Winter is coming - Need a high idle kit?

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Mopar1973Man

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For those of you that live in the frozen north you'll want to consider building a high idle kit.

What Is It?

The Cummins ECM has high idle software already programmed in the ECM and Dodge disables it before sale. The high idle software will aid in warming up your truck in the bitter cold and reduces the risk of bending push rods and valve damage.

How do I get it?

There is 2 ways of getting the high idle software. One is using a Smarty programmer and the programmer will enable the software permanently for you even if you borrow a friends. Two... Is to go to a Dodge Dealer and get the flash done to enable it.
2nd Generation Dodge Cummins - TSB 18-019-01 - Cold Idle Engine Warming

So how does it work?

Well typically the flash will automatically start the high idle software and stop it under set temperatures. So 6 cylinder high idle is typically starts at 32*F IAT temp and 3 cylinder starts at 15*F IAT temp. But remember the grid heaters are running too so the temp outside has to be even colder.

So what the mod about?

Well my mod allows you to selectively select what mode of high idle when you want it. Summer day or cold winter morning without waiting for the conditions to be just right... Basically just 3 toggle switch and I'll explain how to use it.

Here is the wiring diagram...

high-idle-mod.jpg


The plugs can be purchased at Casper's Electronics.
CASPER'S ELECTRONICS - Quality Automotive Parts and Accessories - Specializing in automotive interconnect and wiring systems

Then the toggle switches and resistors can be bought at Radio Shack. (No lighted switch allowed!)

High Idle Fooler Operation

Cold Engine Start (Coolant <140°F - Outside Temp > 32*F)

Turn on the IAT fooler and select normal high idle. Now start your engine. With in about 2 minutes the high idle should start. Once the high idle starts turn off the IAT fooler and allow the ECM to monitor the IAT temperatures. As the engine warms up to 170°F it will cancel on its own and idle normally from that point on.

Cold Engine Start (Coolant <140°F - Outside Temp < 32*F)

Turn on the IAT fooler and select 3 cylinder high idle. Now start your engine. With in about 2 minutes the high idle should start once it get to 1,200 PRM's the 3 cylinder mode with begin. Once the high idle starts turn off the IAT fooler and allow the ECM to monitor the IAT temperatures. As the engine warms up to 170°F it will cancel on its own and idle normally from that point on.

Warm Engine Start (Coolant 140°F-170°F)

You can start the high software with a warm engine. At this point you need to use both the ECT fooler and IAT fooler. Select the proper high idle mode for your weather conditions as in cold start procedure. Once the high idle starts turn off the IAT & ECT foolers and allow the ECM to monitor both ECT & IAT temperatures. As the engine warms up to 170°F it will cancel on its own and idle normally from that point on.

Forced High Idle

Turn on both ECT fooler and IAT fooler have it set for normal high idle. Start the engine and allow the high idle to start. Once the high idle starts turn off the IAT fooler but leave the ECT fooler on. This will allow a forced high idle that never ends. To cancel it just turn off the ECT fooler and it will cancel.

Video of Operation...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=il7iJCKfmaE

Prototype Video (Designing the High idle)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P0Ah9nK3ahc

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=umXz_xGxank
 
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ramhunter9

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Great write up .

Question ? My PV2 has the high idle adjustment on it ... is it that simple ?

Here in Illinois we can see 0 degree temps nothing much lower but windchill sometimes is -10

My truck now idle's at 1k
 
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Mopar1973Man

Mopar1973Man

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Great write up .

Question ? My PV2 has the high idle adjustment on it ... is it that simple ?

Still working the thread... Long... ANd your PV2 doesn't have 3 cylinder... :Wedgie:

I think I got it all there for now...
 
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Mopar1973Man

Mopar1973Man

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I'm surprise there is no other comments to this... Wow! This is one of my popular mods... Even better yet no other Cummins engine can do it other than 98.5 to 2002... Ve, Ppump and CR can't do it...
 

