I picked up a predator for the 05 and when trying to load it, its saying unable to identify truck, unplug batteries and try again in 30 seconds. Whats the deal? Does my truck need to be flashed or the tuner updated?

 

What's the exact message?

 

It says Unable to read vehicle type. Please make shure vehicle is on and engine is not running. Which it is. Then it will say unable to read vehicle type, please make shure vehicle is in the on position and engine is not running. Dissconect the batteries and unplug the predator and try again in 30 seconds.
Its the version 8r-27. It wont read my vin and gives the same first message.

 

The original backup is the latest tune on the tuner.

 

did you buy it used? If so, you'll want to be sure the previous owner reflashed his truck back to stock. I know that the programmer can only work on one truck at a time. For example, if you program a truck, it keeps that trucks vin, etc and cannot be used on another vehicle until you use the predator to flash the truck back to stock. This prevents someone from buying a single predator to flash a bunch of trucks; they want you to buy a programmer for each truck.

I also know that predator had to make an update available each time dodge released a new flash for the trucks, but if this was the case you would have gotten some message with a 'cal id' that was not recognized (or something pretty similar, just recalling by memory). I'd recommend going to the predator website, they've got a forum and their tech guys participate on the forum.

 

Yes i got it used from a member here. I did make a post over there but havent had any responses.

 

Anyone else got any ideas, i can try calling them tomorro i guess. Im just bummed out it aint workin at all.

 

Could also be the wrong year for your truck. I'd contact who you got it from asap.

 

Mines and 05, his was an 05 and when the tuner boots up it says cummins03-05 on the screen. Then you pick tunes or other option, then its the disclaimer. Next it says predator tunes or puck tunes, pick predator tunes and it gives the unable to identify vehicle type.

 

Sounds like his stock tune is still in the Predator which means it's VIN locked to his truck and you won't be able to use it.

The only other explanation would be that the Predator itself has malfunctioned. Go on Diablosports forums and ask for help from Johan or Mikel. And be patient cause they are always swamped with work.

 

Do you know what it would say if there was already a tune inplace on my truck?

 

Well when I have a tune on my truck and go thru the Predator, it'll show stock tune, performance tune, and/or extreme, depending on what I have installed in my truck at the time. But it seems you cannot get that far... You really need to find out if you have stock programming on your truck now (I'm assuming you bought it used) and make sure that Predator is operating correctly. Maybe try loading some other type of programmer (smarty, Bully, etc) and see what happens.

 

I think the guy you bought it from forgot to reflash his truck before you got it. That is the only way it would not work on your truck. There are also updates that can and need to be done to the tuner and you can get all the info from the website. I try and check the site at least once a month. The problem is you need a special cord to plug into the computer and a power cord to power up your programmer. You probably have niether and so my suggestion is to go to Best Buy and get the cord for the tuner because it is way cheaper than goig through Predator and the cord to power up your tuner can be used if you have like a portable DVD player or a rechargeable flashlight. I had to do this because niether were sent with mine when I bought it brand new. Good luck.

 

Two things.. he may of returned it to "stock" power, but not "stock - original backup". Also, Diablo is on rev 9r04, or later. Yes, get a hold of the power cable needed and the usb cord and get it updated. Also ask the previous owner if he downloaded the "original backup" and not just "stock" power.

 

It says it has stock original backup when you go into the options and look at last download or whatever that option is. I kinda think my truck doesnt have stock tuning, i had a post about that a while ago because it smokes pretty good if i run it hard. Im gonna try and load it on an 03 that is 100% stock tomorro or tuesday. If it works there i got a buddy at a dealer that can flash my truck.