I ordered my truck in December 2006 and received it in March 2007. I am certain my truck is one of the first ones to come off the assembly line. It was held up at the factory for nearly three weeks to go through "quality control". I primarily use this truck to tow my 5th wheel, however I drive it at least once every two weeks by taking it to work, which is 75 miles round trip. I have about 7,000 miles and have already changed the oil once and plan to do it again at 7,500 miles. Here is my dilemma, I am one of the "lucky" ones and have not had a check engine light, and have not had any of the software upgrades performed. One time during a trip this summer while doing some "city" driving the truck stumbled briefly and the light that looks like a lightning bolt came on and I immediately pulled over and re-started the truck and it never did it again. So, now comes the question, should I have the software updates installed or should I wait? The truck runs and pulls my 12k lbs 5th wheel with no issues, and my fuel mileage is in line with everyone else’s numbers (crappy numbers none the less, 14 +/- combined and 8 - 9 towing). I appreciate any advice!

 

I would take it in and have it done. That cel is going to come on in a few more miles, you could wait until then if you want.

 

What the heck, get it over with if you have the time. It will have to be done eventually and you might as well be up to date. You might even bypass an issue or two they've learned about since your truck was made.

Just like a personal computer, when it's up to date, it works better with the latest applications. Your truck is no different.

 

sounds like your being superstitious, get it reflashed

 

I received my truck in the middle of April. I had some problems with the regen and stumbling. As soon as Dodge came out with the first reflash my dealer called me and told me to bring it in.

I have not had any problems since the reflash. I highly recomend you have your truck flashed up to date. You are probably doing damage to your truck by not getting your ECM flashed. I'm sure that having your regen process messed up like mine will not help your trucks life span.

 

I understand and it makes sense, but I was worried that since I have not had any problems that these reflashes might start some problems.

 

If it were mine I'd do the updates. I've been doing quite a few and it seems with the latest upgrade my usual "problem children" have not been in to see me.

 

Well, I took your advice and took my truck in on Monday complaining about two issues,

1.) Drivability, CEL came on and throttle control light came on. I asked them to perform that latest flash updates

2.) Transmission shifts hard while towing. They found a stored code, not sure what the code number is, but SA says that I may need to have the front pump in the transmission replaced. In addition I found a recall on the Dodge website today too.

Truck has been at the dealer for three days now. So, now what.....?


Vehicle Description:
DODGE RAM LARAMIE 4X4 3500 MEGA CAB PICKUP
Model Year: 2007

Recall and Customer Satisfaction Notification Information:
REPROGRAM ECM & REPLACE O2 CONTROL MODULE

 

latest flash has not solved MIL and ETC lights, both of which have been on since about 500 miles. truck has 1055 miles on it now

 

I solved this problem once and for all (8 trips to the dealer). I got on line to see if I could find a 5.9 somewhere in the southern plains well I did in Augusta, Kansas. I had a service appointment Oct 20 at 8:30 am I parked the truck at the service door told the SM where the truck was and proceeded to find my salesman. I had printed off the vehicle window sticker gave it to him and said see if this truck is still available. Mean while I went back to service they were on the phone to star no word yet. Went back up front salesman said it was still available and that they would trade. Back to service while waiting for star to call back I thought to hell with this and pulled the trigger and have never looked back. Check my sig.

Bruce

 

They will get it all figured out just be patient. Believe me, the tech wants it fixed just as bad as you do. He is probably tired of seeing it himself.

 

Cadent, the red lightening bolt light is the ETC light. (Electronic Throttle Control) That stumble you felt was the truck taking away the throttle. I've had it happen to me. Most times the reason it comes on is because you have your feet on the gas pedal and the brake pedal (power braking).

 

When it happened I was driving slowly through traffic in the San Francisco area. I was not power braking it. Fortunately my truck was already in the shop for a “reflash” when this recall was announced, so the dealer was forced to perform it. I got it back late tonight, and only drove 2 miles to the house so I cannot give an opinion yet.