Cold Weather High Idle / 3 Cylinder Idle
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From: Latrobe, PA
Cold Weather High Idle / 3 Cylinder Idle
I see questions on this forum everyday about this subject and have posted this a few times. Might make a great sticky!
I am only refering to the 2nd generation trucks here as that's what I drive.
This ECM update can be done by Dodge, Cummins or by uploading from a Smarty. Even if you don't own a Smarty someone with one can install the software and then uninstall it and you will have this cold weather update.
I love it, it works great. The engines warms up fast in the 3 cylinder mode.
I have noticed that if I plug in the block heater I may get the high idle but haven't had the 3 cylinder warmup. Maybe -5 isn't cold enough. But not plugging in the block heater will bring on the 3 cylinder warmup if the other conditions below are met. One other thing I have noticed with my truck anyway...it works best if I reset my Emergency Brake while waiting for the "Wait to Start" light to go out. A few times I didn't do that and the 3 cylinder warmup didn't kick in. And you will KNOW when it does!
I am only refering to the 2nd generation trucks here as that's what I drive.
This ECM update can be done by Dodge, Cummins or by uploading from a Smarty. Even if you don't own a Smarty someone with one can install the software and then uninstall it and you will have this cold weather update.
I love it, it works great. The engines warms up fast in the 3 cylinder mode.
I have noticed that if I plug in the block heater I may get the high idle but haven't had the 3 cylinder warmup. Maybe -5 isn't cold enough. But not plugging in the block heater will bring on the 3 cylinder warmup if the other conditions below are met. One other thing I have noticed with my truck anyway...it works best if I reset my Emergency Brake while waiting for the "Wait to Start" light to go out. A few times I didn't do that and the 3 cylinder warmup didn't kick in. And you will KNOW when it does!
Once enabled, idle speed will slowly ramp up from 800 rpm to 1200 rpm when all of the following conditions are met:
1. Intake Manifold Temperature less than 0°C (32°F) and,
2. Coolant Temp is less than 60°C (140°F) and,
3. The Transmission is in Neutral or Park and,
4. The Service Brake pedal is not depressed and,
5. Throttle = 0% and,
6. Vehicle Speed = 0 mph
Additionally, if Intake Manifold Temperature (IMT) is less than -9°C (15°F), and all of the parameters above are met, three of the cylinders will be shut off upon reaching 1200 rpm, creating a slight change (yea right!) in engine sound which is normal. This allows the engine to create increased heat in the cooling system, allowing more rapid engine warm up and cab heating.
Both features will automatically disable when one of the following occurs:
1. The Automatic Transmission is placed in gear (forward or reverse) or,
2. The Service Brake pedal is depressed or,
3. Throttle position is greater than 0% or,
4. Vehicle Speed is greater than 0 mph or,
5. Coolant Temperature is greater than 79°C (175°F).
Engine speed will return to normal operation at 800 rpm. If the engine continues to idle and coolant temperature is at or below 60°C (140°'F), the feature will reenable. In order to operate properly, the Accelerator Pedal Position Sensor (APPS) must stay at idle.
1. Intake Manifold Temperature less than 0°C (32°F) and,
2. Coolant Temp is less than 60°C (140°F) and,
3. The Transmission is in Neutral or Park and,
4. The Service Brake pedal is not depressed and,
5. Throttle = 0% and,
6. Vehicle Speed = 0 mph
Additionally, if Intake Manifold Temperature (IMT) is less than -9°C (15°F), and all of the parameters above are met, three of the cylinders will be shut off upon reaching 1200 rpm, creating a slight change (yea right!) in engine sound which is normal. This allows the engine to create increased heat in the cooling system, allowing more rapid engine warm up and cab heating.
Both features will automatically disable when one of the following occurs:
1. The Automatic Transmission is placed in gear (forward or reverse) or,
2. The Service Brake pedal is depressed or,
3. Throttle position is greater than 0% or,
4. Vehicle Speed is greater than 0 mph or,
5. Coolant Temperature is greater than 79°C (175°F).
Engine speed will return to normal operation at 800 rpm. If the engine continues to idle and coolant temperature is at or below 60°C (140°'F), the feature will reenable. In order to operate properly, the Accelerator Pedal Position Sensor (APPS) must stay at idle.
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From: hutchinson MN
for the high idle to kick in after the motor starts takes mine about 45 seconds to a a minute. and then it slowly works its way up. as for the 3 Cylinder Idle that kicks in right away and and it turns on and off if hte rpm drops to low, motor stalling, because it's really dang cold. the truck can't be pluged in what so ever for any to kick in. and out side it has to be around 0-5 degrees. the air temp reading is taken after the grid heaters (Dual Toaster ovens) well hope this help. Cole
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Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 595
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From: Manitoba
I started truck after being plugged in for 2 hours. Outside yard temperature was -20C.or..0F. Truck idled for 10 minutes, nothing changed on idle. Maybe not cold enough or maybe being plugged in made it to warm. Will try again today.
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From: south west, Michigan
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From: Wichita, Kansas
Intake Manifold Temperature less than 0°C (32°F)
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