Is it possible to update the PCM/TCM software WITHOUT going to the dealership?

[Jebb]

Curious if there is any way to flash the PCM/TCM with latest update BESIDES going to the dealership? I have download a software "update" from the UCONNECT website but I suspect that only updates the touchscreen, apps, etc., since it uploads through USB (and not the OBD2 port under the dash). I can't seem to find any info about what this software update actually does.

 

[G-Ride990]

Dealer is your only option.

 

[Wild one]

Curious if there is any way to flash the PCM/TCM with latest update BESIDES going to the dealership? I have download a software "update" from the UCONNECT website but I suspect that only updates the touchscreen, apps, etc., since it uploads through USB (and not the OBD2 port under the dash). I can't seem to find any info about what this software update actually does.

Why do you want to update the PCM,is the truck not running right??? A little tidbit,not all updates are an improvement,alot of times they're a hindrance. I don't let any update or recall be done,until after i've researched it "alot"

 

[04fxdwgi]

Curious if there is any way to flash the PCM/TCM with latest update BESIDES going to the dealership? I have download a software "update" from the UCONNECT website but I suspect that only updates the touchscreen, apps, etc., since it uploads through USB (and not the OBD2 port under the dash). I can't seem to find any info about what this software update actually does.

You are correct in assuming the Uconnect update is for the head unit only. PCM and TCM will not be touched.

What is the new software update version, as there are some change logs available.

Only thing you can do to the PCM/TCM without the dealer involvement is do a tune on it and that involves an unlocked PCM, since yours is a '17, and the tuner hardware . The tuner shop can make those changes you need. You can do them yourself with an HP tuner,,,,,, BUT ....... The HP is very powerful and you can destroy your engine and/or xmission if you don't know exactly what you are doing.

 

[Jebb]

Why do you want to update the PCM,is the truck not running right??? A little tidbit,not all updates are an improvement,alot of times they're a hindrance. I don't let any update or recall be done,until after i've researched it "alot"

No, the truck is not running right with an issue I first posted here nearly two years ago. Been to different dealerships multiple times and they have not been able to isolate or fix it. The truck has gone into "limp" mode while driving numerous times, throwing a "Check ETC" light and P2122 code. When that happens the truck is stuck in 3rd gear until I stop and re-start - after which it runs fine again until the next episode, sometimes >6 months later! It's nearly impossible to diagnose something that is THAT intermittent.

I have replaced the Accel Pedal assembly; checked the wiring; run numerous DTC scans, etc., to no avail. The last time I took it to the dealership they had it for 2 weeks - and found nothing wrong.

I am now starting to think that maybe this is a TRANSMISSION issue, not APPs. The problem always occurs under the same condition - foot off the gas and coming to stop at intersection, stop sign, etc. In other words, when the truck is coasting down or has just come to a stop.

A couple of times while sitting at an intersection I felt like I was bumped from behind - but there was no one behind me. So the transmission, it seems, is shifting or doing something weird when it shouldn't be doing anything.

The PCM has also stored several U1428 codes - "Invalid Torque signal" - which is why I am now suspecting the transmission may be the cause of this.

All of this began a few years ago when my battery went dead and had to be replaced. The truck was jump-started prior to the new battery. I am thinking MAYBE there was a voltage spike that messed up the PCM/TCM software and that, perhaps, a re-flash would fix. IDK. Everyone seems to be guessing at this point.

 

[Wild one]

No, the truck is not running right with an issue I first posted here nearly two years. Been to different dealerships multiple times and they have not been able to isolate or fix it. The truck has gone into "limp" mode while driving numerous times, throwing a "Check ETC" light and P2122 code. When that happens the truck is stuck in 3rd gear until I stop and re-start - after which it runs fine again until the next episode, sometimes >6 months later! It's nearly impossible to diagnose something that is THAT intermittent.

I have replaced the Accel Pedal assembly; checked the wiring; run numerous DTC scans, etc., to no avail. The last time I took it to the dealership they had it for 2 weeks - and found nothing wrong.

