[injunwiz]

Hey There,

I have a 2005 Magnum RT with an EARLY build. I've only had the car for about 4 months and it now has a Mopar CAI and 3825 Superchips. I have not been able to program the trans due to the early build date. The ECM # is 04896405AK and the TCM # is 04896395AF. The version on the SC is V1.15 and I bought it used from a forum member. I'm getting a Magnaflow catback from a forum member this Thursday, the question is:
Should I unload the SC 91 program and take it to the dealer before I install the catback system? Also, if I do what do I need to tell 'em? I've seen the TSB 18-031-04a pop up on the forum and TSB 21-009-04 but it's all greek to me. I don't want to pay for something tht's not gonna work. The car has 40K miles so no warranty and I called and was told it was $75.00 for the starscan. I thought the dealer might frown on seeing the catback and me asking to have them update the ECM/TCM. I did search for some answers but was a little overwelmed with all the versions, etc. Also, I'm running chrome clad 20's on it and can't correct the tire size.
I'm looking for advice on what version of SC to use and what do to (If they can do anything) with the dealer. The final result will hopefully be the 91 octane tune with all the components working together. Thanks!!!

 

[formerice]

Your post is a bit confusing, but if your happy with the SC 91 tune except for the transmission tuning , I suggest you get the Mopar Performance TCU P5153332. I have an early build 05 and it worked wonders. You should be fine with the SC tune and a cat back and the TCU. If you can get on a dyno and dyno with the 91 tune and with the stock factory tune, you should see around 10 hp improvement and the TCU will firm up shifts which will show up on the dyno also as less dip at every shift. Not sure about the Starscan flash. It's the dia of your tires not your wheels that affect the speedo, btw.

 

[injunwiz]

The 20" wheels are taller than my 18" wheels were. I was hoping the Starscan would solve the trans issue so I could use the functions from the SC. Is the TCU P515332 a "Transmission Control Module"?

 

[Meathammer]

If you are going to have any dealership do work on your ride, the best bet is to return it to stock settings with the SC before bringing it back. It has nothing to do with whether or not the dealership is going to like it or not, but rather if they do flash your PCM or TCM and you have not returned it back to stock settings, then you've just bricked your SC. It won't work any longer until you send it back to SC to have it unlocked.

I too have an early build '05 (built 05/08/2004) and had to have my TCM flashed before I could get the SC to program it. Luckily mine was under warranty and I did have a shifting problem related to a TSB (I forget which one exactly). When I took my car to the dealership I originally bought it from, they absolutely refused to flash it under any circumstances, even if I paid for it out of pocket. However I took it to the dealership I currently use for service and they had no problem flashing it as it was under warranty.

While I cannot speak as to the difference between the MP TCM and a stock TCM programmed by the SC, I can tell you that the difference between the unprogrammed TCM and the SC programmed TCM makes all the difference. When I first programmed my car with my SC but could not set any tranny settings due to needing to have my TCM flashed, I barely noticed any difference. However after getting my TCM flashed at the dealership and programming it with the SC, the car came to life. It's a night and day difference.

 

[injunwiz]

Thanks lots for the info! I wasn't concerned about putting the stock program in before the dealer, only bringing it to them with the Magnaflow catback installed and asking for a flash... I guess I'll pony up the $75 and have them flash it. It's sure alot cheaper than the $325.00 for a Mopar TCM

 

[FloridaRT]

I have a really early 05', it was built in 04/04 and my Magnum was used as a test vehicle at Superchips. My car had software programming that they never saw before. They did update my TCM and ECM for me and got my car running great.

Bob

 

[injunwiz]

Well, took it to the dealer and had it Flashed. They said they did ALL the upgrades for it (Whatever that means) but they were easy to work with. I paid my $75 and drove it home and uploaded my SC 91 octane with no problem. I went to the change tire size and still the Error!!!! Needs dealer upgrade!!!! Now what? Do you think they missed a TCM upgrade and what do I tell 'em? I called SC before taking it in to ask them what to tell the dealer... I was told " I can't remember what it is, just bring it to the dealer and ask for a flash upgrade and that will do it." Now I'm out $75 and still no SC trans program!!

 

[Meathammer]

It sounds like either they did miss a TCM flash or it's a newer version that possibly isn't compatible with the SC. I don't know what the most current flash rev available is. Does the SC even tell you what rev your trans is at? Did the dealership put a sticker somewhere under the hood of your car that informs other techs that it has been flashed? I know when I first took my car in to have it flashed, the dealership told me that the rev loaded into my TCM was the latest, but I knew better. I insisted that they try again and low and behold, the flash either failed or they just plain missed it.

Connect your SC to your car and have it read it and report here what rev your TCM is at. Mine is at 04896395AH and I have no problem with programming the TCM.

I'll search through the files I have and see if I can find the TSB that addresses a TCM flash for some shifing issues. They may need that to help them find the correct flash file.

 

[[email protected]]

Do me a favor and update your tuner online once again for me then try tuning it once more after that.

If you still receive the error give my customer service a call to update your trouble ticket then they can forward the issue to engineering so we can have a look at what's going on.

