Dealer trickery?

[Bananaman]

Finally got an appointment to get the fuel pump replaced,and thought it would be a good time to clone the spare ECU I bought in anticipation of a GDE tune.
I was originally quoted $185 plus tax.
Just got a call from them saying the new ECU has to be installed, then cloned, then removed and the original one put back in. Over $500 now.
I declined. Guess I'll pay GDE the $300.
I think the dealer just didn't want to do it.

Sponsored

 

[Camaroboi13]

Do you have the quote in writing?

 

[Bananaman]

Do you have the quote in writing?

Actually, yes, from the service manager. Guess I'll have a discussion when I pick up my Gladiator

 

[ZeeJay]

Sounds like somebody there didn’t understand steps involved with programming a ECM. Without a break out harness to bench program an ECM it would have to be done in chassis.

 

[Bananaman]

Sounds like somebody there didn’t understand steps involved with programming a ECM. Without a break out harness to bench program an ECM it would have to be done in chassis.

That's what it sounded like when the service writer was talking to me.
Wouldn't a dealer have all that stuff?

 

[ZeeJay]

That's what it sounded like when the service writer was talking to me.
Wouldn't a dealer have all that stuff?

Highly unlikely. Automotive dealer would be set up to calibrate a module in chassis via the vehicles data link connector. Just not something I would expect to see or to be performed in an automotive environment. The outfits that do calibration work as an aftermarket 3rd party absolutely have that capability though.

 

[TheSolarWizard]

Wouldn't a dealer have all that stuff?

Unlikely

 

[Mr._Bill]

Finally got an appointment to get the fuel pump replaced,and thought it would be a good time to clone the spare ECU I bought in anticipation of a GDE tune.
I was originally quoted $185 plus tax.
Just got a call from them saying the new ECU has to be installed, then cloned, then removed and the original one put back in. Over $500 now.
I declined. Guess I'll pay GDE the $300.
I think the dealer just didn't want to do it.

For the dealer to do the cloning, it has to be done as if they are replacing a failed ECU. They realized how much time it actually takes, and didn't want to do it.

It's not something I would want a dealer to do. Just telling them what you plan gives them cause for denying any future warranty claims involving the ECU and everything it controls.

 

[kb5zcr]

I'm planning on a trip to the most northern point in Alaska and thats why I want a spare cloned ecu.
I would hate to source one when I'm that far out.

 

[Hootbro]

I'm planning on a trip to the most northern point in Alaska and thats why I want a spare cloned ecu.
I would hate to source one when I'm that far out.

Are diesel ECU's that failure prone to need to carry as a spare? Seems like a odd thing giving all the other things that could just as easily go out and you would not bring a trailer of parts for "just in case".

 

[kb5zcr]

Are diesel ECU's that failure prone to need to carry as a spare? Seems like a odd thing giving all the other things that could just as easily go out and you would not bring a trailer of parts for "just in case".

I was trying to say that that is what I would tell the dealer if they asked why I needed a cloned ecu

 

[ZeeJay]

Are diesel ECU's that failure prone to need to carry as a spare? Seems like a odd thing giving all the other things that could just as easily go out and you would not bring a trailer of parts for "just in case".

They can be yes, maybe not on this particular application but definitely yes. Diesel ECMs have more input/outputs and driver channels than a gas PCM. Injector drivers are higher voltage, aftertreatment, etc. more things to fail. I’ve condemned god only knows how many ECMs in my career.
With that said you’re right though, I haven’t heard ECMs being an issue on these, it will shit a pump long before an ECM

 

[Rusty PW]

Are diesel ECU's that failure prone to need to carry as a spare? Seems like a odd thing giving all the other things that could just as easily go out and you would not bring a trailer of parts for "just in case".

Read between the lines with sarcasm.

Get the spare cloned, and the tune put on it. When you go back to the dealer. Just swap out the ecu's.

Sponsored