MarbleCrusher

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I knew the ve and Ppump couldnt do it but the CR cant either? For thr few days out of the year that I would need it in Texas I have the high idle feature enabled on my XZT+

-Jordan-
 
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Mopar1973Man

Mopar1973Man

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I knew the ve and Ppump couldnt do it but the CR cant either? For thr few days out of the year that I would need it in Texas I have the high idle feature enabled on my XZT+

-Jordan-

Ummm... My winter temps might be well... Cold...

-25F-1-1-11.jpg


This years temp history McCall, ID
KMYL2011plot.png
 
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MarbleCrusher

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Well the record for the lowest recorded temp ever in my area of Texas is -8deg ha ha ha

-Jordan-
 
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Mopar1973Man

Mopar1973Man

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Our morning are getting cooler. Right now we start the morning off at 50-55*F... By October the morning low will be 30-35*F...

Now the stock CR truck may or may not be able to set the cruise control and 6 cylinder high idle. But CR don't have any way of doing 3 cylinder.

Funny part is its firing every other cylinder which happens to be 4,5,6 and 1,2,3 is dead... Red is fired cylinder white are dead.

1 5 3 6 2 4

What really bad is if your pyrometer install in the 1,2,3 prot it won't move on 3 cylinder high idle. I've had people wig out over this one...
 
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I built my own mechanical high idle for my 01 cummins. Uses come custom brackets and a specific adjustable solenoid. Simple, non-intrusive, can never interfere with normal throttle operation, and a one wire hook up.
 
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Mopar1973Man

Mopar1973Man

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1996 Dodge 1500 (V8-5.9L) & 2002 Dodge Ram 2500 (5.9L Cummins)
I built my own mechanical high idle for my 01 cummins. Uses come custom brackets and a specific adjustable solenoid. Simple, non-intrusive, can never interfere with normal throttle operation, and a one wire hook up.

But remember that not safe.

The flash high idle is completely safe because it can cancel if...

Speed above 0 MPH
Coolant temp above 170*F
Brake Pedal Pressed
Transmission put in gear (auto)
Throttle pedal pressed

With yours the throttle remains high and could be dangerous... There is no way to self-cancel...
 
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Its perfectly safe for me. Mine is a stick so I dont have to worry about it falling into gear so the vehicle moving is a non issue. The only time it needs to be used for me is when the temps are cold enough that overheating is certainly not an issue. I'm the only one who drives my truck.
 

CumminsCrazed

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Michael, would you be willing to build and sell these. Here in North Iowa it can get very cold (-15 to -20 air temp) and after my truck is started and high idle warms it up i go ahead and leave, however, my truck never HOLDS normal tep when its cold and i can see nearly a 20 or 25 deg drop in temps in under 5 min, so itd be nice to have a high idle i can activate after truck has been run to help hold operating temp or during long idle times in warm months as to not wash cyl down with fuel.

Let me know if your willing to build/sell one and what youd chage.
 
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Mopar1973Man

Mopar1973Man

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I wish I could. For me to buy supplies to build then I've got a long ways to drive now being the local stores have closed. I'm trying to get people to build them again but just haven't seen anyone do it.
 

CumminsCrazed

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ahhh that sucks....im not electronically inclined enough to figure out how to build one but if i was i would. if ya ever get a chance to pick up supplies to build one let me know.
 
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Mopar1973Man

Mopar1973Man

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ahhh that sucks....im not electronically inclined enough to figure out how to build one but if i was i would. if ya ever get a chance to pick up supplies to build one let me know.

Newer vid... High Idle and MPG fooler combined - YouTube
im not electronically inclined enough to figure out how to build one but if i was i would. if ya ever get a chance to pick up supplies to build one let me know.
Ummm... I've got to drive 360 miles just for some of the parts now. I really don't think you want to pay for all that. Its really simple to build and if you need to call me I'll talk you through it.
 
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gregjo1948

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Why don't you install an exhaust break? Wouldn't it warm up quicker and also stop much better and save on brake parts too?
 

Marine Les

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In below zero I run a minimum of 50% full synthetic Rotella T6 and keep plenty of anti-gel and Diesel Kleen in the fuel. If I need to, I use the block heater for at least an hour before startup. Doing this makes cold weather no problem. Let her warm up before driving and watch your oil pressure. You don't want too high.
 
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