I am now starting to think that maybe this is a TRANSMISSION issue, not APPs. The problem always occurs under the same condition - foot off the gas and coming to stop at intersection, stop sign, etc. In other words, when the truck is coasting down or has just come to a stop.

A couple of times while sitting at an intersection I felt like I was bumped from behind - but there was no one behind me. So the transmission, it seems, is shifting or doing something weird when it shouldn't be doing anything.

The PCM has also stored several U1428 codes - "Invalid Torque signal" - which is why I am now suspecting the transmission may be the cause of this.

All of this begin a few years ago when my battery went dead and had to be replaced. The truck was jump-started prior to the new battery. I am thinking MAYBE there was a voltage spike that messed up the PCM/TCM software and that, perhaps, a re-flash would fix. IDK Everything seems to be a guess at this point.

What happens if you pop it into neutral when coasting to a stop.I'm in the habit of popping my 8 speeds into neutral when i'm coming to a stop,but that's just me and the way i've done things since i was a kid.Growing up on icy streets in Canada,most vehicles stop better on ice when in neutral,especially big cammed toys with the idle cranked up,lol

 

[Jebb]

What happens if you pop it into neutral when coasting to a stop.I'm in the habit of popping my 8 speeds into neutral when i'm coming to a stop,but that's just me and the way i've done things since i was a kid.Growing up on icy streets in Canada,most vehicles stop better on ice when in neutral,especially big cammed toys with the idle cranked up,lol

IDK, but it would be kind of annoying to have to do that driving around Los Angeles! I HAVE tried running with the MDS turned off (via up/down buttons) and it never happened while doing that - but maybe it just hadn't been a long enough test, IDK. Regardless, this shouldn't be happening!

 

[G-Ride990]

A couple of times while sitting at an intersection I felt like I was bumped from behind - but there was no one behind me. So the transmission, it seems, is shifting or doing something weird when it shouldn't be doing anything.

Can't help you with that code or limp mode but,

The bump is a normal 8 speed thing. My 2016 did it quite often and my 2022 does it occasionally.

 

[Mojo88]

No, the truck is not running right with an issue I first posted here nearly two years. Been to different dealerships multiple times and they have not been able to isolate or fix it. The truck has gone into "limp" mode while driving numerous times, throwing a "Check ETC" light and P2122 code. When that happens the truck is stuck in 3rd gear until I stop and re-start - after which it runs fine again until the next episode, sometimes >6 months later! It's nearly impossible to diagnose something that is THAT intermittent.

I have replaced the Accel Pedal assembly; checked the wiring; run numerous DTC scans, etc., to no avail. The last time I took it to the dealership they had it for 2 weeks - and found nothing wrong.

I am now starting to think that maybe this is a TRANSMISSION issue, not APPs. The problem always occurs under the same condition - foot off the gas and coming to stop at intersection, stop sign, etc. In other words, when the truck is coasting down or has just come to a stop.

A couple of times while sitting at an intersection I felt like I was bumped from behind - but there was no one behind me. So the transmission, it seems, is shifting or doing something weird when it shouldn't be doing anything.

The PCM has also stored several U1428 codes - "Invalid Torque signal" - which is why I am now suspecting the transmission may be the cause of this.

All of this began a few years ago when my battery went dead and had to be replaced. The truck was jump-started prior to the new battery. I am thinking MAYBE there was a voltage spike that messed up the PCM/TCM software and that, perhaps, a re-flash would fix. IDK. Everyone seems to be guessing at this point.

I feel your pain. Some issues are a real PITA to diagnose. I think your theory about the voltage spike has merit.

The dealer could certainly and easily re-flash ECM and TCM for you. Or maybe just start with a re-flash of the TCM. The actual module in your engine compartment is called the PCM. It contains the ECM and the TCM software.

Maybe try taking the neg batt cable off, and leaving it off overnight. Just a thought.

 

[Jebb]

I feel your pain. Some issues are a real PITA to diagnose. I think your theory about the voltage spike has merit.

The dealer could certainly and easily re-flash ECM and TCM for you. Or maybe just start with a re-flash of the TCM. The actual module in your engine compartment is called the PCM. It contains the ECM and the TCM software.

Maybe try taking the neg batt cable off, and leaving it off overnight. Just a thought.

