CLM
Active Member
- Joined
- Jun 21, 2021
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- 2
- Messages
- 26
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- 33
- Location
- Georgia, USA
- Vehicle(s)
- 2021 Gladiator Rubicon 3.0 Diesel Sting Gray
- Thread starter
- #1
Hi folks,
This is my first post on this forum. I purchased a 2021 Gladiator Rubicon 3.0 EcoDiesel in April. This post is to inform about a persistent CEL and DTC P026D that is generated when the aFe Scorcher 77-46207 is used on this engine.
First I want to say that I think aFe is an excellent company with very well engineered products. I've had only excellent results with everything from aFe in the past, including engine tuning modules on three different gas turbo automobiles. I currently own a BMW (F80, S55 engine)which has been running an aFe Scorcher for about 4 years with awesome power gains and zero problems. So I'm very favorable toward aFe, and this post in no way is negative toward the company. It is however a warning about what appears to be a persistent glitch with their Scorcher unit for the 3.0 EcoDiesel.
Just a basic background on the aFe Scorcher tech in general - it's a "piggyback" tuning module that changes the inputs from engine sensors (MAP and TMAP) to the ECU, tricking the ECU into producing more boost and more HP/torque on turbo engines. They've been selling these units for a number of years and as I said above, I have had excellent experiences using them on three different gas turbo engines.
The turbo diesel is a very different animal however. It's burdened with a ton of regulatory constraints on turbo diesel engines that the feds have come up with after various real or fabricated "scandals". Between the auto start/stop and the DEF and the exhaust particulate filter and whatever else is hiding in the electronics, it feels like driving an engine with eco nannies constantly ready to complain about the slightest variation from whatever the EPA approved.
So, if you put the aFe Scorcher module on the 3.0 EcoDiesel, this is what I experienced. It has four settings, which are stock, sport, sport+, and race. On the stock and sport settings, there are no problems from the module, but the sport setting doesn't feel any different than the stock setting and is a waste of time.
The sport+ and race settings do produce a significant "seat of the pants" increase in power and torque. They also consistently produce a check engine light and Diagnostic Trouble Code P026D/$07E8. So far, I have been unable to resolve this problem by clearing the code (it just comes back) or by waiting for the ECU to "learn" and adapt (it doesn't). By the way, P026D is a generic OBDII code - "Fuel injection quantity – quantity higher than expected". It's not an indication of a misfire or overboost or injector malfunction or any of those other bad things that can happen with turbo engines. It just means one of the engine modules meters the fuel use over time and objects if that varies from the amount predicted. Obviously, with an engine tuned for more than stock power, there will be a higher than predicted rate of fuel usage.
I've communicated with tech support at aFe about this. Their response so far has been, just drive with the CEL on, and ignore it. The other option they offered is for me to return the unit, which they can reprogram to produce less power while not generating the trouble code. Based on my experience with the various settings, that sounds like a waste of time and money - why attach a warranty voiding power tuner that doesn't significantly increase power? Lots of downside with very little upside on that arrangement.
I don't know if there is any true resolution to this problem. I do think that anyone using or intending to use an aFe Scorcher on the 3.0 EcoDiesel engine should be forewarned of this issue. I wish that I had been, because I wouldn't have put $400 into an aftermarket device than may turn out to be of minimal value.
Cheers, and keep on truckin!
This is my first post on this forum. I purchased a 2021 Gladiator Rubicon 3.0 EcoDiesel in April. This post is to inform about a persistent CEL and DTC P026D that is generated when the aFe Scorcher 77-46207 is used on this engine.
First I want to say that I think aFe is an excellent company with very well engineered products. I've had only excellent results with everything from aFe in the past, including engine tuning modules on three different gas turbo automobiles. I currently own a BMW (F80, S55 engine)which has been running an aFe Scorcher for about 4 years with awesome power gains and zero problems. So I'm very favorable toward aFe, and this post in no way is negative toward the company. It is however a warning about what appears to be a persistent glitch with their Scorcher unit for the 3.0 EcoDiesel.
Just a basic background on the aFe Scorcher tech in general - it's a "piggyback" tuning module that changes the inputs from engine sensors (MAP and TMAP) to the ECU, tricking the ECU into producing more boost and more HP/torque on turbo engines. They've been selling these units for a number of years and as I said above, I have had excellent experiences using them on three different gas turbo engines.
The turbo diesel is a very different animal however. It's burdened with a ton of regulatory constraints on turbo diesel engines that the feds have come up with after various real or fabricated "scandals". Between the auto start/stop and the DEF and the exhaust particulate filter and whatever else is hiding in the electronics, it feels like driving an engine with eco nannies constantly ready to complain about the slightest variation from whatever the EPA approved.
So, if you put the aFe Scorcher module on the 3.0 EcoDiesel, this is what I experienced. It has four settings, which are stock, sport, sport+, and race. On the stock and sport settings, there are no problems from the module, but the sport setting doesn't feel any different than the stock setting and is a waste of time.
The sport+ and race settings do produce a significant "seat of the pants" increase in power and torque. They also consistently produce a check engine light and Diagnostic Trouble Code P026D/$07E8. So far, I have been unable to resolve this problem by clearing the code (it just comes back) or by waiting for the ECU to "learn" and adapt (it doesn't). By the way, P026D is a generic OBDII code - "Fuel injection quantity – quantity higher than expected". It's not an indication of a misfire or overboost or injector malfunction or any of those other bad things that can happen with turbo engines. It just means one of the engine modules meters the fuel use over time and objects if that varies from the amount predicted. Obviously, with an engine tuned for more than stock power, there will be a higher than predicted rate of fuel usage.
I've communicated with tech support at aFe about this. Their response so far has been, just drive with the CEL on, and ignore it. The other option they offered is for me to return the unit, which they can reprogram to produce less power while not generating the trouble code. Based on my experience with the various settings, that sounds like a waste of time and money - why attach a warranty voiding power tuner that doesn't significantly increase power? Lots of downside with very little upside on that arrangement.
I don't know if there is any true resolution to this problem. I do think that anyone using or intending to use an aFe Scorcher on the 3.0 EcoDiesel engine should be forewarned of this issue. I wish that I had been, because I wouldn't have put $400 into an aftermarket device than may turn out to be of minimal value.
Cheers, and keep on truckin!
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