-to-date is not just a good thing, I'm going to either make you do it, or send someone in to do it. OR do it myself...

IF competetant programmers write good solid well-testing code, there is zero chance of a problem, unless the actual upgrade is bundgled for whatever reason.

Good software/firmware comes with something called 'Release Note' (or something to that effect) that detail what problems have been encountered since the build of the code. Someone has to read that, and decide if the known issues justify loading the code, or to leave well enogh alone.

Personally, I'll always go for the UPDATE myself - and if they tell you they can't 'go backwards' - technically if you can flash it 'up' a version, going backwards cannot be ruled out. IF the code being executed (the code loader) prevents you FROM doing that, that's a whole nother ball game. The hardware is flash-able.

Mike
(Remote Support for a Very Large Computer Company)