Yep - I am going to pull the neg battery cable today for a while and see if it does anything. I've tried the "pedal reset" method a few times and it seemed to do nothing. If the battery reset doesn't do anything will inquire about a PCM flash.

 

[Jebb]

Can't help you with that code or limp mode but,

The bump is a normal 8 speed thing. My 2016 did it quite often and my 2022 does it occasionally.

That "bump" sensation is normal? I feel it downshifting when coming to a stop but what is it doing while standing still? It's funny I've this truck for almost 8 years and have never felt this "bump" until recently.

 

[G-Ride990]

That "bump" sensation is normal? I feel it downshifting when coming to a stop but what is it doing while standing still? It's funny I've this truck for almost 8 years and have never felt this "bump" until recently.

I really only feel it when I'm doing a, "California" stop at a stop sign. If i actually stop completely it doesn't happen.

Can't tell you how many times I've looked in the rear view mirror expecting to see someone.

It's just how they are honestly, do a search on this forum and you can read for hours about similarly behaving 8speeds.

 

[Wild one]

That "bump" sensation is normal? I feel it downshifting when coming to a stop but what is it doing while standing still? It's funny I've this truck for almost 8 years and have never felt this "bump" until recently.

By chance does it have the 2 piece driveshaft,as they have a rep of causing a bump when stopped.If it does,mark the shaft and then remove it,and lube the splines on the slip yoke. Anti-seaze seems to be one of the better things to lube the splines with.

 

[Jebb]

Can't tell you how many times I've looked in the rear view mirror expecting to see someone.

Yep!

 

[Grenadiers]

Had the same thing happen on my '19... the first couple of times i had/felt the "bump" I too thought I was hit from behind! FREAKED the hell out of my wife and kids who ALL thought we'd been hit. Then came the limp mode. Same codes IIRC as you BUT, after restarting the engine, the codes were gone and NOTHING stored! Several trips to the dealership (as it was still under factory warranty), the 3rd trip they replaced the Valve Body. That kind of helped.... for a short time. Still had hard or missed shifts. Then bang. As I was driving home form picking up the kids at school, the engine RPMs went up, but speed didn't, then limp mode the rest of the way home. Luckily a 3 minute drive at that point. Dash lit up like a Christmas tree. Called dealership while limping home "tore a new one" out of my service rep (as he was POSITIVE all was good now, when I TOLD them the transmission was pooched!) and politely asked to have a tow truck pick this truck up ASAP (they had it towed off of my driveway 20 minutes latter!).

Low and behold, I get a call the next morning telling me that 2nd gear was shot and the whole transmission will need to be replaced.... REALLY!?!?

Truck is out of factory warranty now, but I did purchase an Ensurall extended warranty to cover the next 100,000, or 5 years, which ever comes first.

I've had additional work done on my truck under that new warranty, BUT, at a different dealership!!

 

[jeremyallendean]

You can buy a Witech subscription for an aftermarket shop and do it yourself. It’s what I did when I bought a 2018 3500 and my snap on scanner wouldn’t work due to security gateway module

 

[RamDiver]

You can buy a Witech subscription for an aftermarket shop and do it yourself. It’s what I did when I bought a 2018 3500 and my snap on scanner wouldn’t work due to security gateway module

The cost to get setup with AlfaOBD for a 2018+ Ram is $154 US.

$55 for a KaodTech Security Bypass cable.
$50 for an OBDLink-SX USB OBD2 interface. Including free updates.
$49 for the AlfaOBD app. Including free updates.
A windows laptop or android device is also required.

How does the cost for the Witech system with updates compare?
And do I have to show that I have a business and/or an auto mechanics certification?

.

 

[rayrmjet]

I tried different parts to make the lights on the dash go away, I used the alfaobd, I did the tune, but in the end I took it to the dealer, they updated the programs in several items like the windows, parktronics, abs, trailer brakes, tow/haul, mirrors and the list goes on. they didn't reprogram the ecm since I had a tune in it so I still have the problem with the engine dying if the air conditioner is shut off and every once in a while the abs/brake lights come on at start up and I have to shut the engine off and restart it