Any questions send me a PM.

Scott

Well, took it to the dealer and had it Flashed. They said they did ALL the upgrades for it (Whatever that means) but they were easy to work with. I paid my $75 and drove it home and uploaded my SC 91 octane with no problem. I went to the change tire size and still the Error!!!! Needs dealer upgrade!!!! Now what? Do you think they missed a TCM upgrade and what do I tell 'em? I called SC before taking it in to ask them what to tell the dealer... I was told " I can't remember what it is, just bring it to the dealer and ask for a flash upgrade and that will do it." Now I'm out $75 and still no SC trans program!!

 

[injunwiz]

I checked my SC this morning and found the TCM is still the same: TCM 04896395AF Will that change if they did an update? The ECM last numbers were AK and now are AQ.

 

[Meathammer]

Yes it will. I believe that the AH flash should be available for your TCM as it's the same PN as mine and I'm at the AH rev. I haven't been able to find the exact TSB I used to get my TCM flashed under, but if you're paying for it, you may not need it. However if they flashed your TCM there is a procedure that they are supposed to follow to update the TCM. However that may not apply to all circumstances.

Your best bet may be to PM FnkyChkn with your car's specifics (TCM rev, PCM rev, build date, VIN and such) and ask if there is an update available for your TCM. He has access to look this stuff up and give you a definite answer.

 

[[email protected]]

My engineer confirmed that AH is available for all of the 5.7L LX cars.

I would contact the service advisor that took care of you at the dealership to see what he can do for you since they obviously missed flashing the TCM.

Scott

 

[formerice]

The 20" wheels are taller than my 18" wheels were. I was hoping the Starscan would solve the trans issue so I could use the functions from the SC. Is the TCU P515332 a "Transmission Control Module"?

Yes but it's the tire dia that matters, the 20" tires will have a lower profile than the 18's as a rule. For example 255/55/18's are as large dia that will fit in the front anyway, 29.5" dia. The Mopar TCU is a replacement module that goes in near the steering column. It really firmed up the shifts on my car, made a big difference at the track. On the spray at the track the second to third gear shift is so firm you hear a good chirp!

 

[injunwiz]

Gotcha!

Sorry I wasn't clear, I know the overall tire size can be the same or close between a 18" and 20" due to sidewall. The 20" Challenger wheels are 28" overall, about 1/2" greater than my stock 18" RT wheels... Thanks for the reply!

Yes but it's the tire dia that matters, the 20" tires will have a lower profile than the 18's as a rule. For example 255/55/18's are as large dia that will fit in the front anyway, 29.5" dia. The Mopar TCU is a replacement module that goes in near the steering column. It really firmed up the shifts on my car, made a big difference at the track. On the spray at the track the second to third gear shift is so firm you hear a good chirp!

 

[concussion]

I'm in Charlotte, and I have an early build R/T if you need any other help. BTW I sold my SC to get a Diablo that should arrive soon, which would fix my tranny issues. The dealers here in Charlotte will not flash my car, no matter what I want to pay etc. Horrible, Horrible dealerships here.

Good luck and feel free to PM me with any questions.

cheers,

Burleson

 

[injunwiz]

Concussion,

Thanks for the support! I guess I'm still holding out that someone will let me know a way to inform the dealer they can "force" the flash. I paid for the SC and paid the dealer for the flash, can't give up on it yet!!!

 

[TxSwimDad]

Concussion,

Thanks for the support! I guess I'm still holding out that someone will let me know a way to inform the dealer they can "force" the flash. I paid for the SC and paid the dealer for the flash, can't give up on it yet!!!

uhh, been there done that. The techs at 3 dealerships were unaware of having to use a diffeernt method to update the early 05 TCMs. It is not the "normal" way and it doesn't tell them that it didn't take. The sure way to get any of the tuners TCM mods to absolutely completely work is to get a TCM out of a car made after Aug 8, 2004 and get it assigned to your VIN.

There was a lot of research on this about a year ago. Planning to do that myself one of these days for my June 04 car. PM me for more info.

Let us know if you come up with a diff answer. I might be swayed to pick up a used SC.

 

[cadzilla74]

Dealer must go into Repair Mode on the StarScan to force the newest TCM update. If they just put it on the car and let the StarScan search for needed updates it will not find any. The dealer has to put the files needed for your update onto a FlashDrive and connect it to the StarScan. Then they go straight to the Menu for TCM and TELL the StarScan to upload the files from the FlashDrive. I have access to a StarScan and I have done these updates repeatedly for members of DFWLX Club and on my own car. You must ALWAYS return to Stock with any tuner before you do TCM, ECM or PCM flashes with the StarScan. It is safe to make changes like enabling Daytime Driving lights or Lights on with Wipers settings without returning to stock first.

 

[injunwiz]

MAN, I love this forum! Now if I can get the 5 Star dealer to realize this is what they need to do to make me a happy customer... I called and talked to the service manager and he said come in next week and they will look at it (and hopefully DO it!). THANKS cadzilla74 and all others!

 

[concussion]

Where are you in South Carolina. I might need to drive down to get flashed.

Cheers,
Burleson